2008 - Page 11 of 15

Xeriscape Project Brings Joy

This weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting a woman who recently decided to tear up her front lawn for a low-water Xeriscape solution. Sherri and her husband wanted to embrace the idea of a lawn-less life, so they hired a landscape designer to help them get started. Here's what Sherri had to say about the project:

"Our most recent effort was tackling our lawns – and this has been the most satisfying project so far! The drought conditions in Southern California ..."

Post author:Christy
Post published:April 17, 2008
Post category:What's Growin' On
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A Spring Garden Festivus

I'm not at all a Seinfeld fan, but for some reason, Kramer's Festivus holiday jumped out of my head and into the title of this entry. I guess that his enthusiasm for celebration was so similar to what I have been feeling when I'm out in the garden these days. Something new has gone in the ground each day this week. The promise of new life, new varieties and (crossing our fingers) no gophers has taken over my head.

Here is a quick list of what has been planted from seed this week:

Lettuces - 6 different heirloom varieties

Arugula

Mustard Greens

Golden Chard

Orach ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:April 11, 2008
Post category:What's Growin' On
Post comments:1 Comment

Tomato Recommendations

Our adventurous tomato cage gardenerd writes in:

"Can you recommend particular tomatoes that you have had success with. I am building your cool tomato cage and am inundated with the choices available in tomatoes."

I can recommend a slew of heirloom tomatoes that have worked for me, because honestly - that's all I've grown before. Depending on where you live, your hardiness zone or the topography of your landscape, you can find tomatoes for all climates.

As for my recommendations: We are very near the coast in Southern California where I garden. We get a marine layer for a few months that ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:April 9, 2008
Post category:Sage Advice
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Nursing Early Tomatoes

Get your tomatoes in the ground as soon as the soil can be worked. Use this handy tip to keep them snug and warm until warmer weather.

Post author:Christy
Post published:April 9, 2008
Post category:Blog
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Earth Hour 2008

Explore more ways that you can help mother nature along by participating in Earth Hour 2008.

Post author:Christy
Post published:March 28, 2008
Post category:Blog
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Tomato Cages – the Gardenerd Way

Those who signed up on the Gardenerd website and downloaded the Top 5 Organic Gardening Tips will appreciate this one. A gardener wrote in today:

"What kind of store do you find the fencing for tomatoes? I don't think they have it at Home Depot. Would it be more like a farm supply store or some kind of fencing company?"

Admittedly, I found my fencing in the exact size I needed in the discard pile at the community garden where I have a garden plot. However, there is another person nearby who uses the same kind of fencing in ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:March 28, 2008
Post category:Sage Advice
Post comments:1 Comment

Need a lawn alternative? Buffalo grass works in many circumstances

Grass Growing for Beachside Folks

We got a new question in this week:

"I live 1 mile from the beach and have very sandy soil and a very sunny yard. I can't grow grass, keep grass or prevent grass from burning. Help!"

Is it safe to assume that you've tried out different watering schedules, primarily avoiding watering between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m? If not, try that first. You may need to water more often for shorter periods of time, depending on the type of grass you have, so that the water stays near the root zones, instead of washing out past them. You would also ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:March 26, 2008
Post category:Sage Advice
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Growing Tomatoes in Florida

A Florida gardenerd wrote in recently:

"I live in Orlando, Florida and I know that every place has its season to grow vegetables. I am interested in growing tomatoes and green peppers to start. Don't know anything about it, and want to know how to grow them organically. Thank you for your help."

You're smack in the middle of the ever changing Zone 9 over there in Orlando. According to several sources, that area has been shifting between zone 10, 9a, and 9b for the last 50 years. Sandy soil, tropical heat and sudden frosts, right?

I did some research and ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:March 26, 2008
Post category:Sage Advice
Post comments:6 Comments