National Gardening Association
"When You Garden, You Grow"
Farewell
It's the end of the growing season and of the year. It's time for this gardener to take a sabbatical, and we're suspending publication of Edible Landscaping. It's been a pleasure penning these articles and corresponding with such great gardeners. If you'd like to continue receiving good gardening information on a regular basis, subscribe to our free Regional Reports e-newsletter. In each biweekly report, our experts share gardening advice, techniques, news, and events specific to 12 regions across the country. In the mean time, keep planting edibles and growing your own food. I hope to see you in the spring!
The Light Stuff
Light. The word is so common we often don't think about what it is. For green plants, light is the engine that drives growth. Sunlight is the best light for that growth, but almost since the invention of electricity, scientists and gardeners have used artificial light to grow and study plants ... more >>
Edible of the Month: Pawpaw
Many gardeners dream of growing their own tropical fruits. However, to enjoy fresh bananas, mangoes, and cherimoyas, most of us rely on grocery stores ... more >>
Indoor Mushroom Growing
There was a time when eating gourmet mushrooms was a pleasure afforded to people seeking a mind-expanding experience or with sufficient income to frequent five-star restaurants. How times have changed! Over the past 20 years ... more >>
Pawpaw Cookies with Black Walnuts
Pawpaws are great in baked goods. Their rich, creamy texture and tropical flavor blends well in many cakes, breads, and cookies. Here's a simple recipe that's sure to please ... more >>
Send Your Ideas!
Do you have any tips to share? Are there topics you'd like me to address?
E-mail me at ediblelandscaping@garden.org
December Q & A
Question: I garden in the San Francisco Bay area. Blueberries grow well in a semi-shaded area along my fence. What other fruits can I grow along this fence?
Answer: If there's enough light to grow blueberries by your fence, you should be able to grow some other fruits, too. Any of the brambles (raspberries and blackberries) can grow in part shade and still fruit. Brambles tend to grow tall and fit in narrow areas, so planting them beside fences works well. Also, you can tie any errant canes to the fence. Be sure the soil pH is appropriate for brambles; they like a sweeter soil than blueberries.
Hardy kiwi vines are another choice. They can vine along the fence and eventually will produce small, green, smooth-skinned kiwi fruits. Be attentive though: kiwis vines can be aggressive and may need to be pruned back so they don't threaten the young blueberry plants.
Question: I live in Kentucky, heat my home with wood in winter, and have an abundance of wood ashes. Can I spread the ashes on my gardens? How much should I use?
Answer: Yes, wood ashes are a good soil conditioner and can add valuable nutrients to the soil. Wood ashes are high in potassium and other minerals and can raise the soil pH, so spread them prudently. Test your soil to find out how much potassium and other nutrients it needs. Do not use ash from coal, painted or stained wood, or cardboard. These contain contaminants that can harm your soil.
This winter collect and store the wood ashes in buckets in a dry location. If your soil test indicates a potassium deficiency, sprinkle 20 pounds of wood ashes per 1,000 square feet of garden in early spring and work them in well. This is the equivalent of applying six pounds of limestone over the same area. Pick a calm day and take steps to avoid inhaling any ashes while spreading and working them into the soil.