Hi Reader, Last weekās heat wave has me doing double-duty as both gardener and detective, and Iām finding clues that tell me two of our most troublesome summer pests are just getting started. The good news? Weāre catching them early, which means we can keep things manageable with some quick action this weekend. What Iām Seeing Out There Spider Mite Damage on Eggplant I grabbed a tissue and gently rubbed the underside of one of those stippled leaves. Sure enough, tiny moving specks appeared on...
about 1 month agoĀ ā¢Ā 3 min read
With temperatures hitting the nineties and feeling like 100Ā°F today, your first instinct might be to grab the hose. Hold up! Check Before You Water That big rain we had on Sunday (plus all the cool, wet weather we've had all spring) means your soil likely still has plenty of moisture. Before watering, do the finger test: push your index finger 1-2 inches deep into the soil near your plants. If it feels like a soft, damp sponge, or has a darker color your plants are fine. Heat Stress vs. Water...
about 2 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Good afternoon Reader, 3 velvet mites on the prowl! This past week, I got quite the scare when I walked outside the greenhouse and spotted something alarming - the old concrete Conservatory wall was absolutely covered in tiny red specks! My heart sank as I immediately thought: "Is this the year I'll need to break my streak?" As many of you know, I take tremendous pride in how rarely I need to use organic pesticides in our operation. The last time? Three whole years ago! But there they were,...
3 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Natureās first green is gold,Her hardest hue to hold.Her early leafās a flower;But only so an hour. -Robert Frost The magnolias are in full bloom as the forsythia start to fade back, creating a spectacular show that signals spring is truly underway! The long-term forecast looks promising with chilly nights around 50*. Let's all keep our fingers crossed that the weather continues its gradual improvement toward summer. This transition period requires some patience (don't plant those tomatoes...
4 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Spring signs are all over the place! Those cheerful daffodils are popping up, red maples are beginning to flower, and willows are taking on that distinctive yellow glow ā all sure signs it's time to get our hands back in the soil. Not to mention yesterdays pretty shockingly hot weather šš”ļø This is the perfect moment to prepare for our earliest cool-weather crops. Next week, I'll be planting onions, leeks, spinach, and (feeling a bit adventurous!) some lettuce. Arugula and radishes will...
5 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Things are starting to feel (slightly) warmer and you may have noticed the first daffodil leaves starting to push up to join the snowdrops and crocuses. The gardeners and motorcyclists are starting to get antsy! But donāt start planting your tomatoes quite yet. Greenhouse Update Strawberries jet getting started! Spring is ramping up in the greenhouse and itās starting to look pretty. Tomatoes are getting seeded next week! But this yearās strawberry baskets are starting to pop and looking...
5 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 2 min read
What a change - itās was almost tropical out there for a couple days! Letās wrap up our garden planning series. Weāve covered WHAT to grow, WHEN to plant it, and HOW MUCH to grow. Today, letās tackle the final act: WHERE everything goes in your gardenās grand production. Just as every director has their own vision for staging a play, there are different styles for arranging your gardenās cast of characters. You might prefer the precision of a Broadway musical - where each vegetable has its...
7 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Jeez! I hope you are staying warm. Letās do some more on-paper and in-doors gardening this week! Last email when answering our 3 Big Questions we talked about the WHEN of planting. Today I want to help decide how MUCH to grow. Think of your garden like a theater production. A director wouldnāt cast 20 Hamlets - nor would they attempt to stage a chorus line with just three dancers. In your garden, you need to know whether youāre producing an intimate one-act show with just enough runner beans...
7 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 2 min read
Last week we explored choosing the right plants for your garden. Today, I want to share how I turn my plant wishlist into an actionable plan that makes our gardens more successful. It all starts with what I call the Big 3 Questions (When is it going to be planted? How much to grow? Where is going to live?), letās tackle the first one now: WHEN to plant. Just like a chefās kitchen runs on perfect timing and temperature, your garden thrives when plants go into the ground at just the right...
7 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read