I realize that not everyone has an official greenhouse, but every gardener that starts plants from seed has some sort of area (maybe more than one) for this activity. There is some place that the supplies are kept, some place that the potting is done, and some place that the plants sit and grow. Now is […]
Taking Advantage of this Mild December to Work and Weed in My Southwest Idaho Garden
Until the ground freezes, or snow covers the garden, I am intent on getting some work done in the garden. It may seem unexciting, because it is mostly clean-up and maintenance. Not much is growing. However, I consider any work that I do now will make the spring time planting much easier and […]
Pruning Somewhat Neglected Dormant Fruit Tree in Late Fall
I didn’t get around to pruning my plum tree last winter. Both the tree and I suffered some for that neglect. There was fruit I couldn’t reach, branches that broke, and a general haphazard, gangly form developing. Not only did the frenzy of harvest keep me from attending to it, but any extensive pruning in the […]
Thinking About Planting Peas in the Fall in Southwest Idaho
I have heard from more experienced gardeners than myself, that it is an option to plant peas in the fall for the next spring’s harvest. This makes sense to me and it IS still fall. Peas are definitely a cool season vegetable. They start to turn brown and inedible practically the moment the heat of […]
Is Your Backyard Garden Organic?
I just got done (mostly. Okay, I skipped a few of the particulars about cattle…) reading the United States Federal Government’s regulations on organic food production. They are complicated, sometimes vague, and a bit open ended. I got a kick out of the oft repeated qualifications such as “unless no organic option is available” and […]