Don’t forget that you can grow a lot of vegetables upright. Tomatoes need support. Put a large cage on your tomato plant in a big pot—the bigger the better. The tomato can be staked with a wooden stake. Put a few large headed (roofing) nails in the stake to hold the ties as the plant … Read more
So, you’ve been considering container gardening. Let’s think a bit more specifically about what it takes to create a spectacular pot. You don’t need professional help or specialty plants—Just take a walk down the aisles of your favorite garden center this spring and choose wisely. Plan the structure of your pot. The easiest way is … Read more
It’s spring and weeds are springing! A common gardener’s saying is that a weed is “just a plant growing in the wrong place.” We know there are a number of weeds that are edible or used medicinally such as purslane and dandelions. Nevertheless, we don’t want them in our garden beds. Well, why not? Mostly … Read more
As the days get warmer, I start dreaming about a summer vacation. Often, my family will pack up and set off in our pop-up camper to stay a few nights in one of our national or state parks. The natural places in our country hold so much beauty! This year we probably won’t be heading … Read more
“Hardening Off” is the process of allowing plants to adjust from pampered conditions indoors to the harsher conditions outdoors. Seedlings especially need to adjust slowly to the harsh full sun, night temperatures, rains and winds. If you do not allow your plants to adjust slowly, the shock from being placed outdoors all at once may cause … Read more
What is the most popular fruit grown in our home gardens? You know it as a tomato. Botanically it is a fruit as are zucchini, peppers, cucumbers, beans and peas. Nutritionists call them all vegetables, mainly because we eat them as savory dishes. But by whatever classification, a tomato is what so many of us … Read more
Transplanting a plant into the garden soil is a fairly easy task. Items you will need include a trowel (or shovel for larger plants), compost soil, starter fertilizer and water. These steps are geared to planting a perennial, but the same is true for an annual plant. Let’s look at this project step by step: … Read more
Sprouts are one of the easiest ways to get fresh, extremely nutritious veggies in our diets right now. You can grow a whole crop in less than a week from start to finish, with nothing more than a jar and some cheesecloth. Well, you do need seeds of course! You can find them at online … Read more
We’re all excited about getting out of the house and getting into the garden. Try not to get overanxious. You need to pay attention to not only the air temperature but soil temperature also. The most important requirements for seed germination are heat and moisture, and the amount and duration of each necessary for a … Read more
Now is the time to plan ahead for your seed starting. Starting plants from seed is a relatively easy project if you plan ahead. Here are basic items you will need before you begin.Choose your area to work and hold your pots; then assemble your equipment: Seeds – Seed catalogues give you a large selection. Local … Read more