Tips from the Yard

Tips from The Yard: Let’s Discuss Tomatoes

In this Tips from the Yard let’s discuss arguably the most popular plant in the garden.  For the rest of this article let’s agree tomatoes are a vegetable.  We all recognize they are the most popular garden vegetable.  It can be part of a huge garden or the only garden plant in the yard.

The first issue; were seeds started 6-8 weeks before the last frost date?  If not, check out seedlings from a garden center or nursery; even mail order these days.  There are lots of sizes, shapes, colors, and flavors. Heirloom or hybrid.  One point to remember, heirloom varieties will not be resistant to verticillium and/or fusarium wilts.  These soil borne diseases can wipe out a crop quickly. A variety of types which carry the VF designation will ensure even if the diseases are found in the soil the varieties will withstand the diseases. Continue reading Tips from The Yard: Let’s Discuss Tomatoes →

Tips from the Yard: Getting Out in the Garden

Time for another Tip from the Yard. The weather is getting exciting! By now your seedlings should be looking good.  Your cool weather crops should be outside getting harden-offed and its ok to plant them. By mid-month start getting the warm weather crops outside and gently start the hardening off process.

Be sure to have your plan for the layout of the garden in order.  This year’s crops should not be planted in the same space as the same crop last year.  Be sure to leave room in the plan for relay planting of veggies.  Bush beans is one of the most common veggies to plant every 2 weeks to lengthen the production season. Continue reading Tips from the Yard: Getting Out in the Garden →

Tips from the Yard: Raised Bed Gardening

Time for another Tips from the Yard.  Now is the time to consider the garden we will be working with, it’s time to consider raised beds for the garden.  Is the yard small, is there a lot of clay in the soil, is the soil mucky and wet in the spring, and the most important question – can the gardener get down and up from the ground.  There are other considerations but that last one, in my mind the most important.

The advantages of raised garden beds include;

  • the beds heat quickly in the spring and stay warm longer in the fall
  • The soil conditions can be controlled, too much clay, rocks, or no topsoil at all is easily improved
  • The soil isn’t easily compacted so it drains well
  • There is a measure of protection against voles and moles
  • Season extending materials are easy to install, like hoops or row covers
  • The garden has an organized appearance
  • MOST IMPORTANTLY bending to reach the plants is reduced. The edges or the beds make great seating

Continue reading Tips from the Yard: Raised Bed Gardening →

Tips from the Yard: Placement and Management of Bird Feeders

Welcome back to a new project called Tips from the Yard.

It’s a resurrection with a new twist.  In the past this was a newsletter about bird feeding; as the year progresses it will include some thoughts on gardening and our other friends in the yard.

The first Tip covered the types of bird feeders.  This time let’s talk about where to place your feeders.

Our favorite birds like to feel safe while they are feeding. They prefer a sheltered location close to pine, spruce or junipers. But, don’t get them too close. 10 feet away is a good distance to protect our feathered friends from predators that could lurk in the cover.  It is always a good idea to place the various feeders in groupings.  Say 3 to 5 feeders in one area.  If you have enough yard area several groupings of feeders are always appreciated.  Winter is also a good time to bring the birds closer to our homes.  The house or building can provide a good windbreak and make it easier to keep an eye on the birds and judge how quickly the feeders need to be refilled.  Even during the winter months, it is important to keep the feeders clean.  Make sure any food remaining in the feeders is dry and never moldy. There are several varying opinions about bird feeding in general.  If you are willing to ensure the feeders are safe, clean, continually filled; the backyard birds will continually provide you with hours of winter enjoyment. Continue reading Tips from the Yard: Placement and Management of Bird Feeders →

Tips from the Yard: Feeding the Birds that Visit our Yards

Welcome to a new project called Tips from the Yard.

It’s a resurrection with a new twist. In the past this was a newsletter about bird feeding now it will include some thoughts on gardening and our other friends and foes in the yard.Downy Woodpecker hanging on a suet feeder and a platform feeder on the ground below.

Let’s start with a review of how we can feed the birds that visit our yards.

There are 3 major types of feeders: Continue reading Tips from the Yard: Feeding the Birds that Visit our Yards →