The Savvy Sage

 June heat can be unpredictable. If you have recent transplants and temperatures soar, shade the transplants from the intense heat. As summer heat sets in, adjust irrigation as needed to deliver deep soakings to the vegetables at regular intervals. Mulch vegetables to conserve water, cool plant roots,…

 In the early 1900s a subtle way of warning a naive young person to avoid being misled or put in a “compromising position” was “Don’t be led down the garden path!” Oh my! Prim matrons knew that gardens are a sensual experience (and the perfect place for romance). If you enjoy being quiet and observant…

Plants make their own food through photosynthesis (converting water and carbon dioxide into sugar and oxygen using solar energy). When we fertilize a plant, we are adding specific nutrients to the plant’s environment to support growth or maintenance. Many of the fertilizers we buy include some combination of…

Question: What landscape plants should I avoid planting because they are invasive or have other negative qualities, even though I might find them in a nursery? Answer: You’ve touched on the horticultural equivalent of the idea that “just because something can be done doesn’t mean it should be done.”…

Question: I live in an apartment with a small outside patio area. Can I grow some vegetables? Answer: Yes, you can grow vegetables in a small plot of soil, or in containers on concrete. People are often surprised by how productive a compact space can be. The key is choosing the right crops and making…