In this way, retaining logs or boards have what you might call a hugelkultur effect. Rebar stakes are the best way to reinforce wood-framed beds on a slope The frames or low walls used to stabilize a terraced vegetable garden can be made from many different...
Fall-sown legumes like winter peas boost soil nitrogen when allowed to grow until they begin to bloom in spring 3. The corn plants may not use up all the fertilizer applied to the row middles, so it's a cushy planting niche for heavy-feeding fall crops...
To do this, plunge a spade into the ground about 25cm (10in) away from the central stem. Remove the cover during the day or leave it in place if it is forecast to remain cold. There are some reliable methods to ripen green tomatoes at the end of the season.
Cropping so prolifically can also cause branches to become so weighty that they actually snap under the strain. Choose a point just above a bud. This is healthier for the tree, unless there is a recurring issue with silver leaf or other diseases.
The knot will support the first chili so it needs to be a good size so it won't drop off. Keep them whole or halved for dropping into spicy homemade curries, or pulverise them first – in the food processor or with the end of a weighty rolling pin (somewhat...
Mulching can keep soil cooler and reduce evaporation How to Apply a Mulch Thoroughly soak the ground before adding your mulch. Mulching to Keep Soil Cool and Moist Mulches are a must during any summer drought, and a mulch of organic material such as compost,...
For larger cooking apples you're looking for around 6-9 inches (15-23cm) between fruits. I'm using a sharp pair of pruners for the job, but if the fruits are really close to each other you may find it easier to use scissors to get in between them.
It's that time of year again, when wafts – nay, clouds – of whitefly lay siege to summer favorites like tomatoes and cabbage. Yes, really! In a bad outbreak a handheld vacuum can be very effective at sucking up clouds of whitefly from disturbed leaves.
Unharvested daikons make a good winter cover crop because the big roots drill deep holes into the soil, which are then enriched by the rotting radishes. Then wash the radishes, pat them dry, and store them in plastic bags in the refrigerator.
Place them into a pan with your spices, plus sugar and vinegar. It's a nuisance – albeit a welcome one. Making Pickles and Chutneys Pickles – raw vegetables preserved in spiced vinegar – and chutneys – vegetables and/or fruits cooked slowly with...
Pests tend to leave rutabagas alone when more tender cabbage or kale are present, in part because rutabaga leaves are studded with prickly hairs. Rutabaga seeds sprout quickly, with shade-grown seedlings ready to transplant in only three weeks.
But how can you take your vegetable growing one step further? Saving seed from F1 hybrids won't work either, which because they are created from two separate parent varieties simply won't come true to type.
None of these techniques are exactly rocket science, but by applying each you'll almost certainly be able to eke out more from your fruiting and pod-producing vegetables – and others for that matter.
And don't forget to report any pests you see at BigBugHunt.com . In very extreme cases, if all else fails, use certified organic pest control products. No food gardener's armory is complete without a length of fine mesh netting.
Harvest cabbages once the heads have firmed up How to Harvest Cabbage Use a sharp knife to cut your cabbages once the heads have firmed up. Plants Related to this Article Cabbage (Summer) Grow Guide Cabbage (Fall Red) Grow Guide Cabbage (Fall) Grow Guide...
They contribute to light pollution and diminish our ability to admire nature's light show, the stars. Permanently positioned garden seating looks fantastic when it's visually anchored.
In clay soil, use raised beds or rows. They will root during the winter, and multiply into a cluster in late spring or early summer. Position Full sun. Harvesting Harvest in early summer when the tops begin to fail, and the bulbs have divided into several...
The Western version is slightly larger. Delaying spring planting by two weeks can often help with cucumber beetles management. Damage: Striped cucumber beetles emerge in late spring and immediately begin feeding on cucumber, melon and squash seedlings.
Troubleshooting Beware of sleepy bees when pruning or otherwise working with mature borage plants. The foliage can be gathered and composted. A fresh crop of plants can be planted in late summer for bloom in the fall.
At the end of each season, be sure to pull all onions from the garden. Managing Outbreaks: Remove badly damaged plants, as the maggots can move from one plant to another. Damage: When young onion plants wilt for no apparent reason, pull up a sample plant...
Dried valerian roots are used to make a bedtime tea that promotes sleep. Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area. Often planted with low, mound-forming herbs and flowers.
Position Any sunny spot. You also can start seeds in late winter, and set out the seedlings in spring. Frost tolerant A cold-hardy perennial, lemon balm can survive temperatures to -20F (-30C).
Planting and Harvesting Calendar < Back to All Plants Pests which Affect Tulip Aphids (General) Slug Snail Spacing Single Plants: 5" (15cm) each way (minimum) Rows: 3" (10cm) with 5" (15cm) row gap (minimum) Sow and Plant Set out dormant bulbs from late...
Harvesting Snip off spent blossoms to keep plants looking neat, and to prolong flowering. Most gardeners buy ageratum seedlings, but only dwarf varieties are widely available as bedding plants.
Frost tolerant No. Feeding Weekly liquid feed or seaweed drench from mid summer onwards. Spacing Single Plants: 1' 7" (50cm) each way (minimum) Rows: 1' 5" (45cm) with 1' 11" (60cm) row gap (minimum) Sow and Plant Start seedlings indoors or start with...
