Gardening Tips

Gardening for Pollinators

Pollination is the process by which pollen is transferred from the anther (male part) to the stigma (female part) of the flower and a seed is formed. Seeds can only be produced when pollen is transferred between flowers of the same species.
Pollination is a crucial process for seeds to form and new plants to develop. Some plants depend on the wind or the rain for pollination, but the majority of plants depend on animals to pollinate; usually insects such as ants, bats, bees, beetles, birds, butterflies, flies, moths, wasps, etc. Without pollination, countless plants would not set seeds or produce fruits.
The interrelationship between animals and plants is simple; animals provide the mobility and delivery of the pollen that is required for plant pollination, and plants offer animals food in form of nectar, pollen, resin, oils, flowers and sometimes, the plants themselves. Plants lure pollinators with flowers that have specific shapes, vibrant colors and distinct scents.
Pollinators make sure we can enjoy beautiful flowers, pleasing scents and delicious fruits. Plants are essential in the production of medicine, fiber, fuel, shelter, and furniture. They also support wildlife, prevent soil erosion, improve aesthetics and mitigate air pollution. In order to survive, animals (including humans) depend on plants or on animals that feed on plants.
Throughout plant evolution, plants have developed ways to avoid self-pollination by changing their shapes and arrangement of their reproductive organs. Currently, about 80% of plants depend on animal pollination to reproduce: therefore, when planting a garden, it is important to keep in mind the impact plants and pollinators have in our world.

BEES
Are the world’s most prolific pollinators. A vegetable garden that is not visited by bees will not produce any cucumbers, apples, zucchinis, strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, etc.
Bees help plants get stronger. Angiosperms (flowering plants) that are pollinated by bees produce genetically diverse seeds with more variability in traits, improving the overall resiliency in the plant population.
Color
Bees’ visual acuity is much greater for blues, purple, yellows, and whites than for reds and pinks. Lines, patterns, or freckles also serve as guides to where the bee should go in the flower. These are called nectar guides. Many of these nectar guides are even more apparent under ultraviolet light.

Scent
Studies suggest that olfactory cues are important for long-distance attraction, and it is only when bees are up close that they are even able to distinguish flower color from the background. Bees are attracted to flowers with specific scents. Plants that attract bees are aromatic, but not too sweet. The young bees tend to rely on scent, but as they get more experience, they shift to relying more on visual cues.
Flower shape
Simple flowers – Flat and open are preferred = a bee will land on the flat surface and move its body around to get access to the nectarines. The pollen that gets on its body is often an incidental effect of this movement to access the nectary. Open cup-shaped flowers have a large ring of anthers in the center that is attractive to bees.

Water and temperature
Bees need water to live; it is important to have a water source for them in the garden. It could be a pond, a bird bath or anything where bees can get a sip of water when they need it.
Honey bees have to be protected during extreme cold temperatures, and they prefer for their beehive to face east, as the morning sun will help to warm up their hive after a cold night.

Native bees require ground nesting areas, snags or bee blocks to inhabit.

In United States there are about 3,500 species of bees. Approximately 90% of bees have a solitary life. The most social bee is the honey bee (Apis mellifera (native to Europe)

BEES VS. FLIES
Many flies appear like bees to the untrained eye.
Some differences between flies and bees are:
Bees have 4 wings   - Flies have 2 wings
Bees have oval eyes on the sides of their heads – Flies have large, round almost bulging eyes that tend to make up the majority of their head.
Bees have a proboscis -   Flies don’t
Bees have relatively long antennae. Most flies have very short antennae, with a long bristle called an arista at the tip.
Few bees hover, at least for extended periods. Many flies seem to be able to hover indefinitely.

WASPS
Flower-visiting wasps include paper wasps, yellowjackets, bald-faced hornets and solitary wasps. They protect their nest aggressively by stinging intruders.
Wasps are predators of other insects such as grasshoppers, sawfly larvae, crickets and katydids.

BUTTERFLIES
Besides being great pollinators, butterflies are usually highly appreciated by humans. They represent beauty, change, and happiness to many cultures. Poems, songs and books have been written about these unique creatures. For many reasons, butterflies are associated with colorful gardens during warm sunny days.

Temperature
For butterflies to fly, the temperature has to be above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, the days have to be sunny and not windy. During spring, when days are appropriate to fly, butterflies stand on a sunny area because they need to warm up their bodies. In order for them to fly, their body temperature should be about 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Food and water
Butterflies feed on sap, nectar, rotting fruits, carrion, animal droppings. They need salt and minerals to live. They also need water to survive, you might see them feeding on wet mulch, compost or any wet area.
Butterflies cannot feed on the go like hummingbirds do; they need a place to land. They prefer composite flowers and flowers from the Asteraceae family because they provide a large platform for resting while they extract nectar from flowers usually large butterflies visit large flowers and small butterflies visit small flowers. They feed from flowers through their proboscis.
When planning a garden with the goal to attract butterflies, it is important to include plants that will support the whole lifecycle of the butterflies. For example, a monarch caterpillar needs to grow 200 times its size in 10 to 14 days, therefore, it needs a lot of food to survive. Most caterpillars are picky eaters, they will only feed on specific plants, thus it is important to plant host plants as well as plants that will provide nectar. For instance, monarch butterflies will lay their eggs and their larva will feed only on plants from the genus Asclepias (milkweed). The adult monarch will feed from many other types of flowers.
Caterpillars are heavy feeders and can devour a plant in a couple of days. Before getting rid of plants in your garden, investigate what is nibbling on the leaves. If you don’t see anything during the day, check the plants at night; many insects feed at night.
An ideal butterfly garden will have at least 6 hours of direct sun, will include plants that bloom at different times of the year, and will have different heights and a water source.

Vision
Butterflies are nearsighted, they can spot a large plant or a cluster of flowers but they cannot recognize patterns. Their vision is monocular, not binocular like humans; therefore, they cannot assess depth or distance in the same way we do. The landscape design rule of planting in groups is not only appealing to the human eye, but also, beneficial to butterflies.
Butterflies will visit almost any color flower; they prefer white, pink, purple, red, yellow and orange flowers and they might stay away from green or blue flowers.

Wind, rain, and cold weather
Butterflies need protection from the wind, rain and cold temperatures. It is important to provide shelter for them. They will find refuge on shrubs and trees that are 150 feet or less from the garden. Also, a woodpile, brush pile or a pile of rocks will be ideal for butterflies to make their chrysalis, 99% of the time caterpillar will go away from the host plant to make the chrysalis.

It is important to avoid excessive fall and early spring clean-up. There are many native butterflies in Illinois that spend their winter as chrysalises or as adults. They overwinter on stems, crevices, trunks, woodpiles or brush piles. Wait until the temperature is consistent and above 60 degrees so the chrysalis or butterfly can come out of dormancy and start a new life cycle.

MOTHS
Many moths are beneficial to the garden, a lot of them are important pollinators, some are active during the day, and some during the night. They come in different colors, shapes and sizes, and they are often mistaken for butterflies, bees and even hummingbirds. Some moths could devour or destroy a crop in a few days, others could damage clothes and are considered pests. Before killing moths find out if they are beneficial or not.

BUTTERFLIES
Butterflies fold their wings while standing, moths keep them open
Butterflies are primarily diurnal, moths are primarily nocturnal
Moths usually have straight antennae and butterflies have them curved.

BEETLES
The most common flower-visiting beetles include soldier beetles, long-horned battles, leaf beetles, and snout beetles. They visit flowers to feed on pollen and nectar. Beetles can be destructive by chewing the reproductive parts of the flower. They have a keen sense of smell and prefer flowers with a spicy, fruity or fermented fragrance, usually white, green or cream color.

BIRDS
Birds help pollination by transferring pollen and plant nectar from one plant to another by use of their bill or beak. The bird’s beak shape will determine what the bird eats.
Humming birds prefer tubular flowers with bright colors, especially red and orange ones.
Birds need a sufficient nesting and protected habitat to stay in one area.

BATS
Require a sufficient roosting and maternity habitat.
Bats are very important because they help with the transferring of pollen in the tropical and desert climates. Also, they eat a lot of mosquitoes, flies and insects. Bats help in the dispersing of seeds on farms.
Bats are attracted to certain night blooming plants such as tobacco.

GARDENING TIPS TO CREATE A POLLINATOR GARDEN

Plant native plants
Diversify when planting
Eliminate the use of pesticides
Put a shallow container of clean water in your garden so pollinators can get a drink
Allow flowers to dry-out on the plant so birds could eat seeds and help to spread them out. Also, some seeds might germinate and a new plant will grow.
Provide a continuous succession of blooming plants from early spring through fall.
Plant in clusters or groups of 5 plants or more of the same species.
Grow plants that will provide shelter from the cold, rain and wind.
Avoid planting invasive plants
Plant butterfly and moth larval host plants
Plant flowers that bloom in late fall and have seeds for birds to eat before they migrate.

Some pollinators like butterflies and moths are considered pests by gardeners and farmers. While in their larvae stage, they can devour plants overnight; the larva feeds on leaves leaving unappetizing holes on edibles. A large group of birds or beetles could destroy a crop in a few hours; as a result, it is important to diversify when creating a garden.

Proper Care for Houseplant

Benefits of houseplants

Brighten up a room with color
They improve air quality by reducing dust, mold, pollution, and CO2 levels.
Make people feel calmer and more optimistic along with being pleasing to the eye.
Studies have shown that houseplants can help to lower blood pressure and normalize heart rate.

Watering

Learn how to check the soil moisture level
Best way is to stick finger in the soil
Other method is to tip the pot on its side and check the drainage holes for moisture
If possible, lift up the plant and check its weight, if the plant feels light, the soil is dry.
Most plants appreciate having top 2-3 inches dry out before watering
Top water your plants (except African violets and plants with fuzzy leaves)
Let water drain through to the dish below and discard any extra water that is not absorbed by the plant within half an hour. (leaving water in dish might encourage flying insects)
Do not bottom water the plants (except African violet and plants with fuzzy leaves)
Use room temperature water and let it stand for a day or longer to let chemicals like chlorine evaporate before you use it.
Do not make the plant adapt to your watering schedule.
Bend to your plant’s schedule instead

Light

Light will determine how well a houseplant will grow.
Each house plant requires different amounts of light; check the tag on the plant and place the plant under the recommended amount of light.
Direct sunlight is different than bright light. For example, orchids thrive in areas with bright light but direct sun light will damage them.
Some plants such as Ficus (fig) Sansevieria (snake plant) will adapt to different amounts of light. Sometimes when a plant is moved and exposed to a different amount of light, the plant might drop its leaves, flowers and/or fruits.
Plants depend on light to live so they grow or bend towards the light. If you want a plant to grow evenly, rotate the plant towards the light source.

Temperature

During winter, do not put plants next to a heat source or draft
During the summer, do not put plants next to an air conditioning vent
Most house plants thrive in temperatures between 65º and 75º Fahrenheit.
Do not repot a plant prior to bringing it indoors for the winter
Many houseplants grow naturally in tropical areas, consequently these plants will thrive in areas with high humidity. During wintertime, houses in Chicagoland tend to be very dry due to heating units, so using a humidifier or misting them will help to promote humidity. This does not apply to many succulents; read the tag to make sure.

Fertilizing

There are exceptions, but generally you do not need to fertilize houseplants between September and February.
Always water houseplants right after fertilizing them.
Plants will absorb fertilizers only when they are exposed to the right amount of light.

Repotting

Best time to repot is between late March and late August
Repot houseplants into the next pot size. Avoid overpotting (do not put it into a pot that is much larger than the root ball). Doing so creates a ring of soil around the plant that will retain more water than the plant can use, because the roots have not grown into that area yet.
Usually when the roots from a plant are coming out the drainage holes it is a good time to repot it.

Tips

Most importantly, do your homework.
Each plant is different and has different requirements for light, humidity, moisture and fertilization.
When taking care of house plants, read the labels that come with the plants; if there are not labels, find out the plant name and search for its care using a reliable source such as universities, botanic gardens, and garden centers websites.

Friendly Houseplants for cats and dogs
African violet                         (Saintpaulia)
Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum)
Christmas cactus                 (Schlumbergera)
Bromeliads                            (Bromeliads)
Phalaenopsis Orchids         (Phalaenopsis)
Aluminum plant                    (Pilea)
Swedish Ivy                           (Plectranthus verticillatus)
Prayer plant (Maranta)
Lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus radicans)
Palms
Bamboo                                 (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
Parlor                                     (Chamaedorea elegans)
Ponytail                                  (Beaucarnea recurvata)
Areca                                      (Dypsis lutescens)
Ferns
Boston                                   (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Maidenhair                            (Adiantum)
Succulents
Burro’s tail                             (Sedum morganianum)
Herbs
Basil                                       (Ocimum basilicum)
Sage                                       (Salvia offinalis)
Thyme                                    (Thymus vulgaris)

Houseplant that are dangerous or toxic to cats and dogs
Aloe plant                                (Aloe vera)
Elephant ear                           (Alocasia and Calocasia)
Flamingo flower                      (Anthurium)
Asparagus fern                       (Asparagus aethiopicus)
Corn plant                               (Dracaena fragrans)
Croton                                     (Croton)
Cyclamen plant                       (Cycleman)
Chinese evergreen                 (Aglaonema)
Dumbcane                              (Dieffenbachia)
English ivy                               (Hedera helix)
Fig                                           (Ficus)
Hawaiian ti plant                     (Cordyline fruticose)
Jade plant                               (Crassula ovata)
Lilies                                        (Lilium)
Madagascar dragon tree        (Dracaena marginata)
Mother in law tongue plant     (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Ornamental pepper plant        (Capsicum annum)
Peace lily                                (Spathiphyllum)
Rubber plant                           (Hevea brasiliensis)
Sago palm                               (Cycas revoluta)
Arrowhead philodendron        (Syngonium podophyllum)
Heartleaf philodendron           (Philodendron cordatum)
Golden pathos                        (Epipremnum aureum)
Swiss cheese plant                 (Monstera deliciosa)
Wandering Jew plant             (Tradescantia zebrina)
Zz plant                                   (Zamioculcas)
Clivia plant                              (Clivia)

BUTTERFLIES

Besides being great pollinators, butterflies are usually highly appreciated by humans. They represent beauty, change, and happiness to many cultures. Poems, songs, and books have been written about these unique creatures. For many reasons, butterflies are associated with colorful gardens during warm, sunny days.

Temperature
For butterflies to fly, the temperature has to be above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, the days have to be sunny and not windy. During spring, when days are appropriate to fly, butterflies stand in a sunny area because they need to warm up their bodies. In order for them to fly, their body temperature should be at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Food and water
When planning a garden with the goal to attract butterflies, it is important to include plants that will support the whole life-cycle of the butterflies. For example, a monarch caterpillar needs to grow 200 times its size in 10 to 14 days, therefore, it needs a lot of food to survive. Most caterpillars are picky eaters, they will only feed on specific plants, thus it is important to plant host plants as well as plants that will provide nectar. For instance, monarch butterflies will lay their eggs and their larva will only feed on plants from the genus Asclepias (milkweed). The adult monarch will feed from many other types of flowers.
Caterpillars are heavy feeders and can devour a plant in a couple of days. Before getting rid of plants in your garden, investigate what is nibbling on the leaves. If you don’t see anything during the day check the plants at night; many insects feed at night.
An ideal butterfly garden will have at least 6 hours of direct sun, will include plants that bloom at different times of the year, and will have different heights.
Butterflies feed on sap, nectar, rotting fruits, carrion, and animal droppings. They need salt and minerals to live. They also need water to survive, you might see them feeding on wet mulch, compost or any wet area.
Butterflies cannot feed on the go like hummingbirds do; they need a place to land. They prefer composite flowers and flowers from the Asteraceae family because they provide a large platform for resting while they extract nectar from flowers. Usually large butterflies visit large flowers and small butterflies visit small flowers. They feed from flowers with tubular parts.

Vision
Butterflies are nearsighted, they can spot a large plant or a cluster of flowers but they cannot recognize patterns. Their vision is monocular, not binocular like humans, therefore they cannot assess depth or distance in the same way we do. The landscape design rule of planting in groups is not only appealing to the human eye, but also beneficial to butterflies.
Butterflies will visit almost any color flower; they prefer white, pink, purple, red, yellow, and orange flowers and they might stay away from green or blue flowers.

Wind, rain and cold
Butterflies need protection from the wind, rain and cold temperatures. It is important to provide shelter for them. They will find refuge on shrubs and trees that are 150 feet or less from the garden. Also, a woodpile, brush pile or a pile of rocks for the butterflies to make their chrysalis, 99% of the time caterpillars will go away from the host plant to make the chrysalis.
It is important to avoid excessive fall clean-up and early spring clean-up. There are many native butterflies in Illinois that spend their winter as chrysalises or as adults. They overwinter on stems, crevices, trunks, woodpiles or brush piles. Wait until the temperature is consistent and above 60 degrees so the chrysalis or butterfly can come out dormancy and start a new life cycle.

MOTHS VS. BUTTERFLIES
Many moths are beneficial to the garden, a lot of them are important pollinators, some are active during the day and some during the night. They come in different colors, shapes and sizes, and they are often mistaken for butterflies, bees and even hummingbirds. Some moths could devour or destroy a crop in a few days, others could damage clothes and are considered pests. Before killing moths, find out if they are beneficial or not.
Butterflies fold their wings while standing, moths keep them open
Butterflies are primarily diurnal, moths are primarily nocturnal
Moths usually have straight antennae and butterflies have them curved.

GARDENING TIPS TO ATTRACT BEES AND BUTTERFLIES
• Plant native plants
• Diversify when planting
• Eliminate the use of pesticides
• Put a shallow container of clean water in your garden so they can get a drink
• Provide a continuous succession of blooming plants from early spring through fall.
• Plant in clusters or groups of 3 plants or more of the same species.
• Grow plants that will provide shelter from the cold, rain and wind.
• Avoid planting invasive plants
• Plant butterfly and moth larval host plants
• Grow plants with different heights in the garden
• Avoid early spring clean-up and excessive fall clean-up

Vegetable Gardening

Reasons to plant a vegetable garden:
Gardening is beneficial for your mind and body; studies show that gardening lowers blood pressure and eases feelings of depression. A vegetable garden lowers your grocery bill, it saves you the cost of travelling to the grocery store. The garden provides you with excellent fresh fruits, herbs, and vegetables at a greatly reduced cost. Growing your own crops lets you control what ends up on the family dinner table. You can decide what fertilizer and pest control to use, as well as whether to grow organic or conventional. You decide the size and shape of the garden; you could start by planting in containers, raised beds, or garden beds.   Planting a vegetable garden could be a rewarding experience; from one tiny seed you could harvest many fruits or vegetables and even save seeds for the next growing season to start the process over again. Plant a vegetable garden

Garden preparation
The soil, air, water, and sunlight provide the vegetable garden with all the necessary nutrients for the plants to grow. Providing the right amount of these elements is crucial to have a healthy, luscious, high yielding garden.
Soil
A deep, organically rich soil will encourage the growth of healthy, extensive roots that are able to reach more nutrients and water. The result: extra-lush, extra-productive growth above and below ground.
There are 17 elements essential for plants to grow healthy. The elements provided by air and water are oxygen (O), carbon (C), hydrogen (H). After these elements the most important ones are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) also known as macronutrients because plants take them from the soil in the largest amounts. The secondary elements are calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S) are also important to many plants. The micronutrients are chlorine (Cl) iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), boron (B), molybdenum (Mo), and nickel (Ni).
Another critical component for plants to perform their best is the soil pH. If the soil is too acidic (low pH, at 6.0 or below) or alkaline (high pH, above 7.0), it does not matter how rich it is in nutrients the plants will not be able to absorb them. Most minerals and nutrients are best available to plants in soils with a slightly acidic pH 6.5 to 6.8.
The best time to get the soil tested is in the spring or fall when it is most stable. Also, it is the best time to amend the soil.
In addition to nutrients and soil Ph levels, the soil texture plays a vital role in plant growth. The ideal soil texture is loam. Loamy soils contain the right mix of sand, silt and clay. The soil texture could be improved by adding organic matter in the form of compost and aged manure or using mulch. Adding chemical fertilizers will replenish only certain nutrients but will not impact the soil friability.
Add organic matter

Air
Just like humans and animals, plants need air, both above ground for photosynthesis and in the soil as well. Air in the soil holds atmospheric nitrogen that can be converted into a usable form for plants. Soil oxygen is also crucial to the survival of organism in the soil that benefit plants. Organisms break down nutrients making them available for plants to absorb. Some organisms create pathways aerating the soil which makes it easier for the roots to grow.
Avoid working in the garden when the soil is too wet or too dry

Water
All forms of life, including plants and soil organisms, need water, but not too much or too little. Healthy soil should be about 25% water.
In general, a vegetable garden should receive one to two inches of water per week. Deep watering is better than shallow frequent watering. Shallow watering will result in a weak root system and evaporation, while deep watering encourages deeper and stronger root growth. The best way to water is using a soaker hose or a drip irrigation system; you should water in the morning between 8 and 10 am, if possible.
When watering, take into consideration the air temperature and the amount of precipitation. Also, remember that when plants are setting buds, blooming or bearing fruits, they require more water. In addition, small seedlings have a tiny root system that can not hold much water, therefore you should water them more frequently.
Water deeply so water percolates into the soil and regularly so plants stay healthy

Sunlight
Vegetables grow best and give their best yields when planted in full sunlight, at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun each day.
Plant away from trees and shrubs. Trees and shrubs will compete with garden crops for sunlight, plant food and moisture. Also, avoid planting on the north side of a building. Keep in mind that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west making the south side the sunnier spot and consequently the north side the shadiest area in the garden.
When purchasing vegetable and fruit starts, read the labels or ask an expert how much sun each plant requires. Most plants come with labels that will be marked as followed:
Sun or full sun   =     6 or more of direct sun every day
Part sun        = At least 3 to 6 hours of direct sunlight every day
Part shade   =    3 to 6 hours of direct sunlight, (morning sun) protected from the midday
              and the afternoon summer sun
Shade =   3 hours of sunlight, protected from the midday and afternoon sun. They could be under tree canopies with filtered sunlight over the course of the day.
Assess how much sunlight the plants will receive in an area before planting them

Companion plants
Some plants grow better near some companion plants than they do near others or when alone. This method when applied in a well-maintained garden can produce great results. It can reduce the number of weeds, garden pests, intensify the crop flavor and will increase the yield.
The Native Americans developed a way of gardening known as The Three Sisters. Corn, beans and squash, planted in the same field, supported each other in several ways: the beans provided nitrogen for the nutrient-hungry corn, the corn provided a support for the vining bean, and the squash, a living mulch, suppressed weeds between rows.
Plants can protect each other from wind or weather, act as decoys for harmful insects, attract beneficial insects that eat pests, or provide nutrients, physical support, or shade for other plants. Early season, cool-weather crops keep weeds at bay before later crops can be set out or mature.
If interested request a list of vegetables and fruits and their companions

Pests control
Some herbs contain certain properties that repel insect, nematodes, and pest. Also, they are prone to attracts beneficial insect to the garden.
Basil repels mosquitoes, flies, and asparagus beetles
Borage repels cabbage and tomato worms
Catnip repels aphids, Japanese beetle, squash bugs, weevil and Colorado potato beetles
Chives repels aphids and Japanese beetle
Coriander repels aphids, Colorado potato beetle, and spider mites
Dill repels aphids, cabbage looper, spider mites, squash bugs. It attracts beneficial insects such as ladybugs, green lacewings, and parasitic wasp
Fennel repels aphids, slugs, caterpillars, and snails. It attracts beneficial insects like Damsel bugs, minute pirate bugs, and parasitic wasp.
Garlic repels cabbage looper, Mexican bean beetle, root maggots, and bores.
Lavender repels moths, fleas, and flies. It attracts beneficial insects such as parasitic wasp and lacewing.
Oregano repels aphids, spider mites, and leafhoppers.
Parsley repels asparagus beetles and attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasp and braconid wasp.
Peppermint repels aphids, cabbage looper, flea beetles, squash, and whiteflies.
Rosemary repels cabbage looper, carrot fly, slugs, and snail. It attracts beneficial insects like honeybees and parasitic wasp.
Rue repels cucumber beetles and flea beetles.
Spearmint repels aphids, cabbage looper, beetles, fleas, and squash bugs. It attracts beneficial insects such as hover flies and parasitic wasp.
Thyme repels cabbage lopper, cabbage maggot, corn earworm, tomato hornworm, and whitefly
Plant herbs in your garden

Weed control
Weeds seem to sprout immediately in the spring from bare ground, therefore you should cover the ground to suppress them. One of the best ways to keep weeds under control is by applying one to two inches of natural mulch to the ground. Another technique is planting crops in sequence, so that ground is never left bare even after a harvest. For instance, if the ground is planted with cold crops while warm crops such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers get established, spring weeds will not have a chance to grow.
Another method to keep weeds at bay in the vegetable garden is by planting beneficial flowering annuals such as: Alyssum, marigolds, nasturtium, zinnias and salvia.
In addition, it is better if you pull out weeds before they bloom and spread their seeds. Make sure you pull the complete root system so you avoid root propagation.
Avoid bare ground

Using space efficiently
Utilize the space by growing vertically, when providing strong physical support to vines such as squash, cucumber, and melons you could grow more vegetables in a small space. In summer time plant a second crop of lettuce on the north side of tomato or pepper plants. These plants will provide protection from the scorching summer sun to the lettuce. Sturdy plants like corn could be use as support for pole beans. Another way to use the space efficiently is by sequence planting fast crops such as radishes and lettuces; for example, plant a new crop next to the old crop a week or two before harvesting. Plant sweet basil around tomato plants, this will increase the flavor of the tomatoes and suppress weeds.
Utilize the space and grow more

Crop rotation
In order to continue growing a sustainable vegetable garden, it is vital to rotate crops. The goals of crop rotation are to help manage soil fertility, avoid or reduce soil-borne diseases and prevent or reduce soil-dwelling insects such borers and rootworms. Each crop has different nutrient requirements affecting the soil balance differently; for example, corn and tomatoes require a lot of nitrogen and phosphorus to grow. Therefore, it is important to avoid planting the same general category of crop in the same spot. Also, many insects and diseases attack specific crops, rotating the crops will confuse the pests and will help minimize their population.
Keep track of what type of crop is growing in each section of your garden and rotate it

Sample of crop rotation plan:

Basic Gardening Tools
Gloves - are recommended to protect your hands from thorns and splinters, and to protect the skin from irritation.
Hand trowels - are wonderful for planting, digging around corners, and taking out weeds.
Spade - is great for digging holes for plants and moving small mounds of soil from one area to another.
Rake - is an essential tool you need when leaves and debris fall into the garden. Helps to keep the garden nice and tidy.
Hoe - is a multipurpose tool to use in the garden to help with weeding, chopping up the soil, covering seeds, digging trenches for planting, and is also useful for maintaining the garden rows between different vegetables.
Long hose with adjustable nozzle and rain wand - water is the foundation of life in a vegetable garden. It is imperative that the hose can reach every area. The adjustable nozzle puts you in control of the water pressure.
Wheelbarrow - an essential garden tool if you are installing the garden yourself. A vegetable garden requires a means of conveying soil, compost, clippings, and yard waste to the garden. Gardeners must consider their own agility and the type of work this tool will perform.

Cold Weather Vegetable Crop

What is a cold crop?
These are plants that prefer cool season growing; they thrive if planted before the final frost date or in the fall when the days are cool and sunny.

Ways to Protect Your Seedlings:
In order to grow cold crops successfully, the grower must protect the seedlings from frost, which will kill a seedling. Table cloths, bed sheets, and even newspaper “pirate hats” (make a triangular shape) can be used to protect plants from frost. Do not use plastic sheeting; it may act as a conductor of cold air and trap moisture which either will kill the seedlings or encourage fungi.

Caring for Cold Crops:
Introduce ample organic matter, which will help to aerate winter soils, and nutrients that will strengthen small plants. Most vegetables grow best in full sun. Water deeply, particularly in the beginning, as shallow-rooted plants need more frequent watering.

Mulch:
In addition to insulating the plants with a blanket of protection over the root system, it will help discourage the growth of weeds. Mulch also helps reduce evaporation of moisture from the soil during dry periods. During heavy rainstorms, it helps to prevent the soil from eroding away.

Rotation of Vegetable Varieties:
This is a very critical part of any garden scheme. Do not plant the same vegetable crops in the same location as they were planted the previous season. It is important to note that if the same crop is planted in the same location, not only will the soil be weakened through continual loss of the same nutrients but the plants will also attract the same insects and diseases to that part of the garden.

Examples of cold weather crops:
Peas, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, kale, kohlrabi, mustard greens, broccoli, turnips, watercress, beets, carrots, radishes, lettuces, onions, spinach and cilantro.

Spring Blooming Bulbs

When buying spring bulbs, choose the ones that are plump and firm, avoid bulbs that are dry and withered, spongy or moldy.
Plant spring bulbs after the first killing frost, or when the soil temperature cools down to 60 ° F. Before the ground freezes about mid-November.
Spring blooming bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, and hyacinth prefer full sun, at least 6 hours of direct sun. Also, it is important to plant them in well-drained soil, rich in organic matter. Compacted clay soil will promote bulb rotting in cool weather. If your garden has heavy clay soil, mix compost with the existing soil when planting the bulbs.
In order to encourage vigorous blooms and strong root growth, mix high phosphate fertilizer with the existing soil when planting.

Generally spring bulbs are planted to a depth of 3 times their diameter, but it is best to follow planting instructions from the package.
Plant the bulbs with pointed side up. The pointed end is the stem, and the flatter end is where the roots will grow. Don’t worry if you cannot tell the difference, eventually the stem will find its way out.

To prevent animals from digging out the bulbs use barriers or repellents. A cage made of hardware cloth makes a good barrier. A repellent could be crushed ghost peppers in the planting hole and on the planting area.
Spread 2 inches of natural mulch over the soil, this will help to prevent weeds in the spring.

Water the bulbs after planting to help them settle in and close any air pockets. The bulbs would need to be watered during the winter only if the winter is extremely dry.
Mark the area where you have planted bulbs, to avoid trying to plant something else in the same spot.

June Gardening Tips

Harvest herbs when leaves are mature. Herbs such as cilantro, basil, and oregano are good to cut frequently to prevent them from blooming. Once the herb set blooms, the flavor on the leaves changes and some of them die.
Protect the vegetable garden from rabbits with chicken wire fencing with 1 inch or smaller mesh and at least 3 feet tall. Bury 6 inches of fencing below the soil.
Water garden beds slowly and deeply, about 1 to 1 ½ inches per week; depending on the temperature and rain. Water in the morning and around the base of the plant; avoid getting the plant leaves wet and prevent leaf fungus. It is best to water deeply once per week rather than watering shallowly several times per week.
Compost cool-season edibles that have stopped performing such as peas, lettuce, and kohlrabi. Substitute with warm-season edibles such as melons, cucumbers, and pumpkins.
Raise lawn mowing height to 2 ½ - 3 inches and mow regularly.
Avoid applying fertilizer to lawns during hot weather. The best time to fertilize lawns is fall.
Apply 1 to 2 inches of natural mulch on flower beds and around trees, keeping mulch away from the trunks. Mulch regulates temperature, suppresses weeds, and conserves moisture.
If necessary, prune spring-flowering shrubs immediately after they flower.
Prune lightly evergreens such as boxwoods and yews after the new growth fills in to give them a formal shape.
Remove spent flowers and yellow leaves from annuals, this will help them to stay healthy, and lush.
Instead of using harsh pesticides, consider releasing beneficial insects such as ladybugs or praying mantis to control unwanted insects like mites and aphids.
Fertilize garden containers planted with annuals. Remember to water after applying fertilizers.

May Gardening Tips

Fertilize established trees and shrubs in early May. Do not fertilize newly planted trees and shrubs until they start growing.
At the beginning of the month be prepared to cover annuals and warm-season vegetables if frost is predicted.
Remove spent flowers from spring blooming bulbs, allow foliage to die back naturally. Leaves absorb the energy from the sun, which is stored in the bulbs for next year, this will promote healthier plants for next spring.
Depending on the temperature, you could plant summer blooming bulbs mid to late May (Dahlia, canna, calla lilies, freesia, gladiolus, caladium, begonia, gladiolus, etc.)
Once the risk of frost is over, usually after mid-May, plant transplants of tomatoes, peppers, herbs and eggplants. Choose disease-resistant varieties. Provide support with stakes or cages and allow proper spacing.
Plants seeds or transplant of cucumbers, watermelon, and squash. Train the vining vegetables to some type of support, fences, poles, wire cages or trellises.
Prune out twigs and branches that have not leafed out, and consider removing plants that have been extensively damaged by the winter. Keep in mind that some plants such as butterfly bush and rose of Sharon leaf out late, it is good to wait and give them a chance to leaf out before you remove them.
Apply 2 inches of mulch around plants in late May, keep mulch pulled away from plant crowns to prevent insect or disease problems.
When the fall blooming plants, such as chrysanthemums, asters, phlox and sedum reach 6 inches tall, pinch off half an inch of the stems and continue pinching back shoots through mid-June.
Prune spring-flowering shrubs right after they bloom, before next year’s buds are being formed.
Water the garden deeply once a week. Frequent, shallow watering is not beneficial and will promote shallow roots. The rule of thumb is 1 to 1 1/2" of water a week. Take into consideration rain.
Avoid wetting leaves when watering, this a good way to prevent leaf fungi. Except when watering tropical plants with large leaves, such as bananas, elephant ears, cannas, palms, etc.
When planting garden containers mix a slow release fertilizer in the soil. The fertilizer is released each time the plant is watered.
Core-aerate when lawn is actively growing.
If you have problems with weeds on your lawn, apply post-emergence broadleaf weed control to actively growing weeds. Killing weeds before they set blooms is a great way of controlling weeds.
Apply lawn fertilizer containing slow-release or controlled-release nitrogen. Apply about 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Water the lawn after application.

Towards the end of the month, move house plants outdoors to a shady area once the night temperatures are steady above 60° F.

April Gardening Tips

Work compost and organic matter into your garden beds.
Plant cool-season annuals such as pansies, dianthus (pinks), alyssum, dusty miller, stock, ornamental kale and cabbage, etc.
As soon as the soil is workable, plant cool-season crops that are not affected by frost, such as cabbage, kale, peas, spinach, collards, kohlrabi, radish, turnip, broccoli, leek, rhubarb, Brussels sprouts, horseradish, onions, etc.
Protect cool-season crops from frost damage by covering them with row cover fabric.
Start seeds indoors for warm season crops such as cantaloupe, cucumber, watermelon, etc. Remember to follow directions on packets.
Mulch roses using pine bark.
Apply an organic slow-releasing rose fertilizer to roses, water after fertilizing.
Avoid pruning oaks and elms between April and July.
Buy trees, shrubs, perennials and grasses hardy to zone 5.
Remove dead foliage from perennials, groundcovers and shrubs.
Apply 2 inches of natural hardwood mulch to garden beds. Make sure the mulch is not piled up against the tree trunks.
Harden off transplants, take them out during sunny warm days and bring them back indoors before the temperature drops.
Allow new growth to establish before removing winter mulch protection.

March Gardening Tips

Towards the end of the month repot house plants that have become root bound (except bougainvillea, ficus, asparagus fern, African violet, peace lily, aloe, and spider plants, these plants prefer their roots confined to small spaces), the new pot should be approximately one inch larger.
Continue starting seeds indoors according to directions on packets.
During sunny days when temperature is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, start hardening off cool-season edibles and annuals.
Treat infested house plants before you fertilize them. Discard severally infested plants.
During sunny days, fertilize healthy houseplants once they begin new growth.
Prune deciduous late summer blooming trees and shrubs.
Once the temperature rises cut back perennials and ornamental grasses.
Prune autumn-flowering clematis to 12” to 18” tall.
Cut out dead wood from roses, and prune them according to type once the temperature is consistently in the 50s.
If early spring-blooming trees and shrubs need to be pruned, do it immediately after they bloom.
Add small branches, spent blooms and leaves to your compost pile.
Divide overgrown summer and fall blooming perennials when they are between 4 and 6 inches tall.
Check for insect and insect damage and visit your local garden center for advice.

If you plant cool season crops due to unseasonal warm weather, monitor the changes in temperature and be prepared to protect them from frost.