| "Simple Secrets to Successful Northern Gardening" By Neil Moran |
"In 'North Country
Gardening,' Moran
shares what he's
learned about
gardening in harsh
climates and offers
encouragement for
those who think it can't
possibly be done. He
peppers his advice with
humor and includes
sections on soil
preparation, animal
control, specific plant
choices and sources
for supplies."
Karen Wittwer, Garden
Writer, Duluth
News-Tribune
Gardening,' Moran
shares what he's
learned about
gardening in harsh
climates and offers
encouragement for
those who think it can't
possibly be done. He
peppers his advice with
humor and includes
sections on soil
preparation, animal
control, specific plant
choices and sources
for supplies."
Karen Wittwer, Garden
Writer, Duluth
News-Tribune
Hey Gardeners!
Are you looking for specific information on gardening? I'd like to see
everyone be successful growing good, nutritious pesticide-free food,
flowers for the soul and trees and other native plants to enhance the
beauty of our planet and slow global warming. If you need any tips on
any of these issues, shoot me an email at moranneil@hughes.net.
I'm a horticulture trades instructor in a Career and Technical
Vocational Center and also have a Diploma in Horticulture from the
University of Guelph. I am the author of a book that bears the same
name as this website (sort of): North Country Gardening: Simple
Secrets to Successful Northern Gardening (tips for gardening in
the cold climates).
In addition, I am currently a contributing writer for Michigan Country
Lines, ActivityConnection.com.and Outlook by the Bay. I live in
Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula, a place that is sometimes
referred to as where "winter spends its summers."
Gardening News You Can Use
(or at least find interesting)
Gardening on the Increase
While many businesses are bemoaning the economy, garden businesses or
seeing real growth in sales--and profits. Seed companies are seeing sales
go through the roof as more people seem to be turning to gardening to
produce affordable food. By growing your own you not only save money, but
can grow what you want, avoid the use of harmful pesticides and get your
exercise. Join the trend!
Time Saving Tip
Here is a time saving tip. It's in regards to those annual plants that are all root
bound when you pull them out of a container. Have you ever sliced the roots or
struggled to pull the roots apart? Struggle no more. According to a study out of the
University of Florida it makes no difference on the eventual growth of the plants
between those plants that were "teased" out of the cell packs and those that
weren't. So save yourself the energy this year and still grow nice flowers.
Hold the Chemicals!
I'm a MOG (mostly organic gardener), meaning I garden mostly with organic
products, though I may from time to time feed my plants with a little Miracle Grow.
However, I'm a real stickler when it comes to avoiding harmful chemical insecticides,
especially on my produce.
Furthermore, in most cases you don't need some of the over-the-counter chemical
dusts and sprays they sell in the stores. Actually, what works well for me is more
than just using the right sprays at the right time. It is following an IPM (Integrated
Pest Management) strategy.
IPM involves using a variety of approaches to make sure you get to eat more than
the insects! In my case I try to purchase disease resistant plants, grow a healthy
crop, keep up the weeding and grow flowers that attract beneficial insects.
And then if I still have critters, I use environmental friendly products such as Safers
Insecticidal Soap, Pyola and Dipel Dust. Safers Insecticidal Soap can be purchased
in stores, the rest come from a company I like called GardensAlive!
(or at least find interesting)
Gardening on the Increase
While many businesses are bemoaning the economy, garden businesses or
seeing real growth in sales--and profits. Seed companies are seeing sales
go through the roof as more people seem to be turning to gardening to
produce affordable food. By growing your own you not only save money, but
can grow what you want, avoid the use of harmful pesticides and get your
exercise. Join the trend!
Time Saving Tip
Here is a time saving tip. It's in regards to those annual plants that are all root
bound when you pull them out of a container. Have you ever sliced the roots or
struggled to pull the roots apart? Struggle no more. According to a study out of the
University of Florida it makes no difference on the eventual growth of the plants
between those plants that were "teased" out of the cell packs and those that
weren't. So save yourself the energy this year and still grow nice flowers.
Hold the Chemicals!
I'm a MOG (mostly organic gardener), meaning I garden mostly with organic
products, though I may from time to time feed my plants with a little Miracle Grow.
However, I'm a real stickler when it comes to avoiding harmful chemical insecticides,
especially on my produce.
Furthermore, in most cases you don't need some of the over-the-counter chemical
dusts and sprays they sell in the stores. Actually, what works well for me is more
than just using the right sprays at the right time. It is following an IPM (Integrated
Pest Management) strategy.
IPM involves using a variety of approaches to make sure you get to eat more than
the insects! In my case I try to purchase disease resistant plants, grow a healthy
crop, keep up the weeding and grow flowers that attract beneficial insects.
And then if I still have critters, I use environmental friendly products such as Safers
Insecticidal Soap, Pyola and Dipel Dust. Safers Insecticidal Soap can be purchased
in stores, the rest come from a company I like called GardensAlive!
North Country Gardening
 |  |  |  |  |
Local Beat: For Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan Gardeners Articles by Neil you may find interesting: Garden essay: Save the planet, get healthy, plant a garden! Greenhouse Extends the Season Eat Fresh Roses for Michigan |
Growing plants good for the environment
Well, da, it doesn't take a genius to figure that one out! But apparently a study confirms it. In a
recent study it was pointed out that in cities wildlife corridors can be created that will harbor
wildlife and reduce the carbon emissions responsible for global warming. They took a detailed
look at urban landscapes where native and other plants were planted and indeed, the more
heavily landscaped urban neighborhood held more benefits for nature. Here in the north
country, we knew that all along!
Emerald Ashborer on the move in Canada.
The emerald ashborer, a tiny metallic beetle that preys on ash trees, has been discovered in
Sault Ste. Marie, Canada. The beetle has killed over 15 million trees in Michigan and is
moving southward out of the state. How did it get to Canada? Probably via firewood as the
borer doesn't fly far on its own. It is somewhat on the move in Michigan's U.P. having been
spotted in just a couple of places.
Lush Lawns Help Environments
The turf industry is breathing a sigh of relief after an independent study confirmed that a
healthy lawn can be a good thing for the environment. A healthy lawn sequesters carbon
dioxide, the culprit in the global warming crisis. In fact, it does it so well that it offsets the
emissions released into the environment from mowing. So don't feel guilty mowing your lawn,
as long as you're keeping your lawn healthy. Some easy ways to keep the ol' lawn healthy is
to raise the mowing deck to three inches on your mower and use organic based fertilizers
when you can. Oh, and don't forget to aerate the lawn occasionally. If you need tips on
seeding let me know.
Organically Grown Food Better For You?
According to four year study done in the U.K., organically grown fruits and vegetables contain
up to 40 percent more antioxidants than nonorganic produce. "We have shown there are more
of certain nutritionally desirable compounds and less of the baddies in organic foods, or
improved amounts of the fatty acids you want and less of those you don't want, project coo-
coordinator Carlo Leifert told BBC News.
Gardening in Flux?
I don’t know about you guys, but it seems like the rules of gardening have changed over the last five or
so years. For instance, I garden in a fairly rich, sandy loam soil that seldom needed watering in the past.
Now, due to the extremely dry conditions the past few years, I’m considering some type of irrigation
system. And in the past, insects weren’t a big problem either. Now, I’m hearing reports of root maggots
in carrots, potato bugs devouring spuds and grasshoppers everywhere! And of course, the problem with
deer, raccoon, etc. is getting more severe as well. This could be a combination of the hot, dry summers,
where animals are desperate for water and the continued development of their habitat. So with this in
mind, I think we need to adjust by learning more about biological insecticide controls for insects,
developing efficient methods of watering (watering is expensive!) and experimenting with ways to live
with the critters and still have a harvest! Some of the answers to these problems can be found at this
website.
Dealing with Critters
For the past two decades I’ve been planting native trees, shrubs and flowers for the purpose of
providing food and cover for wildlife and to establish a wind block. Well, “duh,” I’ve been successful.
And how! Now I have rabbit tracks everywhere in my front yard and “back 40.” This of course, means
I’ve been losing crops to these critters. I installed an electric fence for the deer, which is working, but
the rabbits, woodchucks and raccoons can easily get under the wire. So it hit my hard head the other
day that I can’t have it both ways: critters in the yard and a good garden; that is, not unless I break
down and fence the whole garden in. I hate to do this, in a way (because it will be rather expensive) but
I guess I will have to if I want to continue doing what I love to do and continue to support the critters.
Well, it's getting close to that time when we can start gardening in earnest, at least indoors. I've got my
tomatoes and peppers started and a few onions from seeds. Believe it or not, we should be able to plant
trees and shrubs by the end of the month.
Happy Gardening,
Neil
P.S., email me with any gardening questions or comments-I'd love to hear from you!
moranneil@hughes.net
*More past articles can be found in Articles by Neil *
New!
Neil did a quick
review of horticulture
books by Amy
Stewart and Michael
Pollan. Check it out.
Neil did a quick
review of horticulture
books by Amy
Stewart and Michael
Pollan. Check it out.
