Category Archives: Sage Advice

Soil for Starting Seeds

Posted on January 3, 2009 by Christy

A question came in over the holiday:

“What is a good commercial soil in which to start vegetable seeds?“

That’s a great question.  There are many ways to start seeds, and almost as many opinions about what soil to use for seed starting.  In general, commercial seed starting mix is of a finer grade of potting soil, meaning it is not as course or chunky as regular potting soil.  It is intended for use when starting seeds indoors under grow lights.  Many companies produce seed germinating mix that has higher moisture retaining properties, and some add fertilizers to their mixes …
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Creating a Concrete Jungle

Posted on December 26, 2008 by Christy

A brave new gardener sent in this question recently:

“I finally want to have some greenery on my patio. Can you suggest some flowers and foliage that will make it look warm and inviting? I SUCK at this. = )”

Good for you!  It’s always a big first step to get growing on a patio, and I have to say, not always successful at first.  Take heart if something doesn’t work out the first time, though.  My husband is a firm believer in survival of the fittest.  He’ll buy 3 different plants and waits to see which one thrives, then …
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Rat-Proof Compost Bin

Posted on December 26, 2008 by Christy

A new gardenerd wrote in recently:

“Any suggestions [for a rat-proof compost bin]?  We do trap and try to control the rats but they just exist and like to
come around compost in our neighborhood.”

There must be a global increase in rats this year.  We’ve been seeing an increase in these critters around our community garden as well.  I had them nibbling away at my tomatoes all summer.   Here are a couple suggestions I can across in my research:

First of all, you will want to make sure that you aren’t composting any animal fats, bones or flesh.  Rats are …
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Easy Plants for Pots

Posted on December 5, 2008 by Christy

“Love your podcast and website. I am new to gardening. Browsed your site and enjoyed the blog on veggies in a pot. As I start thinking about the spring, I began to ponder the possibility of additional veggies and herbs in “pots.” What do you think are the easiest veggies and herbs to plant in pots. Right now I grow watermelon, tomatoes and strawberries in my tiny garden. Any advice? I live in New Mexico in a dry climate. Thanks—David”

Thanks so much for writing in, David. There are some great veggies that will grow in pots, …
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Garden on the Rocks

Posted on December 5, 2008 by Christy

A gardenerd wrote in this week:

“We have very rocky soil in No. Calif. What do I need to start a garden in a small area with bad soil. Thanks, Margo.”

Well, Margo, first of all let me say that you’ve got every gardenerd’s sympathy right now, but there is hope.  There are many things you can do to work with (or not work with) rocky soil.  Here are a couple of previous blog entries that might help your situation.

This one addresses how you can condition the soil:

http://blog.gardenerd.com/2008/02/29/a-rocky-start-in-paso-robles.aspx

This one gives you details about another great option – raised beds.  I …
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Lots of Flowers, but No Fruit

Posted on November 27, 2008 by Christy

A frustrated gardenerd wrote in recently:

“Having a little gardening crisis – I planted a second round of zucchini and cucumbers in September. They are large now and have produced many flowers, but no fruit! Other things I planted at the same time are doing well. Beans and peas aplenty. I know pollination is an issue, since what few bees there are right now are OBSESSED with the eucalyptus tree on the other side of the house, not my garden – but I’ve added some sweet alyssum pots to the garden area, and even poked at the flowers with …
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Rats in the Garden

Posted on November 20, 2008 by Christy

A concerned gardener wrote in this week:

“Rotten rodents! …I have some rodent, maybe squirrels but more likely rats, that help themselves to whatever is young and tender in the garden. They have just decapitated all of my new little lettuces and broccoli. In the summer it was the new string beans that they decimated. How do I get rid of them?”

When someone uses the word “decapitate” I think of rats.  I have had a similar problem at my community plot, where broccoli plants have been eaten off right in the center, up from the ground about 6-8 inches.  Likewise, over the summer, my tomatoes …
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Gray Water for Vegetables?

Posted on November 6, 2008 by Christy

A forward-thinking gardenerd wrote in this week:

“I am considering a gray water system to use on a vegetable garden. Is this safe to do? If so, is it considered organic?”

My first thought was, no – it’s not really safe to use, but it might be with the right system.  Then I took to the cyberspace waves and found a few bits of information:

In many states it is actually illegal to use gray water on vegetable gardens.  You should check with your municipal sewage service to see what laws apply where you live.

In states where gray water systems are legal, they …
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Battling Mealy Bugs

Posted on October 23, 2008 by Christy

One more question came in this week at Ask Gardenerd:

“I have large New Zealand Flax in planters on the balcony, they got white mealy buys – how can I treat it? I removed the nearby smaller plants where the bugs seemed to have invaded…but want to be sure I can save the large flax. Please help! Is there anything organic that works… the internet suggests malathion….ekkk! thanks…Beatrice”

I’m pretty sure we can save your New Zealand Flax (Phormium), Beatrice.  But first, let’s make sure we have the right bug.  Is this the culprit?

http://floriculture.osu.edu/archive/oct97/mealy2.html

If so, there are a few …
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Crow Away!

Posted on October 23, 2008 by Christy

Another great question came in this week:

“Crows! I had to deal with tiny snails which I handpicked daily out of my basil all summer, but I was not ready for crows feasting on my tiny green onion sprouts. Short of leaving my dogs in the front yard (they’d love that), any tips on how to discourage these critters?”

My grandfather used to shoot crows off of the telephone poles when I was a child.  His neighbors didn’t really appreciate it, and I can’t say I recommend it either.  I have a few recommendations for you that are a little …
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