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Organic Gardens/Questions Answered by Expert Mack Jean
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Moss | 1/24/2012 |
| Q: Will plowing Moss under kill it or make it spread? The reason I'm asking is because there is moss in ... A: Plowing moss under will likely kill it if tilled to a reasonable depth. Consider what conditions ... | |
| mising fertillizers | 9/16/2011 |
| Q: How do you add the npk of different fertilizers together. I have bone meal, kelp meal, cottonseed ... A: The three numbers that you see on a fertilizer label, such as 5-5-5, tell you what proportion of ... | |
| Green Beans | 8/5/2011 |
| Q: My green bean plants look green and lush, however the beans themselves grow to an inch or two and ... A: Based on your description of the symptoms of your green beans, I suspect that the plants are ... | |
| green bean plants | 5/31/2011 |
| Q: My green beans have grown about 6 inches tall, and now all the leaves are full of holes. Is this a ... A: Your description tells me that you have a pest attacking your green beans. The Mexican bean beetle ... | |
| Yellow tomato leaves | 5/21/2011 |
| Q: I live in central Florida and looking at the causes of yellow leaf, I have them all especially the ... A: Sucking insects such as the Sweet Potato Whitefly may remove the nutrient-filled products of ... | |
| fencing | 5/10/2011 |
| Q: I have a chipmunk problem in my garden -they eat all my tomatoes- I'm building a new fence that is ... A: Re: Your follow-up question The mesh overlay at 2 feet high will still be susceptible to climbing ... | |
| fencing | 5/5/2011 |
| Q: I have a chipmunk problem in my garden -they eat all my tomatoes- I'm building a new fence that is ... A: Using 1"x1" grid fencing will provide limited control of the chipmunk pest. Suggest you consider ... | |
| orange peels | 4/27/2011 |
| Q: Can citrus fruit peels such as orange, lemon, lime, etc be composted? They seem to tough and think ... A: There are two schools of thought on composting citrus peels. Some say that it is a good thing and ... | |
| removal of wild strawberries | 4/14/2011 |
| Q: have a problem w/wild strawberries in my flowerbed.i'm raising hostas ,amrillis,lillies and other ... A: My favorite way to control weeds is using the commercial product "Preen". Checkout the products ... | |
| Amounts of soil | 3/29/2011 |
| Q: How many gallons of soil is there in 1 cubic foot of soil? A: 1 gallon of soil = 0.133680556 Cubic Feet Check the webpage URL below for a handy chart to help you ... | |
| Rosemary mulch | 1/16/2011 |
| Q: Mack, I'm learning more about vegetable/herb gardening as time passes by and I have another ... A: I'm late with this response to your question. I apologize. According to the website ... | |
| How to transfer plants from out to indoors | 1/11/2011 |
| Q: If plants are acquired from an extraneous source( outside ), how would you go about introducing them ... A: Outside plants introduced into a grow room or hydroponics environment are susceptible to a multitude ... | |
| Growing berries in Hawaii | 1/10/2011 |
| Q: Mack, I was wondering what kind of berries would be okay to grow in Hawaii. I was thinking of ... A: Blueberries are relatively new to Hawaii, yet my research indicates that many varieties are being ... | |
| green beetles | 10/10/2010 |
| Q: how do i get rid of green beetles i live in newzealand.they attack my corn and spuds. is.there a ... A: The website shown below provides excellent organic pest control recipes: ... | |
| dollarweed and peanut | 9/17/2010 |
| Q: I put in perennial peanut,now dollar weed seems to be trying to take over .Trying to weed it out ... A: Dollarweed, also called Pennywort, is a small broadleaf plant. The best way to get rid of it is to ... | |
| Loquat trees producing fruit | 8/10/2010 |
| Q: I have planted many loquat seeds and now have 5 trees, ranging from 5-10 years old, but they have ... A: Loquat trees are easy to grow from seed. Seedling trees are satisfactory for ornamental use, but may ... | |
| Eldarica Pine Tree | 8/1/2010 |
| Q: We have a grasshopper infestation this year and noticed, almost, over-night that over half of the ... A: Re: Eldarica Pine Tree and Grasshopper Infestation If you nurture the tree during the next 30 to 60 ... | |
| Green beans | 7/8/2010 |
| Q: Please can you advise me I have a small black insect which is eating or destroying the flowers on my ... A: Your description of the small black insect appears to be the Black Aphid. You can control this pest ... | |
| leaf fungus | 6/20/2010 |
| Q: I raise Myrtus Communis, (true Myrtle) in central florida. For years I have been plagued by a type ... A: Leaf spots on Myrtus Communis are caused by fungi or bacteria. Brown or black spots and patches may ... | |
| Organic | 5/26/2010 |
| Q: Does the use of ammonium nitrate disqualify a garden from being considered organic? A: Ammonium nitrate is a man made chemical and therefore is not organic as it relates to organic ... | |
| Tomato plants | 5/19/2010 |
| Q: would it do any harm if I sat my tomato plants in water whilst I go away for 3 days? ANSWER: Dear ... A: RE: Follow-Up Question Dear Diane: Suggest one of the following for your tomato plants: 1. Plant ... | |
| Tomato plants | 5/18/2010 |
| Q: would it do any harm if I sat my tomato plants in water whilst I go away for 3 days? A: First of all, I presume these tomato plants are bare root and have not been planted in soil or pots ... | |
| using recycled paper | 4/30/2010 |
| Q: I am a teacher and we have a lot of shredded paper in our school. I am part of a community garden ... A: Re: Follow-up Let's be hypothetical: The black ink on the paper is possibly made of unknown ... | |
| using recycled paper | 4/30/2010 |
| Q: I am a teacher and we have a lot of shredded paper in our school. I am part of a community garden ... A: Congratulations on your community garden! Using shredded paper as a mulch is a great idea, however ... | |
| strawberries | 4/24/2010 |
| Q: wouldn't the pesticides still have ablsorbed into the strawberry? is there a cover on the berry ... A: Unfortunately, I'm not a plant biologist which limits my ability to answer your question. I am of ... | |
| Weed Killer for Garden | 4/15/2010 |
| Q: My grandfather plants a garden in his yard every year but is having a problem with weeds. He sprays ... A: Mind you that what I am about to recommend IS NOT AN ORGANIC Class product. However, it appears ... | |
| reliable chia seed | 1/29/2010 |
| Q: I intend to start growing chia in a regioin from my country (Iran).But I don't know a reliable chia ... A: My research found four Internet sources of Chia seed including: http://www.HidalgoFoods.Com ... | |
| dollarweed | 12/29/2009 |
| Q: What kills it dead. I live in the panhandle of FL. and I have tried all kinds of stuff (scotts ... A: I'm referring you to the Clemson University website with a specific page for Dollarweed. Dollarweed ... | |
| prepairing for raised Bed | 12/14/2009 |
| Q: I am building raised beds for my garden and need to kill ALL weeds %26 grass before doing so. it is ... A: I have raised bed gardens. In preparing the beds, I dug out the existing top soil to a depth of ... | |
| Steer Manure On Fruit Trees | 12/14/2009 |
| Q: I Have A Couple Of Fruit Trees That I Wanted To Put On Bigger Pots And My Question Was Can I Mix In ... A: Manures may contain harmful salts and should be applied in fall or early winter so that rains can ... | |
| Crushed Granite | 11/13/2009 |
| Q: I live in Middle Tennessee and I am trying to construct a permeable gravel patio. I'm having a ... A: I also live in Middle Tennessee (Brentwood) and in my research for your question I found "granite ... | |
| bouganvilleas | 11/1/2009 |
| Q: actually, i have 2: 1. My white and deep purple bougies are not flowering. why not? 2. Something is ... A: Question #1. Re: Not flowering: Bougainvillea need a well balanced slow-release fertilizer, too ... | |
| Mulching over fallen leaves | 10/24/2009 |
| Q: Mack: I have large areas of plants and shrubs. Over the years I have used a mulch which has been ... A: An excellent dual action approach and an ideal soil additive!! For landscape applications it is best ... | |
| Earthworms | 10/18/2009 |
| Q: I'm a 6th grader going to a magnet school. We have a project going on requiring us to interview ... A: Earthworms survive best in temperatures ranging from 50° F to 75° F, which is the approximate ... | |
| Scholarship | 10/8/2009 |
| Q: Please i would like to know if can get a scholarship to study masters degree in organic farming in ... A: Listed below is a website that I recommend for your review: ... | |
| rhubarb, winterizing in northern Mn | 9/20/2009 |
| Q: My rhubarb has finally taken off, now how do I winterize it for northern Minnesota winters? Do I cut ... A: Rhubarb needs cold to trigger spring growth. Rhubarb tolerates cold temperatures (-20 degrees F) ... | |
| noodle water on garden | 9/8/2009 |
| Q: Can i put cooked noodle's water onto my garden. Will it help any or just be like water? A: If you cooked the noodles in WATER ONLY without added salt, vinegar, or other additives; then the ... | |
| freeze yellow squash | 9/5/2009 |
| Q: can i freeze yellow squash and how? A: Yes, you can freeze yellow squash. The Internet link below will give you all the details on the ... | |
| chia | 8/18/2009 |
| Q: 1)How to cultivate Chia (Salvia hispanica)or condition of growing chia seeds in garden?thanks A: Annual wild flowers, such as chia, are generally planted directly into a prepared bed or border ... | |
| micro organisms | 7/23/2009 |
| Q: How do micro organisms rot away organic material? A: Reference: Offwell Woodland & Wildlife Trust Website All living organisms on earth will eventually ... | |
| Watering gardens | 7/19/2009 |
| Q: What is best for plants or vegeable gardens spraying or watering just the roots? A: Drip irrigation systems are a far more efficient method of irrigating lawns and gardens. Water is ... | |
| epson salt | 7/14/2009 |
| Q: I was thrilled to find your reference to epsom salt and pepper plants. I am very new to vegetable ... A: Glad you like the site!! The recipe for the pepper spray is: In a gallon bucket mix water and ... | |
| Unknown Garden Veggie | 7/13/2009 |
| Q: I was wondering if you could tell me what kind of plant I have here. I planted 9 of them and they ... A: I do believe you have young cabbage plants growing...and they are absolutely beautiful!! Invite me ... | |
| green bean plants | 7/13/2009 |
| Q: Our green bean plants are beautiful except for the top few leaves, which are wilting and curling up. ... A: I suspect your green beans may have mosaic virus disease. This disease is often carried in the seed ... | |
| green beans | 6/16/2009 |
| Q: I read you suggested using pyrethrin/rotenone on them is that stuff natural and or safe and is there ... A: Pyrethrin/rotenone are chemical gardening controls which are extracted from plants. However, these ... | |
| Organic fertilizer petunias | 5/26/2009 |
| Q: Can you please recommend an organic fertilizer for wave petunias? I have planted what I hope will be ... A: To keep up with the fast, sprawling growth of wave petunias; apply organic fertilizer monthly or ... | |
| Eliminating violets from beds | 5/25/2009 |
| Q: I am trying to remove violets that are over taking my beds. I was trying to fill a way to do it ... A: You can use the homemade vinegar/soap/sugar mixture as a vegetation killer, with proper mixing and ... | |
| Vinegar Recipe | 5/24/2009 |
| Q: Would this kill strawberry plants or just the weeds around them? A: Vinegar is not selective when it is sprayed on plants. It has the potential to kill any and all ... | |
| green bean bugs | 5/17/2009 |
| Q: will cayanne pepper powdwer work on keeping the green bean bugs off the plants A: Cayenne pepper is an effective organic deterrent for bugs on your green beans. Here's the recipe: ... | |
| Sweet Corn | 5/10/2009 |
| Q: I planted sweet corn in successive plantings roughly 2 weeks apart. The second planting looks fine. ... A: I fear that your sweet corn may have contracted Stewart's wilt which is caused by a bacterium ... | |
| sugar as dollarweed killer | 3/20/2009 |
| Q: i read that granulated sugar will kill dollarweed. just to sprinkle it on and water it in. it is ... A: As I understand the chemistry of this process, the sugar does in fact neutralize the nitrate. My ... | |
| sugar as dollarweed killer | 3/17/2009 |
| Q: i read that granulated sugar will kill dollarweed. just to sprinkle it on and water it in. it is ... A: Granulated sugar will kill weeds as confirmed in the excerpted article shown below: "A Sweet End to ... | |
| nettig for blueberries | 2/16/2009 |
| Q: years ago I had a netting to cover my blue berries..kept out birds, heavy rain, high winds..think ... A: You should be able to find Netting for bird control at Lowe's Retail Garden Centers. If you don't ... | |
| organic composting | 1/17/2009 |
| Q: While I live in Scotland, UK I would be interested to know about the US organic certification ... A: The United States has adopted composting standards that largely parallel those in other world ... | |
| Nematode information for Japanese beetles | 1/7/2009 |
| Q: Firstly let me say, thank you for being there. It must be very time consuming, and I am grateful for ... A: What a coincidence....your last name same as my first name "Mack" (actually, my middle name....). ... | |
| organic gardening | 12/3/2008 |
| Q: Using simple wording and terms could you please explain why inter-relationships between living ... A: A healthy soil is alive, teeming with microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and yeast as well as ... | |
| interviewing an expert (pillbugs) | 10/14/2008 |
| Q: I'm a student doing research on pillbugs for a project. i have included four questions. Do pillbugs ... A: Pill bugs are native to Europe and were introduced to the U.S. where they are now widespread. Pill ... | |
| ant on plants | 9/29/2008 |
| Q: I just bought 3 Petunias, 1 Dahlia and a Potato plant(in an diffrent area) on 9/28/08 and I had a ... A: 10 Ways To Kill Ants… Organically 1. Baking soda is poisonous to ants, spinkle it around your ... | |
| Organic control of snails & aphids | 9/29/2008 |
| Q: What can be done to control (i.e., "kill", and as painfully as possible) snails and aphids quickly, ... A: Your Habaneros concoction mix is one of the many alternatives for organic control of snails and ... | |
| How to cultivate Chia (Salba)? | 9/20/2008 |
| Q: It seems that the Salba grain can only grow in Peru? Is there any possibility at all that we can ... A: Chia’s native range extends through the coastal and inner coast ranges of California from Mendocino ... | |
| acorn Squash in container | 9/12/2008 |
| Q: I have bought some small acorn plants and want to try my hand at them. I am a beginner. But ... A: Plant the acorn squash in individual 3 to 5 gallon containers. The container must have drainage ... | |
| spring flowering bulbs | 9/9/2008 |
| Q: Several of my spring flowering bulbs have sprouted now in early September. We live in zone 5, but ... A: The numerous layers that make up a plant bulb are actually storage tissues. Depending on the type of ... | |
| crop rotation | 8/1/2008 |
| Q: Why is it necessary to rotate crops on a farm when in nature the same plants keep coming up year ... A: Crop rotation has many benefits including: the increased yields of crops, insect control, reduction ... | |
| eggplant | 7/26/2008 |
| Q: Hey Mack, We've got some kind of bug making lace out of our eggplants. We planted several ... A: I think you have an invasion of Vegetable Leafminer Flies. The adult is a small fly, approximately ... | |
| green beans | 7/16/2008 |
| Q: Every year our green beans have multiple bug bites. This is the bean, not the leaf. The are not ... A: There are two types of stink bugs that attack green bean pods. Green Stink Bugs and Brown Stink ... | |
| Apple Organic Gardens | 7/13/2008 |
| Q: I am looking to visit an apple organic garden in Southern California. I would appreciate if you help ... A: I'm not intimately familiar with apple organic gardens in Southern California. In researching your ... | |
| list of seed lifetimes | 7/13/2008 |
| Q: i am wondering if there is a list of the general lifetimes of seeds when store from an organic ... A: Often crop seed is left over in a package after planting. This excess seed can be saved for next ... | |
| organic vegetable plants | 7/10/2008 |
| Q: I am so new to growing organic vegetables. I cannot find a location to buy the organic plants here ... A: Suggest you contact the Indiana Organic Gardening Association at their website: ... | |
| Corn | 6/15/2008 |
| Q: I am growing sweet corn and don't like to use chemicals of any kind. The corn has lots of earwigs ... A: The earwigs on your sweet corn can be controlled using insecticidal soap which is an organic method. ... | |
| eucalyptus and fruit trees | 6/14/2008 |
| Q: Good Morning, I am looking for further clarification on your 1/18/2008 response in which a reader ... A: Because of the nutrition and irrigation demands of your existing grapefruit and apple tree and plan ... | |
| tomato plants | 6/11/2008 |
| Q: i have emailed other experts on this site before i don't use any chemicals on my tomato plants. my ... A: I don't think you have anything to worry about since the plants were not budding when you planted ... | |
| HERBICIDE | 6/11/2008 |
| Q: How long after vinegar and salt spray do you have to wait before panting in the sprayed area. am ... A: Allow up to 48 hours after spraying the vinegar and salt solution before planting in the same area. ... | |
| discouraging cats from using my garden | 6/5/2008 |
| Q: I've got several questions, but first things first. How do I get my cat (and any others) not to ... A: There's a cat deterrent product that's said to be all natural and organic in a powdered mixture and ... | |
| Johnson Grass | 5/29/2008 |
| Q: I have been taken over by johnson grass this season. I read some entries mentioning the use of ... A: Sugar has the potential to control annual weeds according to recent research trials conducted by ... | |
| creosote on landscape ties | 5/17/2008 |
| Q: Would one very old landscape tie beside a garden patch leach chemicals into the soil in high enough ... A: Railroad ties are soaked in creosote which is a known carcinogen therefore, even though this is an ... | |
| BlueBerry Bush Buying | 5/16/2008 |
| Q: I am looking for a place to buy Blueberry bushes. - Prefer organic if possible. Any place that you ... A: I unaware of organic blueberry bush vendors. Listed below are vendors with their Internet ... | |
| how to kill weeds in a renovated lawn | 5/12/2008 |
| Q: Early spring, my landscaper renovated the front yard: removing some topsoil in bare spots, puting ... A: The homemade recipe weed killer is indeed strong enough to kill some grass as well as broadleaf ... | |
| Loquat Trees | 5/11/2008 |
| Q: In 1974 I planted multiple Loquat seeds, in Santa Barbara, CA, which all turned into fruit bearing ... A: Although, I've never grown loquats, my research for your question revealed much information and ... | |
| how to kill weeds in a renovated lawn | 5/8/2008 |
| Q: Early spring, my landscaper renovated the front yard: removing some topsoil in bare spots, puting ... A: A good organic solution to manage the weeds in your lawn is a homemade recipe: Weeds Be Gone Recipe ... | |
| Creating a new organic vegetable garden | 4/28/2008 |
| Q: I am about to create my first vegetable garden, ever. I am a converted organic locavore! I want to ... A: Congratulations on becoming an organic convert!! You can use a sunny spot in your lawn and ... | |
| Tomatoes | 4/26/2008 |
| Q: Can you recommend an organic fertilizer that is good for tomatoes and the best way to use it? A: The Clean Air Gardening Company of Dallas, Texas offers an organic product called "Tomato ... | |
| fire ants | 4/22/2008 |
| Q: This is my second year of planting a garden. Last year I had a terrible time with getting rid of ... A: Some of the organic baits on the market that are listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute ... | |
| corn gluten pre emergent | 4/7/2008 |
| Q: I have been using 100% corn gluten as a pre emergent for 1 year in my flower beds. Prices on 5 lb ... A: I recommend corn gluten as a preemergent for lawns as well as flower beds. The corn gluten meal ... | |
| Pot ash | 3/22/2008 |
| Q: Is it true that ashes from burned wood will help get rid of the carrot rust fly if worked into the ... A: Compost and wood ashes are effective not only on rust flies but carrot weevils, wireworms, and other ... | |
| About spined soldier bug: | 3/15/2008 |
| Q: Do you Mack where I can purchase a pheromone to attract these creatures to my garden. I have been ... A: Checkout this website which coincidentally is in my home city and state. I discovered this in my ... | |
| I still insist organic lawn | 2/25/2008 |
| Q: I posted a thread on gardenweb.com and tried to see what advice I could get. Here is what I wrote: ... A: You have to be careful with the vinegar mixture since it contains acetic acid. So, be careful to ... | |
| I still insist organic lawn | 2/20/2008 |
| Q: I posted a thread on gardenweb.com and tried to see what advice I could get. Here is what I wrote: ... A: First of all, my apologies for being tardy in responding to your question. Personal family matters ... | |
| decomposed granite | 1/31/2008 |
| Q: Will adding granite to my clay soil help or hinder my efforts improve my soil? I'm hearing mixed ... A: Decomposed granite is a rock powder and is an excellent amendment for clay soils. All rock powders ... | |
| decomposed granite | 1/31/2008 |
| Q: Will adding granite to my clay soil help or hinder my efforts improve my soil? I'm hearing mixed ... A: Decomposed granite is a rock powder and is an excellent amendment for clay soils. All rock powders ... | |
| planting fruit trees | 1/18/2008 |
| Q: I planted an Orange tree about 2yrs. ago about 5ft. away from a eucalyptus tree that had been ... A: Orange trees can typically get 25 feet tall, but some get to 50 ft. Typical row spacing is 25 feet. ... | |
| Inexpensive Organic Gardening | 1/12/2008 |
| Q: We live in a tropical environment, but I am hoping to grow a few plants with my children, namely ... A: The beginning of an organic garden starts with creating a compost pile to provide natural ... | |
| Grounds for the garden | 10/15/2007 |
| Q: How often should I use coffee grounds on my Acid-loving plants? A: Studies have shown the effective role that spent coffee grounds can have in a garden as a ... | |
| Long squash | 7/23/2007 |
| Q: My plant is stated producing the squash; however, after an inch and a half in size, it started ... A: I suspect either downy or powdery mildew may be the problem with your squash. Downy mildew: This ... | |
| Splice Trees | 7/5/2007 |
| Q: I was wondering if a person could splice a cherry tree and or a grape vine. How would you get ... A: I am referring you to a website that provides detailed information about the propagation of fruit ... | |
| how to plant bellpeppers and acorn squash | 7/4/2007 |
| Q: We bought some seedling bell peppers and acorn squash plants a few months ago but i have not grown ... A: Bell peppers and acorn squash should be planted in hills. The hill is simply a mound of soil about ... | |
| growing bell peppers | 6/28/2007 |
| Q: My daughter brought home a 4-pack of yellow bell peppers to plant. There's a reference to planting ... A: "Hilling" is a method of planting various vegetables in the garden. Crops such as summer squash, ... | |
| Worms in acid soils? | 6/17/2007 |
| Q: The soil of my land is of old volcanic origin, in some places rather reddish brown, in others just ... A: The species of worms in your soil is not the issue, your soil conditions are the likely culprit. ... | |
| growing green beans | 6/1/2007 |
| Q: I planted Blue Lake pole beans this spring, and as the sprouts began breaking the surface of the ... A: Slaters also known as Wood Lice can chew the bean seeds as they germinate or shortly after ... | |
| Organic Herbicide | 5/19/2007 |
| Q: I duck hunt that has both ponds and crops. We have used herbicides such as Roundup to kill the ... A: Hubenak: In response to your follow-up question regarding the use of salt combined with vinegar as ... | |
| bent dogwood tree | 3/20/2007 |
| Q: approx . 20 year old Dogwood tree. It has bent to the side as it had huge Larch tree next to it. Can ... A: If your Dogwood is anchored well by its roots you could try a wench and comealong. These tools ... | |
| using sugar as weed killer | 2/21/2007 |
| Q: I have been reading some amazing threads that look hard to believe. So I would like to know what ... A: I have never heard of sugar used as a weed killer. As a result of your question, I began a quest to ... | |
| Watering: How Often? Plant Groupings | 2/16/2007 |
| Q: I'd like to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, sweet peppers, sugar snap peas, watermelon and cantelope ... A: The most important cultural practice for a healthy and productive home vegetable garden is ... | |
| saving seeds year to year | 12/26/2006 |
| Q: What is/are best way(s) to save veggie seeds from garden overwinter? A: The National Gardening Association Magazine has an excellent article about the seed saving process ... | |
| aspargus | 10/10/2006 |
| Q: Good Morning Mack, I want to know if the orange berries on my aspargus plants are the seeds? If so, ... A: Those are seeds on your asparagus plants and based on recent research, one can use crowns or seeds ... | |
| organic herbicide | 10/2/2006 |
| Q: My understanding is that vinegar will kill weeds. I don't know where to buy 10% vinegar..any ... A: Please go the website page listed below for a complete article on the use of vinegar or acetic acid ... | |
| bitter cucumbers | 9/25/2006 |
| Q: I wanted to follow-up on Anne's question. Is there anything that can be done in preparing bitter ... A: The bitterness in cucumbers is usually a result of drought conditions on the crop and a good ... | |
| bitter cucumbers | 9/24/2006 |
| Q: I live near Dallas, TX. Most of our growing season this year has been in the triple digits. I have ... A: The hot dry weather is the usual culprit causing bitterness in cucumbers. Regular watering is one ... | |
| type of plant | 8/6/2006 |
| Q: I planted my first garden this year and was rewarded with chemical free vegetables. I planted four ... A: Congratulations on becoming an organic gardener and your early success with chemical free veggies!! ... | |
| tomato plants | 8/5/2006 |
| Q: My tomato plants are dying and appear to be infested with tiny white bugs that do fly. I've noticed ... A: The white bugs on your tomatoes are also known as whiteflies from the aphids family and they feast ... | |
| salt, slug pelets | 6/12/2006 |
| Q: 1) what is the word in the organic movement with regards to those blue slug pellets that everyone ... A: Re: Blue Slug Pellets. Regret that I have no experience or working knowledge of this product. Re: ... | |
| animal out of garden | 5/14/2006 |
| Q: .i have a garden here in miss., and am having probs with something eating seeds in it. when i ... A: The best organic control for critters that will repel most of them is a homemade concoction of ... | |
| Pillbug (aka Roly Poly) | 5/5/2006 |
| Q: Veggie-garden newbie here. I see the occasional pillbug in my raised-bed garden. No infestation ... A: Welcome to the world of gardening! The Pillbug can eat seedlings and I am unaware of their benefits ... | |
| southern penn. gardening! | 4/18/2006 |
| Q: I live in southern Pennsylvania, and im looking to start a garden in my backyard. Specifically i ... A: Welcome to the wonderful and exciting hobby of backyard gardening! The work is hard, but the ... | |
| Indoor Gardening | 3/23/2006 |
| Q: Hey there. I've recently moved into a garage apartment, and am stuck without much land to garden in, ... A: Since you indicated an interest in herbs. I read this article recently and I think it will provide ... | |
| Growing Veg in Containers | 3/16/2006 |
| Q: can you tell me if it is safe to grow vegetables to eat in plastic containers. I am led to believe ... A: I can't confirm your concerns from any of my reference material or resources. However, from a ... | |
| root crops, corn | 1/19/2006 |
| Q: Is it true beets, turnips, radishes need only 3-4 leaves for the bulbs to reach maturity. Is it ... A: I have no clue as to where to find pollination cycles of different varieties of corn. Suggest you ... | |
| root crops, corn | 1/13/2006 |
| Q: Is it true beets, turnips, radishes need only 3-4 leaves for the bulbs to reach maturity. Is it ... A: In theory, beets, turnips, and radishes should be able to reach maturity with 3 to 4 leaves. ... | |
| Tomatoes | 9/27/2005 |
| Q: I grew tomatoes this year, and now that they are ready to be harvested I am noticing that they have ... A: The problem with your tomatoes is likely caused by Stink bugs among others. White spots, also known ... | |
| Rotation Gardening | 9/16/2005 |
| Q: I have been an organic gardener for a few years now and I've been wondering about rotating crops ... A: Crop rotation can reduce insect and disease damage since pests and disease-causing organisms tend to ... | |
| garden plan | 8/19/2005 |
| Q: -------- Hey Mack, thanks for the answers to my previous questions. I have heard many contrasting ... A: RE: Wood Ashes: Wood ash has a very fine particle size, so it reacts rapidly and completely in the ... | |
| organic gardening | 7/31/2005 |
| Q: my name is penny and i need to know about organic gardening im not sure about what benefits it has ... A: Your question appears to be a homework question, which I normally do not answer; however I do ... | |
| Blueberry netting | 7/23/2005 |
| Q: I was wondering if you know of any netting that I can use to put over about 15 blueberry bushes that ... A: You can purchase blueberry netting for bird protection, but bug protection netting would be a tall ... | |
| garden plan | 7/16/2005 |
| Q: Hey Mack, I'm a first year gardener in the Milwaukee area. I'm graphing my garden for next year ... A: Congratulations on becoming a gardener!! You're in for a great ride and lots of rewarding returns ... | |
| Hornworms and cornmeal | 7/16/2005 |
| Q: I've been told that cornmeal spread around tomato plants will kill off hornworms. When do I first ... A: I am not familiar with the use of cornmeal to control hornworms. In checking my available ... | |
| Chipmunks | 6/29/2005 |
| Q: Is there any way to keep chipmunks from eating my vegetable garden? A: The best method to control chipmunks is trapping them. However, this is usually either not ... | |
| Hot Peppers | 6/22/2005 |
| Q: I'm a beginning gardener in the Milwaukee, WI area with a couple of questions about habaneros. What ... A: I am referring you to the Redwood City Seed Company website that provides extensive information ... | |
| Peas and cut worms | 6/18/2005 |
| Q: My father grow peas {that his uncle gave him }for over 40 years. Each year keeping the seed for the ... A: You may be in luck if you want to risk planting a second crop of peas now....presuming you have ... | |
| garden | 6/6/2005 |
| Q: looking for a natural way to keep woodchuck and other pest from eating veggies told ashes from ... A: RE: Woodchuck Repellant The fireplace ashes around the plant should be helpful to deter your ... | |
| How much seed per acre? | 5/11/2005 |
| Q: We have just moved back to the family farm. We have the room and the equipment and want to plant an ... A: One acre of sweet corn will require approximately 12 to 15 pounds of seed corn. Listed below is a ... | |
| Natural Spray to rid fruit trees of moss | 4/10/2005 |
| Q: I have a old orchard of trees that I just pruned that produced marvelous fruit last year. I live in ... A: I don't have an alternative to the Dormant Oil by Lily Miller. According to my research and the ... | |
| Hi Mack I plan to start... | 3/16/2005 |
| Q: I plan to start an asparagus garden this spring.I Plan on getting 25 Jersey Giant roots. Planting ... A: The asparagus spears grow vertically, however the ferns tend to spread out vertically as well as ... | |
| Loquat tree Seeds | 2/18/2005 |
| Q: My question is in regards to my Loquat Tree SEEDS. I grow many things, but need help with some info ... A: Loquat trees are easy to grow from seed. Seedling trees are satisfactory for ornamental use, but may ... | |
| growing ginger root | 1/28/2005 |
| Q: How would I be able to grow ginger root? Have raised beds which I grow most of my vegtables - would ... A: I would suggest you start by using a container to grow the ginger root until you gain some ... | |
| Matting Leaves | 12/27/2004 |
| Q: A few years ago I thought it would be neat if I could gather some leaves,(from various trees), as ... A: I did a project similar to this when I was a much younger kid....still in junior high as I recall. ... | |
| Seed energence | 12/13/2004 |
| Q: I use all orgnic products on my lawn. I have been told corn gluten meal is fertilizer as well as a ... A: Corn gluten meal is a by-product of the manufacture of cornstarch. Commonly used as an animal feed, ... | |
| Organic Gardening | 11/20/2004 |
| Q: I am looking for information on the history of organic farming, the methods used, and how it is ... A: I think you will find a wealth of information resources on the history and methods used in organic ... | |
| spiders | 10/4/2004 |
| Q: I seem to have a lot of spiders in my flower garden, webs everywhere....my question is, are they ... A: The generic answer to your question is: "spiders in most cases are useful for controlling aphids and ... | |
| Using foliar perstcides and fertilizers concurrently | 8/31/2004 |
| Q: I use a foliar fertilizer about every two weeks on my whole garden during the growing season. I also ... A: I apologize for the delay in responding to your question. First of all, I have limited experience ... | |
| organic onions | 8/14/2004 |
| Q: I grew for the first time this year some beautiful white onions. I live in the northern virginia ... A: I suspect Soft Rot is the culprit: Soft Rot (bacteria - Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora and ... | |
| Fertilizer | 8/4/2004 |
| Q: Are granular fertilizers ever considered organic? Are the N P &K not derived from natural sources? A: There is much research being done on the conversion of organic fertilizers into granular form. ... | |
| using animal food on lawn | 7/26/2004 |
| Q: I have read about using Calf Manna , Alfalfa pellets and sugar on the lawn. Will you please give me ... A: I am most familiar with Corn Gluten protein used as animal feed and as an organic lawn fertilizer. ... | |
| HSO's and soil building | 7/26/2004 |
| Q: I'm interested in starting an organic garden or farm, to be certified organic, and I have some ... A: This question is too long and involved for me and goes beyond my expertise in some cases. I suggest ... | |
| Compost tea | 7/23/2004 |
| Q: I have been using tea from my own compost and really love it . Though i have read about the merits ... A: How frequently should I apply tea to my garden soil? That depends on the plant, the soil, the ... | |
| Cabages | 7/20/2004 |
| Q: I live in Scotland and my new crop of cabages have developed a problem. On the leaves they have a ... A: Re: Cabbages The symptoms you describe is a fungus know as Alternaria blight. It usually attacks ... | |
| green bean pests/disease | 7/4/2004 |
| Q: I am wondering what's eating my green bean plants. They are just beginning to come up and the ... A: I think your green beans are being attacked by Flea beetles. These small, shiny, black beetles hop ... | |
| sweet corn | 7/3/2004 |
| Q: I planted bodacious and golden queen sweet corn together in my garden this year at about a 60 40 ... A: I think you're generally safe with an 18 day spread on the two types of corn. You may get smaller ... | |
| asparagus and its care | 6/13/2004 |
| Q: how can i separate and re-plant an old growth. it has been in same place 5-8 yrs. it seems to need ... A: Asparagus usually has a life of approximately 15 years. Thinning asparagus in the first or second ... | |
| Watering Tomato Plants | 6/8/2004 |
| Q: Can one over water tomao plants that are in a large clay pot of about 13 inches? I'd be glad to get ... A: Yes, you can overwater tomato plants. Excessive watering can produce a calcium deficiency that ... | |
| fruit trees | 6/6/2004 |
| Q: 2 questions: 1st is regarding my young apple tree (maybe 4 years in the ground). Why is it in some ... A: I suspect one of several fungus related problems is causing the fruit to drop early on your apple ... | |
| bitter cucumbers | 5/23/2004 |
| Q: I am growing standard bush cucumbers (acquired from Home Depot) in a raised bed in Southern ... A: Cucumbers favor very warm temperatures and often bitterness results from their maturing in cooler ... | |
| watering and pest control | 5/8/2004 |
| Q: What is the best time of day to water a vegetable garden? I have heard early in the morning and ... A: The best time to water your vegetable garden is in the early pre-dawn hours. Early watering is ... | |
| vegetable questions | 4/24/2004 |
| Q: Two things;what if any varieties of lettuce are heat tolerant and can they be planted herein the ... A: Lettuce is a somewhat hardy plant and is generally ideal for growing in spring and fall. Requiring a ... | |
| Common Periwinkle, or creeping myrtle | 4/9/2004 |
| Q: I bought the home I am in a few years ago and at this time am ready to get rid of the extensive ... A: I hope you're up for this challenge, but it can be accomplished. You just need to do your research ... | |
| Chemical vs. organic control of pests | 3/29/2004 |
| Q: I would like to know where on the web would be the best place to look for information highlighting ... A: First of all my humble apologies for taking so long to respond. My favorite link for researching ... | |
| asparagus | 3/24/2004 |
| Q: My asparaugus bed is in its 3rd year.I'm in Mississippi. I let the plants top and fern out the first ... A: K. Haskins: I'm referring you to an excellent online document from Penn State University on the ... | |
| halting plant growth? | 3/15/2004 |
| Q: Greetings. I (rather stupidly) started some vegetable seedlings indoors about a month before I was ... A: The only way to halt those seedling plant's growth is to carefully reduce the amount of sunlight ... | |
| Careers in Organic Gardening | 3/4/2004 |
| Q: I am a new organic gardener and I love it already. My grandfather has been an organic gardener for ... A: Congratulations on becoming a student of organic gardening and you are very fortunate to have your ... | |
| Corn cobs | 1/20/2004 |
| Q: We are growing a small amount of corn and when we look at the cobs they are not full of curnels, why ... A: Presumably, you're referring to Sweet Corn that you are growing in your garden. Kernel deformity ... | |
| its about sweet peas- not too organic | 5/21/2003 |
| Q: I know that "sweet peas" are not organic, but I thought maybe you would know about this question. I ... A: I have never grown sweet peas, but I researched your question and was unable to find a specific ... | |
| moles | 5/12/2003 |
| Q: I have a mole in my vegetable garden. What can I do without disturbing my newly planted seeds? ... A: Listed below are 3 possible remedies for your mole problem: 1. Install wire mesh both in the ... | |
| railroad ties | 3/29/2003 |
| Q: I recently bought a house that is using railroad ties to frame the garden. I am wondering about the ... A: More than likely the railroad ties were treated with a wood preservative of some type and possibly ... | |
| Hot peppers | 3/23/2003 |
| Q: If I pinch off the top leaves of my pepper plants will it make them more bushier? Also I put 1 ... A: Pinching the top leaves of pepper plants will make them more bushier. And, yes; adding Epsom Salts ... | |
| tiny holes in tomato leaves | 3/17/2003 |
| Q: what causes the tiny holes in tomato leaves? I have not found an insect unless it is too small to ... A: I believe your tomato leaves have Flea Beetles. They chew numerous small, round holes in leaves of ... | |
Organic Gardens
Answers by Expert:
Mack Jean
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Master Gardener
Experience
Certified Master Gardener (University of Georgia, 1987: Raised Bed Gardens, Container Gardening, French Intensive Gardening Method, Organic Gardening Methods, Vegetables, Fruits, Composting, Herbs, Roses, Lawns, Flowering Shrubs
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