Organic Gardening
Actor Aidan Quinn joins Martha for a lesson in organic gardening in containers. Part 1.
Deck planters
-Wood should be untreated
-Be sure they drain easily
-Ours is filled with gravel and soil
Organic soil mixture
-Sand
-Composted manure: adds nitrogen, calcium
-Garden compost
-Perlite
-Wood chips: adds carbon
Vegetable plants
-New hybrids: small plants with full-size veggies
-Show variety of vegetables
-You can grow all in a container
Start planting
-Plant materials close together
-Mix up plants to vary nutrient needs
Selection of vegetables
1. Bush cucumber
-Grow to 12 to 18 inches tall
-Bear 5- to 7-inch fruits
2. Bush beans
-Grow to 18 inches tall
3. Tomatoes
-Dwarf plants grow 12 to 15 inches tall
-Produce 4-ounce tomatoes
4. Pepper varieties
-Sweet peppers
-Hungarian hot peppers
-Red cayenne peppers
5. Eggplants
6. Lettuces, cabbage, and brussels sprouts
Pest control
-Hose plants down -- knocks off pests
-Use insecticidal soap spray
-Interplant herbs and flowers
-This attracts wasps and other pollinators
-Wasps are natural insect eaters
Plant selection of flowers and herbs
-Dianthus: edible flowers
-Marigolds: repels bugs in the soil
-Yarrow: aids other plants' growth
Weed control
-Plant tightly -- eliminates space for weeds to grow
-Pull up weeds when they appear
-No need for weed sprays
Fungus control
-Spray plants with baking soda and water mix
-Changes pH to inhibit mold growth
Care for your container garden
-Water well
-Let dry slightly between waterings
Special Thanks
Enviro-Tote
4 Cote Lane, Bedford, NH 03110-5805
Phone: 603-647-7171
Fax: 603-647-0116
enviro-tote.com
Get daily beauty advice and tips from the experts of Martha Stewart Living.
read the blog
Just search TickleMe Plant to grow your own and to see the video of the pet TickleMe Plant in action
I thought other readers would enjoy an activity I got at the botanical gardens. Have you or your children "Ever Seen a Plant Move When You Tickle It?" If you wanted to share your love for nature with your children, here is an activity I have done with mine. This may change the way you and the kids react to plants for ever. Imagine giving your children some seeds. Having them watch them sprout and grow. Then shortly after the second leaves appear they tickle the plant and it moves its branches
I'm wondering if it matters whether or not you plant tall plants next to short plants. If it effects the amount of nutrients or light the short plant might be getting. I just figured, because the tall plant is, well, TALL, it might be robbing the short plants of its nutrients. Or does it not matter? Purplehazevoodoochild@yahoo.com
I'm wondering if it matters whether or not you plant tall plants next to short plants. If it effects the amount of nutrients or light the short plant might be getting. I just figured, because the tall plant is, well, TALL, it might be robbing the short plants of its nutrients. Or does it not matter? Purplehazevoodoochild@yahoo.com