Much ado about mulch
Sure, it’s not the most glamorous of garden topics, but mulch is something that can be an important tool for every gardener. The benefits of mulching are numerous, but there are some things you should know to most effectively use mulch. My colleague and fellow garden professor (Facebook.com/TheGardenProfessors) Dr. Linda-Chalker Scott, from Washington State University, is definitely a maven of mulch. It is one of … Continue reading Much ado about mulch
Wordless Wednesday: African Violet (Saintpaulia) and Cape Primrose (Streptocarpus) collection at home
Winter Damage still causing heartache for home gardeners
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
Intensive gardening helps get big flavors out of small spaces
Many people who think of a vegetable garden think of a plowed-up patch with rows of plants spread out. While this has been the setup for centuries, gardens these days are taking on a whole new dimension. Unless someone is growing a huge amount of produce, my recommendation is to use more intensive methods to grow more in less space. I, for one, have a … Continue reading Intensive gardening helps get big flavors out of small spaces
IPM: An ounce of pest prevention is worth a pound of cure
Pests and pestilence — this is a theme that runs through most of the calls and emails I receive during the garden season. The usual question is: “What do I spray to kill this?” Sometimes clients are hesitant to spray for pests. Sometimes, though, it seems like they are ready to prepare for all-out warfare. Perhaps the right question to ask is not about what … Continue reading IPM: An ounce of pest prevention is worth a pound of cure
Mother’s Day Garden Reflections
Mother’s Day: The time when we focus on honoring the matriarchs of our lives — our mothers, grandmothers or those who we consider motherly to us (I include my Aunt Ruthie in the list). Whether or not the maternal influences in your life are still living, a common and traditional way of honoring them is with flowers. Flowers have been a part of the celebration … Continue reading Mother’s Day Garden Reflections
Managing Minty Mayhem in the Lawn and Garden
All the hype around the Kentucky Derby this past week got me thinking about mint. Why mint? Well, the mint julep, a sweet combination of mint and bourbon, is the official drink of the derby. While the drink may be traditional at the Kentucky Derby, it got its start as a medical concoction in the Virginias. Its first recorded debut as a drink at a … Continue reading Managing Minty Mayhem in the Lawn and Garden
More than just a hill of beans: A bean for every gardener
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
Small Space, Big Fruit Flavor
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
Gardening in the Age of Pinterest: Dubious Online Garden Tips
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
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