My Flowers Live » Gardening Tips

Does Composting Work?

JB — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:06:32 +0000

What is Compost?Compost is a dark, crumbly mixture of decomposed organic matter, such as grass clippings, leaves, twigs, and branches.

How Does Composting Work?

Even the first-time composter can make good quality compost. Like good cooking, composting is part science, part art. Attention to the following parameters will help you get started.

Materials

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Use Tiller Sparingly When Preparing Soil

JB — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 05:25:57 +0000

Most people enjoy planting into what garden publications call a well-prepared, loose seedbed. The well-prepared, loose seedbed gets the seed in contact with soil moisture for good germination. However, what you do to prepare that seedbed can create major problems later in the growing season, says Dr. Charles Mitchell, an agronomist with the

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Moon Gardening: Planting By Moonlight

JB — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 03:37:31 +0000

By Gene DeFazzio

Moon Phases and Planting

Planting by the phases of the moon is a method of cultivation as old as agriculture and civilization. Based both in tradition and superstition, the character and growth traits of plants were seen to vary with the phases of the moon. Through the corridors of

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Vegetable & Herb Gardening for June

JB — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 07:17:44 +0000

Vegetables

Aphid numbers are still high now on a wide variety of landscape and garden plants. It is usually not necessary to spray insecticides or release beneficials to control aphids. Populations of lady bird beetle, green lacewings and wasp parasites build up quickly to keep aphids in check. You’ll see these predators

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Re-Engineering Your Garden

JB — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 23:04:59 +0000

By Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension Professor University of Vermont

As your landscape matures, things change. Trees get taller and shade out areas. Bushes outgrow their space in the garden. Or it may be that your lifestyle has changed, and you no longer need to devote space to a children’s play area or swing

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Recycle your toilet paper tubes

JB — Sun, 23 Apr 2006 14:30:45 +0000

For those of us that like to save money and the environment, you can use toilet paper tubes, to start seedlings for your spring planting. Take the tube, cut it in half (lengthwise), fill each half with good quality soil, I only place 1 or 2 seedlings per tube. Take 1 tea bag,

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