Composted garden beds in fall

ORGANIC FOODS FOR YOUR PLANTS

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I feed my soil and plants organically. Organic feeding is functionally different from feeding synthetic (chemical) fertilizers, and the differences must be taken into account when using them. I cover timing and ways of using organic fertilizers in my latest blog post:
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Figs ripening

FIG UPRISING

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In my latest blog post I write about my success with overwintering figs outdoors here in cold hardiness zone 5. This method will work in even colder climates. Last winter, temperatures got down to -18° F here on the farmden. Here’s the link/address to the post:
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Pruning young pear tree, showing where I prune

NATURE’S DESSERT

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Do I hear my fruit trees asking something of me? Yes, pruning. I describe how to deal with these pruning-needy trees in my latest blog post:
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All from a seed like this sprouting one

I PLANTED MY FIRST SEED

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Growing trees from seeds is a long-term project, which makes it all the more satisfying. Just getting them to sprout is exciting, and then you get a special affection for them as they grow. I write about tricks to getting tree seeds to sprout and other suggestions for this also fun and useful activity in my latest blog post:
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Cold damaged rhododendron

WHAT’S DOING IN YOUR ‘HOOD

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Wilting or browning leaves on your rhododendrons? Are they dead from some infection? Should those stems with browned leaves be lopped to the ground? Wait! Before you do anything, read the backstory to all this, with advice on where and when to yield your pruners, all in my latest blog post.
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Many seedlings in spring

WATERING SEEDLINGS MADE EASY

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With so many pots to water, I could be tethered to my home like a dairy farmer to his cows. But I’m not, thanks to capillary watering. In my latest blog post, I write what it is, how to buy it or make it, and how best to use it.
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nursery trees, bare root 2

TREE PLANTING MYTHS DEBUNKED

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I love to plant trees, and I’ve planted plenty. Some are now 60 feet tall. If you plant correctly, its really not very difficult to get a tree into the ground properly, especially if you ignore a few myths of traditional tree planting:
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Organic weedkiller between row of pear trees

SOAP UP

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Soaps have been around gardening for hundreds of years, can take care of insect, weed, or disease problems, and they’re pretty much nontoxic. But the kind of soap must suit its intended use. Read about all this in my latest blog post.
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Ladybugs on leaf

WHERE’S HOME?

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[Everybody loves ladybugs. Or do they/we? It depends. Find out what’s to love and what’s not to love about these cute little buggers — which actually aren’t bugs. Read all this in my latest blog post, here:
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