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Is a maintenance-free garden possible?
Good morning,
Ever notice those sunken, leathery spots on the bottoms of your tomatoes? That could be blossom end rot, caused by a calcium deficiency. The good news is, a common household item can come to the rescue! Crushed eggshells mixed into the soil, along with consistent watering, can help prevent this problem and keep your tomatoes happy and healthy.
CHERRY PICKED - JUST FOR YOU
While some of us embrace the maintenance side of gardening (watering, weeding, etc.), others dread it. If the thought maintaining a garden is preventing you from even getting started, this one’s for you!
CAN YOU DIG IT?
We all love fresh fruit, but unfortunately, it doesn’t last forever. That’s where dried fruit comes in. With a shelf life of several months to even years, the problem with dried fruit isn’t freshness - it’s what to do with all of it!
BITE-SIZED GARDEN TALES
Ava stood by her window, watching a determined robin tug at a fat worm wriggling in the damp soil of her newly prepared vegetable patch. A wry smile touched her lips. It seemed even the local wildlife were excited about the prospect of homegrown goodies.
This year, May 9th held a special significance. It marked ten years since Ava had embarked on her first tentative steps in vegetable gardening. Back then, armed with a borrowed trowel and a head full of internet research, she'd stared at the barren patch behind her house with a mixture of hope and trepidation.
The journey hadn't been without its challenges. There were battles with rogue squirrels, nights spent fretting over surprise frosts, and seasons where the harvest seemed more like a token offering than a bounty.
But with each passing year, Ava's confidence grew alongside her tomato plants. She learned to read the whispers of the wind in the leaves, the language of the soil beneath her fingertips.
The garden became a sanctuary, a place where worries faded with the setting sun and the rhythmic crunch of a homegrown carrot soothed the soul.
Today, as Ava surveyed her thriving rows - the emerald spears of peas pushing through the earth, the pepper plants heavy with tiny green buds - a quiet sense of accomplishment settled over her. It was a reminder that even the smallest seed, nurtured with care, could blossom into something beautiful and nourishing.
IN A NUTSHELL
Ava's ten-year gardening journey highlights the rewards of perseverance and learning from experience. Even the smallest beginnings can yield abundant harvests, both in the garden and in life.
DIGGING DEEPER
While it can take some serious patience to grow an avocado tree that bears fruit indoors, it’s definitely doable. If you’re up for the challenge, this is how to do it successfully.
DAILY DOSE OF DIRT
Tomato Trellis Time! As tomato plants start to grow, train them to climb a trellis or stake for better air circulation and fruit production. This also helps prevent fruits from touching the soil and reduces the risk of rot.
NEVER STOP GROWING
Want even more gardening tips to transform your thumb from brown to green? Browse all past newsletters to unearth some hidden gems you might have missed the first time around. Completely free and available 24/7!
UNTIL NEXT BLOOM…
As always, thanks so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to read this newsletter! Question or comments - just reply.
Happy planting!