“Mild Weather Tricks Plants To Thinking Spring Has Arrived” is a headline I saw recently and is certainly true for my garden. In December there were only a few frosty nights and January so far is mild and wet. The camellias have clearly decided that spring is here. The first flower appeared a few days [...]
For me August is the month when the garden is past its best and my thoughts turn to the autumn cleanup and plans for next year. But there are plenty of things to be done in August and I have found two articles, one covering lawns and the other irises. I have to confess that [...]
Conventional wisdom tells us that shade is the last thing that vegetables need, but Mark Hoffman from Kempton, Illinois disagrees. He will tell you from personal experience that some shade can have unexpected benefits. For instance potatoes which are grown partly in shade are more resistant to leaf hoppers. While crops grown in shade will [...]
Tags:gadgets·guerilla gardening·proactive gardening·shade·vegetables·veggies·weeds
While gardening is regarded as an enjoyable hobby we are all happy to use labour saving equipment to help with the heavy and boring tasks. Although a rotavator is not essential if you only have a small area to cultivate, no-one would think of maintaining a lawn without a mower. And you don’t even have [...]
After two months without any rain and unseasonal high temperatures the last three weeks have reversed the trend with heavy showers and longer periods of rain nearly every day. As a result my roses bloomed a month earlier than usual and so now have finished their first flush, but made a great show for a [...]
I know it’s rather late but I have just noticed an article on new plants for 2011 and this has prompted me to check a few sites to see what new varieties are on offer this year. Black and white seem to be common themes with the Black Velvet petunia and the Coconut Ice sunflower [...]
Tags:burlap·DIY·gadgets·herb·new plants·Queen Anne's Lace·wild carrot
If you want some indoor gardening activities while waiting for spring and a window farm does not appeal, why not grow some sprouts? Brussels sprouts are one of those vegetables that you either love or hate, but they are not what I am talking about. “How to grow sprouts” is the title of an article [...]
Tags:bindweed·couch grass·ground elder·horsetail·pruning·Roses·sprouts·weeds
In my last post I mentioned an article “Waiting out winter: strategies for gardeners” which contained a list of things you can do indoors while waiting for spring. Top of the list was “Start something from seed. One seed tray on a windowsill can make a difference”. Taking this to the next level is the [...]
Tags:asian greens·fast food·Hydroponic·windowfarm·windowsill
For me December is a month when I have little time for gardening. What with birthdays for my wife in late November and my daughter at the beginning of December, and then it’s time to start the Christmas shopping marathon. Luckily in December the garden can mostly look after itsef. If you want a reminder [...]
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