Amend soil with rock phosphate
April 28, 2002|By Dennis Bishop | Dennis Bishop,Special to the Sun Q. We are planting asparagus in our community garden plot and it was recommended that we incorporate rock phosphate into the soil before planting. What is rock phosphate? A. It also contains a number of trace elements important to plants. Q. A. Most of them have bands of deep red and green coloring on the leaves. These bands are referred to as zones. Dennis Bishop is an urban horticulture educator for the Baltimore office of the Maryland Cooperative Extension Services. Checklist 1. 2. 3.
Why Dandelions Are the New Kale
Kale has received plenty of press in the last decade. Good for kale. Good for our bodies. Kale is actually a “gateway” leaf into the world of green. Green your diet, and you will naturally start to pay more attention to plants with leaves. Leaves transfer life force energy by infusing chlorophyll into your red blood cells. Humans Used to Eat Green As a species we’re in a “remembering” phase of our health evolution. Inner & Outer Ecosystem Theory There is a holistic gorgeousness to the situation here: as we green our diet with growing complexity, we evacuate the toxic rubbish from our cells. Externally, we begin to notice more variety in the plants in the supermarket, our yard and our ecosystem. The Dandelion Effect I’ve seen the dandelion effect emerge like this: you do your first body cleanse and start drinking green juice or green smoothies. The light bulb goes off. Wait, you think. Greens Are Free I’m glad you’ve started eating green.
Gardening Resources, Cornell University
Most people think of plants as very passive organisms. They grow almost unperceptively, and only once a year do they flower or produce edible products. However, plants are very active in ways that are not so obvious to the casual observer. For example, plants change the chemistry of the soil, and influence the types of microorganisms that grow there. Naturalists have known about these properties of plants for thousands of years. Perhaps the best historical example of companion planting is the "Three Sisters" in which corn, beans, and squash are planted together in a hill. Modern agriculture tends to rely heavily upon specialized machinery and synthetic inputs, and have rendered companion systems such as the "Three Sisters" obsolete. How can you use these special plant properties? Selecting a cover crop Certain cover crops concentrate specific nutrients in their tissues. Many plants produce substances that are toxic to other plants. Enhancing environmental conditions for growth Bad Science
Dandelions
by Anita Sanchez Whether you love them or hate them, dandelions are among the most familiar plants in the world. They're one species that just about anyone can identify at a glance, as familiar to humans as the dog. Dandelions are, quite possibly, the most successful plants that exist, masters of survival worldwide. Nowadays, they're also the most unpopular plant in the neighborhood – but it wasn't always that way. To get us back on the right dandelion track, here are 10 dandelion-related facts. 1. 2. 3. 4. 6. 7. 10. Dandelions probably will never be eradicated, but we can learn to be more at ease with dandelions and other wild things – and maybe even to love them a little.
Vegetable and Herb Companion Planting
It’s the time of year when you should start thinking about planting your fall vegetables. Actually, we might be a week behind for some vegetables, but if your neck of the woods is anything like mine, summer came late, so hopefully we’re okay. A great way to get a good harvest is to “companion plant.” That is, plant two different types of vegetables in close proximity to one another to create a symbiotic cultural environment. Just as there are beneficial insects that eat destructive insects or improve pollination, there are beneficial combinations of plants that help fight pests or increase yields. Image by lalalaa Dolce Vita Sometimes companion plants are used to draw pests away from the “good crop.” Needless to say, there are lots of good reasons to companion plant, and they all apply to container gardens and other small space vegetable gardens. Here are some suggestions for fall companion plantings: Do you have a time-tested vegetable or herb combination that works?
How to Grow 100 Pounds of Potatoes in 4 Square Feet | Apartment Therapy Re-Nest
On many occasions, we've been tempted to grow our own potatoes. They're fairly low maintenance, can be grown in a pot or in the ground, last a fairly long time if stored properly, and can be very nutritious (high in potassium and vitamin C). Here's more incentive: according to this article, you can grow 100 pounds of potatoes in 4 sq. feet. Learn how after the jump... According to this article from the Seattle Times, potatoes planted inside a box with this method can grow up to 100 pounds of potatoes in just 4 square feet. Lumber Seed potatoes Soil Careful attention to watering The Times' guide for building a potato growing box yields up to a 100 lbs. of potatoes in a mere 4 square feet is shown below: Plant as early as April or as late as August 1, with an approximated 3 month till harvest turnaround time. Here are some pointers from the article: Cut apart larger seed potatoes, making sure there are at least two eyes in each piece you plant. Seattle Times via LifeHacker.
Everything You Need to Know About Composting With Worms
Following my recent blog post on the Do-It-Yourself Vermipod, I’ve been receiving a ton of questions from folks who built Vermipods and are looking for information on how to manage and maintain their new pets. So here’s a compilation called Everything You Need To Know About Composting With Worms… Common Worm Species Eisenia fetida: Pronounced “iSEEnee a FETid a”, is a worm that can process a large amount of organic material in their natural environment. They tolerate large temperature, moisture and pH ranges and can also tolerate handling well. Eisenia andrei is closely related to the Eisenia fetida and is known as the “red tiger”. Lumbricus rubellus is another worm that can be used for vermiposting. Bedding Materials Worms, like you and me, need both protein and carbohydrates to get a balanced diet. Environmental Conditions Composting worms originate from warmer parts of the globe, typically in wet regions. These are the conditions that the worms thrive in. How Much do They Eat? Amendments
Garden designs & gardening tips. Natural, Organic and Conventional
The Antique Rose Emporium
Organic Pest Control, Biological Solutions for Pest Management, Rincon Vitova Insectaries
Homemade Organic Aphid Spray
Aphids are pesky little critters who usually top a gardener's list of "most hated" insect pests. The tiny pearly green or milky white insects are almost impossible to avoid. They love just about all vegetables and ornamentals. Apple trees, roses and beans are especially susceptible to aphid attack, and symptoms of aphid infestation include curled leaves, deformed fruit and honeydew secretions on the plant. Fortunately, aphids can be controlled well with several cultural practices, and chemical controls are seldom necessary. Identifying AphidsOnce aphids are noticed, act quickly. Natural SolutionsFirst, spray the plant with a stream of water to wash the aphids off. Soap sprays usually result in aphid death in about an hour. Got too many hot peppers coming in? Another good cultural practice for aphid control is interplanting your ornamentals with basil. The first defense against aphids is to maintain your own presence in the garden.
