Cancer rates increase on childhood exposure to ag-chemicals

Need a reason to go organic if you have kids? James Brophy – the lead researcher on this study – of the University of Guelph, ON, Canada found that women growing up on farms were more likely to have cancer than other populations. Turns out the estrogen mimicking chemicals now used in farming (and gardening) [...]

Use Palmolive detergent on powdery mildew

Palmolive Detergent vs. Powdery Mildew on Fruit Plants Here’s a tip you might find interesting. Researchers in Canada have discovered that household Palmolive detergent both prevents and fights powdery mildew symptoms on fruit. It was as good as the registered chemical product for commercial control with one important exception. It caused fruit damage

Fungicidal Activity of Compost Teas

There has been a great deal of information running around about the efficiency or lack of with compost tea and fungus. Does it kill it ? Or not? Researchers in Canada have tested compost teas made from various types of compost for anti-fungal properties. The teas were prepared by adding compost (made

Perennial Plant of the Year 2010: Baptisia australis

Quick Facts Height: 36 inches (taller in warmer gardens) Distance Apart: 36 inches Hardiness: USDA 3- 9 – performs well in a wide range

Growing Blueberries

Soils Blueberries grow best in acidic soils (pH 4.0 to 5.5) on well-drained, coarse soils that are high in organic matter. While water is needed, standing water or a wet soil is not going to make this plant happy.

Echinacea (coneflower)

Echinacea purpurea or Purple Coneflower is one of the best flowers for late summer and early fall. A member of the compositae family; which is a fancy way of saying it is daisy. Long-lasting in my garden, they bloom right through July and August, particularly if you deadhead them and don’t allow them to set [...]

Spinach

Spinach is an extremely fast growing and easy crop for early, cool spring weather. It can be one of your first home-grown greens to lead off salad season. When to Plant The nice thing about spinach is the seed germinates better in cold ground (it prefers soil temperatures of 4C over the high temperatures of [...]