Thoughts and opinions on the life and culture we have and need.
Neoseiulus cucumeris (formerly known as Ambylseius cucumeris) is used primarily for the control of thrips - mainly Western Flower Thrips and Onion Thrips. However, as a generalist predatory mite it is known to be effective in controlling spider mites, whitefly eggs, cyclamen, broad and russet mites. Besides the fact that it performs (when healthy and... Continue Reading →
You can grow coffee and get coffee beans. It's also a beautiful plant. Here's how I've grown mine:
I’m not anti-mask. I wear my mask indoors in public spaces as we have been asked to and now mandated to. I do have a problem with it, however. I don’t doubt for a moment that wearing a mask is in everyone’s best interest in the name of public health and safety. And sure, I... Continue Reading →
When your final plants have been pulled and it’s time to sweep-up the leaves and dirt, you look forward to the month or two when you won’t be carefully tending to plants in your greenhouse. You tuck a ‘pet plant’ in a corner or two to keep it in a comfortable dormancy and you shut... Continue Reading →
It wasn't all doom and gloom! Funny to look back and think this year started normally here. Sure, there were rumours of a virus in the East, but it wasn’t enough to worry me. And I wasn’t alone. So I wan’t alone in being wrong, either. What a year! It’s been a rough year, of course.... Continue Reading →
Never buy Lady Bugs!! Seriously. For those of us who know ‘bugs’, and know biological pest control, there is one great reason for commercially available and lab-produced ladybugs: They are the “gateway bug.” An insect that people regularly see, generally like, and view as the poster-icon for beneficial insects. If shopping for “ladybugs” and even... Continue Reading →
Summer is a progression from Spring Green to hues of gold and brown. Fields of grasses like barley and wheat reach for the sun, turn gold and bow their heads to the summer heat. Your yard is, no doubt, full of beautiful plants that similarly demonstrate the passage of time in the choreographed, seasonal flora-dance.... Continue Reading →
It was a windy day. I wasn’t far from the ocean, although I couldn’t see it. The valley was cold for June and I could smell the salt in the air. I don’t often get to visit growers, especially ones who aren’t already clients. But there I was, on a “cold-call” to an ornamental grower.... Continue Reading →
Typically, I write something then illustrate with photos. Here, I just decided to show each crop and how it looks compared to last year. My annuals rotate and some of the varieties and arrangements have changed, but you'll get the idea. First photo of each will be last year. Perennial 1. Blueberries. Not much... Continue Reading →
I haven’t been writing much this season. Honestly, I have been more often frustrated than not with the garden. This season started so promising. Rye and wheat exploded and filled winter beds with greenery, the green houses were filled with plugs of plants grown to schedule and my over-wintered cauliflower produced heads before most things... Continue Reading →
