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Five DIY Remedies for Pests in the Home Garden
March 4, 2017
Stop Bugging Me: Organic Solutions for Insect Pests
/ The Mighty Garden Archive
By: Ann Clary
Are garden pests, such as squirrels, rats and rabbits, eating your vegetables and fruits? Do you have aphids on your roses? Before going to your local garden center, consider the following DIY pest remedies, which you can probably make from ingredients you may already have in your cupboard. Remedy: Hot pepper spray. Deters: mammals, such […]
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How are Growing Carrots Like Riding a Bike?
How are growing carrots like riding a bike? Both are easy once you learn how. Darren Butler recommends this 8-part list for practicing the knack of growing large, tasty, single-rooted carrots. May you have many a happy ride on the carrot-growing bicycle: 1) Grow in loose, uncompacted, uniform soil without rocks or obstructions. 2) Grow […]
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Using Kitchen Ingredients as Soil Amendments
Before you head to your local garden center to purchase soil amendments for spring planting beds, wait! You may have ingredients in your kitchen cupboard that work as helpful soil amendments. Eggshells and Powdered Milk. Heavy feeders, such as tomatoes, require calcium for optimal production. Eggshells are an excellent source of calcium; instead of […]
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Growing Winter Squash and Pumpkins in the California Home Garden
Because of their long growing season, winter squash and many pumpkins tend to be more difficult to grow to maturity than summer squash. However, provided that a few important cultural needs are met, long-season squash can be champions of the garden and pantry, with many varieties producing 5 to 40 pounds of food per fruit […]
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Organic Pest Repellent: Make it Yourself from Hot Peppers
February 18, 2017
Stop Bugging Me: Organic Solutions for Insect Pests
/ The Mighty Garden Archive
By: Ann Clary
Organic gardeners can easily make a pest repellent from hot peppers with particularly high levels of capsaicin, such as serrano peppers or habanero peppers. Take one cup of hot peppers with high levels of capsaicin and coarsely chop Immerse in 2 cups of water for 12 to 24 hours Strain and place liquid in plastic […]
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February Planting in Southern California’s Coastal Areas
GardenZeus receives commissions for purchases made through links in this post. There is no additional cost to you. Gardeners growing appropriate varieties may succeed with planting a variety of cool-season crops and warm-season crops in your area. Below is Darren’s list of tasks for gardeners planting vegetables and herbs in February. To receive customized recommendations for […]
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What are the Differences Between Summer Squash and Winter Squash?: A GardenZeus Guide
The terms “summer squash” and “winter squash” have confused many a gardener; they refer to the time of year that the different squash varieties are traditionally eaten. These terms for squash don’t have a clear or precise botanical or taxonomic meaning. The terms “summer squash” and “winter squash” do NOT refer to: the season when […]
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February Planting in Southern California’s Inland Areas
GardenZeus receives commissions for purchases made through links in this post. There is no additional cost to you. In many inland areas of Southern California, February is often thought of as the beginning of the gardening year. Below is Darren’s list of tasks for gardeners planting vegetables and herbs in February. To receive customized recommendations for […]
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February Gardening in Southern California’s Coastal Areas
February is an important month for completing winter gardening tasks before the traditional arrival of spring in March. Here is Darren’s general list of February gardening tasks for existing vegetable and herb plants, designed for those who live in Southern California’s areas of coastal influence. For a customized list of gardening tasks by plant and month, […]
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