Seeds of Spring
January 12, 2011 by Caretaker
Filed under Flowers/Foliage, Fruit, Vegetables
It seems like just a few weeks ago that the garden settled down for its winter nap but already the first signs of spring are appearing – seed and plant catalogs. This year, while you enjoy the standard (and reliable) sources – Park, Burpee, Henry Fields, Gurney’s, White Flower Farm – you might want to [...]
Suburban Myths: Wood Chip Mulch
August 16, 2010 by Caretaker
Filed under Composting & Soil, Vegetables
For a Painless Gardener, mulch is one of nature’s greatest gifts. + It reduces watering chores by holding in moisture and keeping the sun from drying out the soil surface. + It nearly eliminates back-straining weeding by blocking sunlight from the soil surface and denying weed seeds the solar energy they need to sprout. + [...]
Six Companion Planting Secrets
March 8, 2010 by Caretaker
Filed under Flowers/Foliage, Pests & Allies, Vegetables
1. Companion plants are garden superheroes Companion plants are plants that can benefit neighbor plants just by their proximity. Like green avengers, companion plants can rescue or protect certain other plants from: • Insect pests (POW!) • Critter damage (BAM!) • And even plant diseases (ZAP!) Some companion plants can even boost the flavor of [...]
Top-10 Best-Tasting Tomatoes in the Universe
March 2, 2010 by Caretaker
Filed under Vegetables
It’s time to start germinating your tomato plants for this summer! Here are the top-10 tomatoes that most often show up in Best Tasting Tomato polls and contests: Heirlooms to the throne: Cherokee Purple – Blackish-red color with a complex, earthy flavor. Very meaty, yet juicy. Plants grow up to 12 feet and are loaded [...]