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July 25th, 2010 .Sledding Heavy
July 22nd, 2010 .A child’s plastic sled is a great way to tow seedlings, tools and fertilizers around your garden. They’re also a great low-tech way to haul bags of soi9l amendments and, when production begins, to tow your harvest.
Making a Federal Case Out of it
July 19th, 2010 .
Did you know that the tomato stood trial in the Supreme Court? In an 1893 decision Nix v. Hedden the question was whether the tomato was a fruit or vegetable. A group of greens grocers sued the State of New York. The state taxed vegetables at that time, but not fruit. The grocers stated — correctly, botanically speaking — that the tomato was a fruit. Botanists consider it a berry. But the Court sided with the state. A later jurist explained the Court’s reasoning, “In common parlance tomatoes are vegetables…”
Meshing With Vines!
July 12th, 2010 .Black nylon mesh or netting, used to protect plants from birds, makes a great support system for vines, especially annual ones. When hanging the netting, don’t hang it from discrete points like screws or nails. Instead, staple it in position and then go back along the top edge with a 1×2 and screw it to the wall, pinching the entire top edge of the netting between the 1×2 and the wall. With the weight distributed, you won’t have to worry about the vine coming down. The great thing is that once the vine leafs out you won’t really see the netting. Another way to use it is to create a cylinder of netting around a growing vine. A lot of vines don’t like to be tied off, but the cylinder lets the vine grow up it while a t the same time containing it. When the vine dies back or needs pruning, take out your scissors and remove the unwanted growth in one fell swoop.
Rooting for Roots!
July 8th, 2010 .
Growers of giant pumpkins increase their foot mass by letting the vines grow out., then stripping the leaves off the first three or four feet nearest the base. They bury the exposed vine and create a second root system. Thus invigorated, the plants produce enormous fruits. The current record holder weighed in at 2020 punds. The same will work for tomatoes. And what else? You tell us!
Nonstandard Standards!
July 5th, 2010 .
Have you ever heard the gardening phrase “trained to standard”? This is a method by which you convert a woody vine into a small tree. Over the course of a few years simply eliminate all the side shoots, retaining a single shoot supported with a pole. When the shoot hits the right height — say seven or eight feet — allow the vine to branch out. Pinch the tip of the original shoot to promote lateral shoot growth. This summer, check out the alley behind the Ares Thrift Store on Spruce Street in Boulder. Across the alley there are two trumpet vines that look like trees. In flower they’re phenomenal!
Rain is Your Parade!
July 2nd, 2010 .The best time to weed is after a good rain. They pop right out! The best time to fertilize with granular fertilizer is right before one. The best water to use is rainwater, which when it falls has nitrogen in it. That’s why a good rain will green up your lawn faster than watering. If you live in a dry area, plant in furrows rather than raised beds, to catch the rain and facilitate irrigation. Tap water left standing out overnight will lose its chlorine, which is better for your plants.
Patriotic Plants
June 29th, 2010 .
Take a white carnation, cosmos or other simple composite flower. Cut the stem, split it up from the cut, lengthwise, about 3 inches. Take a vial of red food coloring and one of blue. Insert each half stem into the vials. Stabilize for a few hours. Within a few hours you’ll have salute-worthy red, white and blue flowers.
Hose Hassles?
June 18th, 2010 .Use stakes at the corners of your garden beds as hose guides so you can drag your hose through the garden with ease. Drive a sturdy stake into the ground and put a short piece of slightly larger diameter pipe on top of it and you’ll have roller guides.
Shake the Stake
June 15th, 2010 .When your tomato plants start to flower, it’s a good idea to give them a brisk shake once a week. This will send the pollen flying and increase fruiting. With honeybees in decline, tomatoes will need more help than ever.
