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Fantastic, Carol. Thanks!
Commented Aug 23, 2012 on Tomato Hornworm Transforms into Gorgeous Moth at Lehigh Valley Master Gardeners
Tomato Hornworm Transforms into Gorgeous Moth
You know a tomato hornworm when you see one. They are huge, bright green caterpillars with a prominent horn on one end. They are a danger to garden plants because they can quickly defoliate parts of tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants and peppers. They like to spend their time on the underside of...
Thats wonderful! Enjoy.
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Commented Mar 17, 2012 on It’s Time to Plant Garlic! at Lehigh Valley Master Gardeners
It’s Time to Plant Garlic!
You should plant garlic in October to enjoy next summer. One important tip to growing great garlic is NOT to plant garlic cloves that you’ve gotten at the store, which often are not adapted to our northern climate and will not grow well here. Buy some locally at a farmer’s market or other...
I havent but Ill give that a try this year! Thank you.
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Commented Jan 26, 2012 on Growing Tomatillos at Lehigh Valley Master Gardeners
Growing Tomatillos
I’m growing tomatillos for the first time in my garden this year and I have just picked the first fruits. Here’s a bit of what I’ve learned so far by growing this delicious food. Tomatillos are a relative of the tomato and part of the nightshade family. They were domesticated by the Aztecs ...
Thanks for that suggestion!
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Commented Nov 1, 2011 on Clean out Your Containers and Plant Bulbs at Lehigh Valley Master Gardeners
Clean out Your Containers and Plant Bulbs
It’s time to clean out containers such as planters, barrels, and window boxes. With a little planning ahead, you can have a beautiful spring bulb garden in your containers. For best results use a soilless potting medium mixed with a slow-acting fertilizer. Plant the bulbs at the depth specif...
Thank you for that idea. Sounds lovely!
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Commented Oct 30, 2011 on Decorating with Remnants of Nature’s Color at Lehigh Valley Master Gardeners
Decorating with Remnants of Nature’s Color
It is snowing today. We’ve been told to expect as much as 6-10 inches and so my family is snuggled at home. As I look out at the whiting world, the red berries of my winterberry bush outside the window look cheerful, and I’m reminded how lovely those branches look in a glass vase on the tabl...
Thanks, Wesley! Thats great information.
Commented Oct 17, 2011 on Turn Leaves Into Valuable Mulch at Lehigh Valley Master Gardeners
Turn Leaves Into Valuable Mulch
Rather than bagging your leaves this year, consider turning them into mulch or compost material. Whole leaves will tend to mat together, slowing decomposition for compost. In a mulch, whole leaves will also prevent moisture and air from reaching the soil. So it’s best to chop the leaves. A m...
Garlic seed is generally not available. The plants are best grown from garlic cloves. Use the large outer cloves for the best results.
Commented Oct 10, 2011 on It’s Time to Plant Garlic! at Lehigh Valley Master Gardeners
It’s Time to Plant Garlic!
You should plant garlic in October to enjoy next summer. One important tip to growing great garlic is NOT to plant garlic cloves that you’ve gotten at the store, which often are not adapted to our northern climate and will not grow well here. Buy some locally at a farmer’s market or other...
Hi Shannon,
I wasnt able to find out much information about this, but see http://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/resources/butterflymothrearing290.shtmlfor some instruction.
Good luck and Id love to hear how it went!
Kate
Commented Aug 30, 2011 on Tomato Hornworm Transforms into Gorgeous Moth at Lehigh Valley Master Gardeners
Tomato Hornworm Transforms into Gorgeous Moth
You know a tomato hornworm when you see one. They are huge, bright green caterpillars with a prominent horn on one end. They are a danger to garden plants because they can quickly defoliate parts of tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants and peppers. They like to spend their time on the underside of...
Thanks for this handy tip, Rosemary!
Commented Aug 30, 2011 on Tomato Hornworm Transforms into Gorgeous Moth at Lehigh Valley Master Gardeners
Tomato Hornworm Transforms into Gorgeous Moth
You know a tomato hornworm when you see one. They are huge, bright green caterpillars with a prominent horn on one end. They are a danger to garden plants because they can quickly defoliate parts of tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants and peppers. They like to spend their time on the underside of...
Thank you for this question. I thought that the names were interchangeable, but they are not!
This fact sheet describes the distinction:
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/publications/rg210.pdf
Commented Aug 22, 2011 on Tomato Hornworm Transforms into Gorgeous Moth at Lehigh Valley Master Gardeners
Tomato Hornworm Transforms into Gorgeous Moth
You know a tomato hornworm when you see one. They are huge, bright green caterpillars with a prominent horn on one end. They are a danger to garden plants because they can quickly defoliate parts of tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants and peppers. They like to spend their time on the underside of...
Youre welcome Penny. I just love to see the moths at our flowers in the yard. It helps me forgive the hornworms for the occasional damage they do in the garden.
Commented Jul 17, 2011 on Tomato Hornworm Transforms into Gorgeous Moth at Lehigh Valley Master Gardeners
Tomato Hornworm Transforms into Gorgeous Moth
You know a tomato hornworm when you see one. They are huge, bright green caterpillars with a prominent horn on one end. They are a danger to garden plants because they can quickly defoliate parts of tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants and peppers. They like to spend their time on the underside of...
Thanks Jo!
Commented Jul 15, 2011 on Tomato Hornworm Transforms into Gorgeous Moth at Lehigh Valley Master Gardeners
Tomato Hornworm Transforms into Gorgeous Moth
You know a tomato hornworm when you see one. They are huge, bright green caterpillars with a prominent horn on one end. They are a danger to garden plants because they can quickly defoliate parts of tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants and peppers. They like to spend their time on the underside of...
I agree!
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Commented Jul 11, 2011 on Harvesting Delectable New Potatoes at Lehigh Valley Master Gardeners
Harvesting Delectable New Potatoes
If you’ve planted potatoes this season, don’t miss the chance to sample some of the small, new potatoes that are probably ready right about now. New potatoes are young, sweet and tender, a treat not to be missed. They are ready at or shortly after the potato plants have bloomed. Harvest as ...
So true! The rain weve been getting has been wonderful.
Commented Jul 9, 2011 on Harvesting Delectable New Potatoes at Lehigh Valley Master Gardeners
Harvesting Delectable New Potatoes
If you’ve planted potatoes this season, don’t miss the chance to sample some of the small, new potatoes that are probably ready right about now. New potatoes are young, sweet and tender, a treat not to be missed. They are ready at or shortly after the potato plants have bloomed. Harvest as ...
Great! Im so glad!
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Commented Jun 16, 2011 on Working Compost into your Gardening this Spring at Lehigh Valley Master Gardeners
Working Compost into your Gardening this Spring
Compost is ready to use when it’s dark and crumbly with an earthy smell. It’s a great organic fertilizer and it improves the soil’s structure and water holding capacity. Compost should be applied to your garden before planting. Spread several inches of compost onto the garden and work it into...
Thanks Ray!
Commented Apr 7, 2011 on Heirloom vs. Hybrid Seeds? at Lehigh Valley Master Gardeners
Heirloom vs. Hybrid Seeds?
On March 23, 2011, the NY Times published an interesting article titled, “Heirloom Seeds or Flinty Hybrids.” See http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/24/garden/24seeds.html In the most general sense, heirlooms are open pollinated varieties whose seeds will produce the same plant. Hybrids, on the...
That is an excellent point, Buck. Thank you.
Commented Apr 3, 2011 on Heirloom vs. Hybrid Seeds? at Lehigh Valley Master Gardeners
Heirloom vs. Hybrid Seeds?
On March 23, 2011, the NY Times published an interesting article titled, “Heirloom Seeds or Flinty Hybrids.” See http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/24/garden/24seeds.html In the most general sense, heirlooms are open pollinated varieties whose seeds will produce the same plant. Hybrids, on the...
Thanks Todd.
Ill add Black Krim tomatoes to my list to gow this summer!
Commented Mar 29, 2011 on Heirloom vs. Hybrid Seeds? at Lehigh Valley Master Gardeners
Heirloom vs. Hybrid Seeds?
On March 23, 2011, the NY Times published an interesting article titled, “Heirloom Seeds or Flinty Hybrids.” See http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/24/garden/24seeds.html In the most general sense, heirlooms are open pollinated varieties whose seeds will produce the same plant. Hybrids, on the...
Thanks so much, Ray.
It sounds like youve struck a nice balance, putting flavor first. I too love the Fairy Tale eggplant and Sungold tomatoes. Ill give the other veggies that you suggested a try.
Commented Mar 28, 2011 on Heirloom vs. Hybrid Seeds? at Lehigh Valley Master Gardeners
Heirloom vs. Hybrid Seeds?
On March 23, 2011, the NY Times published an interesting article titled, “Heirloom Seeds or Flinty Hybrids.” See http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/24/garden/24seeds.html In the most general sense, heirlooms are open pollinated varieties whose seeds will produce the same plant. Hybrids, on the...
Thanks Todd, for sharing your experience!
Commented Mar 25, 2011 on Working Compost into your Gardening this Spring at Lehigh Valley Master Gardeners
Working Compost into your Gardening this Spring
Compost is ready to use when it’s dark and crumbly with an earthy smell. It’s a great organic fertilizer and it improves the soil’s structure and water holding capacity. Compost should be applied to your garden before planting. Spread several inches of compost onto the garden and work it into...
Yes, Todd! Thanks for that good advice.
Commented Mar 17, 2011 on Time to Plant Onions at Lehigh Valley Master Gardeners
Time to Plant Onions
The onion is the basis of some much cooking. It’s nice to have them in the garden and they are easy to grow. They grow well in cold weather, which makes them one of the first crops you can plant in the spring. Purchase onion sets locally to make sure you get ones that will work well in our ...
Thanks Aaron, for that helpful tip!
Commented Mar 8, 2011 on Peas Please at Lehigh Valley Master Gardeners
Peas Please
Peas are a cool weather crop and so they should be planted when the soil is still cool in the spring, near the end of March into April. Peas are easy to grow and they are sweet to the taste fresh off the vine. They also make an interesting vertical feature in the garden since they vine and ...
Those are eggplants.
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Commented Sep 29, 2010 on Try Heirloom Vegetables This Season at Lehigh Valley Master Gardeners
Try Heirloom Vegetables This Season
My husband and I planted almost all heirloom vegetables in our garden last year with yummy results. An heirloom vegetable is one whose seed has been passed down through generations. They are often quite different from vegetables grown from seeds or plants purchased at your local greenhouse ...
Will do Gary. Thanks.
Commented Jun 7, 2010 on I ♥ Rhubarb at Lehigh Valley Master Gardeners
I ♥ Rhubarb
Rhubarb is a wonderful and fascinating plant, at least in my opinion. It’s tricky at first blush. Botanically classified as a vegetable, it is used as a fruit. The leaves are toxic. If you bite into the edible stem, it’s bitter and lip-puckering. You must cook it with sugar. A lot of su...
Thanks Gary! Im going to seek out some of the green-stemmed Victoria.
Commented Jun 1, 2010 on I ♥ Rhubarb at Lehigh Valley Master Gardeners
I ♥ Rhubarb
Rhubarb is a wonderful and fascinating plant, at least in my opinion. It’s tricky at first blush. Botanically classified as a vegetable, it is used as a fruit. The leaves are toxic. If you bite into the edible stem, it’s bitter and lip-puckering. You must cook it with sugar. A lot of su...
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