If you’ve been following the national weather this week, you might be wondering if the groundhog has developed a split personality this year. Is winter over or are we in for six more weeks of cold? While the eastern half of the United States is feeling the effects of record-setting high temperatures and one of the earliest springs on record, the western U. S. is observing cold and snowy conditions all the way down into Southern California.… Continue reading this article “Are we in winter or spring? The answer is YES!”
The nitty gritty on how water moves in plants, part 1
It’s still too cold here in the Pacific Northwest to see much happening outside, so it seems a perfect time to write about something you can’t see anyway. That “something” is the movement of water and dissolved substances through two pathways: the xylem and the phloem. And before you roll your eyes and go watch TikTok videos, keep in mind that learning about these transport systems is critical to understanding how plants work and caring for them appropriately.… Continue reading this article “The nitty gritty on how water moves in plants, part 1”
Home Greenhouses III: Basic Structure Types
Over the last few months I’ve had the chance to talk about the popular topic of home greenhouses. We covered a few of the basics in my first article, then touched on some regulations that might effect the building and management of home greenhouses in some areas. In this installment we’ll talk a bit about common structures used for home greenhouse construction so you can consider which structure(s) might be right for your situation.
Types of Structures
Greenhouse structures can range from simple to the very complex. … Continue reading this article “Home Greenhouses III: Basic Structure Types”
Chill out! Winter cold and chill hours for fruit
If you have fruit trees in your garden, then you may already be aware of the importance of winter cold for the development of blooms and fruit. Some fruit varieties like apples, cherries, peaches, and blueberries all need a certain number of hours of temperatures below 45 F to prepare the trees to bloom in the spring. Surprisingly, other trees you might not think of as fruit trees also need a period of cold conditions to produce a good crop, including pecans and olives.… Continue reading this article “Chill out! Winter cold and chill hours for fruit”
Another “drainage solution” that makes problems worse
I received an email this week from an arborist colleague who had been sent an “engineering solution” which claims to help with rooting issues in clayey soils or areas where root area is reduced. There was a spiffy diagram accompanying this which I’ve reproduced below.
I could dissect this for you and point out all the problems right now, but instead I’d rather supply you with some factual information and let you apply it to this “engineering solution.”… Continue reading this article “Another “drainage solution” that makes problems worse”
Home Greenhouses Pt. 2: Regulations & Restrictions
Last month I dipped into some of the considerations of owning or building a home greenhouse, having just “inherited” a greenhouse with my new house. The questions and comments were numerous, so I decided to continue on discussing considerations for home greenhouse ownership and operation. There will likely be a few more articles down the line….so strap in.
This time around, I thought I’d talk about something that we hate to talk about, but is important to understand: rules and restrictions around what you can and can’t do, especially if you live in an urban area or municipality. … Continue reading this article “Home Greenhouses Pt. 2: Regulations & Restrictions”
Companion plants, they are not what you think!
Companion plants! Great, what a good idea. When you first hear the term and think about the concept it sounds great but there is a lot to not like about it. The term “companion plants” implies that these plants are partners and they “enjoy” each other’s company. The term is an anthropomorphism or overlaying of human qualities on non-human organisms. A more appropriate term may be plant associates or plant associations, a term taken from plant ecology, which has more basis for use.… Continue reading this article “Companion plants, they are not what you think!”
Goodbye to 2022 and hello, 2023!
As we close out 2022, I thought I would spend a few minutes reviewing the weather and climate of the past year, both the average conditions and some of the extremes we saw. While this is skewed towards the United States, I did include some events happening in other parts of the world for our non-US readers.
What were the average climate conditions in 2022?
… Continue reading this article “Goodbye to 2022 and hello, 2023!”Pest Profile: Spotted Lanternfly
We have seen many high-profile examples of insect invasions, and as gardeners, we have probably come across some of these species in our very own landscapes and experienced their impacts first-hand.
If you live in the Eastern part of the United States, you have probably already heard about one of these invasive insect species that is currently wreaking havoc. The Spotted Lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula, is a 1 inch long planthopper native to China, and has since spread to Japan, South Korea, and the United States.… Continue reading this article “Pest Profile: Spotted Lanternfly”
So you think you want a home greenhouse, do you?
Given the growth in home gardening, the fervor around houseplants, and the interest in hydroponics and other growing methods, it makes sense that the interest in home greenhouses is also building. Sure, home greenhouses have been a “thing” for a long, long while – from well-to-do folks with conservatories on their estates to the more common and basic home greenhouse in the last few decades. But shifting interests, and more/cheaper options have made home greenhouses more accessible to the masses. … Continue reading this article “So you think you want a home greenhouse, do you?”