A balcony or rooftop garden has advantages and challenges. Enough sun is commonly not a problem for rooftops but might be for balconies. Snails and slugs and many other creeping insects or pests are usually not a problem. But wind and accessible water can pose challenges. Here are basic and important considerations when considering balcony or rooftop
Giving a vegetable plant the space it needs to mature is essential. Proper spacing insures that roots do not compete for moisture and nutrients and that above ground growth is not crowded and has needed exposure to light and good air circulation (essential for preventing disease). Leafy and root crops can be started in containers
A potting mix is a combination of organic particles and pores or spaces that hold air and water. Organic matter or soil holds nutrients. Air and water in a potting mix are necessary for roots and beneficial micro-organisms in the soil to grow and survive. Plants need air around their roots for nutrients to pass
Soil delivers nutrients and water to plant roots and anchors plants in place. Because the planting medium in containers is limited its composition is very important to plants growing there. A container planting mix must be nutrient rich and hold moisture for several days. It must be soft and friable and resist compaction so that
Success growing vegetables is all about timing—in the garden or in containers. Temperature has much to do with success growing in containers. Root vegetables are cool-season crops. Leaf and stem crops prefer cool weather. Warm temperatures—and longer days—are needed for fruiting vegetables to grow and mature. Knowing the average last frost date in spring and
Vegetables growing in containers on patios, balconies, or roof tops require special care when it comes to watering and feeding. Containers have a limited capacity for storing essential nutrients and moisture that ensure plant growth. The gardener must closely monitor container crops to be sure they are growing uninterrupted which, in turn, leads to the
The seasons come and go at different times of the year depending upon where you live—Northern Hemisphere or Southern Hemisphere and the latitude within those regions. Early spring might start in February in Southern California and early May in Maine. The closer you live to the equator the less winter temperatures will play a role
Here’s a fresh harvest corn salad that matches just-picked corn with a handful of cherry tomatoes, a small red onion, a medium bell pepper, and cilantro—and sweet vinaigrette. If you haven’t just picked the corn out of the garden then choose bright green, full husks and look for silks that are moist and flowing. Pull
Rust disease on raspberry leaves Rust is a fungal disease that attacks many vegetable and fruit crops and ornamental plants as well. Rust fungal spores are commonly carried on moist winds until they land on plant leaves, stems, flowers, or fruits. The spore pustules multiply creating a rusty-colored coating of spores. The coating of spores
Seeds sown in warm soil and hot late summer weather can have a difficult time germinating. Moistening the seed bed and protecting seed from hot weather can ensure germination. Here are some simple steps to increase seed sowing success: (1) moisten the seed bed with a sprinkle of water; (2) sow seed; (3) cover the
