Author: Dean Fosdick
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Gardening offers payback at the holidays in form of gifts
Gardeners make good friends, especially during the holidays when they give out foods preserved from their gardens. The top five canning recipes used during the holidays are for applesauce, cranberry sauce, jalapeno jelly, apple pie filling and sauerkraut, according to a recent survey by Jarden Home Brands, makers of Ball-brand mason jars. There appears to…
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You can prepare the ground now for sowing wildflowers
Wildflowers are among the easiest plants to grow, especially if you copy Mother Nature. For cool climate gardeners, that means spreading seed over the ground after the first killing frost and before the ground hardens. Natural germination inhibitors will keep them from sprouting if temperatures warm. Seeds can be sown well into winter for people…
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Vegetable gardening can be moved indoors for winter harvest
There’s no reason to stop growing vegetables just because cold weather has arrived. Sun-loving edibles can be cultivated indoors in containers enriched by supplemental LED lights. But choose the right plant combinations for this four-season gardening. Some plants are more demanding than others. “The amount of money and work it takes depends upon your expectations,”…
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Eliminate standing water to curb mosquitoes
Midsummer is short-sleeve weather, an enjoyable time to be out with family and friends. But it also is the heart of mosquito season, so beware the escalating health risks caused by their bites. The No. 1 prevention practice is eliminating any standing water that could serve as a mosquito-breeding site. “Still water is a great…
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Is your garden out of control? Then simplify
Too many plants, too little time? A lot of unnecessary effort can be weeded out with some time- and energy-saving shortcuts, from plant selection to better tools. “I realized one day that I was becoming a slave to my plants,” said Kerry Ann Mendez, author of “The Right-Size Flower Garden.” “I was working harder for…
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Undercover ops: Poly tunnels an alternative to greenhouses
Greenhouses aren’t the only great cover-ups for gardeners determined to extend their growing seasons. High tunnels, low tunnels and caterpillar tunnels work well, too. Also known as hoop houses or row covers, the tunnels consist of U-shaped metal or PVC (polyvinyl chloride) ribs draped by thin, plastic sheets. They provide shade for sun-sensitive crops, protect…
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Helping pollinators, one city flowerpot at a time
Even a little effort – a potted plant, say, on an apartment balcony – can mean a lot when trying to help restore declining pollinator populations such as bees, bats and butterflies. “Every contribution is worthwhile,” said Victoria Wojcik, research director for the Pollinator Partnership in Toronto. “You’re making a better environment for pollinators, no…
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How to garden with pets in mind
Veterinarians are starting to preach the gospel of gardening – primarily how organic fruits and vegetables can be used to improve the health of family pets. Everything from carrots to leafy vegetables and fruits can be added to the cat or dog dish. That saves money on pet food, too. “I’m seeing things like broccoli,…
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Birdcall playback on phones prompts ethics debate
Wildlife watchers now can wield unnatural powers, playing actual birdcalls on smartphones and other mobile devices. The practice, called playback, is effective for attracting elusive species but can harm nesting birds if overused. “It’s kind of a balancing act,” said Jeffrey Gordon, president of the American Birding Association in Colorado Springs. “If you’re bringing a…
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Prevent a garden slugfest with baits, upkeep
Slugs and snails are ravenous plant eaters that leave behind slimy trails of destruction as they glide through nurseries and lawns, farm fields and gardens. Remedies abound, but prevention is an effective way to start. “Remove any debris from the garden,” said James Dill, a pest management specialist with University of Maine Extension. “Straw, boards,…