In this issue:
- May in the Garden
- Composting Workshop
- Gardenerd Tip of the Month: Smart Tips for Your Garden
- Gardenerd Product of the Month: Gardening for Geeks Book
1. May in the Garden
“April showers bring May flowers” is certainly true this year in the Gardenerd Test Garden (even though we hardly had any rain in LA this year. With all the colorful abundance, we were able to make bouquets for the mothers in the family last weekend. Now that Last Frost dates have past in most climates, it’s time to plant, plant, plant.
In our test garden, our corn is tasseling out as it grows past our heads. Basil and cilantro are sprouting, and our pumpkins and cucumbers have begun the yearly land grab battle. Who will win? We’ve been eating blackberries and strawberries and we just harvested our first frame of honey from our bee hive. It’s exciting to see tomatoes, peppers and eggplant filling out the garden beds.
There’s so much going on with Gardenerd and Gardening for Geeks. Be sure to visit the Events page for upcoming lectures and book signings, radio and TV appearances. I hope to see you soon and get a chance to share news of your gardens.
Happy Gardening,
Christy
2. Composting Workshop – THIS SATURDAY!
Want to turn your garden and kitchen waste into black gold? Take this 2-hour class to learn everything you need to know about composting. This hands-on class will have you tossing “browns” and “greens” like an expert. There’s still time to join in.
3. Gardenerd Tip of the Month – Two Tips for Spring Gardens
This Tip of the Month comes from avid gardeners who wrote into Organic Gardening Magazine. Their ideas were too good not to share. The first comes from Carey Nelson of Yellow Springs, Ohio:
“When I plant my hills of winter squash, I plant a few sunflower seeds… in the center of each hill. By the time midsummer brings hot, dry weather, the whole squash area is covered with vines. The sunflowers provide a beautiful ‘flag’…showing me where to direct my hose.”
Brilliant! The next one helps you tackle your ant / aphid problem (they go together like peas and carrots – ants provide taxi service for aphids). This tip comes from Nancy Petersen of Madras, Oregon:
“A recipe my fram used [to get rid of ants] called for 2 cups cider vinegar, 2 cups sugar and 2 cups water in a gallon jug with a lid. I drill 3 small holes in the lid, large enough for ants and aphids but too small for even little bees, and then place the traps in areas where I have trouble. The just are loaded with ants and aphids, but no bees or ladybugs.”
4. Gardenerd Product of the Month – Once again: Gardening for Geeks
You can’t blame us, we’re so excited about how well Gardening for Geeks is doing, we just had to make it the Product of the Month again! Get the paperback or digital copy as you plant your spring garden. It will help guide you through the season. You can order online through one of the booksellers listed on GardeningForGeeksBook.com.
If you already have a copy and are enjoying it, please post an honest review on Amazon or BN.com. We’d really appreciate it!
- Gardening for Geeks by Christy Wilhelmi
Stay tuned for more tips and tidbits from Gardenerd.com. Happy spring gardening!
