Even though it’s still mid-winter, I’m making my plans for a successful spring and summer garden. I’ll need to plant and work smart because just under the surface of the grass outside there are thousands of problems biding their time. Every year now, for the last few seasons, Japanese beetles have made their appearance right … Continue reading
After a cold night down here in southwestern Missouri, where the temperatures dipped down into the thirties overnight, I have to say that the following day was a gem. That seems to be the modis operandi in spring. A really brutal day of rain and cold is followed by warmth and fair skies. April can … Continue reading
One of the major tenants of garden lore that is mentioned, but rarely talked about in any detail, is the need to pay attention to garden soil structure. Too often a beginning gardener becomes disappointed with their early efforts, not because of anything they did, but rather due to shortcomings in the soil they had … Continue reading
Here is a piece of information concerning lettuce seed germination I came across some time ago. In related research, plant physiologists wondered why people have trouble with seed germination of lettuce in their vegetable gardens. They knew that seed germination was very high in Petri dishes in the laboratory. It turns out that in lettuce … Continue reading
As spring gets ever closer (it’s March 5th as I write this), it’s time to begin thinking about those first vegetables of the gardening season. Potatoes are among the best vegetables to grow and they deserve your consideration. As a died-in the-wool gardener and shopper, I’m hoping to get a few seed potatoes from the … Continue reading
Sure, winter is in full spring. As I write this it’s snowing outside and the temperatures are expected to drop into the teens over the next few days. So why even talk about gardening? Well, I’m not actually talking about planting a garden. I’m referring to planning a garden! Now’s the time to begin thinking … Continue reading
As May is the first real growing month of the season there was not a lot of production. Continue reading
My raised beds are now up and running as we get into the meat of the season. Continue reading
My cold frames have continued to produce a bountiful crop of early spring lettuce. Continue reading
