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Cucumber 17 Apr, Terry Hoge (USA - Zone 6b climate): I have struggled with Cucumber beetles for several years, what is the best method for controlling them?
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Potato 16 Apr, Cheryl Munroe (USA - Zone 8a climate): How many potatoes to grow in 5 gallon buckets?
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Tomato 12 Apr, Marie (USA - Zone 10a climate): What tomatoe variety is good for 100° weather?
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Tomato 13 Apr, Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 8a Mild Temperate climate): You did not mention if you are dry heat, wet heat, or somewhere in between. There are lots of options --here are a few. Principe Borghese ideal Temperature: 75-95 F ---- Chadwick Cherry or Camp Joy Tomato (sets fruit in 115° F.) --- Cherokee Purple likes wet heat (doesn't handle dry heat well) ---The Punta Banda tomato loves dry heat, and requires less water then most tomatoes- it originates from the Punta Banda Peninsula in Baja California, Mexico ( growing wild there). It can manage on poor soils and is therefore recommened in extreme conditions.
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Artichokes (Globe) 06 Apr, Pam (USA - Zone 7a climate): My artichoke seeds have sprouted but do I need to put them someplace cold prior to planting them outside in my garden?
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Asparagus 02 Apr, JC (USA - Zone 9b climate): I received a dozen 2 yr Jersey crowns last week here in N TX, but my raised bed isn't ready for them yet. Should I plant them in the ground in the ground and transfer them in the fall? Or should I keep them in the refrigerator until the fall and plant them in the raised bed I will have by then prepared?
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Onion 31 Mar, sally davis (USA - Zone 5b climate): Can I plant onion SETS outside now? Not seeds
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Cabbage 31 Mar, Mary Williams (USA - Zone 8b climate): What is the last day to plant cabbage?
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Tomato 30 Mar, Karen (USA - Zone 10a climate): I'm in East Central Florida zone 10a. I am brand new to container gardening. I've planted one determinate and 1 indeterminate tomatoes in 5 gallon buckets, food grade.. I used chicken manure in my soil mix of soil, cow manure mulch, pine mulch. The mix sat in the buckets for a month before I transplanted the Matos. I have bone and blood meal, Epsom salt and lime, how would you recommend I fertilize from now on? Thank you.
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Tomato 02 Apr, Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 8a Mild Temperate climate): -- WOW -- I'm not sure HOW MUCH of each amendment (manure, bone meal, blood meal) you put in ... but it sounds like there is enough nutrition there for awhile. I am concerned about 2 things: 1. The initial acidity of the pine mulch. Tomatoes do like slightly acidic soil, but the initial acidity here could be too much. Pine mulch does however break down neutral and pine mulch offers several benefits for gardens, including weed suppression, moisture retention, and improved soil structure. 2. You need to ensure your 5 gallon buckets have a few large holes on the sides near the bottom - this is to prevent your roots from cooking. Even if your containers are in the shade (with the plant in the sun) those containers need aeration. I suggest at least 2 (and up to 6) 3" holes around the bottom sides of your container -- don't worry, after the initial soil spill, the soil will stay put even during watering. As far as continued fertilization, you could top dress with chicken manure -- that is add an inch or two to the top of the soil (top dressing) of chicken manure, and when you water this will go into the soil. Perhaps monthly, maybe more if the plants are growing fast.... I might however hold off for the first couple of months (this really depends on HOW much of each amendment you added -- for example, half a 5 gallon bucket of chicken manure, opposed to several handfuls) -- additionally, when the plants are really small... they don't intake that much nutrition , but as they grow -- they really use up the nutrition fast (think a 5 year old boy compared to a teenager)
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Lettuce 28 Mar, Amercy Shields (USA - Zone 7b climate): What variety of lettuce can I plant in zone 7b?
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Asparagus 25 Mar, Jody (USA - Zone 10a climate): My wife is thinking about growing it also, she has purchased a 3 pack of root clusters. We are planting them in a large raised bed garden and going to have success. This garden receives 30 minutes of dip irrigation 2 times per week and is in full, and sometimes brutal sun. We are on the Pinellas Peninsula in Florida. After reading this artical it sounds like you have a real good headstart,, with several options to experiment with. Keep posting
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Pumpkin 23 Mar, Debbie (USA - Zone 7a climate): I started pumpkin seeds and they are tall can I wait till may to plant them? Will they live if I wait till may to plant them?
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Asparagus 21 Mar, Ed (USA - Zone 10a climate): 5 year-old asparagus bed. Never picked or cut back. Plants vigorous and very overcrowded. How to thin roots to promote lead pencil-size spears? Appreciate any tips.
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Artichokes (Globe) 18 Mar, Elizabeth (USA - Zone 10a climate): I have some hardy Globe seedling that I am about to transfer to my garden. I live in zone 10 in West Hills, CA. Is it ok to plant them now? Thanks
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Broccoli 15 Mar, Michelle (USA - Zone 6b climate): Can I grow broccoli next to cauliflower?
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Okra (also Ladyfinger, gumbo) 13 Mar, Zayra Marie Bactad (USA - Zone 10a climate): I’m in zone 10 It tried to plant OKRA as seed starter ..put ininside at night and out in a day..a lot of them died..they will germinate,liive a little..BUT will not thrive and have big leaves..they look stunted..I think based on the dates, FEBRUARY AND MARCH are still cold for them..
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Sweet corn (also corn,maize) 11 Mar, Chris (USA - Zone 7b climate): Planting / soil temp date? Varieties ( grew up in nw iowa with whatever pioneer seed offered.)?
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Sweet corn (also corn,maize) 19 Mar, Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 8a Mild Temperate climate): I understand your remark. - however you need to take into account that Pioneer (an excellent source for seeds) is located in Johnston, Iowa - and if I'm not mistaken has always been there- so yes they will know which seeds to sell you- that's real Expert advice. Additionally if you buy at your local co-op they probably stock only seeds that grow well in the area. They'll even tell you when and how to plant,care for, and harvest your crop. In other words they are making the variety, soil temp decisions for you. -and saying plant this, at such and such a time. I live in an area where the conditions change in less than 10km. - Vancouver Island - soil temps, wind chill can vary a lot so understanding this stuff can make the difference between a lush garden and a half dead garden. Planting, say, tomatoes outdoors can be delayed by 6 weeks if your getting a lot of night time wind chill (near the ocean or at a higher elevation). Your inland, flat, and have very uniform growing conditions, Your also in the corn discussion- which the breadbasket states (of which your state is one of) having been growing corn for longer then I can even guess at (250 years- and the Native American Indians before that)- even in Canada I know some of your sayings 'knee high by the 4th of July' which I'm guessing every breadbasket school child knows- so yes I Imagine you know when to plant corn. There are people who live in microclimates -and they may not have access to consultants (like your local co-op) that give information freely. So yes, they need to understand soil temps. Etc. Aditionally, person might want to grow a variety of something that is different (mail order) from what their local garden center has decided to sell. In which case they either investigate before they buy, or buy, plant and cross their fingers.
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Sweet corn (also corn,maize) 19 Mar, Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 8a Mild Temperate climate): I understand your remark. - however you need to take into account that Pioneer (an excellent source for seeds) is located in Johnston, Iowa - and if I'm not mistaken has always been there- so yes they will know which seeds to sell you- that's real Expert advice. Additionally if you buy at your local co-op they probably stock only seeds that grow well in the area. They'll even tell you when and how to plant,care for, and harvest your crop. In other words they are making the variety, soil temp decisions for you. -and saying plant this, at such and such a time. I live in an area where the conditions change in less than 10km. - Vancouver Island - soil temps, wind chill can vary a lot so understanding this stuff can make the difference between a lush garden and a half dead garden. Planting, say, tomatoes outdoors can be delayed by 6 weeks if your getting a lot of night time wind chill (near the ocean or at a higher elevation). Your inland, flat, and have very uniform growing conditions, Your also in the corn discussion- which the breadbasket states (of which your state is one of) having been growing corn for longer then I can even guess at (250 years- and the Native American Indians before that)- even in Canada I know some of your sayings 'knee high by the 4th of July' which I'm guessing every breadbasket school child knows- so yes I Imagine you know when to plant corn. There are people who live in microclimates -and they may not have access to consultants (like your local co-op) that give information freely. So yes, they need to understand soil temps. Etc. Aditionally, person might want to grow a variety of something that is different (mail order) from what their local garden center has decided to sell. In which case they either investigate before they buy, or buy, plant and cross their fingers.
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Cucumber 01 Mar, Steve Meyer (USA - Zone 9b climate): What is the best cucumbers to grow in our sacramento 9b area
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Strawberry Plants 27 Feb, dorothy copeland (USA - Zone 9b climate): I would loke to grow some june bearing and everbearing in the popular 3 pot tier planters. will this work
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Cabbage 22 Feb, Sylvia (USA - Zone 8a climate): It’s February 22 what are the best vegetables to start now in zone eight a
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Sweet corn (also corn,maize) 19 Feb, Pamela White (USA - Zone 8a climate): Any tips for insect control or fertilizing corn?
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Sweet corn (also corn,maize) 03 Mar, Faith Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 7b Mild Temperate climate): Corn needs BORON -- similar to sunflowers. Water once with the following: 4 liters (1 gal.) of water mixed with 2.5 mL (1⁄2 tsp.) of borax. This is your typical laundry borax - I use MULE Borax (The only ingredient in Borax is a naturally occurring mineral called sodium tetraborate. It's free of phosphates, chlorine and other chemicals.-- this is a salt - so only apply once or twice in a year). IF POSSIBLE - and this is not always possible -- plant a few teosintes plants nearby -- these are WILD corn and for some reason domesticated corn grows much better with a few teosintes around (there can be 3 teosintes for an acre of corn). The teosintes are know as corn coaches/grandparents and corn is much more productive when there grandparents are present -- yes this sounds folklore like -- but it has been proven - and does seem to work really well. Also corn benefits from rich soil/compost and lots of nitrogen to help them grow, followed by more potassium once they get to the stage when they are developing cobs. ‘Sweetcorn is a grass and so it loves nitrogen, especially in the early stages. However, applying too much once the cobs form will promote more vegetative growth rather than ripening the cobs. Hope this helps - good luck.
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Lettuce 18 Feb, Frankie (USA - Zone 9b climate): can I plant red romaine plants in my garden now?
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Cabbage 17 Feb, Shellie Smith (USA - Zone 8b climate): Is it to cold to start planting seeds for greens,peppers and tomatoes. Temperature is 37 degree ?
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Cabbage 10 Mar, Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 8a Mild Temperate climate): Are you direct sowing (into the garden), or are you sowing indoors in trays? I'll give you the germination temperatures. Germination temperatures vary from plant to plant (even among say tomatoes - the various varieties have different germination temperatures). These are OPTIMAL germination temperatures-- so higher or lower can work, but germination will not be as consistent or Good in non-optimal temps. The germination temperature must be sustained (over several days or more) -- this is the plant's indicator (sustained warm temperature), that spring/summer is here -- and it is time to wake up and get growing. If the germination temperatures are not met, the seeds will remain dormant (most of them), waiting for their ideal growing conditions to occur. Remember - varieties make a difference so I'm giving you GENERAL temperatures. PEPPERS: Soil temperature needs to be at least 75-85 degrees F (24-27 c) for good germination. Peppers won’t germinate in cold soil– with the higher end temps germination may be in 5 days, or may take up to 20 days in the lower temps. Don’t overwater seeds or they may rot. peppers don't like to be overly wet. Your max germination temp is 95F (35c) for peppers. TOMATO : optimum germination temps are : 65-85F (24-30c) days to germinate varies a lot by variety ... so maybe 1- 2 weeks ? Max temp is 95f (35c). Tomato seeds have been know to germinate at temp as low as 40f (4c) -- but expect germination to take a month or more and your germination rate (% of seeds that germinate) will probably be very low. GREENS: way to varied to give an answer -- example: KALE has an optimum germination temp of 65F (18c) and range of 45°F - 85°F (7-30c), while SWISS CHARD's optimum germination is 80°F (27c) with a range of 40°F - 95°F (4-32c). Days to germination vary based on variety and temp. I generally recommend starting peppers and tomatoes indoors -- and with greens it depends on the green -- kale and chard are both tough, and both have a very wide temp range for germination so outdoors is fine. You also have to consider insects... larger plants have a better chance (in general) of survival if you experience pest problems. OF course a lot depends on how long your growing season is-- in a really long and hot growing season, starting tomato seeds outdoors is no problem, in a shorter cooler growing season the optimum germination temps may never be met (sustained) so starting indoors is pretty much a given.
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Cabbage 17 Feb, (USA - Zone 6a climate): Cabbage does not grow well with cucumber.
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Carrot 17 Feb, Lexi (USA - Zone 6a climate): Same as on the beetroot page -- I would recommend editing the "avoid" section to not include beets. Carrots and beets grow well together!
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