Lyn – Page 2 – Wagon Hill Farm Community Garden

Weed Lovers Take Notice!

As an integral part of this Sunday’s weed identification session at 1:30pm, we will not only be talking about weed management, but we will be actively managing (PULLING) weeds where we find them. **If you have a “weed” that you are nurturing for some particular purpose (medicinal, edible, scented, poison, etc.), and which you intendContinue reading “Weed Lovers Take Notice!”

Work Day: Dr. Dirt and Kids’ Scavenger Hunt Next Sunday!

Our garden community work day comes around the third Sunday of each month, which by my calendar is next Sunday, August 19, noon to 3pm. This month’s theme, “Children and Other Pests,” will include two bonus attractions: KIDS’ SCAVENGER HUNT: For the child gardeners (approx 3 – 12 yrs), Erika and Sandy have organized aContinue reading “Work Day: Dr. Dirt and Kids’ Scavenger Hunt Next Sunday!”

Pest Alert: Mexican Bean Beetle

I found some mexican bean beetle larvae on my beans the other day! They’re heartbreaking when they get out of hand, but I’m sure this is in time for the rest of you to check your plants. Apparently the most effective management is hand-picking, but there are other organic solutions as well. I’ll be outContinue reading “Pest Alert: Mexican Bean Beetle”

Ellen’s Gory Tip for Getting Rid of Tomato Hornworms

Both of these specimens (tomato hornworm and the moth it becomes) were collected from the tomatoes on my straw bale garden. Notice how the hornworm is happily chomping on the tomato leaves? These creatures are making their presence known in the garden now. You will know you have them on your tomatoes if you seeContinue reading “Ellen’s Gory Tip for Getting Rid of Tomato Hornworms”

Kay’s Garden Tip: Striped Cucumber Beetle

We’ve sighted striped cucumber beetles (they are yellow with black stripes) on squash plants in the heritage plots and a few in various raised beds. Here is a recipe for an organic spray you can make at home to deal with the beetles. You will need: A spray bottle 1 gallon jug 1 TBS ofContinue reading “Kay’s Garden Tip: Striped Cucumber Beetle”

Kay’s Tip for Gardening in Hot Weather

Gardeners are reminded that in this hot weather, raised beds dry out quickly. Water with a stream of water at the base of your plants, not by showering the whole plant, which contributes to powdery mildew. Please remember to turn the water off at the faucet and store the hose on the holder.

Lasagna Gardening: More Time, Less Toil

Lasagna Gardening is a low maintenance method of growing flowers and veggies is very effective at amending soil and conserving resources. For centuries, gardeners have practiced this method as a way to work with the Earth’s natural processes. Here’s how start a lasagna bed: Don’t till the soil! Add a layer of compost Sprinkle onContinue reading “Lasagna Gardening: More Time, Less Toil”

Got Slugs?

Slugs have been a big problem this year. Click on the link for some helpful, organic solutions to the slug issue. http://eartheasy.com/grow_nat_slug_cntrl.htm

Why Hoop?

Have you seen the Hoop Houses on some of the beds? Do you know why they are there? Because in our short growing season, every day counts. By planting spring crops in early April and covering them with clear plastic over a “hoop house” frame, some of our gardeners got a head start this year.Continue reading “Why Hoop?”

Working Smarter, Not Harder — That’s Square Foot Gardening!

Square Foot Gardening uses less resources, requires very little work and yields a crop equal to a single row garden five times its size. Our friend Jean Olson, a Master Gardener with the UNH Cooperative Extension, led a free workshop on Square Foot Gardening and companion planting methods this sunny morning. This was our firstContinue reading “Working Smarter, Not Harder — That’s Square Foot Gardening!”