Posted on by Maryland Grows
My brother mailed me some anise hyssop seeds 20+ years ago and a UM student gave me two tulsi basil plants several years ago at “Maryland Day” on the College Park campus. I am deeply indebted to them both for…
Read MoreCategory: Food Gardening Tags: Anise Hyssop, Author:Jon, Basil, Hyssop
Posted on by Maryland Grows
There seem to be new lighting choices for indoor plant growing every year. If you’ve been starting annual flower and vegetable plants indoors you probably learned early on that natural light entering through windows is hardly ever adequate. Some type…
Read MoreCategory: Food Gardening, Lawn & Garden Tags: Author:Jon, grow lights, indoor gardening, indoor plants, starting seeds
Posted on by Maryland Grows
This is a good time to think about what worked and what didn’t work so well in our 2018 garden spaces. What was unexpected, which weeds and diseases were challenging, how can we prevent problems and have greater success next…
Read MoreCategory: Food Gardening Tags: Author:Jon, Diseases, Tomatoes
Posted on by Maryland Grows
Plant and animal existence depends on healthy, functioning soils but humans too often treat it like dirt. We can improve soil health in gardens and on farms by: limiting soil disturbance (tillage) planting a diversity of plant species keeping soil…
Read MoreCategory: Food Gardening, Lawn & Garden Tags: Author:Jon, Soil
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A team of UME Master Gardeners working with UME field faculty created an outstanding Learning Garden that inspired and educated residents during the 11 days of the Maryland State Fair. Practical, small-space gardening techniques were demonstrated in 25 distinct beds….
Read MoreCategory: Food Gardening, Lawn & Garden, Master Gardener Tags: Author:Jon, Learning Garden, Master Gardeners
Posted on by Maryland Grows
On July 21 I grabbed my umbrella and joined three UME faculty (Wanda MacLachlan, Sara Via, and Kelsey Brooks) to judge seven community garden finalists in the Charm City Farm & Garden Contest, sponsored by the UME Master Gardener program…
Read MoreCategory: Food Gardening Tags: Author:Jon, Baltimore, community garden
Posted on by Maryland Grows
In a mid-March post, I wrote about the advantages of using heavy-duty weed barrier fabric to smother weeds and create a no-till plant bed. In mid-June, I found myself with two beds that were starting to get weedy. The winter…
Read MoreCategory: Food Gardening, Lawn & Garden Tags: Author:Jon, beetles, no-till, Soil, Weeds