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Gardening Tips

Master Gardeners in your county are a great resource for plant and plant pest related issues. Check the internet for your nearest extension office. For soil tests, contact your local cooperative extension office.

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Tomatoes
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Homemade Rabbit Repellent

Follow recipe and directions offered by Master Gardener and author C. L. Fornari

https://www.gardenlady.com/homemade-rabbit-repellent/

May also work for deer but add garlic cloves to the mixture.

DO NOT spray on edible plants due to raw egg. Fence the area for edible plants for best defense.

Safe Time to Plant Tomatoes

The air and soil temperature must be consistently 50F or above for tomatoes, peppers and eggplant.

Organic Fertilizer

Mix organic fertilizer into the soil 2-3 weeks before planting. The additional time is needed for nutrients to break down and feed the soil prior to planting.

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Commercial Deer Repellent

Only use liquid repellent. The repellent must be on the plant to deter deer.
Products such as Plantskydd.

Commercial Rabbit Repellent

Only use liquid repellent. The repellent must be on the plant to deter rabbits.

Fertilize Blooming Plants

Use a bloom booster fertilizer which generally has more Phosphorous (P) and Potassium (K). The last two numbers in the ratios of Nitrogen (N) Phosphorous (P) and Potassium (K). NPK

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Hanging Basket Care

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Watering: Check the moisture level of the hanging basket soil regularly, especially during hot weather. Water the plants when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, or the basket feels light in weight. Ensure thorough watering, allowing the excess water to drain out from the bottom of the basket. Avoid overwatering, as it may lead to root rot.

Deadheading: Regularly remove faded or wilted flowers from your hanging basket. This process, known as deadheading, promotes continuous blooming and prevents the plant from putting energy into seed production. Pinch or snip off the spent flowers just above a set of healthy leaves or flower buds.

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Sunlight: Place the hanging basket in a location that receives the appropriate amount of sunlight for the specific flowering plants. Most flowering plants thrive in a spot with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight each day. However, some varieties may require partial shade or indirect sunlight, so it's essential to know the light requirements of the specific plants in your basket.

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Fertilizing: For baskets purchased at Seesholtz Garden Center --Start fertilizing your hanging baskets in August. Use a bloom booster, water-soluble fertilizer. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer packaging for the correct dosage. Apply the fertilizer every two to three weeks to provide essential nutrients for healthy growth and vibrant blooms.

Water-soluble fertilizer

Slow-release fertilizer

  • Proven Winners Continuous Release

  • Osmocote Smart-Release

Resources: Tips
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Vegetable MD Cornell

View plant disease and remedies for a variety of vegetables.

At the end of the season, throw tomato plants in the garbage --do not compost tomato plants.

Perennials

Apply 10-10-10 fertilizer in the spring. If applying mulch, do not cover top of plants. Water in the morning, deeply 2x weekly.

Dahlias and Calcium

Use lime for dahlias to meet their need for calcium. Same for potted tomato plants. Follow package directions for proper application.
A soil test will help determine the current soil pH.

Resources: Tips

Gardening Resources

Know It. Grow It.

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Planting Zones: Farmers Almanac

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Proven Winners

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Mother Earth News

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Fine Gardening

Community Garden

Amateur Gardening

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Longwood Gardens (Philadelphia)

Image by Yu Kato

BBC Gardeners World

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Directions

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