A Growing Concern
Maybe you never knew it went away. Fortunately, Amy Goldman tells the story nicely in The Compleat Squash, or I would have been totally mystified by a crookneck's unexpected return to my garden. As squash seed savers know, there are basically three species of common table squash made up of hundreds of varieties. Since different [...]
In the fall I like to scatter fava beans on fallow garden areas so that something will be growing there over the winter. Favas are a great cover crop around here because they will germinate and grow even if planted in November. I also scattered a bit of crimson clover along with the favas, but [...]
After more than twenty years of growing squash here in Eugene Oregon, I never saw a squash bug (Anasa tristis) until two or three years ago. Since then they have become much more common and there have been reports from many local gardeners having to deal with them. I knew what they were, however, because [...]
With the world atwitter over a new coronavirus variant, it seems a good time for armchair epidemiologists to take a look at what is coming. Before we dive into Omicron, lets look back at the Delta surge, and before that Alpha. The figure above from the New York Times shows US new cases since the [...]
The cognitive disconnect is extreme. Beautiful March sunshine, flowers in bloom, the bees, buzzing in anticipation of a new season. Shuttered businesses, empty grocery shelves, shelter-in-place orders and lock-downs around the country, all in preparation for the onslaught of an invisible enemy. A liar in chief tries to turn a catastrophe to his personal advantage. [...]
I've been gardening in Oregon for a few years now, and I'm coming to appreciate evermore the humble fava bean. The first time I encountered it was in a cover crop seed mix that I got at the local garden store. I started using "field favas" and crimson clover as standard fare to plant in [...]
It's early Spring and times are changing quickly. Although not quite officially Spring yet, the weeds are greening up in the garden. That means that we get fresh salad again! I just planted some flats of lettuce starts, but no need to wait for them if you can grow the right weeds. My favorite for this [...]
I'm often asked which products are OK and which should be avoided. Hence the mnemonic in the title to help you remember I'm getting rid of Imidacloprid. Say it three times out loud, and when you read the labels at the garden store you will remember: I'm getting rid of Imidacloprid. When it comes to [...]
Summer has come on too quickly. The main honey flow is over; in the garden the weeds are establishing their turf, and this blog has taken the back seat to summer fun and chores. The garden bed on the street in front of the fence is putting on its summer face, presenting itself as the [...]
Just as the last bed gets dry enough to cultivate I have to start to worry about watering. It's the May transition, and this year we are now past twenty days in a row without rain, so getting the watering going is more urgent than usual. There are as many ways to put together a [...]
Squash Practice 