Archive for the ‘Tips’ Category
Herb Spiral
In Tips on November 29, 2011 at 2:41 pm
I found this great illustration of an herb spiral from two perspectives. As the description states, they are best placed close enough to an exit outside that you can easily get to them without having to dress and lace up your shoes.
An Easier Way to Grow Potatoes
In Tips on November 29, 2011 at 4:00 amPlant your potatoes in empty raised beds. I love to grow my own potatoes, but I always hate the prospect of the work of digging them up. Think ahead to avoid laborious digging when harvesting potatoes and plant them in raised beds. Using raised beds also lessens the likelihood of pests like rodents getting into your potatoes. Plant your potatoes in 2-3 inches of compost and cover with old straw. As the plants develop, begin adding alfalfa instead of straw to the raised beds. Expect less work when harvesting, and add any left over material from the beds to your compost pile.
Raised beds like these are perfect.
Apple Tree Guild
In Tips on November 17, 2011 at 5:11 pmHave you got an apple tree in your back yard, or a small grove? Even wonder how to support the growth of healthy apples without the use of pesticides and artificial fertilizers? Try an Apple Guild.
Apple Tree Guild with Comfrey Ring
A plant guild is a community of mutually beneficial plants. Benefits include efficient sharing of space above and below ground, attracting pollenator insects, providing beauty, increasing soil fertility, humus or nitrogen (ie fertilizer), adding structural support (as corn stalks do for pole beans), or deterring common pests.
The Apple tree pictured here has a circle of comfrey growing around it instead of grass.