Read more about the article May To-Dos
May flowers are here! Let's enjoy them.

May To-Dos

Continue ReadingMay To-Dos

It's May, everyone! We love the garden in May. It really gets going right about now, which means there's no time to rest. If you haven't planted spring or summer crops yet, now is the time. If they're already in the ground, we're here to help you keep them happy. Here's your list of May To-dos: May To-Dos Deadhead spent flowers to keep them producing through spring. Hand-pollinate squash plants in the morning before flowers shrivel up. By 9 a.m.…

Read more about the article Ask Gardenerd: How to Harvest and Store Red Onions
Our home grown red onion

Ask Gardenerd: How to Harvest and Store Red Onions

Continue ReadingAsk Gardenerd: How to Harvest and Store Red Onions

A timely question came in to Ask Gardenerd this week: "How do you harvest and store red onions? - Pete" Hi Pete, great question. It's that time of year, if you planted bulb onions in the fall, to harvest them for storage. If you're just planting them now, you'll harvest in late summer or fall. Red, yellow and white bulb onions all follow the same rules when it comes to harvesting and storing. Let's look at how to harvest them…

Read more about the article Thinning Fruit on Apple Trees
Tiny Fuji apples from our first harvest. Didn't thin - how else can you fit 7 apples in one hand?

Thinning Fruit on Apple Trees

Continue ReadingThinning Fruit on Apple Trees

Every gardener does it. We get so excited about impending fruit that we don't do what's best for the tree. We see all those tiny blossoms, then tiny orbs, and we stop using our rational brain in hopes of more, more, more. Thinning fruit from our fruit trees ensures larger fruit and a healthier tree. Young trees often become misshapen when they are laden down with more fruit than their branches can bear. So let's review techniques for thinning fruit…

Read more about the article New Toy: Compost Tea Sprayer
The unit comes with several tip options. We like the brass sprayer (beware of lead, though).

New Toy: Compost Tea Sprayer

Continue ReadingNew Toy: Compost Tea Sprayer

Last year after taking Dr. Elaine Ingham's Soil Food Web intensive, I ran out and purchased a piston-pump sprayer to take my compost tea to the next level. Compost tea is great for plant roots and soil health, but it also makes a great foliar feed (using said compost tea sprayer). Plants respond with a jump in growth, and a reduction in surface- or soil-born fungal infestations. Since tomato season is here, and blight is never far behind here in…

Read more about the article Where’s Gardenerd – New Orleans, Louisiana

Where’s Gardenerd – New Orleans, Louisiana

Continue ReadingWhere’s Gardenerd – New Orleans, Louisiana

Mr. Nerd made his way from Northern California to New Orleans this month, where he visited Eugene Arceneaux. Doesn't that name just scream New Orleans? We love to see the slices of cross-culture Mr. Nerd experiences on his travels. What's growing in Louisiana right now? Let's find out. Mr. Nerd kept Eugene company while Eugene planted his tomatoes, peppers, bush beans and more. He starts his seeds in seed trays, then transplants them to red Solo cups (roomy enough for…

Stopping Sow Bugs

Continue ReadingStopping Sow Bugs

Sow bugs can be beneficial to the garden (or at least your compost bin) because they till the soil and are part of the Soil food web. But they are a problem because they eat decaying matter. But they also love strawberries.

Read more about the article Ask Gardenerd: Milkweed for New York?
Monarch on a happy milkweed plant

Ask Gardenerd: Milkweed for New York?

Continue ReadingAsk Gardenerd: Milkweed for New York?

A question came into Ask Gardenerd this week about milkweed plants and seeds: "Could you please recommend a reliable source to buy African milkweed? I would like to grow some in Rochester NY. Is this the correct kind for my area, by the way? Thank you, Julia Joshpe" Hi Julia,  while African Milkweed is beautiful and fun to grow, it's not a native milkweed in New York. Take heart, though. We found a site that has plenty of recommendations for…

Read more about the article Gardenerd on Hallmark’s Home and Family Show 4-13-16

Gardenerd on Hallmark’s Home and Family Show 4-13-16

Continue ReadingGardenerd on Hallmark’s Home and Family Show 4-13-16

It's been three years since my last appearance on the Hallmark Home and  Family Show, and I'm happy to return this Wednesday (it repeats on Thursday, so I am told) to share information with you about growing sunflowers for pollinators. Tune in Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at 10 a.m./ 9 a.m. central for fun and flowers as we discuss bee-friendly gardens, why pollinators are important, and how to grow sunflowers for color, pollen, and food. The photo above was taken…

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