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Garden Support Group
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Our Winter Sown Jugs are Sprouting!
Through snow, sleet and freezing temperatures -- and into rain, sunshine and a spattering of warmth -- a number of our seeds have germinated and sprouted inside their protective containers. Yea!
So what's next? As the temperatures become consistently warmer and the sun stronger, it's imperative to keep an eye on your containers to ensure that they do not dry out or overheat.
Drying-out: If there is not enough rain, you can bottom-water by placing the containers in a large tote with a few inches of water and letting them sit until the potting soil is moist (about a half-hour).
Overheating: If there are seedlings in your containers AND the ambient temps are over 60F, move them to an area with partial shade and cut venting holes in the tops of the jugs. Typically you'll find more shade on the north and/or east side of your house or shed.
Alternatively,…
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Organic gardening
Last year my garden struggled because of powdery mildew and squash bugs. Is there an organic way to deal with these problems?
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Cuvilly Ecojustice
Feb 29, 2024
Hi Lynn, powdery mildew is very common especially in squash plants. Luckily there are some preventative measures you can take! The first one is practicing good spacing. Powdery mildew thrives in humid, crowded conditions. Prevent powdery mildew from spreading between plants by reducing overcrowding. Another tip is to water the soil and not the plant. Constantly damp leaves or splashing water from an already-infected plant encourages the growth and spread of powdery mildew.
If caught early enough the simple act of pruning off a few infected leaves can often halt or drastically slow the spread of powdery mildew to the rest of the plant. Just make sure you clean your tools afterwards (I use 1 part bleach and 10 parts water). You can also try spraying your plants with baking soda or potassium bicarbonate. Baking soda and potassium bicarbonate change the pH on the plant leaves, making conditions more alkaline and less hospitable for the fungus to thrive. Thoroughly mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of baking soda or potassium bicarbonate per 1 gallon of water. Also add 1 tablespoon of liquid castile soap, which will help the baking soda spread and stick to the leaves better. Spray the plant thoroughly, saturating both the tops and bottoms of leaves. You can also try diluting neem oil and spraying your plants, this will help slow down the growth of powdery mildew.
Neem oil and the baking soda and soap mixture can also help with your squash bug issue! I would also recommend growing plants that deter the beetle. Nasturtium is a favorite and can act as a physical barrier to keep pests out of your veggie garden. Plants like onions, chives, mint, dill, garlic, and marigolds can act as good deterrent as well.
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Mine too! Lots coming up. Hyssop, Blackeyed Susan, Beard Tongue, Quinine, Joe Pyeweed, Butterfly Weed, Mountain Mint! No Little Blue Stem or River Oats yet.