An Adventure with Parsnip Thinnings

I was out in the garden the other day and noticed that my parsnips, which I had planted from seeds that I had saved last year, were sprouted and very happy.  In fact, they were in need of thinning.  See, I had planted several seeds on each hole because I didn't know if my saved seeds would actually be viable.  Turns out, they are extremely potent. 

So instead of following my own advice to snip off the extra sprouts with scissors, I opted to gently pull them out and put them to use in the kitchen.  I was already ...

Continue ReadingAn Adventure with Parsnip Thinnings

News on the Colony Collapse Disorder

Admittedly, I'm a little behind the curve on this one, but I guess I can blame the fact that I don't have television for getting news a little later than other folks.  Anywho...

For those who haven't yet heard, it appears that a major cause of the bee collapse has been definitively sussed out. There are still a few other possible causes, but a recent report that came out in September confirms the connection.  Lawsuits are a'flyin' and hopefully soon we will begin to see change around this issue.  Read below for more details:

http://globalwarming-arclein.blogspot.com/2008/09/colony-collapse-disorder-resolved.html

Special thanks to Ramon for bringing ...

Continue ReadingNews on the Colony Collapse Disorder

Gardenerd and the Eco-Gift Festival

We can not make a major announcement like the unveiling of the new Gardenerd Collection without mentioning the impetus behind it all.  While it's true that it has taken two years to get the starting lineup of premium Gardenerd Gear going, it could very well have taken three or four years had it not been for Tommy Rosen and the Eco-Gift Festival.

Tommy became a client of Gardenerd.com and asked us to build him a food garden at his Venice, California home.  He then invited us to participate as a vendor at the 2nd annual Eco-Gift Festival at the Santa Monica Civic ...

Continue ReadingGardenerd and the Eco-Gift Festival

Introducing the All-New Gardenerd Collection

We've been quite busy here at Gardenerd.com over the last couple of weeks.  As a result, there aren't many blog posts.  Here's why:

(Cue dramatic music)
(The late great voice-over artist Don LaFontaine speaks)

It's been two years in the making.  Hours of leg-work finding just the right fabrics and colors, even more hours slaving over a hot computer to build a brand new online store.  In a world... where gardenerds need to shop, but don't know where to turn...the answer has come.  The Gardenerd Collection has arrived.

Click below to get started!

The Gardenerd Collection
 
Happy Gardening!
...

Continue ReadingIntroducing the All-New Gardenerd Collection

Our Landscaping Project – Part 3

In a bit of a diversion away from the usual subject of vegetable gardening, I am pleased to report that our front yard no longer lies barren.  Plants - actual plants now reside in the space that once was a flatland of mud and weeds.  No longer the embarrassment of the neighborhood, we can now hold our heads up high - and even smile - as we approach the front door.

If you've been following the previous segments about this project, you'll remember the exciting plant removal, and pathway and irrigation installation.  (It's really worth comparing ...

Continue ReadingOur Landscaping Project – Part 3

Fall Gardening To-Do List

For those who are cooling down for the winter, there are plenty of things to do before saying goodbye to gardening this fall.  As the leaves change color and the weather becomes more crisp, here are a couple fall gardening check lists for your end-of-season needs:

Organic Gardening Magazine's Fall To-Do List

Better Homes and Gardens Fall Garden Checklist

I also found a section on Consumer Reports' website that you might enjoy surfing through:

Consumer Reports Fall Lawn and Yard Checklist

Happy fall gardening!
...

Continue ReadingFall Gardening To-Do List

Trial and Error with Irrigation

Every gardener has moments of trial and error, simply because there are some things you just don't know until you try.  Irrigation is one of those things for me. 

Now that the seedlings (that were started under grow lights) have been planted out into the garden, it's time to figure out how to integrate them into our new irrigation system.  The irrigation is relatively simple, in that each bed has its own spigot with a hose attachment on the end.  (You can read more about it in this blog entry).  It is complicated, however, in that each bed has different watering ...

Continue ReadingTrial and Error with Irrigation

Fall Garden Planning Workshop Review

There are so many things to consider when planning out a garden, and whether you've done it before, or it's your first time, the task can always be a little daunting.  Luckily, the excitement of having fresh produce growing steps away from your kitchen overshadows almost all of those feelings of intimidation.  Still, it's always nice to have help.

That's why at the end of September we debuted a new class.  The Gardenerd Fall Garden Planning Workshop drew five enthusiastic gardeners, each with a different plan in mind for their garden.  Some had a space already defined and needed only to fill it.  Others had a blank canvas ...

Continue ReadingFall Garden Planning Workshop Review

Seed Starting for Fall

It's a little late to be talking about this, but I just
wanted to wait to make sure it worked before reporting on my
progress.  As I wipe my hand across my forehead in relief, I can say that I
successfully started brassicas from seed indoors for the first time this
year. 

I've always grown them straight in the ground because I
haven't had space to start seeds indoors.  As you know, if you've been
reading along, this is my first full year starting seeds under grow lights and I
have to ...

Continue ReadingSeed Starting for Fall

Veggies in a Pot

A couple months ago, I got a call from a mother of two who was looking to plant a vegetable garden in her back yard.  The problem was that they had recently remodeled the yard, installing a large stone patio that pretty much ruled out a vegetable garden.  The yard was beautiful will all of its new improvements, and it seemed to me that planting in containers right on top of the patio would be our best option, especially since that spot got more direct sunlight than any other part of the yard.

After a consultation, Michelle decided to shop for some nice ...

Continue ReadingVeggies in a Pot

End of content

No more pages to load