By Michael Chen, Master Gardener Introduction to Garden Tools Starting a garden can be both exciting and overwhelming. As a beginner, having the right tools is crucial for success. Let’s explore the essential tools that will help you create and maintain your dream garden. Basic Tool Categories Popular Brands and Price Ranges Brand Price Range … Read more
Let me share something I learned the hard way – spacing indeterminate tomatoes in a square foot garden isn’t just about following rules from a gardening book. After five years of growing these climbing giants, I’ve discovered there’s an art to it that goes beyond the basics. The Early Days of My Square Foot Garden … Read more
After three years of trial and error with my backyard compost pile (and some spectacular failures), I’ve finally cracked the code on proper layering. Trust me, when I first started, my pile was a stinky mess that attracted every raccoon in the neighborhood! But through research, experimentation, and chats with my local master gardeners, I’ve … Read more
After 15 years of maintaining multiple compost piles and helping hundreds of gardeners set up their own, I can tell you that location is everything. Last spring, I had to move my main compost pile because of poor placement, and let me tell you – it was not fun. I’m sharing everything I’ve learned so … Read more