Posts by Toby Madrone
The Dance of the Veggies P2: Crop Rotation
Many gardeners have heard that crop rotation is a good idea, but there’s a lot of confusion out there over how to make it happen. Especially when you’re working with a city-sized space or a container garden, a lot of advice you’ll find out there can sound impossible to follow. But, once you understand the…
Read MoreSeeds at Sky: Local, Organic, Sustainable & Beyond
It’s time to think about seeds! Here in the Pacific Northwest, many vegetable and summer flower seeds can be sown indoors starting in February to get a jump start on the season. The hardiest spring veggies can even be sown right into the ground by early March. As you begin to consult seed planting charts…
Read MoreA Gardener’s Winter Solstice
On the winter solstice, the northern hemisphere will be at its furthest tilt from the sun. We’ll mark our shortest day and longest night of 2021 here in the Pacific Northwest on December 21st . Then, our sunrises will creep earlier and our sunsets later. From the winter solstice on, the half of the planet…
Read MorePest Damage ID Part 3: Who’s destroying my garden?
Creepy crawlies may come to mind first when we think about garden pests, but birds and mammals can sometimes cause us even more trouble. Damage from smaller critters might look like holes or discoloration. But when it comes to uprooted plants, heavily nibbled veggies or flowers, seeds snapped right up out of the ground, or…
Read MorePest Damage ID Part 2: Who’s Discoloring My Leaves?
Pest damage isn’t always as obvious as holes in your leaves. In our last pest damage ID post, we covered the most common insect pests that chew or rasp away at plant leaves. This time, we’re taking a look at some more subtle culprits: those that suck the juices right out of your plants like…
Read MoreCelebrate Summer: Inspiration for Garden Gatherings
A garden party of any size can be a wonderful way to celebrate the season of abundance. Many of us are yearning for a little jubilation now more than ever, and a garden is the perfect place to make those memories. At the same time, we may be keeping our gatherings smaller, and looking for…
Read MoreNatural Pest Management for Indoor Plants
Where there are plants, you can be certain there will be pesky creatures looking to munch on them. Unfortunately for indoor plant parents, this holds true even inside our homes. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be prepared, and minimize any harm that may befall your plants. Where Do Indoor Pests Come From? Even if…
Read MoreThe Garden Walk: Daily Checklist for a Healthy Garden
Hi there, dear Sky Nursery readers. Toby Madrone here. I usually stick to a more informative tone, but I decided to change it up a bit today, and share from my personal gardening experience. I hope you enjoy this post in all of its honest plant-nerd glory. I take a walk through my garden every…
Read MorePest Damage ID Part 1: Who’s chewing holes in my leaves?
If you garden long enough, sooner or later some pest is going to break your heart. Maybe your freshly emerged seedlings will be mowed down to the ground, your favorite flowers will emerge twisted and discolored, or you’ll find an entire shrub defoliated in a matter of days. There are many wonderful and rewarding things…
Read MoreBee Or Not a Bee? A Guide to Flying Garden Friends
Gardeners know how important bees are to our gardens and our planet, and most of us welcome the ones we recognize. But for all their popularity, bees remain misunderstood. Many people don’t realize just how diverse bees really are. Even many avowed bee-enthusiasts may only picture the classic black and yellow honey bees when…
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