Long squash

QuestionMy plant is stated producing the squash; however, after an inch and a half in size, it started browning and later dried out. Theres plenty and all of it fell to the same fate. I was waiting for at least one

Pest control

QuestionI have a shady yard. How can I get rid of the ticks and mosquitos? AnswerA common problem. Very different pests. Both evil. Mosquitoes were an issue during recent past summers over their

siting a vegetable garden

QuestionI am trying to decide where to place two small raised beds for a home vegatable garden. My yard has lots of sun during parts of the day, but no place has sun all day. How many hours of sun a day

apples trees

QuestionEvery year the bugs get the apple before me. Any solution that is safe? I have a dog and a cat. :) Thank you very much. AnswerIt depends upon which area of the country you live in. Eastern growers must cont

white clover problem

QuestionI have a relatively new house (6years old)with 2 acres, all lawn, all direct sun. Most of the lawn was existing farm land and I planted seed for the construction area. In the early years we had a

Organic Auditors

Questionwhat is an organc auditor? what do they do? AnswerFrom what I understand, organic auditors may arrive unannounced at any growers, processors, packagers, or warehouse operators producing food that is to be m

Grounds for the garden

QuestionHow often should I use coffee grounds on my Acid-loving plants? AnswerDear Julee: Studies have shown the effective role that spent coffee grounds can have in a garden as a fertilizer. Due to its high

raised vegetable garden walls

QuestionI am on a limited budget and want to build walls for my raised vegetable garden with as innocuous a material as possible.Railroad ties are out as are treated lumber.My question is cedar is available however

how to handle cover crop over winter

QuestionI have a partly-shaded area of about 300 square feet (in a yard near Boston, MA) that has never been planted. This summer I turned over the soil and aerated it as well as I could, pulled up the crabgra

root cellar

Questionpoor planning gave my cellar a concrete floor. i am looking at an area about 6x8 that i would like to use as a root cellar. my question: while i am sure i can make it tight enough to be cool, what about the

How to get rid of cabbage worms/Japanese beetles

QuestionQUESTION: I live in eastern NC where summers are ho=t and long and winters are mild and short. I grow a vegetable garden (2500 sq. ft.) every year from about March to December and I try my best to be

Hydrangeas

QuestionIs there a product that is OMRI registered that will lower the pH of my soil to affect a change in color to my Hydrangeas? AnswerI was going to reject your question because I do not have a complete and curr

Inexpensive Organic Gardening

QuestionWe live in a tropical environment, but I am hoping to grow a few plants with my children, namely tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, and herbs. I would like to do it organically and inexpensively, however

planting fruit trees

QuestionI planted an Orange tree about 2yrs. ago about 5ft. away from a eucalyptus tree that had been recently cut down but the stump hadnt been grinded. My orange tree doesnt look like its grown an inch and it look

raised river rock garden bed

QuestionHi Frank & Vickey I live in Southern California and want to have raised garden beds for my backyard. I have priced wood and WOW its expensive so I started to research River Rock (I ha

decomposed granite

QuestionWill adding granite to my clay soil help or hinder my efforts improve my soil? Im hearing mixed reviews on this subject in central Tx AnswerDear Karo: Decomposed granite is a rock powder and is an excellen

fresh manure

QuestionCan fresh cattle/horse manure be used safely and effectively to raise soil NPK levels without initial composting? AnswerNo, sorry. You need to compost hot manure - like horse and cow. Cold manur

I still insist organic lawn

QuestionQUESTION: I posted a thread on gardenweb.com and tried to see what advice I could get. Here is what I wrote: _______________________________________________ My husband and I bought our house in end of

still insist organic methods

QuestionI posted a thread on gardenweb.com and tried to see what advice I could get. Here is what I wrote: _______________________________________________ My husband and I bought our house in end of 2006, when

Raised beds of rock retaining wall.

QuestionI am interested in planting crowns of asparagus and strawberries here in northwest Ohio this mid May. Since both will produce for years to come if left undisturbed I want to build a raised bed utilizing rock