Sage Garden Blog
Our March 10, 2018 Garden Club was all about growing veggies in containers, and WOW... this topic is obviously one that people are interested in. We had a full house, and then some! Thank you to everyone who came down in person for the workshop; but if you could not make it I thought it would be helpful to review some of the key points.
Maintaining your plants during hot weather
The hot summer temperatures have actually been an important theme this gardening season, and we get a lot of questions that relate back to heat. So, we thought it would be a good time to review a couple of common scenarios:
First up, gardeners heading out of town for a few days often wonder how best to keep thirsty plants happy and healthy during intense weather. For in-ground gardens, some easy suggestions include watering deeply before heading out (soaker hose ideal for this), using wheat straw mulch to keep moisture in the ground (mulching reduces need to water by at least 50%) and doing appropriate pruning on leafy plants such as tomatoes (start with leaves at the bottom, and look for the foliage that does not end in flowers). Slow-release watering devices such as olas or gravity fed options such as Plant Nannies work wonders, as do simple temporary shade structures. In fact, providing a little shade is very appropriate for full sun plants during intensely hot weather.
Why are my tomatoes getting blossom end rot?
A trending situation this summer (2017) is an increase in reports of blossom end rot, that classic problem where by otherwise fine looking fruit get a nasty blemish at the base. Although you may still - at least technically - eat the unaffected portion of the fruit, it certainly is a discouraging outcome after all of your hard work, and realistically most blemished tomatoes get composted rather than eaten. The frustrating thing about 2017 is that blossom end rot is happening even in situations where gardeners are doing the right things: using a tomato-specific fertilizer and even watering regularly; so what is going on?
Darn those cabbage worms!
You have surely spotted the flitting dance of delicate white butterflies above the cabbage patch. You know, the one that is inevitably followed by little green worms that so efficiently strip-down your beautiful crop. These are cabbage months, and their progeny the cabbage worm. They are a common sight in gardens across Canada, and they can make a quick meal of all types of brassicas (everything from broccoli to kale to mustards, and of course cabbage).
28 Day Indoor Garden Challenge videos
In 2016 and 2017, Sage Garden gave away close to 2,000 packs of organic seeds to let gardeners experiment with what could be grown, to eat, during the 28 days of February. The idea is to try something new, bridge the gap between late winter and the start of gardening season outdoors, and to have some fun! Participants took up the challenge in regions as far away as Poland and Taiwan, and from coast to coast in Canada.
Tips on day three of the 28 Day Indoor Garden Challenge
Well, its February 3rd so many gardeners have planted their 28 Day Indoor Garden Challenge seeds, and may even be seeing little sprouts already. Nicely done!
There are also gardeners still interested in getting going, or who may be coming by to pick up their free seeds today or Saturday. No problem - starting exactly February 1st is not the most important thing. Rather, we hope you can go into this stress free and looking forward to the experiment; it really is meant to be about doing something fun during the in-betweener month of (approximately) February.
There are also gardeners still interested in getting going, or who may be coming by to pick up their free seeds today or Saturday. No problem - starting exactly February 1st is not the most important thing. Rather, we hope you can go into this stress free and looking forward to the experiment; it really is meant to be about doing something fun during the in-betweener month of (approximately) February.
Planning your indoor seed starting
Come January many gardeners start to twitch, an impulse that is perfectly naturally. We can actually imagine spring somewhere in the future, not really so far off. A common strategy for attending to the gardening urge is to grab some seed packs, and basically start planting. Great idea, as it is easy to see (and feel) the benefits of emerging green in seed trays. However, frustration can creep into this process. Timing is among the top variables that impacts seedling success, and at the end of the day a strong reason for planting is to find joy - not stress - in those little seedlings.
Tomato Blights
The BIG questions we have been getting lately are about tomatoes. Many gardeners are reporting trouble with spots and drying up of foliage on tomato plants and in some cases on fruits as well. This always increases anxiety that late blight could be present - which is a really significant problem when indeed confirmed.
The good news is that late blight is not the most common cause of tomato woes. However, it can be really confusing trying to identify what exactly is causing a particular "sad" tomato situation.
The good news is that late blight is not the most common cause of tomato woes. However, it can be really confusing trying to identify what exactly is causing a particular "sad" tomato situation.
What to do about all of the wet weather...
A little rain and we are happy not to have to water; big down pours again and again, and plants can really start to suffer. The main trouble with soggy soil is that plants' roots become starved for oxygen, which gets displaced in the dirt by all that moisture. Plants require oxygen in the soil to facilitate healthy root functioning, and also to promote the health of the aerobic micro-organisms that support root and plant functions. As soil moisture lingers, so increases the potential for trouble. Poorly oxygenated, wet soil leads to root rot and generally weak plants; fungal diseases are particularly common during drenched conditions (both in the roots and on the leaves & stems). Unfortunately this is something many gardeners are now reporting.
7 simple strategies to avoid drought-stress in containers
Summer can be a real challenge for container gardening. It is common for container grown plants - particularly in the ubiquitous peat-based potting mixes - to struggle during the heat of July and August. Hanging baskets are vulnerable, with such open exposure to the elements, and patio planters can become a chore during prolonged heat and sun. Aside from the worry associated with keeping on top of watering, the plants themselves can quickly suffer if the fine root hairs found towards the edge of containers dry out. The good news: there are tons of easy ways to alleviate these stresses.