August is National Peach Month, so here are a few interesting facts about them: Ten Fun Facts About Peaches The botanical name is Prunus persica—which means Persian plum. Ancient Romans called them Persian Apples. Peaches are native to China where they are considered a symbol of good luck and longevity. Peaches are a member of … Read more
Fall is Just Around the Corner! Here’s How to Prepare Your Garden Here we are, dealing with summer heat and humidity and suddenly fall is looming on the horizon. There are some things to think about for fall: Your Summer Vegetable Garden Keep your summer veggies picked and be sure to stay on top of … Read more
So what do the Perseids meteor shower and growing a tomato have in common? They both require you to be outside, but is there more? Perhaps they both get us tuned in with what’s going on around us, whether you’re looking up at the heavens or connecting with Mother Nature in your garden. The Perseids … Read more
I’ve had so many customers come in recently with tomatoes in their hands or pictures of tomatoes on their phones because they have a problem with the fruit. With so many customers having tomato-growing challenges, I’m reposting this updated blog from last summer. If you’re growing tomatoes, here is a list of what you may … Read more
One of the things I enjoy most in my wildlife-friendly yard is watching the fireflies. What kid hasn’t run around their back yard at dusk chasing fireflies? When I was a kid, I remember summer evenings at my grandparents’ house. My grandparents, my parents, sometimes my favorite aunt and uncle, all sat on the front … Read more
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
