Sunday, July 5, 2009
Summer Farmer's Markets
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
It's Finally Summer!
Don't forget to stake or cage the tomatoes, and any other plants that need something to grow on such as pole beans, cucumbers and other climbing plants.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Spring Weather Pattern
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Transplanting Cactus and Succulents
Always handle cacti with leather gloves, or for larger specimens, wrap a piece of folded newspaper around the plant, hold the ends together with a gloved hand to hold the plant while repotting. Applying some small gravel on top of the soil not only gives a neat appearance, but keeps the soil from drying out too quickly from evaporation, and protects the plant by keeping it above the moist soil.
Using plastic pots will mean that you will need to water less often, so are good for beginners.
Using clay pots will mean that you will need to water more often, as the clay absorbs some of the moisture.
Spring - 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Used Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds can also be used in the compost as a "green" material, to go with the dried materials.
I have just learned that some coffee shops make their used coffee grounds available for gardeners for free if you ask. I am going to check this out and report back soon.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Feeding the Birds
Gardening is a hobby that has aspects to it that can lead to whole new hobby, such as birds. Although we don't try to identify every bird that visits our area, we do like to feed, watch, and listen to them.
Besides the obvious, there are benefits to this for gardeners such as the fact that birds eat lots of unwanted insects. Once you start feeding the birds, you need to remember to feed them year round. Birds become somewhat dependent once they get used to eating from feeders.
You need tube feeders and thistle seed for small birds, regular feeders along with other types of bird seed. Some birds like the suet feeders, which are wire boxes that hold blocks of fat that contain a variety of seeds.
We use a lot of black oil sunflower seed, as that attracts the widest range of birds. Prepare your feeders with squirrel deterrents, if there really is such a thing, as squirrels really go for the black oil seed.
Birds are also attracted to an area by:
- moving water, such as a pond or small fountain
- berry bushes or small fruit trees
- Trees, bushes, and tall grasses that they can safely nest or perch in