Winter Garden: An OpportunityWinter gardens with their dormant trees and shrubs, twiggy bushes and empty space often present a depressing view. Here's what we do.
ATP Podcast #4: Seed Starting and MoreCome hear Dave and Trish discuss all the news about ATP, gardening updates from Texas, and the main feature of today's show: our favorite tips and ideas about seed starting.
Basil and BugsAphids are drawn to prolific leaf growth and may attack herbs such as basil.
Starting Lavender from SeedIt's possible to have early blooms the first year. Lavender seeds break dormancy when stratified. Roll seeds in a damp paper towel, put in a freezer bag and let sit at room temperature for a few hours. Place sealed bag in the freezer overnight. Thaw, sow in pre-moistened soil mix and place under lights. The seeds will germinate within a few days and will bloom by mid-June if you sow them the end of February. Lady Lavender is a consistent first year bloomer.
Adding Height to a Trellis for HopsSome vigorous vines, like hops, require an extra tall trellis. Even if you found a 10 foot trellis, I'm not sure how you would get it home. One of the easiest solutions is to secure two six foot trellises together.
Masonry Ladders for Climbing PlantsI think my all time favorite plants are vines and climbers. My biggest problem has been giving them something to climb on. For years I was using those flimsy arches you get at a Dollar Store which would snap if you looked at them wrong; so last winter I was determined to find something sturdier.
Look for the Bar CodeThere's lots of plant information at your fingertips when using your Smartphone. Look for a bar code on plant tags, particularly the Exotic Angel Plant brand, found at Lowes. Download a free Bar Code Scanner and scan the bar code. You can see if the plant is right for you with the information that comes up on your phone. Practice with the bar code below.
ATP Podcast #3: Margaret Roach's "The Backyard Parables"Come listen as Dave and Trish discuss the news about what's happening in ATP Land, and Dave interviews Margaret Roach about her brand new book.
Farm Stand Fruits and VegetablesIf you would like to grow more plants than you have space for, or if you love vegetables but prefer growing flowers, you might want to look for a good farm stand nearby. It can provide that garden fresh produce you look forward to each summer while you continue to enjoy your flower garden.
Sweet Peas (aka Queen of the Annuals)Lathyrus odoratus, the annual sweet pea, intrigues gardeners everywhere and the quest for an enchanting display of fragrant walls of colour is one of the most desired displays for many gardeners. Your geographical location will dictate whether sweet peas will be a winter, early spring or late summer and fall bloomer for you. There are a few things to do and consider in preparation for beautiful sweet peas in your garden.
Clear Tubs for Early SeedlingsLarge tubs with clear sides and lids can provide adequate early season housing for tender seedlings.
Wearing Gloves Can Be StickyWhen using latex or vinyl gloves while gardening, I find they are tough to open and insert hands. Sometimes after they have been taken off, a finger or two may get inverted.
More Accurate Hand WateringUse a squirt bottle to control the amount of water and prevent over-watering for seedlings and small plants.
Starting BrassicasDirect sowing is the best method for all: Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, etc. Once day temperatures are consistently above 10ºC or 50ºF, you can direct sow or transplant seedlings.
Leeks for Container Vegetable GardeningAre you a container gardener who wants to grow more vegetables? Looking for an onion flavor without the heartburn? The mild and sweet leek may be your answer.
The Complete Guide to Seed Saving: An Article Containing Every Bit of Information That Could Possibly Be UsefulWhile the title of this article may seem outrageous, the premise behind the promise is simple. We can grow our own seeds both for ourselves and for our communities. Seed saving is a simple process that is well within the capabilities of anyone who is able to grow a garden.
Summer Squash vs Winter SquashThe most significant difference between the two groups is that winter squash has a hard shell and stores well for long periods and summer squash has soft skin, which does not store and is perishable. Both are of the genus Cucurbita. Summer squash are all the species pepo and winter squash includes several species: maxima, argyrosperma, moschata and also some pepo. For example, zucchini is a common summer squash and pumpkin is a winter squash.
Rediscovering TomatoesWhat could you compare to a ripe tomato, fresh from the garden? Tomatoes are consistently one of the most popular edible garden plants, grown all over the world, yet most people have only tried a bland handful of the thousands of varieties available. For decades tomato availability was controlled by canning, shipping, and mechanical harvesting and processing needs, but now we're finally seeing a return to the flavors, textures, and versatility that made tomatoes so compelling in the first place.
ATP Podcast #2: Our Favorite Vegetables and AnnualsCome listen to Dave and Trish discuss their favorite vegetables and annuals, and find out the news about what's happening in ATP Land.
Seed Starting: Breaking DormancyBreaking dormancy of a seed is like waking it up from a sleep. The four key requirements are water, oxygen, light and temperature. There are a few techniques that will increase the germination percentage and help control timing of germination. Basically, water and oxygen need to penetrate the seed coat to initiate the break of dormancy. Some seeds need a combination of water, oxygen, light and/or set temperature.
Seed Starting Tip: Pelleted SeedPress pellet (clay coated seed) lightly onto pre-moistened soil surface. Heavily mist seed until the clay coating darkens and you see the pellet settle in place ensuring good soil contact. Mist daily until germination. A strong brew of room temperature chamomile tea will help prevent damping-off and is what I use to mist with.
I Will Plant Veggies with RosesI have a plan that will make a huge difference in my future gardens. It's simple really; I'm going to plant vegetables among my flowers and let them argue or fight or become friends. It isn't a new plan, it's one Aunt Bett and I hatched a long time ago.
Seed Starting Tip: Pre-Moisten Soil MediumPre-moisten the soil mix before you fill your seeding trays or pots to sow your seeds. Moisture level should be similar to a damp sponge. Add warm water to soil mix and let stand for about 10 minutes, then fill pots or cells and sow seeds as directed. In addition to early indoor seed starting, this method applies to wintersowing and/or preparation for stratification (cool/damp environment) of seeds.
Welcome to Veggies and Annuals Week!For 2013 we are going to be running special Plant Weeks each month, and to start off we have selected this week as Vegetables and Annuals week!
Planning, Designing and Growing a Vegetable GardenIt's that time of year, when freezing temperatures suddenly fade away into our distant memory and we start getting that vegetable garden itch. Let's talk about vegetables - how to grow them and how to design your vegetable gardens.
