Zucchini—is anything more quintessentially summer? But here are some tidbits you might not know: Zucchini Tidbits The ancestors of zucchini, like all squash, are native to the Americas. They were brought to Europe in the 1600s, but the Italians are credited with actually breeding them. The word comes from the Italian word for squash—“zucca”. They … Read more
In July of 2003, the U.S. Department of Agriculture proclaimed July National Blueberry Month. So here are a few interesting tidbits about these delicious berries. Blueberries belong to the family Ericales. This makes them related to cranberries, Brazil nuts, persimmons, camellias, azaleas, and rhododendron! The silvery/whitish film found on blueberries is called a “bloom.” This is … Read more
You know keeping your vegetable garden watered in the heat is important. What you might not know, however, is heat can cause an array of problems you may not be aware of. Powdery Mildew Powdery mildew loves hot humid weather and can be a big problem—particularly this time of year when our young vegetable plants … Read more
This past Sunday, June 20 was the Summer Solstice—the first official day of astronomical summer. South of the equator, it is the first official day of winter. On the other hand, meteorologists consider summer as beginning the first day of June and ending the last day of August. Origin of the Term Solstice Solstice comes … Read more
One thing I get asked a lot is about edible flowers. I’m usually too busy growing, weeding, watering, and feeding mine to think about eating them—but I do have a few that I have been known to nibble from time to time. Some are used more as edible garnishes while others can be candied or … Read more
There are a lot of pests and diseases—even nutrient deficiencies—just waiting to pounce on our vegetables/flowers/trees/shrubs. It can be overwhelming to know what to do. So here are some things to keep in mind: Identify the problem: If you are not 100% sure what the problem is, bring a sample to a reputable garden center … Read more
I’ve had several customers inquire recently about what to do about birds in their newly planted veggie gardens. You ask and we answer! Here a few tips: Tips to Keep Birds Out of Your Garden Birds Aren’t Stupid Scarecrows work pretty well—for several days. Birds are smart enough to figure out the weird-looking thing that … Read more
I’m getting so many people these days looking for plants that repel mosquitoes, so here you go: Plants That Can Help With Mosquitoes Citronella-scented geraniums are pretty lacy-leaved members of the geranium family that contain citronella oil. Mosquitoes don’t like it. Other lemon-scented herbs that also contain citronella oil are lemon thyme, lemon balm, and … Read more
I’ve had a lot of customers looking for a chemical-free way to control weeds. It can be done. Here’s how! 7 Ways to Control Weeds Without Chemicals The best defense is a good offense Keep your lawn healthy by fertilizing, watering, and over-seeding in the fall. Mow high—taller grass can shade tiny weed seeds so … Read more
Okay, so I’ve got all my veggies planted. I can put up my feet and relax now, right? Not exactly. What I Need to Do Now Here’s what I need to do now: Stay on top of weeds. Right now, weed seedlings are already popping up in my freshly planted raised beds. If I slack … Read more
