FresnoBee.com: Home & Garden

Elinor Teague: Fertilizer pick not in one bag

Fri, 25 May 2012 18:58:51 PDT

There are gardeners who use only an all-purpose fertilizer, such as a 16-16-16 formulation, on all the plants in their gardens and who are perfectly satisfied with the results. And then there are gardeners who store multiple bags and boxes of fertilizers, each with a different formulation, in their garden sheds. Read comments

Elinor Teague: Harness the sun to aid soil

Fri, 18 May 2012 18:04:22 PDT

Soil solarization uses the heat of the sun to kill disease pathogens, harmful bacteria and fungal spores, nematodes, insects, weed seedlings and weed seeds in garden soil. It is an effective nonchemical method, and it only takes four weeks during our hot Valley summer months to reduce or eliminate soil-borne diseases such as Verticillium wilt and Phytophthora root rot, and to kill off seeds of common weeds such as spurge, dandelions and crabgrass. Read comments

Elinor Teague: Check pesticides for toxicity

Fri, 04 May 2012 17:48:56 PDT

I'd like to offer a few cautionary words about several common chemicals and products that are commonly used in our gardens, including a least-toxic pesticide, that can make our pets very ill. Read comments

Elinor Teague: Use nontoxic ways to kill pests beneficial bugs eat

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:55:39 PDT

The arrival of the first pest insects in spring coincides directly with the arrival of the first hot spell. Temperatures that quickly jump from the cool and moderate 60s and 70s into the 85 to 90 degree range stress plants and stressed plants send out signals that attract pest insects. Your plants were probably free of most insects at the beginning of last week, but loaded now, after last weekend's sudden heat, with aphids, hoplia beetles, earwigs, thrips and whiteflies. Read comments