Wow What.

'Wow' a woman's blog that I have just been introduced to asks these questions, and of course I’ve got answers.

1. What’s your No. 1 gardening tip.
A. Green side up . After that I would suggest that you base your plant choices on your soil and climate conditions, .. the old saying “ Right Plant, Right Place” rings true.

From Pina Colada

2. What is the biggest mistake gardeners make ( that they don’t know they’re making ?
A. Underestimating the growth size of a tree. - Put your genie turban on and project into the future.

From SF Japanese Garden

3. What are recession friendly ways to enhance your home’s curb appeal?
A. Simply keeping it tidy and well groomed. Add a little seasonal annual color in containers adjacent to your front entry if you have the budget.

From Container Plantings

4. What are your seasonal tips for summer , fall, winter and spring ?
A. Different strokes for different folks . Climate makes all the difference in the world.
In my Northern California temperate climate it’s all about water conservation and taking advantage of our rainy season so we can have a positive effect on our dry seasons.
* Effective winter time rain catchment systems
* Adequate mulch applications in the spring
* Removing the ‘green fire ladder’ in the summer
* Planting California natives in the late autumn to take advantage of the winter rains.

From R E D

5. What is the best way to have a healthy ‘green’ garden ?
A. Organic No Panic , Also employing BMP, Best Management Practices and IPM, Integrated Pest Management. . In layman's’ terms, if the health of your soil is in good shape , you’re going to have healthy plants. If insects invade your garden territory, properly Identify them and then use an insect specific non invasive natural predator or an ecological proven safe remedy such as neem oil for certain winged pests or manual removal ( bend at knees and pull) or soil solarization for certain pesky weeds.

From Zen Center

6.. What are some fool proof flora you can grow - even without a green thumb or time.
A. Look no further than the epiphyte family, specifically Tillandsias. They are also the new hot interior horticultural trend ( and for a good reason)

From Bali

7. Does organic gardening have to be expensive ?
It can be as expensive or inexpensive as you want.
Think of it like outfitting the interior of your home, You can shop at Gumps and get a comfortable functional chair just as well as going to Ikea. The difference lies in the construction techniques, styling and materials .

From Front Yard Potager