The weather of September has helped gardens continue to grow and produce as long as you were able to supply needed water. Shorter days and cooler nights will now end most growth. Weeds, of course, are happily growing and making seeds for next year so they need to be removed and used to make fertilizer. Let’s remember that the best way to a healthy, productive garden is through healthy, fertile soil. October is a great time to get soil tested…
Gardens are now heading into the season finale with harvests of almost everything. Dry weather has been hard on many veggies and flowers but extra mulching and watering can keep plants healthy. This is a good time of year to apply foliar compost tea or your own homemade biofertilizers (see previous article). It’s also a good time to get a soil test so you know what is needed for next year. Tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, and cabbage will do well if…
Gardens are now mature and producing an abundance of veggies, herbs, flowers, and weeds. Garlic should have been harvested by now and next we’ll harvest potatoes, tomatoes, onions, carrots, beets, and more. It’s the reward that a hard-working gardener deserves and should enjoy this time of year. Proper harvesting is key to successful production, and the more you pick the more you get! Leaving blossoms or fruits on plants to get over-ripe or go to seed tells the plant its…
The rains of June have triggered all plants to grow and flourish. We now have flowers, early veggies, fresh berries, plus weeds and pesky bugs. It’s the busiest of gardening times with early harvesting, more planting, and, of course, pest & weed control. This means mulching, fertilizing, regular weeding, scouting for pests (bugs & critters) and succession plantings can begin. In this article I’ll cover how to convert your weeds into liquid fertilizer, mulching, succession planting, and tips for the…
After the cool, wet days of May we can now get seriously planting and cultivating our gardens. While there are many plants that can be seeded outdoors now don’t be tempted to start working your soil if it is still too wet. If you till your garden it is very important to wait until the soil has drained and dried enough to be crumbly, not sticky. I do not till my garden soil at all because tilling is very damaging…
It’s the time of year when we can put some things in the ground. Some seeds can go in now, while others need to wait for warmer days. How do we know what to plant when? In April and early May most soil is still too wet to dig unless you have raised beds. Let’s look at several ways to know when it’s OK to plant seeds or put out transplants. Also, a few words about the benefits of not…
When our snow is replaced by slippery mud, it’s a sure sign that spring is here! We are now getting just over 12 hours of daylight per day and that stimulates new plant growth. Snow Drops have made their showing and crocuses and daffodils are bursting forth. It makes our gardens irresistible on warmer days but don’t be tempted to get too ambitious just yet. There are a few jobs that can be done before working in the soil. Houseplants…
In March we can’t be sure if it’s going to snow or rain but there are garden tasks to do. Snow has buried any sprouts peeking up from the ground but the good news is that the snow means more water availability come spring. As the days get longer there are indoor and outdoor garden preparations we can be doing now, including planting, pruning, and feeding! If you haven’t yet pruned your fruit trees (apples, pears, cherries, etc.) use a…
February is too early to start most seeds indoors but not too early to get organized and ready for planting in March-April. Our growing season is too short for many plants (tomatoes, peppers, and many flowers) to sow their seeds outdoors in the spring but we can get a jump start by starting them indoors and effectively extend the season. If we provide the right conditions of soil, light, and temperature our favorite plants will be ready to transplant in…
Despite the winter season there’s plenty to keep a gardener occupied. If you haven’t ordered your garden seeds yet, start by listing seeds leftover from last year. Look at the short list of local seed companies that I list in the full article (or any others that you like). Browse online catalogs from the comfort of home. Don’t delay, the best varieties sell out early. In this article I suggest a few winter tips and easy-to-do ideas that will make…