Gardener ‘Shape Up’, Tomato Nutrition Is Tops!

It's Friday (yay!) and possibly this weekend there will be some time to browse seed catalogs (sans cookies) and make some decisions on what to grow in the edible garden.  Tomatoes are a staple in my garden (probably in most people's) since 'growing your own' has become the way to enjoy them fresh.  Of course, buying …

Continue reading Gardener ‘Shape Up’, Tomato Nutrition Is Tops!

Advertisement

You Can Still Go For The Garlic!

I know it's November and the leaves have fallen... Winter is so close that you can literally feel it getting closer each day. But you don't have to let all of your planting aspirations disappear just yet, for you still have time to grow some garlic!  It's o.k. to plant garlic up until the ground …

Continue reading You Can Still Go For The Garlic!

Let the Bells of Ireland Sing!

Ever mistaken a desired flower for a weed?  I have a bit of a story to tell regarding  Moluccella laevis a.k.a. 'Bells of Ireland'.  Just in case you are not familiar with 'Bells of Ireland' it is an annual plant producing beautiful light green flowers, shaped like bells, on strong sturdy stems. 'Bells of Ireland' …

Continue reading Let the Bells of Ireland Sing!

Make some magic…plant peas with pals

Gardening with children is both fun and rewarding!  I have noticed many children have a fascination with 'magic seeds' (er... beans anyway) and planting seeds to grow their very own apple, cherry, whatever-they-love-to-eat tree or plant can be very exciting.  As a child, I remember planting seeds from an apple I had eaten to have …

Continue reading Make some magic…plant peas with pals

Seed Starting – Tips and Techniques (Part III)

It's been a week since I've written about seed starting basics and hopefully you've enjoyed some successful growing endeavors and seeds have begun to sprout!  If so, you probably noticed some seeds germinating in a few days while others taking a week or more.  What to do when seedlings have emerged?  In this post I'll …

Continue reading Seed Starting – Tips and Techniques (Part III)

Seed starting – tips and techniques for great results (II)

You're Back!  Super!  In this post, I'll share my thoughts on seed starting equipment and seed planting.  First the equipment.  There are two primary pieces of equipment needed for successful seed starting/growing.  Shop light fixtures with fluorescent tube bulbs, i.e., a growing station and a soil heat mat.  As you continue to learn about seed …

Continue reading Seed starting – tips and techniques for great results (II)

Seed Starting…tips and techniques for great results

I attended the Idaho Spring horticultural symposium here in Boise a couple of weeks ago and was particularly inspired by Willi Galloway of digginfood.com.  She gave a presentation on seed starting and it prompted me to remember the seed starting equipment I have packed away in a box in the garage.  I was really involved …

Continue reading Seed Starting…tips and techniques for great results