With the sweltering heat and humidity of summer upon us, the havoc of winter may be but just a memory. Many plant problems caused by the devastating cold of winter, however, are still persisting in the garden. Believe it or not, a majority of the calls that I and my fellow extension agents are receiving are all weather related — mostly from winter, but also … Continue reading Winter Damage still causing heartache for home gardeners
Perhaps no other vegetable reflects the difference of cultures and regions in the Americas quite like the bean. Passed down from generation to generation, it is interesting to think that something as simple as a bean can be a symbol of cultural heritage and history. The fact that we say that something “doesn’t amount to a hill of beans” shows that sometimes we take this … Continue reading More than just a hill of beans: A bean for every gardener
Many gardeners with small garden spaces, or no garden spaces at all, endeavor to grow food in small plots or containers. These gardeners usually stick with tried and true vegetables they can easily grow in one season. But what if we look beyond the vegetable garden and find tasty fruits that can be grown either in containers or small spaces in the garden? Or better … Continue reading Small Space, Big Fruit Flavor
Social media have made it easy to share information the world around. It has made it easy for people to connect and interact more than humans ever have before. Gardening is a common theme on Facebook, Twitter and, especially, Pinterest. Ideas are easily shared through these sites. It’s great to see such interest in gardening. Sometimes, however, these ideas should be taken with a grain … Continue reading Gardening in the Age of Pinterest: Dubious Online Garden Tips
In the garden, there are good guys and there are bad guys. Most often we think of bad guys as weeds, diseases and insects. These are truly bad guys. But there are other bad guys. Bad guys that find their way into your heart, acting as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. They are hiding right in plain sight — on garden center shelves and in … Continue reading Pretty, problematic invasive plants can be lurking at the garden center
On a trip this past week to Seattle, I was able to get out and explore some of the area’s natural plant life. Because it is wedged between the ocean and a mountain range, the climate is mild and fairly wet. In my adventures, I noticed a phenomenon we have here in our area taken, in some cases, to extremes. It is a mostly harmless … Continue reading Taking a lichen to each other
Sometimes it takes me a while to come up with an idea for my weekly article. Sometimes inspiration strikes at the weirdest of times and the column just writes itself. This week, the latter is the case after a weekend visit to a big-box home-improvement store. While strolling through the garden section of the store, my eyes were immediately fixed upon one of the most … Continue reading Don’t fall for garden store gimmicks
Gardeners are champing at the bit to get their hands dirty after a long and dreary winter, though it is still a little early to plant most things outside. If you are itching to get a head start and a leg up on the garden, think about starting your own seeds indoors. Many vegetable plants, annual flowers and even perennials can be started indoors before … Continue reading Seed Starting for the Frugal Gardener
Peas just don’t get any respect. They may, in fact, be the Rodney Dangerfield of the garden. Sugar snaps and snow peas do seem to rank well, but few people grow them, or at least grow them successfully. Even fewer people grow the old English type pea that you have to shell out and cook without the pod. But peas, and fresh peas, are delicious … Continue reading Give Peas a Chance
The bitter winter air smacks you in the face as you quickly move about your business. Piles of snow, now more gritty and dirty than freshly fallen, still cover the landscape. Mother Nature has held us in her icy grip, lashing out with a force we haven’t seen for decades. Winter, it seems, has come with a vengeance. While the bitter cold of winter can … Continue reading The winter of our garden discontent: Effects of bitter cold in the garden
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