Category Archives: Grow
Gardening Problems, Solutions, and Update
I’ve been so busy putting together my new fall planting schedule that I’ve fallen behind on giving garden updates. As I compared the pictures to my last update, I was amazed at how much everything grew, and so quickly. This week I’ll take more pictures and you can see how things are looking today! Here is my south-west box–from left to right I have cucumbers (on the trellis), onions, carrots, onions, broccoli (in the back), cilantro (going to seed), and lettuce. I am letting the cilantro go to seed, because I tried that last year and had so much fantastic … Continue reading
Posted in 2010, Grow
18 Comments
How to Prune Tomatoes
If I get a chance, I’ll try to update this post with graphics and written instructions. For now you have to watch me in the video! Happy gardening!
Posted in Grow
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How To Build Tomato Cages
After buying the supplies and building these myself, I have updated instructions on how to build tomato cages. The old way I suggested used zip ties, and required much less cutting. However, it required flattening out the remesh and rolling it the other direction, which was also a lot of work. In the end, I decided to go with the roll and cut, cut, cut. Supplies: Steel remesh–I found a roll of 5′x100′ for $100 at Home Depot Bolt cutters–$14 (smaller is better) It’s pretty expensive to tackle this on your own, especially if you don’t need 20 tomato cages. … Continue reading
Posted in Build, Grow
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Growing Vertical–How to Support Your Plants
One of the biggest advantages of Square Foot gardening is that you can grow more plants in less space. However, if you don’t provide the plants with adequate support they will fall over, or sprawl ver the entire garden box, and you lose what you gained! I’m going to show you several methods of supporting your plants so you can “grow vertical” and fit even more into less space. Vertical Trellis This is the way I prefer to support peas, cucumbers, and some varieties of tomatoes. I use a trellis made of galvanized steel that I purchased through the SquareFootGardening.com … Continue reading
Posted in Build, Grow
33 Comments
Organic Solutions for Pests, Disease, and Fertilizer
Although square foot gardening reduces 99% of weeding, it doesn’t control all those pesky pests and diseases. While I am personally not averse to occasional use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, I always try an organic method first. Fertilizer In his book, Mel talks about the necessity of using multiple kinds of compost or better yet, making your own! If you spend the money on good compost, you reduce the need to add extra fertilizer at all. By mixing and matching different compost you create a nutrient rich environment for your plants. Since you add compost every time you plant, … Continue reading
Posted in Grow
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