Yay! Yesterday I got out and got my hands in the dirt. It’s pretty early here still for planting–unless you are a gambler the main garden crops don’t go in the ground until Memorial Day in my area. However there are a lot of cool weather crops that are supposed to be planted “in early… Keep Reading
Using Cold Frames in a Northern Winter — Update
This year Yankee Bill built me some lovely cold frames. They are made out of reclaimed lumber from a building that was being torn down by his NY Guard unit and two glass doors. One of those doors-an old sliding glass door-we’ve had since before we moved in to the Frugal Upstate Village Homestead– because… Keep Reading
December Coldframe Update~The Winter Garden
Just thought I’d give you a quick update on what’s going on in the garden. Yes, the garden, in December, in Upstate NY! Back in September I wrote about the nice new coldframes that Yankee Bill had made me out of reclaimed lumber and some old doors. I planted them up with small plants from… Keep Reading
The final drying & storing of herbs
This summer’s herb garden did well. I grow most of my herbs in pots on a little strip about 3 feet wide that’s between my house and the driveway. Here’s what it looked like this spring: I’ve managed to cram in there Lovage , Chives, Sage, Parsley, Mint, Spearmint, Lemon Balm, Oregano, German Thyme, Rosemary,… Keep Reading
Overwintering Ferns year 3
Well we’ve reached the time of year where frosts and cold nights are more and more common–so it’s time to overwinter my ferns! That’s right–this will be the third year that I’ve brought my hanging ferns in for the winter and (hopefully) managed to make them survive through the winter. That means about $40 less… Keep Reading
Coldframes!
Every year I learn a bit more about gardening and I get a bit better at it. I just keep adding to what my mentors in the Army always referred to as my “Tool-Kit”.  Most of the time that’s my knowledge and skill tool-kit, but sometimes it’s my physical tool-kit. This fall thanks to my… Keep Reading
Multipling Your Harvest: Additional Cabbage heads
Do you grow cabbage in your garden? Well remember how last week I told you that you could multiply your broccoli production by harvesting side shoots? I’ve got another neat little trick to get more out of your cabbage! Once you’ve harvested your head of cabbage (I like growing these meal sized “Mini Gonzales” cabbages)…. Keep Reading
Mulching Your Garden Part 2 — How to Mulch Your Garden
It’s time to talk mulching again! Last week I gave you my opinion in “Why Mulch Your Garden?”. . . this week I’m going to talk about HOW to mulch your garden. The first consideration when mulching your garden is what to use for the mulch. As I stated before I prefer organic mulches, so… Keep Reading
Mulching Your Garden Part 1 — Why Mulch Your Garden?
When you think of a vegetable garden, what do you think of? Beautiful long rows of vegetables with dark glossy soil in between? That is the classic vegetable garden: However that style of garden–while it might be beautiful to look at (or at least I think it is) it does have some issues. See all… Keep Reading
Removing Squash Bugs
The other day I was browsing through my garden, checking on the health and maturity of this crop and that when I flipped over a zucchini leaf and found these: Which will soon hatch and grow into THESE: Squash Bugs! I know that everything has a purpose-and I’m sure that something out there eats these… Keep Reading
