Logs and untreated boards need replacing every few years, but this is part of their value in a terraced vegetable garden. Very steep slopes that require steps to navigate need beds that sit atop one another and must be maintained from the sides, while...
Sweet Corn Stubble for Fall Crop Protection Every situation doesn't merit wholesale renewal. A sharp manual lawn edger will take down most cool-season cover crops in a matter of minutes.
As summer loosens its hold and autumn looms ever closer, many nervous gardeners may be wondering: ‘Will my fruiting vegetables ripen in time?' This is a reasonable question to ask as the weather takes an inevitable turn for the worse.
Do any branches point inwards, cross over each other or look like they'll cross in the future? Branches can quickly die of this disease. Silver leaf disease is spread by spores from a bracket fungus.
Push the needle through the green cap of each chili, rather than the flesh of the fruit, which could serve as an entry point for mold. Keep them whole or halved for dropping into spicy homemade curries, or pulverise them first – in the food processor...
If your water source is some distance from your beds, it also means less walking back and forth. Water along marked-out drills. Try two – one for each hand. If it's exceptionally dry, water again a few hours later to recharge all that valuable soil...
You need to allow enough time before the temperature drops and growth slows right down. Set the seeds onto a layer of compost or potting soil about 10cm (4in) deep, or deeper if your container is particularly tall.
The main benefit of thinning to the gardener is to give those fruits that remain the space they need to grow into bigger, healthier fruits. This usually includes the odd-shaped ‘king' fruit at the center of the cluster.
They are perhaps best reserved for use within a closed environment such as a greenhouse, but be aware that results may disappoint and potentially could do more harm than good. Needless to say, the first line of control is to take action as soon as they...
Purple daikons like ‘Sweet Baby' are popular at fall farmers markets. Asian radishes grow slower than little salad radishes, so they are best planted about eight weeks before your first frost date.
Label each bag with the date and details of what's inside – you'll quickly forget and it can be hard to identify frozen produce through the haze of ice crystals. Many recipes abound, so it's worth rooting around in books and the Internet to find the...
I like to sidestep hot summer sun by starting the seedlings indoors and setting them out when it's cloudy, but the seeds are such willing germinators that they also can be direct-sown into a prepared row and thinned to proper spacing.
You've sown it, grown it and harvested it. Spread the seeds out on paper to dry out for a week or more before storing. Wait until sweet peppers and chillies show their mature color, then simply scrape away the seeds from the pith.
Alternatively, plant first thing in spring, or grow from seed and set out seedlings in early spring. Companions Beet, Chamomile, Carrot, Strawberry, Lettuce, Chinese Cabbage and Cabbage.
Use yellow sticky traps to monitor populations. Preventing Problems: Plants including buckwheat, borage, catnip and radishes attract numerous beneficial that can help control cucumber beetles.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area. Position A sunny spot where bumblebees and other large pollinators are desired.
Preventing Problems: Floating row covers (fleece) are an effective way to prevent egg laying by adults. Managing Outbreaks: Remove badly damaged plants, as the maggots can move from one plant to another.
Troubleshooting Control valerian's spread by cutting back flowering stems before they can shed seeds in your garden. Companions Echinacea, Catnip, Agastache and Dill. Frost tolerant Extremely cold hardy, even in harsh winter climates.
Lemon balm grows into a rounded mound. Spacing Single Plants: 1' 11" (60cm) each way (minimum) Rows: 1' 11" (60cm) with 1' 11" (60cm) row gap (minimum) Sow and Plant Start with a purchased plant, or obtain a rooted piece from a friend or neighbour who...
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 summer to early winter. In less than full sun, tulip blossoms will twist toward the strongest directional...
Troubleshooting White ageratum blossoms go brown as they age, which is not as noticeable in varieties that bloom blue. In midsummer, drench plants with a liquid plant food to stimulate new growth.
Mulch to deter weeds and keep soil moist. Planting and Harvesting Calendar < Back to All Plants Pests which Affect Parsnip Aphids (General) Carrot Rust Fly Slug Snail Plant Diseases which Affect Parsnip Carrot Powdery Mildew
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area. Position Sheltered spot in full sun or partial shade. Troubleshooting The nuts are much-loved by squirrels, birds and rodents.
When bulbs form and the tops of the plants fall over, pull them and cure in a warm place for about 10 days before storing. Long-day varieties work best in northern areas. Do not feed plants that are nearing maturity if you want very sweet onions.
In the US, melons are at high risk for damage from squash bugs, squash vine borers, cucumber beetles and bacterial wilt, so using row cover is a wise preventive strategy. Spacing Single Plants: 2' 11" (90cm) each way (minimum) Rows: 2' 11" (90cm) with...
Promptly pick up fallen apples and chop them into pieces before composting them. Managing Outbreaks: Enclosing perfect green apples in clear plastic sandwich bags will protect them from apple maggots and other pests.
