I was delighted to read in the New York Times that the "Obamas Prepare to Plant White House Vegetable Garden." I'm not sure what influence the letter from Alice Waters played in getting here, but I'm still a strong proponent of writing letters, especially to one's elected officials.
To find a friendly farmer near you, check or search the listings at Local Harvest. Consider a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) subscription.
And if you are growing your own little back yard or patio garden this year, here are a few tips to consider:
1. Plant ONLY ONE zucchini plant. (If you've already planted more than one, good luck. They do grate and freeze well for making baked goods and zucchini pancakes later.)
2. If you water from a hose, run the water into a bucket first to assure that it's not too hot for the plant roots. Water that sits in the hose can heat up during the day and scald roots, killing the plants and leaving you with a perplexing black thumb.
3. Got snails? Sprinkle dried and crushed egg shells around the base of your plants. If snails or slugs trail over them, the shells stick to their bodies and they, um, won't bother your plants any further.
4. Got aphids? Try ladybugs. You can buy them at many garden supply stores. Or, try a homemade spray of one quart water, 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and 2-4 drops of dishwashing soap. Shake well and use a standard spray bottle to squirt leaves (don't forget the undersides) and stems of plants. Spray daily for visible aphids, every other day for prevention.
5. Don't water the plants right before bed. The additional moisture at night can encourage fungus, mold and root rot.
To find a friendly farmer near you, check or search the listings at Local Harvest. Consider a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) subscription.
And if you are growing your own little back yard or patio garden this year, here are a few tips to consider:
1. Plant ONLY ONE zucchini plant. (If you've already planted more than one, good luck. They do grate and freeze well for making baked goods and zucchini pancakes later.)
2. If you water from a hose, run the water into a bucket first to assure that it's not too hot for the plant roots. Water that sits in the hose can heat up during the day and scald roots, killing the plants and leaving you with a perplexing black thumb.
3. Got snails? Sprinkle dried and crushed egg shells around the base of your plants. If snails or slugs trail over them, the shells stick to their bodies and they, um, won't bother your plants any further.
4. Got aphids? Try ladybugs. You can buy them at many garden supply stores. Or, try a homemade spray of one quart water, 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and 2-4 drops of dishwashing soap. Shake well and use a standard spray bottle to squirt leaves (don't forget the undersides) and stems of plants. Spray daily for visible aphids, every other day for prevention.
5. Don't water the plants right before bed. The additional moisture at night can encourage fungus, mold and root rot.
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