garden Archives - Page 10 of 13

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 ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:October 15, 2008
Post category:What's Growin' On
Post comments:0 Comments

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 ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:October 15, 2008
Post category:What's Growin' On
Post comments:0 Comments

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 ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:October 10, 2008
Post category:What's Growin' On
Post comments:0 Comments

Green Beetles – What’s the Buzz?

Another question came in today:

"Metallic green beetles keep invading my garden--about 1" long. Green wings with brown edges. Friend or foe?"

Well - I know my Permaculture friends would say that there's no such thing as a bad insect, but to answer your question in a word: foe.

I've watched these little buggers make lunch out of my neighbor's roses. They sure love 'em. They are known as Figeater Beetles with a Latin name of Cotinis Mutabilis. Here is a blog entry I found about them:

http://fireflyforest.net/firefly/2008/03/08/figeater-beetle/

The bugs themselves are harmless, meaning they ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:September 12, 2008
Post category:Sage Advice
Post comments:2 Comments

Our Landscaping Project – Part 2

We had a flurry of jackhammers and 3-foot deep trenches in recent weeks. New plumbing (for proper drainage away from the house) and a sump pump were installed. We also had irrigation to all the major watering areas installed.

Here's something very nerdy and exciting: My raised bed garden now has drip irrigation in each of the raised beds, each with a separate zone and the capacity to set different watering times for each bed! Fancy and possibly unnecessary, but we couldn't resist the chance to experiment with such a personalized watering system. There is a spigot in each bed, with a ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:September 9, 2008
Post category:What's Growin' On
Post comments:6 Comments

White Fly Terror

Another great question came through Ask Gardenerd this week:

"We have white flies on our hibiscus trees, and I was wondering if there is a pesticide free way to get rid of them. The infestation is on one tree, and I don't want it to spread to the other trees or anything else in our garden. We have dogs, and I don't want to use malathion or diazinone. What would be safe to use?Thanks!"

In many cases, your hose is your best friend. If you have a hose nozzle set on my favorite setting: Kill (read: Jet or Full), you ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:August 22, 2008
Post category:Sage Advice
Post comments:2 Comments

Peach Tree Blues – EM Answers

We got a question in this week from a gardener:

"I have a 2 year old white peach tree, and it has peach leaf curl. Is there any natural way to control this? I've looked in books and on line and I've not found any other way to control it than the chemicals..."

It just so happens that I recently met someone who had a similar problem here in Venice, CA. What they used to improve the tree's situation without chemicals is something you may have not heard of before. I'm just starting to really learn more about it, so ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:August 22, 2008
Post category:Sage Advice
Post comments:3 Comments

What? No Zucchini!

A gardener recently wrote in:

Dear Gardenerd,

My zucchini was extremely prolific until a few weeks ago, now I get a lot of flowers, but they are not turning into zucchini, they just fall off. HELP! What's the deal with my zuch?

Thank you in advance,
Zesty for Zucchini

Dear Zesty,

I, too, have had trouble with my zucchini this year (yellow crookneck squash and pumpkins as well). I've checked with some other sources and they are experiencing the same thing throughout the U.S. The problem could be our bee problem. Not enough pollinators. While your zucchini may have gotten and rush of them a ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:August 14, 2008
Post category:Sage Advice
Post comments:2 Comments

Cornell’s Vegetable Variety Site

I stumbled upon a site this week that is a must see for home gardeners. It's a site to register the varieties of whatever vegetables you are growing in your garden so that other gardeners can find varieties that grow well in similar climates and visa versa. Okay- it's hard to explain, but just check it out:

http://vegvariety.cce.cornell.edu/

I registered a few of my favorite tomato varieties as well as some varieties that didn't do well in my coastal area. This can become a very useful resource for planning your next garden.

Enjoy! ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:August 9, 2008
Post category:Sage Advice
Post comments:0 Comments

Our Landscaping Project – Part 1

Some of you may know that we bought the house we live in a couple of years ago. It took almost a year to renovate, and we finally moved in last April. Now that we've been living in the house for a year - and tackling indoor projects as well as building the raised bed garden, it has come time to give some much needed attention to the outside of the house - namely the front and back yards.

We have been scheming and planning for awhile now, and interviewing contractors. We found a great landscape designer who could ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:July 31, 2008
Post category:What's Growin' On
Post comments:3 Comments