Organic Home Growing Archives - Page 22 of 30

Ask Ruth: Quick, DIY Winter Row Covers

by Ruth Gonzalez | Oct 29, 2012 | Organic Home Growing

Dear Ruth, As we head into November, I am looking for an easy way to protect my fall garden from winter weather. Do you have any simple solutions? Eddie Burnsville, NC Dear Eddie, In my own garden, I use a super-simple system. It’s fast, it’s easy, and...

Ask Ruth: Harvesting Sweet Potatoes

by Ruth Gonzalez | Sep 28, 2012 | Organic Home Growing

Dear Ruth, This is the first year I have grown sweet potatoes. How will I know when they are ready to harvest? Thanks, Jennifer Canton. NC Dear Jennifer, Yum! You’re looking forward to a harvest you will enjoy for months. Here are some factors to consider prior to...

Ask Ruth: Organic Horticultural Oil for Fruit Trees

by Ruth Gonzalez | Aug 27, 2012 | Organic Home Growing

Dear Ruth, I missed the first spraying (dormant oil) for my fruit trees. When should I spray them and what do I use? Do I trust any spray labeled “organic”? I have dwarf apple, peach, pear, plum, and nectarine trees and I live in Pitt County in Eastern NC. Thanks in...

Ask Ruth: Caring for Nut Trees

by Ruth Gonzalez | Jul 27, 2012 | Organic Home Growing

Dear Ruth, I would like to fertilize my 4 pecan trees. I read up online and came across the product “Zeolite” which contains several minerals. Is this a safe organic product to use? Thanks for your help, Sharon Phillips Ripe pecans on the tree (photo...

Ask Ruth: Planting a Wildflower Meadow

by Ruth Gonzalez | Jun 25, 2012 | Organic Home Growing

Dear Ruth, Now that summer is here, I am already tired of mowing. Instead of mowing, I have decided to make a wildflower meadow. I have ½ to ¾ acre to work with. Can I just sow the wildflower seed on top of the grass? ~Derrick in Candler Dear Derrick, The answer is a...

Ask Ruth: Basic Garden Maintenence

by Ruth Gonzalez | May 30, 2012 | Organic Home Growing

Dear Ruth, My wife and I started our first vegetable garden this year. We are a bit worried about fitting it into our busy schedule. Do you have any basic suggestions for us as beginning gardeners? -Albert and Lucy Asheville Dear Albert and Lucy, Congratulations for...