Search Results for: Raised beds

Compost, raised beds, and unexpected finds

Like many home gardeners, we maintain a compost bin (a lovely 3-bin system built by my husband). I don’t need very much compost as the only organic matter I add to our landscapes is an arborist wood chip mulch. We do have a couple of raised beds for veggies and I do need organic matter … Continue reading Compost, raised beds, and unexpected finds

Tools, tips, and terrible traditions for raised beds – Part 3

Over the last couple of months I started a series on raised bed gardens, focusing on materials and preparation. In this final installment, I’ll focus on maintenance activities to avoid in your raised bed systems and remind you of three things you should always do. Terrible traditions We’ll start with some practices that damage soil … Continue reading Tools, tips, and terrible traditions for raised beds – Part 3

Tools, tips, and terrible traditions for raised beds – Part 2

Last month I started a series on raised bed gardens, focusing on materials and designs. Today I’ll mention some of my favorite tools and materials for putting everything together and getting ready to plant. Getting your soil ready for raised bed use Tools and materials: shovel, wheelbarrow, tarp, soil screens If you’ll recall from my … Continue reading Tools, tips, and terrible traditions for raised beds – Part 2

Tools, tips, and terrible traditions for raised beds – Part 1

Many of us are sheltering at home during the COVID19 outbreak, and that might mean you’re spending more time in the garden. It certainly seems to be true based on my Facebook feed. And given that even more people are showing interest in growing their own food, I thought some practical posts on raised beds … Continue reading Tools, tips, and terrible traditions for raised beds – Part 1

A Raised Bed Rebuttal: In defense of a common garden practice and soil health

One of the things I miss (and sometimes don’t miss) after my move from West Virginia to Nebraska is writing my weekly garden column for the Charleston Gazette-Mail newspaper.  It was a great way to always keep thinking about new things to talk about and a great way to connect with the public. After I … Continue reading A Raised Bed Rebuttal: In defense of a common garden practice and soil health

Crop rotation makes the garden go ’round

You might have heard of the concept of crop rotation, or even have had someone tell you that you should be practicing it in your home garden. But does this practice developed for use on large-scale farm fields work for small-scale home gardening or backyard farming?  And if so how do you even do it? … Continue reading Crop rotation makes the garden go ’round

Backyard biocontrol – using natural enemies to wipe out invasive weeds

Four years ago we moved to the family farm (where I grew up) and we’ve enjoyed restoring the 1 acre landscape around the farmhouse. Given that the residential part of this farm is surrounded by pastureland, there is a continual influx of weed seeds into our managed beds. While our thick applications of arborist wood … Continue reading Backyard biocontrol – using natural enemies to wipe out invasive weeds

Water: Garden Friend….and Foe? – Water, Relative Humidity, and Plant Diseases

We all know that water is essential for life and that we have to ensure our landscapes, gardens, and houseplants all have a sufficient supply of the stuff.  Forget to water your garden during a hot, dry spell and it could mean disaster for your plants.  But water can also create issues for plants, usually … Continue reading Water: Garden Friend….and Foe? – Water, Relative Humidity, and Plant Diseases