Category Archives: Sage Advice

Seed-starting Dilemma

Posted on March 25, 2009 by Christy

Some great questions have  been coming in over the last couple of weeks.  Here’s one now:

“Hi, I am trying to start my first garden.  We have good compost and
fertilizer. We started our seeds inside in a jiffy greenhouse. Once our
seeds started to sprout we moved some of them to pots and some out to
our garden. Now some of our sprouted seeds are dying and all of the
ones we put in pots didn’t make it. What do you suggest?”

My first suggestion is to make sure that your sprouts have at least their first set of “true leaves” …
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White Fly Control

Posted on March 18, 2009 by Christy

The questions have really been coming in lately.  Here’s one selected for this week’s post:

“How do I control white flies? I tried using bugs that would eat them,
but they arrived in the mail dead. Is there anything else I can do? All of my plants died last summer and we had clouds of white flies all over
the place.”

Such a bummer about those white fly predators showing up dead.  Take solace in knowing that you are not alone.  Others have suffered the curse of the white fly.  In fact, you might even check out a previous blog entry about …
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New Gardener has Hope for Small Space

Posted on March 11, 2009 by Christy

One of those all-encompassing questions came in to Ask Gardenerd last week:

“I have an apartment and no land of my own but was interested in how I can make a garden for myself. Thanks”

I have oh-so-many suggestions.  Here’s a good place to start – a search of container gardening entries on the Gardenerd Blog:

Container Gardening info

This spring is a good time to start planting in containers.  Here are a few good veggies/herbs to try out in pots:

Herbs – basil, parsley, cilantro, oregano, thyme, chives

Veggies – lettuces (partial shade is perfect for these guys during the …
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Growing Figs in a Pot

Posted on March 11, 2009 by Christy

A question came from Santa Cruz, CA this week:

“I want to get a fig tree that will produce fruit we can eat and need
some advise. We live in Santa Cruz County, CA in an apartment with no
private yard (or dirt) so it will have to be in a container. We have a
patio area that is tucked into a corner of the building and gets full
sun most of the day. What type of tree, container, soil, etc. should I
get?  Thank you,Michelle”

Hi Michele,

Santa Cruz falls under Hardiness Zone 9a-10a, so you’re in good company for growing figs. 

Container …
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Help! Maggots in My Compost!

Posted on March 11, 2009 by Christy

We’ve had a flurry of questions over the last couple weeks here at Gardenerd.com.  Here’s one that came in with urgency:

“We have had an issue with maggots in my compost tumbler. I am not
using any meats or fats of any kind – only green food wastes. How do
I correct this? Is my compost ruined?”

Not to worry.  Those maggots (most likely Black Soldier Fly larvae) are actually helping your compost break down.  While it’s true that they bring out the “ick” in most people, maggots, worms, and other garbage consumers are actually powerful creatures when it comes to ridding …
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From the Beginning…

Posted on March 4, 2009 by Christy

A really big question came in to Ask Gardenerd recently:

“How do I get started and where can I buy organic seeds?”

Oh – well – where to start?… Let’s start with my favorite seed companies:

Seeds of Change – This company offers certified organic seeds in many categories: heirloom, open pollinated, rare and Seeds of Change Originals.  I’ve been growing with their seeds for years and am completely in love with them.

Bountiful Gardens – This is the home of …
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Do or Die Daffodils

Posted on February 13, 2009 by Christy

A question came in this week from a concerned gardener:

“I bought a potted daffodil plant which originally had 3 beautiful
daffodils in bloom. They are not gone with no new potential blooms.
What should I do with the bulbs. Plant them outside now or ??  Thank you.”

Daffodils are the kind of bulb that come back year after year, but like most bulbs, they send up one flush of flowers and then they are done for the season.  Many people transplant bulbs into their garden after the foliage has died away.  Some bulbs that are sold for holidays …
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Cleaning Up Strawberries

Posted on January 29, 2009 by Christy

“Hello Christy! Could you give me a bit more info on what is involved in
“cleaning up” strawberry plants? Do you top them? Do you separate
them?  How much do you cover them with compost?  One more question….do
you recommend ordering blueberries, blackberries, and grapes from a
catalog or buying them locally? thanks, Diedre”

All very good questions here.  Now before I answer, a disclaimer:  I may preach one thing, but do another, because I’m a gutless wonder in some regard. 

Some publications I’ve read tell us to mow down our strawberries with the lawnmower on a very high setting, or …
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An Ailing Meyer Lemon

Posted on January 9, 2009 by Christy

A desperate plea came in this week that sounds like a 911 call:

“New meyer lemon dwarf tree doing poorly, yellow leaves, flowers dropped off. So sad….Help! Suggestions?”

You said the magic word – new.  I’m guessing that your lemon tree is suffering from transplant shock in some way.  It can take around 3 weeks for a plant to show signs of it,  but chances of survival are pretty good , especially in winter, if you address it right away.  Here’s what I can say about it and other possible problems your tree might be suffering from:

Yellow leaves – There are a …
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Building a Recycled Compost Tumbler

Posted on January 8, 2009 by Christy

Someone from my home town wrote in recently:

“I am trying to track down a used food-grade barrel to make a compost tumbler. Do you have any idea where to check? I really want to reuse one and not buy new. I’m in 93065 zip code. (Simi Valley) Preferably it would be one with an lid that can open.Thanks for your help.  PS I live in a small space hence the need for a tumbler. Also I don’t think I’ll be churning very often so I’m avoiding a bucket composter.”


I grew up in Simi …
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