Over time, the lowest tiers of a sloped site gain organic matter as it trickles down from the higher beds, so adding organic matter to the higher beds benefits the lower ones, too.
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 like collards and spinach. I like to collect some to replant or share at my community seed swap, but I also dump...
Here, then, are a few ideas to speed up ripening of some common fruiting plants. Once consistently cooler weather arrives it's time to bring all of the fruits indoors, whether they're ready or not.
Check plants every couple of days and remove fruits and pods before they get too large or overripe. It's naturally full of potassium, which fruit and pod-bearing plants love. A regular liquid feed will result in better quality fruits for longer 4.
Protect Your Crops As most growers of cabbages, broccoli or other brassicas will know, defense is the best form of attack. Compost any remaining plant debris from the beds once the crop is cleared to prevent pests hiding out under leaves or in dead stems,...
Red cabbages are popular for braising or pickling. Caterpillars prefer nasturtiums, so they'll be more likely to eat these instead of your cabbages. This avoids unnecessary root disturbance, helping the seedlings to quickly adapt to their new growing...
Avid gardeners are busy gardeners. The towel wicks moisture away from the pot, which then evaporates. A couple of lights directed up into the branchwork of a tree looks stunning. Sowing, planting, weeding, watering, harvesting, deadheading, composting,...
Some of the newest daikons are purple rather than white or green. Diversify your fall garden with red-skinned Chinese radishes (top), white daikon radishes (right), and watermelon radishes (left) Daikon radishes have long, upright leaves with wavy edges,...
Making Pickles and Chutneys Pickles – raw vegetables preserved in spiced vinegar – and chutneys – vegetables and/or fruits cooked slowly with herbs, spices, sugar and vinegar – are a must for any kitchen gardener travelling on the road to self-sufficiency.
The most stalwart members of the turnip tribe, rutabagas are a rustic cross between wild turnip and cultivated cabbage that came about in Scandinavia, Russia or perhaps Lithuania in the late Middle Ages.
Once the plant displays its fluffy seed heads, pull it out of the ground and hang it upside down indoors to dry. Best Vegetables for Seed Saving Some vegetables are easier to save seed from than others.
But remember, plums fruit on young wood. Silver leaf and bacterial canker can weaken or even kill plum trees. This used to be the recommendation, but best practice nowadays is to leave pruning wounds open to ‘bleed' and heal naturally.
Drying is an excellent way of preserving chilies. Fellow GrowVeg blogger Barbara also has a truly scrumptious recipe for chili paste – it comes tried, tested and thoroughly approved! Of course, if you've got other ideas for storing and using dried chili...
You can use taller crops to shade shorter ones, but in scorching weather drastic action may be needed. Provide shade to help seedlings thrive during a heatwave Add Some Shade Young seedlings, and cool-season crops in general, perform better under the...
You need to allow enough time before the temperature drops and growth slows right down. The seeds are exactly the same as those sold for spring planting, only these ones have been held back in a cold store to stop them developing any further; they're...
The fruits left to grow on will enjoy more airflow, sunlight and energy from the tree for even ripening. Nectarines should be thinned once to six inches (15cm) apart. For larger cooking apples you're looking for around 6-9 inches (15-23cm) between fruits.
Hanging up sticky traps is also a great way to monitor populations of whitefly early on in the season – act immediately when you spot them. Whiteflies are great at making more of themselves.
Crop Rotation Group Allium (Onion family) ● Soil Fertile, well drained soil with compost dug in. Companions Beet, Chamomile, Carrot, Strawberry, Lettuce, Chinese Cabbage and Cabbage.
Striped cucumber beetle [Credit: CamPixie ] Striped cucumber beetle [Credit: CamPixie ] Host Plants: On Crops: Cucumbers, melons, squash Where Found: Most of North America Description: Striped cucumber beetles are less than a quarter of an inch long with...
Crop Rotation Group Miscellaneous ● Soil Any average, well drained soil. The foliage can be gathered and composted. Troubleshooting Beware of sleepy bees when pruning or otherwise working with mature borage plants.
Companions Echinacea, Catnip, Agastache and Dill. Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area. Harvesting Dig roots in fall or early spring and dry outdoors, because they release an unpleasant...
Crop Rotation Group Miscellaneous ● Soil Rich well-drained soil. 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...
Harvesting Cut tulips to use as cut flowers just as the buds open. Frost tolerant Excellent. Crop Rotation Group Miscellaneous ● Soil Average garden soil with excellent drainage.
In midsummer, drench plants with a liquid plant food to stimulate new growth. Most gardeners buy ageratum seedlings, but only dwarf varieties are widely available as bedding plants.
Harvesting Use a digging fork to loosen soil along outside of the planting before pulling roots. Feeding Not required. Frost tolerant Yes. Mulch to deter weeds and keep soil moist.
