Category Archives: Sage Advice

Ask Gardenerd: Starter Advice for Container Gardening

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Christy

I love when questions like this come from fresh gardenerds:

“I just stumbled on your website and am interested in gardening classes. I started gardening this spring by using pots and hanging pots. My veggies and herbs did extremely well. I put seedlings
in potting soil, watered occasionally, and voila! I’m an Ocean Park farmer! But now I’m excited and want to learn the basics. Can you provide me with upcoming class information and recommend an
introductory book?  Thanks, Bob Meepos”

Hi Bob,

I’m glad to …

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Ask Gardenerd: When do I harvest my root crops?

Posted on August 4, 2011 by Christy

A question came into Ask Gardenerd this week that I’ve been hearing for the past month or so. Seems like a good time to address it:

“When do you know when to pull out things that grow underground like radishes, green onions, even carrots?  I’m either too early or too late. – Rochelle”
Well Rochelle, the answer is in your hands. More specifically, it’s your index finger. When growing root crops, the foliage will put on a pretty show above ground, but the real magic is
happening underground. In order …
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Like a Moth to the Apple

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Christy

A new question came in to Ask Gardenerd this week:

“Hi, My mom has a very good fuji apple tree, but we lose a lot of apples to worms. Is there a natural, organic, non-Monsanto something that would help deter pests?  Thank you, -Michael”

I’m so glad that you are seeking an alternative method to prevent this problem!  It’s so easy to grab a bottle off the shelf and start spraying. Let’s see what we can do to get you on the road
to apple tree salvation. …
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Ask Gardenerd: Where to Find a Furrower?

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Christy

We’ve been answering Ask Gardenerd questions on the sly lately, but this one seemed like it would benefit other gardenerds who love their tools:

“Can you suggest a good garden furrower? The old single wheel in front style?”

I don’t have a garden big enough for a tiller/furrower so I don’t have personal experience with one, but I noticed that most of the furrowers out there attach to giant monster tillers. Before we
move on, a momentary side bar about tilling since we’re on the subject: 

Tilling …

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New Video: Transplanting Tomato Sprouts

Posted on June 8, 2011 by Christy

Check out the newest instructional video on the Gardenerd YouTube channel. We show you how we transplant  tomato sprouts into bigger pots and nurture them to planting size. Cool tips for you
from Gardenerd!

Transplanting Tomatoes

…
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Growing Yellow Raspberries

Posted on May 17, 2011 by Christy

Every once in a while I get a question that I don’t know the answer to. This week was one of those times:

“I am planting some yellow raspberries this spring. I am now able to harvest strawberries in the spring and blackberries in the summer. I selected the yellows so that I could have a fall harvest
of fruit. What do I need to know to encourage this to happen? What should I expect the first year?”

Cane berries can be fun – thorny, but …
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Waaaay Too Much Mint

Posted on May 4, 2011 by Christy

I’m surprised this question hasn’t come in to Ask Gardenerd sooner, but it has finally arrived:

“I pulled out a bunch of mint that had gone awry. What should I do with it? Mint sauce? Dry it? How?”
There are plenty of things to do with mint, but even though that’s true, I still find myself wondering what to do with an overabundance. Here are a few suggestions off the top:

Plant mint in a pot to keep it under control
…
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Earwigs Don’t Wear Wigs

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Christy

We get a lot of pest control questions at Ask Gardenerd. Here’s one now:

“Hey Christy, Love your blog – thanks for all the great tips and pics!  I live in Culver City and a year ago I turned my whole back yard into a garden with raised beds. I’m loving it but
have noticed lately I have TONS of earwigs. I think they’re eating all my veggies, and strawberries for that matter. Any tips on getting rid of them?  Everything I read says to put out cardboard
so they will congregate …
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Potash Deficiency

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Christy

A new question dropped into the Ask Gardenerd inbox this week: 


“Lovin’ [your] podcast since 2009!  My soil test recommends 15-0-15 for potash deficiency. Organic sources would be….what?  Wood ash,
greensand, kelp meal?  Do you have preference?  I’m told wood ash (easiest and free) leaches out faster and has other elements too, ones I don’t need to supplement like calcium and
magnesium. Just wondering what you think…”

First of all – thanks for …

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Growing Grains in Small Spaces

Posted on April 20, 2011 by Christy

A great question came in to Ask Gardenerd this week:

“I am looking to purchase a variety of grain seeds. Not bulk, not for production? Yet. My goal is start growing and saving seeds from planter pots, as my yard is xeriscaped and I am in the
process of trying to sell my home. This way once I move I should have seeds for planting a small scale grain garden for personal use. Where can I find open-pollinated grain seeds that are not
planting a whole flappin’ acre at a time?”
…
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