JANUARY

Good Seeds Bad Seeds

This article include a vegetable chart on the median issue of years seeds may be write and discusses how to test for germination rates .

The Soil Food vane : Nature ’s Way to Build Healthy Soil

A community of organism mix with constitutional materials to take shape an interdependent organization that build and sustains healthy soils . Learn how to modernise sustainable practice and reduce dependence on , or even do away with the use of , a chemical - base approach .

FEBRUARY

Minimal Till Cultivation : What ? Do n’t change by reversal Over the Garden Soil ?

By using different shallow tillage tool and techniques , natural amendments are added to the top few inch of soil by untie the ground rather than by inverting it . A healthy community of interests of organism in the top layer carries constituent nutrient to deeper layers , improving ground texture and structure .

Creating a Bird - Friendly Garden

Insect mintage exhaust plant with which they have a foresightful evolutionary story . Therefore , if we want to provide birds with their main food source of insects , we need to supply the aboriginal plant that bung these insect .

Refer to the National Wildlife Federation’sNative Plant Finderwebsite , based on the work of Doug Tallamy , that provide a listing , harmonise to ZIP codification , of aboriginal plants , grasses , tree , and shrubs and the number of insects plump for by each .

MARCH

The Truth About Compost Tea : Making It , Using It , and What to Expect From It

Actively Aerated Compost Tea ( AACT ) can be an effective means to strengthen the filth microbe population and assist in disease and insect impedance . This article exhibit a DIY feeler that is hardheaded for most home gardeners for making and applying AACT .

Managing the Tick Problem

Although ticks have fast become the pestis of greatest personal health business organisation to gardeners and out-of-door people of all stripes , there are steps we can take to reduce jeopardy : understand the foeman and its habits , know how to react when seize with teeth , and minimize the tick population in our M and gardens .

APRIL

Blueberry Cultivation in the Home Garden

Successfully acquire blueberries call for attention from beginning to terminate : start by picking the ripe varieties ; wangle the dirt pH ; supply honest drain to annul root rot ; prune to maintain productivity ; and cope pests , particularly bird . This superfood requires a committedness but offers tasty , healthful rewards .

MAY

Another Pesticide Controversy : Neonicotinoids and Pollinator Decline

A division of pesticides called neonicotinoids ( neuro - active systemic insecticides ) , are currently under scrutiny for harming pollinators , and the data is only strengthening . Reaching for a pesticide at the first sign of damage is flying and loose , but is there a ripe way ? Learn about Integrated Pest Management ( IPM ) . This approach ask more employment and acceptation of a certain amount of pest wrong , but is in spades more sustainable over the long terminus .

horticulture for Hummingbirds

To create a hummingbird habitat , a gardener needs to provide for their canonic needs : food , water , protection from predator , perches , and nesting situation . Also included is a listing of nectar - robust , aboriginal flora that will attract and sustain these tiny dynamos . See a really fun video on hummingbird enjoying a water spot !

Container Gardening , Part I

Part I talk over the canonic guidelines for growing plants in container outside , including types of available containers , appropriate potting mediums , and gene to consider when choosing a position .

JUNE

Container Gardening II : What to Grow & How

Plant selections depend on your place , time , budget , and aspirations . Vegetable gardener will appreciate a chart that shows the minimal container sizing and space needed for planting specific vegetables . care requirements such as tearing , fertilizing , impale , grooming and pruning , and overwintering are also discuss .

JULY

Pollination : Flowering Plants , Pollinators , and the Wonder ofIt All

This clause explores the fundamentals of pollination and how it works , including plant structure , botanic terms , and different types of pollination ( louse , fauna , piss , nothingness ) . Recognition of an evolutionary catch between the pollinators that approach each flower , and the flower design that meets pollinator capabilities , makes us keenly mindful of our responsibility not to jeopardize this interdependency .

AUGUST

The Bees in Your Backyard

aboriginal bee are considered a “ keystone ” species , mean they are fundamental to the food web of an ecosystem , and the survival of many other metal money depends upon them . This clause account the developmental stages of native bees , designation characteristics , type of native bees , medical specialist bees , bee declination , and summit for creating a bee - friendly environment .

SEPTEMBER

Weeds , magnificent pot

“ Know thy opposition ” is a saw appropriate to many gardening challenges . After read this article on identifying specific widow’s weeds and advocate treatments , you will be that much close to reducing the weed work load .

Responsible Lawn Management in the Era of Climate variety

This clause review grass choice and practice for cultivating lawns in the Virginia Piedmont with good practice tips for minimize the damage from turfgrass monocultures . Environmentally - well-disposed alternatives are also discussed .

OCTOBER

spate of Ways to Kill a Tree

Despite its heftiness , a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is not impervious to harm . This article highlights the correct way of life to care for tree diagram , and the misunderstanding we should avoid .

NOVEMBER

Row Covers : A Gardening Season Extender With Benefits

Floating and hoop - supported row covers offers simple , cheap , and practical solutions that can broaden both end of the gardening season and provide other in - time of year welfare , such as louse protection . instruct how each type of back suit of clothes finicky objectives . Construction guidelines , with photos , are included .

Pesticide Storage and Disposal

At the end of the growing season , many of us are left with extra chemicals that must not be pitch into our trash cask . This clause defines different types of pesticide and point out the grandness of read the container labels on safe storage and disposal . We also learn what go on to those chemical after they ’re dropped off at a Household Hazardous Waste Day event .

industrial plant

MARCHSpicebush ( Lindera gum benjamin )

APRILBlue in the Sun ( Amsonia , Baptisia Australis , Caryopteris )

JUNEThe Sedge Alternative

JULYMystery Plant of the Prairie : genus Silphium

AUGUSTBlack Cohosh ( Actaea racemosa ) and Doll ’s Eyes ( Actaea pachypoda):Tall , Shade - loving and Native

Eggplants : Easy to Grow With Surprising Variety and Versatility

SEPTEMBERCamassias

OCTOBERViburnum – A Shrub for Many preferences

NOVEMBERAronias : Native Shrub for Fall semblance

RECIPES

JANUARYDIY Red Wine Vinegar

APRILFried Zucchini Chili

JUNEInnovative Ways with Garden Greens

JULYFresh Tomato , Basil & Walnut Pasta

AUGUSTEggplant and Tomatoes with Caper - Allium ascalonicum Vinaigrette

SEPTEMBERTea with Scones and Clotted Cream

OCTOBERFig & Goat Cheese Appetizer

NOVEMBERAronia Berry Smoothie

MONTHLY TASKS AND TIPS

Remember to check past issues ofThe Garden Shedfor articles on undertaking and tips for both the ornamental and the vegetable garden on amonthlybasis .

utilize THE PAST issuing TO SOLVE GARDEN QUESTIONS

speak ofpast issue , they contain a wealth of information , and they aresearchable !   So when a gardening dilemma presents itself , try research the past issues ofThe Garden Shed .   To graze prior issue or to search them , go to the right - hand menu on the primary page ofThe Garden Shed , as show up in the photo below .