About.com

Matches and Peppers

Sun, 19 May 2013 10:30:37 +0000

You've probably heard of adding a dash of Epsom salts to the planting hole for peppers. Epsom salts provide some supplemental magnesium which is thought to help peppers set flowers and fruits, especially during hot weather.

...

Read Full Post

Is Organic Rose Gardening an Oxymoron?

Sat, 18 May 2013 10:30:29 +0000

Can roses be grown organically. Of course. Growing roses organically is really no different than growing any type of plant with organic techniques - except that roses are notoriously prone to problems. It certainly helps to start with disease resistant rose varieties and there are a lot to choose from, including some new introductions and many of the older species roses. But even if you're devoted to hybrid teas, all hope is not lost. Organic rose gardening means more than just not using chemicals. It means giving the plant what it wants and needs to grow well. Do that and you'll have a healthy plant, better able to withstand pest attacks. Here are some tips.

...

Read Full Post

Gardening on the Dark Side

Fri, 17 May 2013 09:30:21 +0000

Sooner or later we all venture into the dark side of gardening - pest search and destroy. I think I'm more tolerant of problems on my flowers than my vegetables but looking through Debbie Hadley's 12 Worst Vegetable Garden Pests gallery, I see that I've had them all. Luckily she also gives some chemical-free ways to annihilate them.

...

Read Full Post

Vegetables Made in the Shade

Wed, 15 May 2013 09:30:23 +0000

Vegetable gardens need a full day of sun, right? Maybe. It's true that most vegetables grow and produce best with at least 6 hours of sun per day - the more the merrier. But it's also true that some vegetables can handle a little shade and some even prefer it. So if you only have 4 or even 3 hours of direct sun each day, it doesn't mean you can't grow any vegetables, it just means you have less options.

...

Read Full Post

Organic Pesticide Doesn't Mean Non-Toxic

Tue, 14 May 2013 09:30:54 +0000

Someone recently asked me if it matters how much organic pesticide she applies, since they're all considered safe. Organic pesticides are naturally derived, but that doesn't mean they are harmless. There are many poisons in nature.

...

Read Full Post

Too Cold for Broccoli?

Mon, 13 May 2013 09:30:53 +0000

Some vegetables can be challenging to grow. I'd put broccoli on that list. There are years when the plants grow beautifully, but the heads refuse to form. Strange, since so ...

Read Full Post

Sophisticated Silver Foliage

Sun, 12 May 2013 10:30:29 +0000

Did you ever notice how many plants have silvery gray foliage? They always look so soft and appealing. They can be a little tricky to pair with other plants, because you don't want them to get lost and fade into the background. But they're fun to play around with. They're right at home with pastels and they do a wonderful job of toning down harsh, bright colors. And of course, they add a touch of sophistication. What would Vita Sackville-West's legendary white garden at Sissinghurst be without silver foliage?

...

Read Full Post

Plant. Eat. Repeat.

Sat, 11 May 2013 10:30:07 +0000

I'm enjoying the gradually warming weather, but I know my spring vegetables don't share my enthusiasm for hot sunshine. All too soon, the spinach and lettuce will begin experiencing regular afternoon fainting spells. It is sad when those first beautiful crops of spring suddenly bolt to flower. I try my best to forestall it, with lots of water and frequent picking, but eventually they will give out. With limited space and a big appetite, I'm continually re-seeding any spot that opens up in the garden. I use a combination of succession seeding, planting multiple varieties that mature at successive times and intercropping, or planting 2 vegetables in the same spot and harvesting the quick grower as the slow poke begins to fill out. Two great ways to squeeze more out of your garden.

...

Read Full Post

Container Gardening Mistakes to Avoid

Fri, 10 May 2013 09:30:37 +0000

It's inevitable that you are going to lose a plant or two in the course of time, but it's really frustrating when that plant is part of a container. Besides the hassle of trying to squeeze in a replacement plant, now you have to wait for the container to fill back in and stop looking wounded. Lessen the pain by avoiding Kerry Michaels' 10 Common Mistakes in Container Gardening. My favorite is "Fear of Pruning".

...

Read Full Post

Pinch Me! Helping Your Plants Branch Out.

Thu, 09 May 2013 09:30:15 +0000

Is it that time already? I feel like I just got my plants in the ground and yet they're begging to be pinched back and deadheaded. Perennials really are little attention seekers, aren't they? And after all these years, you would think basil plants would have learned to branch out on their own. Every year we have to train them. Oh well, I garden because I love it and primping plants is a large part of gardening. After all, they'd be perfectly happy to bloom once and go to seed. We're the ones who expect them to perform week after week. So grab your pruners and get out there. It's time to pinch, prune and deadhead.

...

Read Full Post