Making and Using Compost at Home IN THE GARDEN Compost is a mixture of soil and decayed organic matter or humus that is used to improve garden and potting soil. Properly prepared compost is free from weed seeds and offensive odors and rich in nutrients that plants need. It may be applied as a thin top dressing for lawns, as mulch around shrubs and young trees, or mixed into the soil in vegetable and flower gardens. Compost is produced in piles...
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THE GARDEN GURU Poinsettia - Facts & Myths about this Beautiful Plant Jason French, Greenhouse Manager Our November Plant of the Month The poinsettia is probably the most iconic plant for Christmas. The poinsettia was used for centuries in its native range in Mexico as a flower for celebrations and its leaves for red dyes. Its migration to America began in the 1820’s. Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett was named the first ambassador to Mexico from the...
Read MoreDIY Indoor Herb Garden HOME & GARDEN Indoor gardens bring fresh herbs to your fingertips for everyday recipes-even when the snow is piling high outside. Below are some tips on the best growing conditions and ideas for herb garden collections. DIY INDOOR HERB GARDEN: CONTAINERS/MEDIA: Consider a larger container so you can grow a few different herbs. Just make sure all the varieties in the container have the same water requirements (some...
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ONIONS: Steps for Success GARDEN TIPS & TRICKS Onion seeds should be started indoors (with the exception of the South) 10 to 12 weeks ahead of your average last spring frost, and transplanted out 4 to 6 weeks before your average last spring frost. Leeks and shallots also follow the onion rule- the bigger the transplant, the bigger the potential yield, so start these early (8 to 10 weeks before average last spring frost)....
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Potatoes – Tips & Tricks for Great Growth GARDEN TIPS & TRICKS Congratulations we have made it to March. The calendar month of the start of spring! As I thought about the plant of the month on a cold snowy day I first thought of all the great tropical plants. But no, I’m ready to garden. The first vegetables to go in the garden are the cole crops and potatoes. The cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower are all grown from the plants...
Read MoreIN YOUR GARDEN Phosphorus fallacies – too much of a good thing by Carolyn Elgar It is natural for rosarians to do everything they can to keep their plants producing healthy blooms as often as possible. If we thought fairy dust would do this, we would apply it with enthusiasm. We are fairly certain fairy dust will not do this, but we have been told that fertilizer will give us the flowers we love. With our rosarian optimism we conclude if one or...
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