I’m gardening in the Pacific Northwest, USDA growing zone 8b, specifically Oregon on the west side of the Cascade mountain range. We get a lot of rainfall from autumn through spring, but our summers are typically hot and dry. Living in the Willamette Valley means I’m fortunate to have so-called mild winters and very fertile soil. That also means I have a lot of weeds trying to move into my garden all year round....
An introduction to insectary plants What makes a plant an insectary plant? Insectary plants provide food sources and shelter for beneficial insects, which attracts them and encourages them to stick around your garden. If you’ve already read our article Pest Hunters: Beneficial Predatory and Parasitic Insects, you know that there are many beneficial insects that prey on garden pests. By planting insectary plants we can encourage these predatory and parasitic insects to take up residence in our garden....
We’ve covered a good number of considerations that you should make when planning what, when, and where to grow. In this final article, we’ll explore ways to manage yields, store food and herbs, and offer tips for gardening in tight spaces. We’ll also discuss planting strategies, storage techniques, and ways to keep your harvest fresh longer, whether you’re in a small apartment, a large backyard, or somewhere in between. Eating Fresh vs Storing It’s important to consider how you’ll use your harvest....
“How much should I plant?” is just one of the many questions to ask when planning your garden. Another is “How can I best use my garden space?” This is what we’ll cover in this second article. Many gardeners will plan one thing to grow in a row or an entire garden bed. However, with some careful planning, you can make use of the time before those plants go in and after you take them out....
“How much should I plant?” is a natural question—and one with no universal answer. Your garden depends on what you like to eat, your climate, and how much time and space you have to tend it. But asking the question is the first step toward a rewarding harvest. Let’s explore some thoughtful ways to decide what to plant, when to plant it, and how to shape your season around your needs....
Most gardeners are aware of the critical role that pollinators play in the garden, in agriculture, and in the natural world. What might not be as widely known is that there are other kinds of beneficial insects in the garden, namely predatory and parasitic insects that can help to control pest populations! Some beneficial predatory insects can look quite threatening, so it’s important not to just squish (or spray) any scary-looking bug....
None of the birds in my garden give me as much joy and entertainment as hummingbirds. Watching them zip around from flower to flower is fun, and the occasional low fly-by lets me get an up-close look. Hummingbirds are native to North and South America. In fact, they are only found in the America’s. You will not find them anywhere else, which seems like a shame to me that the whole world doesn’t get to enjoy these bejeweled birds....
All plants, bar a few specific exceptions, rely on sunlight for growth. Photosynthesis is when the chlorophyll in plants (the green pigment in leaves, stems, etc.) uses carbon dioxide from the air and water in the soil to produce sugars, which the plants use to grow. But, just as you can get sunburned from too much exposure to the giant ball of gas in the sky, so can plants. Days with a high UV index and extended periods without clouds or rain can stress plants, causing sunscald, leaf burn, and dehydration....
After you’ve stocked up on seeds for the growing season and started most of your plants, often you’ll end up with several partial packets of seeds left over. How should you store leftover seeds so they last as long as possible? And how long do seeds last, anyways? Many of us gardeners like to hoard seeds in our seed collection for years, but without proper storage techniques the shelf life of those seeds dramatically decreases....
Staying Hydrated Water is essential for plant growth. Too little water (or too much), and your plants won’t make it. In hot, arid climates, sunken beds are a preventative measure against warmer weather (catch the rhyme there?). By sinking the bed below ground level, you take advantage of naturally cooler soil, improved moisture retention, and better wind protection. Sunken beds can be a game-changer for gardeners in dry regions, making it easier to keep plants thriving with less water....