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Propagate & Grow Raspberries from pieces… plus willows and roses
Have you got plans to buy a clump of pussy willows at the next seedy Saturday or market? Did you get a piece of curly willow in your Valentine’s bouquet? Or maybe, like me, your neighbour gave you some really amazing raspberry or rose twigs after they finished pruning their plants. Here is how you can turn a woody plant into 100 woody plants easy peasy.
It’s All Happening in the Soil (or dirt) (or Terroir)
It’s all happening in the soil, or as grape growers say “in the Terroir.” Wine grapes grow better on special but not always better ground. Grape like grape ground. This is stony rocky soil that can barely raise a radish yet it is perfect for grapes. Why is that? Grapes are a perennial crop so the plants are not pulled out and replanted ever year. So there is time for the active biology in the environment to slowly eat the soil.
How To Grow Micro-Greens indoors
Our fresh pea and basil sprouts grown indoors had the sweet tender taste of garden peas and fresh basil. We serve them with salad or all on their own with a splash of olive oil and sprinkle of sea salt. If you haven’t grown your own micro-greens yet what are you waiting for? It only takes a week! And because the easiest micro-greens to grow are pea shoots I am providing the guidelines here. They taste exactly like peas and only take a week to eight days to serve fresh with dinner.
Nectar Sweeter When Bees are Buzzing
So here’s a question. Did you know flowers can hear very small sounds? Sure we’ve all heard that classical music makes plants grow better than heavy rock but seriously? Probably the first serious research to show the effect of sound on flowers was reported in National Geographic in January this year.
Seed Orders : Many Plants, Many Prices
The research has just begun and I am looking for all my old favourite vegetable seeds (Juliet tomatoes and Susanna cauliflower) plus a few new additions (Jade Beans). This doesn’t mean I am throwing out the baby with the bathwater. No way. I am growing my favourite vegetables as usual but adding a few other vegetables and flowers this year.
One Week Garden Experiences Available Now!
Professional Horticulturist Donna Balzer seeking volunteer (“Woofer”-style) help with her organic zone 7 edible garden on Vancouver Island. This large plot offers extensive learning opportunities to a Horticulture student or graduate of a Permaculture Program. Work may include: pruning small fruit, propagation from woody cuttings, seeding, transplanting, greenhouse and garden work, weeding, wood mulch spreading and general garden clean-up. Bring ideas and talent, practise what you have learned and come excited to learn more! What I Offer: A one week mentorship opportunity with bed and board. This is a physically challenging opportunity for one or more people
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