Sustainable Home Vegetable Gardening -Not So Easy

Over the course of my 20+ years in The Green Industry while earning my B.S. Horticulture &  A.S. Turfgrass Management/Science from the University of Florida, and thereafter Countless Hours of in Field Experience and Operations Supervision and Technical Support Functions across the country.... Believe me when I tell you "Think Twice" before you start a home garden thinking you'll cut down on groceries at the local supermarket. I have consulted with many a homeowner who had a great plan, their heart was in the right place, and they got the vegetable garden built.

However, once they've got all their plants in
( tomatoes,beans,cucumbers,squash etc) and in the weeks thereafter with careful watering and fertilizing thinking their on the way  to the "Mother Load" of Produce!!  then "The Bugs and Disease Hit" and wipe out 2/3 of their hard work, time & passion. At this point "most" gardeners move on to "Silk Plants" :) Not Really, but you know what I mean... The Fun, Excitement & Joy of Gardening and having "Home Grown Veggies" is somewhat diminished.

Bottom Line... It Can Be Done! ;) However, you need to consider taking some local gardening classes, decide the crop you'll want, gather facts from flyers & fact sheets from your "Local" Cooperative Extension Office (University Extension Agent) and get an idea of what you're getting yourself into. The local  extension office will be able to help get you on your way to possible success, of course the burden will lie with you whether the garden fails or flourishes. Also when selecting the crop you'll start with begin with "easy to grow" vegetable with low insect/disease thresholds. You also need to know in advance "How Many Hours" you're willing to commit to the garden, most vegetable gardening, say a 12x12 plot would usually need 6-8 hrs per wk to inspect,water,treat,weed & care for the garden for it to succeed. If you live in the Southern Region of The U.S. allow 10-20 hrs. wkly due to high humidity promoting heavy disease/rot & insect issues.

And I Highly Recommend when either Fertilizing or Treating For Insects.... Use "Organic" products vs "Pesticides"... but at some point you may need to hire a local gardener to apply chemicals if you're garden has become over ridden with pest or disease problems. I waould also suggest you start small maybe a 6x6 garden to see how it goes? and check with local city and county agencies to make sure you can indeed be able to have a vegetable garden, many times some cities or "Homeowners Associations" will not allow.

Here is a link from an "Organic Supply" company I am familiar with and used for years - "Gardens Alive" www.gardensalive.com - They will have all the items,books and suggestions to help you be successful. But most of all don't be discouraged if you fail the first time, many gardeners do. Just keep learning and growing in knowledge, and in No Time You'll Be On You're Way!!

If you need help in the meantime... tune in to "Eye On Gardening" in a city and network near you, (EOGTV is carried Coast To Coast on Dish CH266, Angel Two, Untamed Sports TV, ROKU, FilmOn, OmniverseTV,The WalkTV Digital Networks and ABC,CBS,NBC,FOX & Cable Affiliates in Select U.S. Cities)

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Till Next Time, get Out There and Have Fun! in The Garden

Tim/EOGTV 

Grit's to Control Fire Ants ?

 

 

If you're like me I really try to find alternative methods to controlling insect issues around the home & garden areas. Before I run out & spray insecticides ( which sometimes may be needed ) I'll usually try an organic method. Today we're going to address the dreaded "Fire Ant" Here's a cool tip & very earth friendly way of controlling these painful invader's of your home garden.

 

Once you've located  (1) or more "Fire Ant" mounds in your garden... pick up some "White Grit's" yeah... really "cooking grits" :) mix in some brown sugar, and the sprinkle the grits/sugar mix over and around the mound... "Do Not" stir or disturb the mound!! just let the grits lay there as a food supply for these nasty little rascal's... in a few days go back & check the mound & Wallah! GoodBye Fire Ants!! This is "not" an immediate kill, but a gradual & effective kill over a few days.

 

Here's the scoop.... the sugar attracts the insect, the ants then take the food down into the mound to feed the "queen" then everybody chows down on the grits! the grit's then "expand internally" within the insect therefore killing them pretty quikly! Will they come back? yep! just continue treating for continued control. If you have of course very heavy "Fire Ant" issues... you may need to contract a pest control company to help you get a handle on the issue.

 

Though you may find this idea silly? once you try it... you'll be pleased :)

 

For more Gardening Tip's Watch "Eye On Gardening" Wkly Coast to Coast on Dish,LegacyTV,Untamed Sports TV,Sky Angel IPTV & more.... visit our website at www.eyeongardening.com "Show Schedule" page for a list of cities & networks across the U.S. "like" us on http://www.facebook.com/EyeOnGardeningTV You can also dowload our "free" Mobile App Worldwide on iTunes,Droid,Amazon,Kindle - See ya! Next Show....

Dull Mower Blades Spell Disaster For Lawns

Did you know University Research Shows the "Leading Cause" for Turfgrass Decline is "Dull Mower Blades"... We'll it's true. Dull Blades account for millions $$ of dollars annually across the U.S. for homeowners needing to replace their lawns due to insect,disease, and drought stress. By mowing with dull blades your lawn is constanly under stress!! disease pathogens like leafspot,brown patch, blight & others to enther the leafblade via the "torn edges" at the top of the leafblade.

Check with your local University Cooperative Extension Office to find this & more information for "free" via their informative flyer's, where you'll find the proper mowing height, blade sharpening suggestions,watering & more for the turfgrass in your region of the country. What's the 2nd leading cause of turf decline?? Mowing turfgrass "too low"... which also provides an environment for disaster!! couple dull blades & mowing too low & you're gonna feel it in your wallet!!

Also, mowing too low starves the turf from the much needed nutrition which is actually "stored" in the leafblades, mowing too low also allows for more sun exposure to the soil profile... therefore promoting unnessary water stress issues and more....

I hope this simple information is helful in preventing you from experiencing the costly effects encountered by not correcting these simple to resolve maintenance practice's for your home lawns.

For more fun! and informative tips on lawncare & more visit our website at www.eyeongardening.com and connect to our facebook & youtube profiles for tips, video's & to share you're pics & ask us questions? we'll be glad to help! http://www.facebook.com/EyeOnGardeningTV and http://www.youtube.com/eyeongardeningtv  "Eye On Gardening' air's Coast to Coast Mon & Wed 7AM/ET - 6C on Dish Network CH266- pls ck our show schedule page for other networks in your area! See ya! next show....

Having Issues with Black Spot Disease On Rose's ?

We'll if you've been a gardener for very long... you have had numerous bouts with "Black Spot Disease" with Rose's in you're home garden. It'a a common problem causing leaf yellowing, leafdrop, and leaf wilting. The most common reason is "Overhead Watering" from you're watering. Whether it be handwatering or via automatic sprinkler systems. Rose's require "drip watering" to insure you do not have recurring issues with this common disease which affects even the expert gardener.

We receive ton's of emails from our "Eye On Gardening" TV Series viewer's on this issue, and every time this was an concern they we're able to easily correct, and go on to a stellar Rose Garden!

for more gardening tips visit our website at www.eyeongardening.com where you'll find links to our video's and more.. you can also "Like" us on www.facebook.com/EyeOnGardeningTV for more gardening tips weekly!! Take a moment to enjoy this video post above... and we'll see ya! next show :)  

Easy Orchid Care

Recently we had the pleasure of filming one of our episode features in Naples, Florida at The Home Depot with the best! in the biz when it comes to Orchid's "Better-Gro". In the many years I've been producing and hosting the "Eye On Gardening" TV Series the one common problem I've experienced with gardener's tossing in the towel with Orchids is... their taking care of orchids the same way they do their other plants.... Orchid's are sooper easy to care for, really :) but they are basically "air-plants" so you must get a basic idea on exactly what they need to be successful. Believe me you can be an Orchid Expert! you just need some basic care & info and you're on your way to an aweosme Orchid Garden!

Start with a simple easy to read book from "Better-Gro" which will easily be found in most garden centers, then take your time in selecting the right plant for your location needs and you'll be on your way! Best Tip for starter's... "No Wet Feet" for Orchids, their roots cannot sit in water, nor can they take excessive watering, a little water will go a long way with these awesome, but misunderstood, garden specimens. Each week I'll be sharing gardening tips for the novice to expert gardener's in this blog and I hope you enjoy! Please feel free to stop by our website www.eyeongardening.com for more info on our programs, and "Like" us on facebook at www.facebook.com/EyeOnGardeningTV for more tips, video's and more... for more Orchid info here's Better-Gro's link www.better-gro.com

See Ya! Soon Enjoy You're Garden Adventures...