Question by Olive Crayon: I’d like to start a patio Garden, growing vegetables only, Bugs?
I am really icky toward creepy crawlers, how can i prevent seeing them before they start.
Or is this a part of gardening that I will have to overcome
Best answer:
Answer by saaanen Yup.
Creepy crawlers won’t be a huge problem. Those flyers will lay the eggs that turn into creepy crawlers.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
Organic Container Gardening – Growing Strawberries in Containers
Fresh, bright red and juicy strawberries are often used as dessert toppings and decorations because they make any food appear visually sweeter and mouth-watering. No wonder why many people love strawberries. But did you know that you can grow strawberries in your home? And for those interested in organic container gardening, strawberries are actually one of the easiest fruit-bearing plants to grow in pots. As long as all their growing requirements are met, strawberries can thrive well in any potted environment.
But before you rush to your local nursery to purchase a seedling, here are some points that you must consider to in order to successfully grow your own potted strawberries:
One: Choose the variety that suits your climate. There are two main types of strawberries – seasonal and ever-bearing. Seasonal variety bear fruits during May-June while Ever-bearing produce crops twice a year, one early in summer and another late in summer. If you live in colder regions, you’re more suitable to grow the seasonal variety because ever-bearing strawberries don’t thrive well in cold weather. But you can winter your plants by covering them with plastic sheets to keep the cold out. And since they are in containers, you can easily bring them in, especially during the night, to protect them from the cool evening draft.
Two: Pick pots or containers with enough drainage holes. Strawberries do not like to sit in soggy soil so good drainage is important. You containers must be at least 8-10 inches deep.
Three: Start with a good potting soil and enhance it by mixing organic matters in. You can also add fertilizers to the starting soil. When transplanting a young seedling, add enough soil such that the roots are covered and the bottom leaves are level with the top of the soil. But also, make sure that you leave at least 1 to 1 1/2 inch space between the rim of the pot and the top of the soil.
Four: Strawberries like it warm so give them daily doses of sunlight, making sure that you turn the plant around on a regular basis to expose all sides evenly.
Five: Avoid overwatering your strawberry plants. Water only when the top ½ inch of the soil feels dry to the touch.
Six: Feed your strawberries regularly with organic fertilizer to encourage them to bloom. Organic fertilizers that are high in phosphorus are your best bet because they aid plants in flowering and seeding.
Seven: Strawberry plants may produce fruits during the first year, but don’t expect too much. For the ever-bearing varieties, you can suppress flowering (by removing the buds) during the first season to ensure more fruits on the next year. They are sure to yield a good harvest during the second year. Wait until spring before your strawberries ripen.
Eight: When picking strawberries, pick only the ones that are already bright red in color with no green patched left.
Nine: Like you, some pests will not be able to resist the sweetness of your strawberry fruits. Slugs and ants are most likely to pester on plants that are placed at ground level. You can hang your potted plants to prevent these pests but make sure that the hooks are sprayed with ant-sprays. Birds, raccoons and other bigger animals can be attracted to the bright red berries too, so install a barrier or cover your plants with netting to stop them from enjoying your strawberries before you do.
Follow these organic container gardening tips and you’ll enjoy a sweet harvest of fresh, plump and red strawberries every year.
Nova Person is an organic gardener who’s been growing different types of plants including fruits, flowers and vegetables in her home garden. She especially loves Organic Container Gardening and shares her tips on her site at http://theorganicgardeningsecrets.com
Tomatos from my organic container garden in Rosedale Austin shown by Perry Henderson www.perryhenderson.com anAustin REALTOR at Prudential Texas Realty. When you select your Rosedale Austin REALTOR, the right REALTOR, like Perry Henderson and the Live Well Team, we’re here to help and never to busy for you or your referrals. Feel free to email us a question, request a new video showing or call now 512.791.7462 Video Rating: 0 / 5
Harvest celebrations cap community garden projects
For the special education students at Crenshaw Middle School, small accomplishments and new life experiences are the hallmarks of learning success. Read more on The Canton Repository
Five deals to shop for this fall
Everyone loves a deal when shopping, but what are the best deals for fall? The Daily Green talked to four experts to find out how to become a “discount druid,” as Jeff Yeager, The Daily Green’s Green Cheapskate, calls end-of-season bargain-hunting specialists. Read more on Y! Green via Yahoo! News
Old hands and new faces at village show
OLD hands, new faces and a pretty big puppy made the best of the Northumberland summertime at the weekend, when villagers at Whittingham staged their annual show. Read more on Northumberland Gazette
Lions tour Leader Dog facility
The yellow Labrador Retriever greeted each of the 25 Royal Oak Lions Club members and families as they arrived to tour the Leader Dogs for the Blind facilities their donations helped build. Read more on Royal Oak Daily Tribune
Question by Gloria: Do organic gardening products such as pesticides, fertilizers have to be certified?
I’m starting an organic tomato garden and with so many different options, I wanted to make sure that I’m only using products that are in fact organic. I understand that only food and fiber require certification, but what about gardening products?
Best answer:
Answer by Herbarium Landscape Design If you want to be sure look for OMRI on the label or visit http://www.omri.org/
It is not a requirement so some organic products will not be certified by OMRI.
Question by Jo-Anna: Does the Chia Pet Herb Garden really work indoors? How? What herbs grow well indoors?
I was always under the assumption that one could only grow heartier herbs indoors like rosemary, etc., and that basil would be a little more difficult.
But the Chia Pet Herb Garden includes basil seeds in its box. Does it grow well indoors?
Best answer:
Answer by cope_acetic@yahoo.com ALL herbs grow well indoors, with enough light & water.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
An easy example of how to grow delicious organic food in a small space without dirt. Using Black Gold All Organic Potting soil we grew Broccoli and Strawberries in this sender block bed. Video Rating: 5 / 5
There are many advantages to container gardening, especially for those that have limited space for plants. Find out how to plant flowers in various containers, such as plastic, clay or wood, with this free video on gardening from the owner of a landscaping company. Expert: Bill Elzey Contact: www.showplacelawns.com Bio: Bill Elzey is the owner and manager of Showplace Lawns in Austin, Texas. Filmmaker: Todd Green Video Rating: 0 / 5
Question by star b: How to transplant plants from garden to pot?
I would like to know if it is possible for my plants to survive a transplant from garden to pot. I am forced to downsize from house to apt and love my plants I had planted a few months ago and would like to take them with me. I have lavender and tomato plants. Is this possible? I’m new at gardening so all your help is appreciated.
Thanks
Best answer:
Answer by IMIchthus What do you have to lose? Give it a try! Just get BIG pots and take as big a root ball as you can.
BTW, I do all my gardening in pots. We plant tomatoes and peppers, as well as herbs!
