CasaSugar

Garden Therapy: New Garden Boxes From Old Wood

CasaSugar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 04:30:00 -0800

This Summer, I used part of a friend's redwood fence to build an additional garden box. Craftster member Emilyhell was lucky enough to try something similar thanks to some generous friends with a remodeling project. She writes, "My boyfriend and I got some old recycled redwood for free from some friends who were replacing their deck. We built these five-foot-square planter boxes and just today finished planting our fall/winter vegetable garden."

I love the kneeling/sitting area that Emily and her boyfriend built with the top, flat piece of decking. This will help them to lean over and brace themselves when they're harvesting all of their yummy veggies. What a smart, eco design. Nice work!

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Midday Muse: A Plethora of Pumpkins

CasaSugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:00:14 -0700

I have a confession to make: I didn't grow any winter squash or pumpkins this year. For some reason, I forgot about this noble and nutritious Fall favorite. This photo, which was taken at the Spargelhof Klaistow farm in Klaistow, Germany, shows off some of the 400 types of pumpkins and squash grown at that farm. While my modest backyard garden wouldn't be able to support more than a few pumpkin varieties, it's inspiring to see the possibilities. Did you grow any pumpkins or winter squash this year?

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Casa Quickie: Plant Carrots With Radishes

CasaSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 05:30:46 -0700

One smart move I made when planting my Winter garden was to mix my radish seeds and my carrot seeds together. I used Easter egg radishes and Chanterey carrots for the garden, which are both known for their mild flavor. I also favored the Chanterey carrots because they are short, and thus suited for raised beds that might not have as much soil depth as some gardens.

But why did I mix the seeds together in the same row? What's the advantage, you ask? Well, radishes mature in only a month, which means that once you pull them, your carrots, which take at least twice as long to mature, will have more room to spread out and grow. Also, since the soil has been loosened, the carrots will have an easier time growing. Just make sure to pull out your radishes gently; you don't want to pull out your baby carrots before their time!

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Garden Therapy: Planting Winter Gardens

CasaSugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 05:30:35 -0700

If you're lucky enough to live in a temperate climate, you might be planting your Winter garden soon. I started to put my garden in this weekend. First I had to clean out the old plants and compost them, then I prepared the soil and planted my seeds. This season, I'm putting in kale, chard, lettuce, garlic, scallions, carrots, and radishes. All of these crops do well in cool weather. Since we rarely, if ever, get a frost in the San Francisco Bay Area, I'll be able to enjoy fresh vegetables all Winter long. Are you planting a Winter garden?

Garden Therapy: Winter Tips

CasaSugar — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 06:15:49 -0800

Since snow and ice don't make for a successful garden, most of us have to resort to satisfying our green thumb through nurturing indoor plants and kitchen window herb gardens in the Winter. To make the most of your Winter plants, try these indoor gardening tips.

Indoor plants will turn to follow the light, so you should rotate an indoor plant to encourage proper growth. Otherwise, your plant will likely lean to one side.
Concerned that your plant isn't getting enough light this Winter? If your plant has small leaves, thinner stems than usual, and its color is lighter than it has been in the Summer months, it is likely light-deficient. Try moving it closer to a window.
Another option is to supplement natural sunlight with artificial lighting, such as with a table lamp.

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Creating Festive Winter Gardens

CasaSugar — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 10:00:54 -0800

Do you reside in a harsh Winter climate? Manitoba, perhaps? Vermont, Norway, or Minnesota? Don't worry - there are still some pretty Winter options for creating container gardens.

Small conifers, or needled evergreens, are great choices for hardy winter container gardening, and these dwarf trees come in a variety of shapes, including balls, cones, and columns, as well as varieties that trail, which will add variety to your container. Add some wintergreen to the container for a bright pop of color from its red berries. In the Spring, you can transplant directly from the containers into your yard for easy landscaping. Check in at Evergreen Plant Nursery for some evergreens.

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Midday Muse: The Charming Winter Garden

CasaSugar — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:00:21 -0800

Sometimes a garden, such as the manicured hedges at the park of the Versailles castle in Versailles, France, can look even more charming when it's covered with a thin frosting of snow. While our gardens may be hibernating through the Winter months, that doesn't mean they don't hold their own joys and quiet beauty.
What do you find beautiful about a snowy garden?
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Gardening . . . in the Winter?

CasaSugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 06:15:43 -0700

While I'm happily indulging in Spring weather here on the West Coast, I realize that the temperatures aren't cooperating in every part of the country. In fact, my mom, who lives in Wisconsin, told me that there was a huge snowstorm just last week! With that in mind, I thought I'd give you some inspiration courtesy of Patti Moreno, the Garden Girl, who shows you how to grow food even in the middle of a snowstorm in chilly Boston! Check out the video to get inspired. You see? You can extend your gardening season even in cold climates.

Casa Quickie: Plant Brassicacea For Hearty Winter Vegetables

CasaSugar — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 06:00:22 -0800

Even if you live in a somewhat mild Winter climate, there's always the chance of a freeze. Even here in the Bay Area, we've had some freezing temperatures this Winter.

So, if you want to still enjoy some homegrown veg that will withstand the tough temps, look to plants in the Brassicacea family. These would include veggies like turnips, Brussels sprouts, rapini, romanesco, mustard greens, collards, kale, bok choy, rutabaga, radishes, arugula, broccoli, and cauliflower. Do you have a favorite among these? Then grab some seedlings from your local garden center and get planting!

Source: Flickr User JP Puerta

Open House: Winter in the Garden

CasaSugar — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:00:44 -0800

My brother, who lives in the Midwest, is definitely done with his garden, since snow is on the ground. Like many other Midwestern garden enthusiasts, he's busy plotting out next year's veggie patch. While my garden has definitely slowed down thanks to the cold and rainy weather, that doesn't mean nothing's growing. This morning, I took a photo of what I'd harvested before heading to work. Figs are still ripening, and my Easter egg radishes are coming in - though oddly, it's primarily the white-colored ones that are mature. And, of course, mint, which is nearly impossible to deter or kill, is keeping my mornings filled with fresh herbal tea.

What's happening with your garden? Is it hibernating under a dusting of snow? Or are you still harvesting some vegetables and fruits?