Gardening with My Family
June 30,2012
Lisa Carter

Growing up in New Jersey with an Italian family, I can remember the anticipation of eating the first Tomato that ripened in the garden. My Grandmother would just pick it off, wipe it in her apron, and hand it over to be devoured. It was as if the world was a simpler place where everyone had a vegetable or flower garden and looked forward to tending it.

I suppose I took for granted that my Grandparents garden was abundant with vegetables and fruit. It seemed like they had none of the struggles with garden pests and fungus that we do today. I began to wonder how they achieved such beautiful and bountiful crops without many of the modern list of problems I encounter in my dealings with customers:

What is eating my plants?
Why are there so many weeds?
What is making the fruit drop off my Tomato Plants?
Why aren’t the bees pollenating my plants?

I believe I have gathered all of those answers. My Grandparents were unknowingly in the forefront of organic gardening. From a young age we were taught how to lovingly and happily take care of the garden. All of the processes we used were the basis for the gardens success. I’m going to share their secrets as well as a few of my own to assure you get the best results in your garden.
What is eating my plants?

If you read my earlier article you will have knowledge of how to rid your garden of troublesome insects. In this article I am going to focus on the most asked about garden gobblers in my area, Deer and Rabbits. The first thing that comes to mind is fencing. Ask your local garden center for advice on which fencing they recommend.

Some people have gardens that they do not want to fence in. If you are one of those people then I have a few ideas for you. Plant plenty perennial herbs scented that are heavily scented like lavender and rosemary. They don’t like the taste or smell. There are also all natural sprays and powders on the market. Most are derived from the essential oils of herbs and plants and smell minty. Make sure you purchase a product that doesn’t need too many applications.

Why are there so many weeds?

Edge your garden. The creeping weeds in your lawn will come into your allotted are if there is no edging to stop them. Make sure to treat your lawn with a natural product like corn gluten in the early spring. This will prevent weeds from growing at all. Weeds in the lawn will drop seed. That seed then blows into your garden. Also, be aware of how you or your landscapers are weed whacking. Blow out any remnants that go into garden when done. Lastly pull any weeds by hand and be sure to get the root. After doing that you can put down Preen all natural weed pre-emergent. If you do all of these steps you will have weed free garden beds for years to come.

What is making the fruit drop off my Tomato Plants?

The most common reason for a fruit to drop off the vine is lack of vital nutrients and water. You must keep vegetable plants evenly watered. Always use a balanced fertilizer. Garden center employees will know what products work rest for your crop. Water every day unless it rains. Try to keep the soil evenly moist. If you let your plants get too dry only certain areas of the plant will receive the nutrients it needs. This will create weak spots and cause larger fruit to be dropped before it ripens.

Why aren’t the bees pollenating my plants?

Stop using pesticides. If you are killing off all other bugs you are killing bees. Natural pesticides can be used but read the back before purchasing. The other trick is to plant perennial herbs in your garden. The smell and the flowers attract Honey Bees and you will not have to replant every year. The other option is to plant as many bright, colorful, and aromatic annual flowers as you can. If you do these things I can guarantee success.

I hope you use at least one of my tips. Get out in the garden with your family. Learn what works best for you and create your own memories.

This article is presented by www.honestlandscapingandinteriors.com, a greener way to do landscaping and interior remodeling. Please contact Lisa with any landscaping questions or for a free estimate at (727) 637-8014 or hlandscapeandinteriors@gmail.com.

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