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1500 questions
11
votes
1 answer
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using soil blocks?
I recently read a book that suggests using soil blocks for starting seeds. What are the advantages and disadvantages of soil blocks over the more popular seed starting methods? I am mainly interested in using the seed blocks to start vegetables.
jeffreywrichards
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votes
4 answers
Sprinkler/irrigation system for new yard: DIY or hire a professional?
My backyard is essentially a wasteland; I plan on installing an irrigation system along with landscaping, hardscaping, shrubs, trees, retaining walls, etc.
As far as I've been able to discern so far, I want to get my layout done first, and start on…
JYelton
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11
votes
3 answers
How can I keep gravel from moving out of my driveway during winter?
I have a gravel driveway going horizontally across a hill, and have trouble keeping the gravel in the driveway, especially during snow. This is because every time I shovel out the driveway, stones get picked up by the shovel and thrown into the…
J. Musser
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11
votes
3 answers
Does anyone know the name of this young plant shrub?
The plant has opposite toothed single leaves and opposite stems growing in Northern Virginia. The color of new growth stems is a deep burgundy with white speckles. I'm guessing it is a shrub in the honeysuckle family. It is a volunteer whose seed…
E. Garrity
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11
votes
2 answers
How do I grow root vegetables hydroponically?
Hydroponics is the method of growing plants in a soil-less medium. I've always wondered, how does someone grow a mainly root/bulb-based vegetable (potato, turnip, onion, etc) in a hydroponic environment?
WienerDog
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11
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4 answers
Identify shrub with red berries in UK
Could you tell me what is the name of this plant?
Found in the park in London at the end of May.
Red berries on shrub with saw-toothed leaves.
Shige
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11
votes
2 answers
How does pH affect plant growth?
I am aware that different plants thrive/need different pH levels to grow. What is it about the alkalinity/acidity of the soil that effects how a plant grows?
Note: I understand that this could have an in-depth answer about plant biology; but I am…
WienerDog
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11
votes
3 answers
Has anybody had any success using 5 gallon buckets as planters?
I've recently became interested in starting some outdoor planters this coming spring. After searching around, I found an interesting idea off of Popular Mechanics using 5 gallon drywall buckets as planters. What appealed to me was the low cost to…
WienerDog
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11
votes
1 answer
When should Broccoli seeds be sown indoors for spring planting in Minnesota?
When should I sow my broccoli seeds indoors and when should I transplant outside?
Logicalunatic
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11
votes
5 answers
How long should a garden tractor battery last?
It seems like every year I'm needing to buy a new battery for my lawn tractor. A battery that worked perfectly well never seems to make it through the off-season in-tact.
Is this normal? Is there something I could do to make them last more than one…
JohnFx
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11
votes
4 answers
What can I use the removed moss from my lawn for?
I have an awful lot of moss in my lawn and I've been raking it out and collecting a lot of it.
I've read that it might not be a great idea to put moss in the compost bin and I'm averse to throw away anything green.
Is there anything I can use this…
Danger Fourpence
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11
votes
5 answers
Indoor garden built in an office - little flies problem!
We built this indoor "garden" in our office as a prank for one of our employees who was out for a stint. It was only meant to be temporary, however we have all grown a liking to it.
We ended up planting English Ivy with some Winter Creeper mixed…
aherrick
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11
votes
4 answers
Does the blue Japanese maple tree exist?
In my search of different kinds of bonsai trees, I have come across various websites selling blue Japanese maple seeds, usually with an image attached (most likely photo-shopped).
I personally don't believe that they can exist. Can anyone give any…
Tarius
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11
votes
1 answer
How much soil do I need on top of my hugelkultur beds?
I'm building a bunch of hugelkultur beds from the blowdowns, branches, trimmings, and sticks we have scattered around the property. This weekend I built a 20' long, 5' wide, 2-3' high pile of (mostly old / half rotted) wood of various sizes (0.5" -…
bstpierre
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11
votes
1 answer
How can I determine which trees are unsafe in strong winds?
We had some fairly extreme weather in the UK, enough wind to blow over a tree. Luckily nobody was hurt as the trunk rested larger branches, narrowly missing the neighbours fence. The trunk and branches have been cut in several places as it can be…
Ambo100
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