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Source: Organic Gardening
FairUse
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Sustainable Life Info Copyright © 2006-2008 DLH Business Associates.
All rights reserved
FairUse
top of page
Sustainable Life Info Copyright © 2006-2008 DLH Business Associates.
All rights reserved
NOVEMBER ORGANIC GARDENING
BRIGHT MIND
HEALTHY BODY
S U S T A I N A B L E P L A N E T
HEALTHY BODY
S U S T A I N A B L E P L A N E T
Gardening for other regions
OR Will. Valley Local Harvest
OR Organic Events
Step by Step Garden Design
Design a Knot Garden
Landscape Guide
Start a Seed Swap!
Organic's Seeds Success
How to Restore Lead Contaminated Soils for Gardens / Crops
Check out the gardening products from some of our favorite stores:
Portland Rainbarrels
Redirect Guide to
local organic and sustainable businesses
OR Will. Valley Local Harvest
OR Organic Events
Step by Step Garden Design
Design a Knot Garden
Landscape Guide
Start a Seed Swap!
Organic's Seeds Success
How to Restore Lead Contaminated Soils for Gardens / Crops
Check out the gardening products from some of our favorite stores:
Portland Rainbarrels
Redirect Guide to
local organic and sustainable businesses
Greenhouse gardening is a fun and functional way to garden all year 'round.
A greenhouse is not always a "hot house", as it is sometimes called. Plants usually do their best at temperatures slightly lower and with a much higher humidity than is usually maintained in our houses. A small greenhouse can have its temperature regulated relatively easy.
There are six main reasons to use a greenhouse:
(1) Raising plants for winter use.
(2) Holding over garden plants to be used as "parent" plants next season.
(3) Getting an early start for tender plants started from seed.
(4) Increasing the possibilities of a greater variety and continuous supply.
(5) Easier culture of small vegetables for winter use.
(6) To propagate, and experiment with various plants as a hobby, or to develop new varieties.
A greenhouse is not always a "hot house", as it is sometimes called. Plants usually do their best at temperatures slightly lower and with a much higher humidity than is usually maintained in our houses. A small greenhouse can have its temperature regulated relatively easy.
There are six main reasons to use a greenhouse:
(1) Raising plants for winter use.
(2) Holding over garden plants to be used as "parent" plants next season.
(3) Getting an early start for tender plants started from seed.
(4) Increasing the possibilities of a greater variety and continuous supply.
(5) Easier culture of small vegetables for winter use.
(6) To propagate, and experiment with various plants as a hobby, or to develop new varieties.
ADORN YOUR YARD
& TAKE CARE OF OUR LITTLE FEATHERED FRIENDS!
& TAKE CARE OF OUR LITTLE FEATHERED FRIENDS!
As winter settles in, you may be tempted to tidy up the garden and strip it down to its bare bones. But there are some advantages to waiting. Consider:
Pruning Preparation. Wait to prune perennials, like penstemon and salvia that bloom on new wood. Pruning too early, before next year's growth has begun to emerge, can do the plant more harm than good. Also, don't think of pruning as a massive, one-weekend chore. Instead, stroll through the garden regularly with a pair of pruning shears. Cut shrubs back a little at a time, then just snap the trimmings into small pieces and drop them on the ground as you stroll.
Befriend the Birds. Leave the last few seedheads—think cosmos, sunflower, and even artichoke—for the birds. The food source, and the extra places to perch, will be appreciated.
Fiendish Frost. Frost can harm tender new growth. Try leaving your perennial borders a little crowded, a little shaggy, so that the frost doesn't reach the young shoots at the base of plants.
Planting Schedule. Continue to plant daffodil, tulip, and ranunculus, as well as other spring bulbs.
Flower Arranging. Look for greenery and red berries in the garden for fall flower arrangements.
Do Your Vegetable Beds Need A Rest? Sow a cover crop. Fava, vetch, and rye will help loosen soil, smother weeds, prevent erosion, and add much-needed nitrogen and organic biomass to the soil. (Your earthworm population will thank you, too!)
Wilt and Mildew Prevention. Check spent vegetable plants for powdery mildew, wilt, or spots of any kind before adding them to the compost pile. If you suspect disease, throw them in the garbage instead.
Clear Weeds One Last Time. Once it starts raining, you can further compact clay soils by continuing to weed. After this month, it will be best to leave weeds alone until the soil dries.
Seed Starting. Start paperwhite narcissus, hyacinth, or amaryllis indoors for indoor holiday blooms. Consider planting a few now to give as gifts.
Snail Surveillance. Watch out for snails in wet weather. Try the new, pet-safe, organic snail baits like Sluggo.
Pruning Preparation. Wait to prune perennials, like penstemon and salvia that bloom on new wood. Pruning too early, before next year's growth has begun to emerge, can do the plant more harm than good. Also, don't think of pruning as a massive, one-weekend chore. Instead, stroll through the garden regularly with a pair of pruning shears. Cut shrubs back a little at a time, then just snap the trimmings into small pieces and drop them on the ground as you stroll.
Befriend the Birds. Leave the last few seedheads—think cosmos, sunflower, and even artichoke—for the birds. The food source, and the extra places to perch, will be appreciated.
Fiendish Frost. Frost can harm tender new growth. Try leaving your perennial borders a little crowded, a little shaggy, so that the frost doesn't reach the young shoots at the base of plants.
Planting Schedule. Continue to plant daffodil, tulip, and ranunculus, as well as other spring bulbs.
Flower Arranging. Look for greenery and red berries in the garden for fall flower arrangements.
Do Your Vegetable Beds Need A Rest? Sow a cover crop. Fava, vetch, and rye will help loosen soil, smother weeds, prevent erosion, and add much-needed nitrogen and organic biomass to the soil. (Your earthworm population will thank you, too!)
Wilt and Mildew Prevention. Check spent vegetable plants for powdery mildew, wilt, or spots of any kind before adding them to the compost pile. If you suspect disease, throw them in the garbage instead.
Clear Weeds One Last Time. Once it starts raining, you can further compact clay soils by continuing to weed. After this month, it will be best to leave weeds alone until the soil dries.
Seed Starting. Start paperwhite narcissus, hyacinth, or amaryllis indoors for indoor holiday blooms. Consider planting a few now to give as gifts.
Snail Surveillance. Watch out for snails in wet weather. Try the new, pet-safe, organic snail baits like Sluggo.