Lots of gardeners get discouraged when they try to grow broccoli or other cabbage family crops. Why? They are very popular with the bugs. And […]
A Note from Susan
Hello, gardening friends!
April 25, 2024 _ I can’t believe we’re almost to the end of April already! February and March took forever and now the days are flying by. At least the wildflowers are blooming their hearts out. Pictured here is Arrowleaf Balsamroot in our nearby woods.
Our weather here in Spokane, Wash. has been mixed: sunshine, clouds, wind, and if the forecast is correct, we have a few rainy days ahead of us. What’s really frustrating is that we are expected to have a very hot, dry summer.
I’ve got a brand-new video for you. This one is about growing broccoli (and other cabbage family crops) without any insect problems. Here’s a link to the video on my blog. The previous video was about growing carrots, parsnips, beets and Swiss chard (also with organic insect control information). Here’s a link to that one.
Are you ready for any vegetable garden challenges that might come your way this season? In my book, The Vegetable Garden Problem Solver Handbook, I address weather-related issues (including heat and drought), vegetable disorders and diseases, germination and pollination problems, dealing with all sorts of critters in the garden and so much more. You can get a personalized copy of The Vegetable Garden Problem Solver Handbook from me! Just send me an email at Susan@SusansintheGarden.com and I’ll take care of you quickly. If you would prefer to order it directly from Amazon, here is my affiliate link to it. Thank you for supporting your friendly author!
Video: Grow Broccoli Without the Bugs!
Lots of gardeners get discouraged when they try to grow broccoli or other cabbage family crops. Why? They are very popular with the bugs. And you have to admit it’s rather unappetizing to serve broccoli along with an assortment of bugs on a plate! Yuck. Aphids, cabbage worms and slugs think broccoli plants are delicious. Being an organic gardener, I […]
Read moreVideo: How to Grow Carrots, Parsnips, Beets, Swiss Chard
I am so excited to share my newest video with you! In this one, you’ll learn how to grow carrots and other root crops. I get a lot of emails and comments from gardeners who say they struggle with this. Once you watch this video, you’ll be able to hit the ground running! That’s because you’ll learn exactly how to […]
Read moreVideo: Let’s Start Growing Vegetables
It always seems like it takes forever for a new season to begin, doesn’t it? But it’s finally time to start growing vegetables again. Hooray! That is the topic of my newest video. In it, I’ll share our 2024 garden plan and layout, and discuss the type of soil preparation I like to use. NOTE: As a refresher on choosing […]
Read moreVideo: Gardening Sun Protection
If you’re a regular viewer of my weekly garden videos, you might recall seeing a large bandage on the side of my face in January and February. And that has led to this week’s video about sun protection. I had surgery for basal cell carcinoma and it was a huge shock to me. As I explain in this video, I […]
Read moreVideo: Pruning Tips for Trees, Shrubs, Roses & Blueberries
Did you know that spring is a great time for pruning? In this week’s video, I share all sorts of pruning tips for trees (esp. fruit trees), flowering shrubs, roses and blueberry plants. You’ll learn how to prune properly and avoid common mistakes. Also, within the video, I mentioned that I have some videos that contain pruning tips for specific […]
Read moreVideo: Organic Insect Control Pt. 3
It’s time for the 3rd and final video in my series about organic insect control. And I saved the worst for last! In the video, I focus on cucumber beetles, Japanese beetles, squash bugs and squash vine borers. You’ll see what different life stages look like, which crops they are attracted to, what their damage looks like, and how to […]
Read moreVideo: Organic Insect Control Pt. 2
This week’s video is the second of three installments about organic insect control. In this video, I focus on more challenging vegetable garden insects: flea beetles, hornworms, and slugs and snails. Although I should clarify that those last two are technically mollusks, rather than insects. It is so important to use organic strategies and products to control these and other […]
Read moreVideo: Organic Insect Control Pt. 1
As many of you know, I am totally into bugs and am probably referred to as The Bug Lady by some! So it won’t surprise you to hear that my newest video is the first of three installments that are about organic insect control of some of the most annoying vegetable garden pests. Yahoo! This week’s episode is about cabbage […]
Read moreVideo: Soil and Composting Basics
In this week’s video, I tackle two meaty topics: caring for your soil and home composting. But fear not! As you know, I try to keep my videos short and sweet by sharing EXACTLY what you need to know. I think we gardeners tend to overlook the importance of our soil, yet it’s the very foundation of all life. You’ll […]
Read moreVideo: Fertilizer Basics
I am frequently asked questions about fertilizer: which kind to use for plants, how different types impact plant growth, and when one should use them. I knew this would be a great topic for a video! You’ll learn what the numbers mean on a package of fertilizer and how the nutrients benefit the crops we grow. It makes a BIG […]
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