The best way to figure out the state of your garden soil is to get in the garden and work the dirt. Yes, you have to get dirty! Hold it in your hands and examine its structure. Tilling is another way to get a good understanding of the type of soil you have – clay, …
Books have been written about them. Artists have replicated them. Poets have been inspired by them. They are incomparable to anything else in the home garden. They are tomatoes. While you may go the simple route and buy whatever the nearest store offers in way of tomato seedlings, a better option is stopping in to …
The Hatfields and McCoys. Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton. Tomatoes and Potatoes. We all know the first two pairs are famous feuders. But what’s with tomatoes and potatoes? Come on, they are great pair. Everyone likes ketchup on his or her fries! Nonetheless the two in plant form do not get along. Tomatoes and potatoes …
Resist the urge to plant in your garden too early. Not only do you have to worry about night-time frost, you also have to ensure the soil temperature is warm enough to enable your tender seedlings to survive. By the second week in May, however, it is usually safe to plant seedlings in the ground …
Let’s talk about raised bed gardening. Why? Because everyone is doing it. While there are some disadvantages to raised beds, many will agree that raised beds provide the perfect solution to several garden conundrums – such as lack of space, clay soil, etc. In addition, raised beds can extend your growing season, especially if you …
This summer think about taking the average happy hour to the next level. All you will need for a creative, gourmet twist on the five o’clock tradition is your backyard garden. Cocktail gardens are making big news in 2015 as bartenders in chic restaurants are mixing up some cutting-edge drink recipes. In raised beds, in …
Fall is the time we usually start to clean up our gardens and rake the falling leaves. It is also the perfect time to start a compost pile. Did you know your compost pile is also a chemistry project? Because all organic matter is made up of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), it is extremely …
As the air gets chillier and fall approaches, it is important to take the necessary steps to prepare your garden for the changing seasons ahead. Some time spent now will pay off with a healthier, happier summer garden in 2015. First, it is important to clean up some of the dead foliage. As tomato plants …
Everyone hates to see the end of summer but it can be especially tough for gardeners. Now is the time of the summer when your garden starts to wear down. It doesn’t rain as much. The heat can be overbearing. Your plants become weak and susceptible to pests. Although it may sound counterintuitive, now is …
You work so hard in your garden to make it beautiful. It would be a shame if your garden became sick. Yes, they can become sick if you aren’t following healthy garden practices. Don’t let disease and pests ruin all that hard work. There are cultural practices and proactive activities you can do to maintain …
