You may not think there’s much to do in the garden at this time of the year, but there is. The preparations you do now will pay off in the form of a healthier garden with less work during the growing season. Here’s some things you can do to get ready (besides starting seeds!). WORK ON YOUR HARDSCAPE & STRUCTURES This is a great time of year to work on your hardscape elements such as repairing raised beds, building rock walls, putting up trellises, etc. Typically, garden structures … [Read more...] about February Garden To Dos
Compost
It’s time to improve your soil’s health
Fall is a great time to think about improving your soil’s health. We have all kinds of great resources at our finger tips this time of the year including leaf mulch, moisture, aged compost (hopefully you’ve been working on this), and cover crops. This is the time of year when your trees and perennial shrubs put their energy into their root systems. They have just spent the last growing season using up many of the nutrients in the soil they are growing in. In the natural world, say an … [Read more...] about It’s time to improve your soil’s health
Food Waste Reduction
Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency announced the first official national goal for decreasing food waste across the country. Partnering with state and local governments, private companies, and charitable organizations, the goal is aimed at reducing food waste by 50 percent by the year 2030.Each year, around 40 percent of food produced in the U.S. goes to waste. It is estimated that 25-40% of the food grown, processed and shipped will never even … [Read more...] about Food Waste Reduction
Minimizing plant disease through healthy soil
One thing you can count on as a gardener this time of the year is plant diseases. I know of no gardener who does not experience at least some form of plant disease every garden season. Plants, like humans are susceptible to adverse environmental conditions, airborne viruses, weak immune conditions, etc. The healthier the soil and plant, the less likely it will be infected, but 100% avoidance, in my experience, is not likely. Indoor growers have a better chance because they can control the … [Read more...] about Minimizing plant disease through healthy soil
Time to get the planting beds ready
The time is coming that we gardeners have been waiting for -- getting the planting beds ready. Start now and you'll have more time in season for the actual seeding and planting! Here's a checklist of things to do: Plan out what you're going to plant in each bed, taking into consideration putting plants together that require the same soil conditions. A simple diagram of each bed on a piece of paper will do. Check your soil pH in each bed. If needed, add amendments to each bed to raise … [Read more...] about Time to get the planting beds ready
What Heat?
August sits on the air like a bag of wet hot cement. Mid-day movement in the garden is impossible, and thoughts of ice baths are paradise compared to dirt digging. Still, if you're a growing addict fiending for a garden fix, there are plenty of things to do. Some of these entail indoor activity, while others suggest limited outdoor work. Just take precautions by working early or late in the day when the sun isn't as sinister. Cover crops planning While it's still a little early to throw cover … [Read more...] about What Heat?
The Groundhog Has Spoken Part 1
Nibbles, our regional groundhog celebrity, decreed (with Shadow advising behind the scenes) that Spring will arrive early this year. Great advice from an adorable rodent that loves to eat precious crops. Picture from www.fireflyfans.net Still, it's an excuse to ignore the icy hug of winter and prepare for the season of rejuvenation. If this is the first year for growing, or you have some questions about your land and how to best prepare it, here's some prep to get you ready for Spring … [Read more...] about The Groundhog Has Spoken Part 1
