Controlling Aggressive Plant Growth

Controlling Aggressive Plant Growth

Organic Gardening Pest Control

I wrote this a few months ago, it showed up in my Alerts last night, thought I would share!

Organic Gardening Pest Control

Raised Bed Gardening

As I mentioned in an earlier post, my final project for Greenhouse Production was the planting of a raised bed on campus. Our team did a great job, and thanks to everyone else who helped out!

Hayden assembled the container, which was then located across from the greenhouse on thin strips of wood for elevation. We lined the bottom with landscape fabric and proceeded to fill with a composted soil mixture designed for raised beds. Perlite was added to encourage drainage. Our 16 square foot bed used approximately 1/2 a yard (1 scoop) of the mixture.

With the exception of three squares, each was planted with vegetables and herbs from seeds started in the greenhouse. Four squares at the back include tomatoes, cucumber and zuchinni. We expect to add a trellis to support them.(photo to left Debbie checks moisture in soil)

A few marigolds and nasturtiums were included for insect control. Three of our squares were planted from seed, 16 carrots, 3 squash and 5 black beans. While we did not follow the Square Foot Gardening guidelines to the letter, we hope for success with this method!(above photo Andrew inspects our work!)

Check back for updates on our raised bed garden!

Nasturtium: An Easy to Grow Edible Flower
Add edible flowers to vegetable gardens and flower beds for a different look and taste in your dishes. Start with the carefree Nasturtium.
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Almost summer break for me!

We are coming up on the last week of the semester and I am sooooo looking forward to some time out of school. I enjoy my classes and this has been a great semester, but I just need a break! I have one great project to complete for my final in greenhouse production, planting a square foot garden. I am excited about that and am re-reading the book this weekend.

After hearing so much about this method of gardening, I wonder why anyone would continue with the traditional row garden, which seems overly complicated and time consuming compared to the square foot method.

My first project at home is the removal and ultimate death of the invasive Hedera helix which has taken over. That effort has begun, thanks to Zack, my stepson. He cleared out 3 sections of the bed and removed roots as much as possible.

Upon my instruction, and after a strange look at me, he squirted remaining roots with vinegar. This is our plan of action against the dreaded ivy, in combination with info I got from this great article.

I will keep you posted on this project and try to include some photos. If anyone has experienced this problem with the invasive vine, please share your methods of removal!

This blog presented in part courtesy of Canon.