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Special techniques

Flowers that Attract Bees and other Pollinators

January 8, 2024

Flowers that Attract Bees and other Pollinators

There are many flowers that attract bees and other pollinators and other beneficial Insects. I prefer using native and popular perennials, as they don’t need to be replanted every year. They are likely to thrive for some years with proper care, such as adding compost annually and periodic division when they become oversized or overcrowded. The chart below is meant as a guide to help in your selection of the colors you want to incorporate into the garden, depending on the perennial and specific variety that you choose.
The blog provides insights into attracting bees and other pollinators to gardens, emphasizing the use of native and popular perennials that don’t require annual replanting. It also highlights the importance of flower diversity and timing to ensure continuous blooming throughout the year. Additionally, it discusses the significance of leaving certain vegetables behind to attract bees and the impact of pesticides on bee populations. The article aims to encourage readers to contribute to the preservation of pollinators by creating bee-friendly environments.

Maintenance, Organic gardening, Special techniques, Vegetables

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Garden the Organic Way Book!

November 28, 2023

Garden the Organic Way Book!

The book “Garden the Organic Way” is now available in softcover and would make a perfect holiday gift or reading material during the offseason gardening months. The book serves as a comprehensive guide to organic gardening, covering all stages from being an absolute beginner to harvesting delicious fruits and vegetables. It also emphasizes soil restoration and sustainable practices. It can help plan upcoming gardens, increase crop production, and enhance overall garden productivity. It’s available on Etsy via the link provided on the website.

Biological controls, Composting, Cool Weather Crops, Crop Rotation & Planting, Food For Thought, Garden planning, Insects and Diseases, Liquid Fertilizers, Maintenance, Making Compost Teas, Organic gardening, Planning the Garden, Raised Bed and Container Gardening, Soil Improvement, Special techniques, Vegetables, Warm Weather Crops

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How To Build a Raised Bed

How To Build a Raised Bed

The video “Building a Raised Bed” demonstrates how to construct a raised bed for gardening. Raised beds are efficient, requiring fewer resources and producing larger yields, while preserving soil structure. They offer a fresh start with desired soil types and minimize organic matter addition. Using a raised bed also prevents soil compaction and improves aeration and root development, fostering healthier plants. The book “Garden the Organic Way” and my Udemy course on soils are recommended for deeper understanding.

Organic gardening, Raised Bed and Container Gardening, Special techniques

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Straw Mulch versus Plastic or other Mulches

February 27, 2020

Straw Mulch versus Plastic or other Mulches

The author discusses the benefits and disadvantages of using different mulching materials in organic gardening, with a focus on straw and plastic. Straw is highlighted as an eco-friendly, affordable and effective mulch that protects plants while regulating soil temperature. It’s also useful for planning ahead for the spring planting season. However, small creatures like voles find it attractive. While plastic can heat beds quickly and prevent weeds, it raises soil temperatures, does not allow sufficient rainwater penetration, and can harbor rodents. It’s also non-recyclable and contributes to waste. The author encourages the use of other decomposable materials like compost, coconut husks, dried leaves and grass for mulching.

Biological controls, Maintenance, Soil Improvement, Special techniques

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Factors that Influence Watering

January 3, 2016

Factors that Influence Watering

The amount of water necessary for a garden depends on factors such as the type of soil, weather, vegetables being grown, mulch used, and watering mechanism. Sandy soil drains quickly and needs more water, while clay soil retains water longer. Mulching can help conserve water, especially in hot summer months. Certain vegetables require more water during key growth periods, while others tolerate dryness. The application of organic matter can facilitate better soil percolation and moisture retention, while breed selection can match watering needs to the garden’s conditions.

Maintenance, Soil Improvement, Special techniques, Vegetables

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Harboring Insects and Diseases

December 16, 2015

Harboring Insects and Diseases

In managing gardens in different locations there are lessons learned about composting and the importance of crop rotation. The advice is to consistently turn compost piles to prevent grub populations, clean up and dispose of infested plants, and practice crop rotation to limit disease. Mild winters allow certain crops, like greens, to grow longer, but also enable disease to stay around and fruit trees to bloom prematurely, potentially causing a lost crop.

Insects and Diseases, Maintenance, Special techniques

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Carrots are Not Germinating?

November 9, 2015

Carrots are Not Germinating?

Carrots have a slow germination rate, taking up to 30 days to germinate. It is recommended to use a fast-germinating companion plant like radishes or mark the seeding spot. More insights can be obtained from the book ‘Garden the Organic Way’ or the respective YouTube gardening videos.

Cool Weather Crops, Garden planning, Organic gardening, Special techniques, Vegetables

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Growing Collard Greens

August 29, 2015

Growing Collard Greens

Growing Collard Greens is simple and rewarding due to their high nutritional value. These leafy vegetables prefer cool weather and are adaptable to a range of soil pH levels. They are susceptible to common cabbage family pests and diseases but can be protected with a floating row cover and crop rotation. For optimal taste, harvest them after the first frost.

Cool Weather Crops, Special techniques, Vegetables

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What Vegetables Need Pollinators?

What Vegetables Need Pollinators?

Some vegetables require pollinators for successful growth, benefiting both plants and bees. Examples of essential pollination-dependent vegetables include cucumbers, peppers, and various berries, along with fruit trees like apple, cherry, pear, and plum. Bees play a crucial role in pollinating a wide range of foods, including apples, blackberries, cucumbers, and strawberries.

Biological controls, Cool Weather Crops, Garden planning, Special techniques, Vegetables, Warm Weather Crops

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Why Don’t I Get Beets or Radishes?

Why Don’t I Get Beets or Radishes?

Why don’t I get beets or radishes, only leaves? I often get asked this question. Watch video for a complete answer. When you are getting only leaves in beets or radishes without bulb formation can be attributed to several reasons. The following factors may contribute …

Cool Weather Crops, Special techniques, Vegetables

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Fabric Row Covers: Keeping Bugs Out!

Fabric Row Covers: Keeping Bugs Out!

Lightweight row covers offer several advantages for protecting your crops. The biggest benefit is their effectiveness in controlling insect infestations. By placing the row cover immediately after planting, whether in spring, summer, or fall, you can prevent pests from damaging your crops. Additionally, the extra warmth provided by the fabric promotes faster vegetable development in spring and extends the growing season in the fall. This method is highly effective in controlling insects without the use of any chemicals.

Biological controls, Insects and Diseases, Maintenance, Special techniques

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Pruning Tomatoes

Pruning Tomatoes

The blog provides valuable insights into the pruning of tomatoes, emphasizing the importance of proper pruning techniques for maximizing yield and plant health. It also highlights the significance of identifying and managing suckers, particularly in the context of indeterminate and intermediate tomato varieties. The content offers practical advice on when and how to prune, as well as the exceptions to the pruning process, backed by scientific findings on growth hormones and plant development. Additionally, it encourages further learning through a comprehensive course on the tomato family, providing a link for interested individuals. The blog effectively combines practical guidance with scientific evidence, making it a valuable resource for both novice and experienced gardeners.

Special techniques, Vegetables, Warm Weather Crops

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Voles in The Garden

Voles in The Garden

Voles, resembling small hamsters, can quickly infest gardens, posing a threat to plants and vegetables. With a diverse diet including leaves, seeds, and bulbs, they can cause significant damage. These rodents live underground, creating extensive tunnel systems and storing food. To control their population, attracting natural predators like snakes, owls, and hawks can be effective. Additionally, implementing measures such as clearing garden debris, using mesh barriers, and turning compost regularly can help manage vole infestations.

Composting, Maintenance, Organic gardening, Special techniques

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Companion Planting

Companion Planting

Traditional research is mostly focused on chemicals, growth hormones, GMO’s, and an array of company-funded projects but not on companion planting. Few researchers are venturing out and doing innovative work that benefits the small individual gardener or small organic farm. But times are changing, and …

Biological controls, Garden planning, Organic gardening, Planning the Garden, Special techniques, Vegetables

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Starting Your Own Seedlings

February 5, 2015

Starting Your Own Seedlings

Starting your own seedlings requires some calculations to determine how many plants are needed based on the room available. Usually, a seed packet has approximately twenty-five to two hundred and fifty seeds or more. How expensive the seed is, depends on the variety and whether …

Special techniques, Vegetables

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