Just another day in the life of the Vegetable Doctor during tomato season. A tomato walked into the Vegetable Doctor’s office at 8 a.m. complaining, “Doc, I’ve got leathery patches on my skin. They’re white or light brown. What’s wrong with me?” The Vegetable Doctor said,“You’ve got sunscald from too much sun hitting you. Tell your gardener to make sure there are enough leaves on your plant so you get more shade in the afternoon.” The second patient…
Pruning tomatoes? Aren’t gardeners busy enough during the year, pruning roses and grapevines? Pruning tomato suckers is not a big, hairy project—although it is fun to touch those hairy tomato stems and aromatic leaves. It’s more like a once-a-week grooming of your tomato plants. THE REWARDS OF PRUNING TOMATOES * Larger, earlier tomatoes—a boon for those of us with short growing seasons (or cooler-than-usual summers). * A slimmer plant that is easier to grow vertically.…
It seems unfair—just when we really need lettuce as the foundation of a summer salad, the lettuce wants to pack up and spend its summer at Lake Tahoe (or some other cool spot). Here’s how you…
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Planning, installing and using drip irrigation is easier than you think! Shaking in your garden boots at the thought of it all? Our step-by-step videos and articles will help you get the right amount of…
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The expression “companion planting” sounds like garden lore you should have learned at your grandmother’s knee, right? If you missed out, you can now get the 21st century update on the…
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Everyone tells you to mulch your vegetable garden—but exactly how should you choose a mulch? In our new video, Tricia shows you the basics of mulching. What’s the difference between compost…
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Do you grow roses? DId you ever think about growing them organically? That way you not only keep synthetic pesticides out of your garden and groundwater, but you can EAT and DRINK your roses too. In our…
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February 28, 2013 - Charlotte from Peaceful Valley
It’s really quite simple to apply your “outdoor” organic gardening knowledge to your house plants. Who doesn’t want a lush mass of greenery inside during the winter months? When…
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February 14, 2013 - Charlotte from Peaceful Valley
Do you have shrubs and trees on your property? Then you’ll need pruning tools to keep them trimmed and healthy. When you wander into the pruning tools section of our website or down that aisle in…
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February 13, 2013 - Charlotte from Peaceful Valley
Combine the red of Valentine’s Day with a green growing project for kids! Instead of pre-made Valentine’s Day cards, let your kid give a gift that grows, on the fun-loving holiday. Ingredients:…
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Raised beds with drip irrigation are the easiest way to grow your own vegetables. In our new video on raised beds, Tricia shows you how to create a raised bed in minutes, using M Brace, Minifarmbox, or…
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Pretty in the garden, pretty on your table—use edible flowers to make your meals sparkle! Garden author Teresa O’Connor was a featured speaker about Edible Flowers at the Mother Earth News…
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