Posted on 18 August 2008 by urbangardencasual.com
By Vanessa Richins
Vivian Campbell is wondering “about the safety of vegetables grown on a terrace in a polluted city like Cairo, which is where I live. Any help available? Thanks.”
Hello from the other side of the world!
As the world becomes more industrialized and the air, soil and water more polluted, it is indeed a concern to gardeners everywhere.
One plan that I would suggest is, if possible, bring the plants inside. You can surround them with plants that work to purify the air. Some plants that are especially efficient at removing air pollution include (as tested by NASA) :
- Bamboo palm, Chamaedorea seifritzii
- Chinese evergreen, Aglaonema modestum
- English ivy
- Fiscus, Benjamina
- Gerbera daisy, Transvaal daisy
- Dracaena ‘Janet Craig’
- Dracaena ‘Marginata’ Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on 07 July 2008 by urbangardencasual.com
By Vanessa Richins
Mary C. writes: “I would like to plant a dwarf peach tree in a container and bring it indoors for the winter for year round peaches. Will this work? What size container? What kind of soil?”
Hello. I have some good news and some bad news.
You certainly can plant a dwarf peach tree in a container. Another possibility, depending on the height of your ceiling, could be one of the new columnar peaches, which grow in a very narrow, upright shape.
You would want to start with a container that is a few inches larger than Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on 23 June 2008 by urbangardencasual.com
By Vanessa Richins
Many vegetables are suitable for planting in a container, and sweet potatoes are no exception!
These relatives of the Morning Glory plant are very easy to grow this way.
First, you should get your sweet potato sprouting. If you can, try to find locally or organic grown sweet potatoes, as the ones you find in regular grocery stores are often chemically treated to keep them from sprouting. All you need to do is place the root end (the smaller one) in a jar of water and wait.
They like it hot, so keep it somewhere that is Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on 15 June 2008 by urbangardencasual.com
Urban Garden Casual reader, Joyce Dunn, asks the following question:
“My husband saw the upside down tomatoes in 5 gallon buckets and wants to plant two now!!
All I have (it’s too far to go to town) is organic Miracle Gro potting Mix, Espoma dolomite, and Espoma fertilizer 4-6-6.
How much of each would you say goes into a 5 gal. bucket?
We would like to get the ratio right so we don’t burn the tomatoes. BTW, I like your site and have bookmarked it - very interesting.”
Joyce, thanks for the kind words about Urban Garden Casual, we’re glad you are enjoying it!
I hope my answer will help. I would use Read the rest of this entry »
