Author Archives: upcommunitygarden

The photo contains a ladybug and larva – one in the same species. Every agricultural college will have accurate and reliable information useful to all readers and also designed for that geographic area and plant zones. Bugs are seasonal and some are plant species specific, while others are more omnivorous like some species of cricketsContinue reading “Are you a good bug or a bad bug?“

Ok so you have planned, made your soil ready, got your starts or planted your seeds directly and watered and now there is a lush green canopy.  What is underneath, in the ground, vining upward that is demanding your attention? Why harvest? Isn’t that what you wanted to do, to have fresh produce?  Requirements 1.Continue reading “Harvesting – are you diligent?“

I don’t think I have ever noticed how the mushroom pushes itself up with its cap like an umbrella. The picture at ground level tells the story. A time lapse would be awesome. The earth is dry. No rain in the forecast. A layer of mulch 2-4″ will help keep your vegetables from wilting middayContinue reading “The ground beneath…“

Thanks to Tanya who shared this link with me. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/trim-lettuce-regrow-71305.html  Harvesting lettuce for maximum yield. As we have rushed from cold rain and partial sun to dry sunny and 78 degrees the lettuce is adjusting too. When the main stalk begins to elongate it is bolting or entering flowerIng state. We see this with kale, otherContinue reading “Lettuce“

Sort of rolls off your tongue if you say it outloud. Clay-toe-nee-ah  Per foe-lee-ah-ta…Miners lettuce which you will find in the UPCG garden is an edible green. This excerpt from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds: “(Claytonia perfoliata) This West Coast native appears abundantly there in the early spring. Succulent, mildtasting leaves are not unlike spinach inContinue reading “Claytonia perfoliata“

I love the questions from our member gardeners – causing me to see my own knowledge gaps. This on strawberry plants, a new world species.  They have two mechanisms for reproduction. Sexual reproduction with fruit and seed, and asexual reproduction by sending out runners or stolons with tiny plants at the end. The crown of a strawberry plant when planted should sitContinue reading “Strawberries Fragaria × ananassa- Rosaceae or rose family – vocabulary words runner or stolon, crown“

Water everywhere and seemingly everyday, this spring, and yet, come July and August, plants will wilt and die in hours if not properly watered, mulched and rooted in porous soil. How can this be? How do we strike a balance and do we really have to plan for 3 – 4 months ahead. Soil buildingContinue reading “Rain, Rain water, Green River Snowmelt and Water From Your UPCG Garden Hose“

Lots of onion interest in this garden.  You’ll see garlic growing and onion sets have been planted in a few beds.  The sets go faster. Start with the bulb no larger than dime size.  Seed- They produce from seed to full onion in 5 months. April, May, June, July, …end August!  Harvest to table hasContinue reading “Onions – seeds, sets or transplants? A new member question”