Sage Advice Archives - Page 12 of 25

Ask Gardenerd: When do I harvest my root crops?

A question came into Ask Gardenerd this week that I've been hearing for the past month or so. Seems like a good time to address it:

"When do you know when to pull out things that grow underground like radishes, green onions, even carrots? I'm either too early or too late. - Rochelle"

Well Rochelle, the answer is in your hands. More specifically, it's your index finger. When growing root crops, the foliage will put on a pretty show above ground, but the real magic is happening underground. In order ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:August 4, 2011
Post category:Sage Advice
Post comments:4 Comments

Like a Moth to the Apple

A new question came in to Ask Gardenerd this week:

"Hi, My mom has a very good fuji apple tree, but we lose a lot of apples to worms. Is there a natural, organic, non-Monsanto something that would help deter pests? Thank you, -Michael"

I'm so glad that you are seeking an alternative method to prevent this problem! It's so easy to grab a bottle off the shelf and start spraying. Let's see what we can do to get you on the road to apple tree salvation. ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:July 6, 2011
Post category:Sage Advice
Post comments:0 Comments

Ask Gardenerd: Where to Find a Furrower?

We've been answering Ask Gardenerd questions on the sly lately, but this one seemed like it would benefit other gardenerds who love their tools:

"Can you suggest a good garden furrower? The old single wheel in front style?"

I don't have a garden big enough for a tiller/furrower so I don't have personal experience with one, but I noticed that most of the furrowers out there attach to giant monster tillers. Before we move on, a momentary side bar about tilling since we're on the subject:

Tilling ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:June 22, 2011
Post category:Sage Advice
Post comments:1 Comment

New Video: Transplanting Tomato Sprouts

Check out the newest instructional video on the Gardenerd YouTube channel. We show you how we transplant tomato sprouts into bigger pots and nurture them to planting size. Cool tips for you from Gardenerd!

Transplanting Tomatoes

...

Post author:Christy
Post published:June 8, 2011
Post category:Sage Advice
Post comments:0 Comments

Growing Yellow Raspberries

Every once in a while I get a question that I don't know the answer to. This week was one of those times:

"I am planting some yellow raspberries this spring. I am now able to harvest strawberries in the spring and blackberries in the summer. I selected the yellows so that I could have a fall harvest of fruit. What do I need to know to encourage this to happen? What should I expect the first year?"

Cane berries can be fun - thorny, but ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:May 17, 2011
Post category:Sage Advice
Post comments:2 Comments

Waaaay Too Much Mint

I'm surprised this question hasn't come in to Ask Gardenerd sooner, but it has finally arrived:

"I pulled out a bunch of mint that had gone awry. What should I do with it? Mint sauce? Dry it? How?"

There are plenty of things to do with mint, but even though that's true, I still find myself wondering what to do with an overabundance. Here are a few suggestions off the top:

Plant mint in a pot to keep it under control
...

Post author:Christy
Post published:May 4, 2011
Post category:Sage Advice
Post comments:7 Comments

Earwigs Don’t Wear Wigs

We get a lot of pest control questions at Ask Gardenerd. Here's one now:

"Hey Christy, Love your blog - thanks for all the great tips and pics! I live in Culver City and a year ago I turned my whole back yard into a garden with raised beds. I'm loving it but have noticed lately I have TONS of earwigs. I think they're eating all my veggies, and strawberries for that matter. Any tips on getting rid of them? Everything I read says to put out cardboard so they will congregate ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:April 27, 2011
Post category:Sage Advice
Post comments:2 Comments

Potash Deficiency

A new question dropped into the Ask Gardenerd inbox this week: "Lovin' [your] podcast since 2009! My soil test recommends 15-0-15 for potash deficiency. Organic sources would be....what?

Post author:Christy
Post published:April 21, 2011
Post category:Sage Advice
Post comments:0 Comments

Growing Grains in Small Spaces

A great question came in to Ask Gardenerd this week:

"I am looking to purchase a variety of grain seeds. Not bulk, not for production? Yet. My goal is start growing and saving seeds from planter pots, as my yard is xeriscaped and I am in the process of trying to sell my home. This way once I move I should have seeds for planting a small scale grain garden for personal use. Where can I find open-pollinated grain seeds that are not planting a whole flappin' acre at a time?"
...

Post author:Christy
Post published:April 20, 2011
Post category:Sage Advice
Post comments:0 Comments

My, What Trellises You Have

A question came in this week to Ask Gardenerd:

"I was cycling in Silverlake and saw your garden you've setup for a greyish building! It looked great! I was especially intrigued by the interesting bean & tomato trellises you have. I know this is technically "consulting", but where can I get my hands on some of those for my garden?"

You must mean the Dream Center Garden that I've been working on for over a year now. We planted 24 tomatoes and nearly 100 peas in just ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:March 31, 2011
Post category:Sage Advice
Post comments:0 Comments