Home & Garden

 

With the cooler temperatures we've been having over the last few days, you may have been thinking about doing some gardening -- but wondering if it's too late in the season for anything to really grow.  Well, good news procrastinators!  Post-Gazette Garden Columnist Doug Oster says it’s definitely not too late to plant your vegetable or flower garden!

But there are some ways to help make your garden a success. 

Doug’s advice?  BUY BIG!   Doug recommends that those getting a late start this season purchase plants that have already produced fruit – or flowers that are already blooming.  “If you want to get started, you don’t want to buy just a little plant and wait until August or September to pick!  Buy  big one!” 

During his weekly visit to Pittsburgh Today Live this week, Doug showed off a pretty impressive tomato plant that he picked up at Hahn Nursery for just about $10.  Watch This Week’s Gardening Segment

If you have a gardening question for "Garden Guru" Doug Oster, send it along with your name and a digital photo (if you have one) to:  HomeAndGarden@KDKA.com.  Doug may even answer it on KDKA-TV's Pittsburgh Today Live!

 

Many of us love cooking with fresh herbs; but what if you don't have space in the garden to grow them?    Ruth Lynn Thompson emailed the following question for our experts: 

What would some good herbs to put in a container?   I would like to put some in containers.  I was also thinking of doing some vegetables in pots. Thanks for any advice!

If you didn't see Pittsburgh Today Live on Thursday, Garden guru Doug Oster answered Ruth's question -- and even gave a demonstration of how to grow a variety of herbs in a pot that makes an attractive planter!   Watch It Now

Doug says just about anything you grow in the garden can be grown in a pot; but getting the right sized pot is key!

Don't forget, you can send your question for our gardening experts by emaliing:  HomeandGarden@KDKA.com!

Is there any hope for this little guy?

Take a look at this sad little evergreen.  It was so healthy and vibrant.... until those winter months when the deer got really hungry!!  

While it may look dead from as close as 10-feet away - upon closer inspection, you can see the promise of new growth! 

But is there hope for a tree or shrub like this one -- once the deer have made a meal or two out of it?   Post-Gazette garden guru Doug Oster says the new growth is definitely a good sign; but you'll have to take some steps to keep the deer at bay.

"You're going to have to protect that plant from the deer.  You can't let the deer back to it because every time the green comes out, the deer are going to feed again." 

Doug recommends either fencing out the deer or using a repellant like "Deer Stopper."  

 Watch this segment now

 

If you're looking for something to do this Saturday, you might want to head over to the Frick Environmental Center (on Beechwood Blvd) to check out something called "Garden Swap!" 

I was looking through Citiparks' Summer Magazine and stumbled onto this program.  From what I read, it sounds pretty interesting. Gardeners of all ages are encouraged to bring their "10 best plants to share!"  Basically, it sounds like a neat way to expand your own garden. -- and meet people with similar interests!   If you plan to check it out, be sure to label your plants/perennials! 

Not sure what to bring?  According to PittsburghGardenSwap.Blogspot.com:

"Gardeners are encouraged to swap just about anything that they grow or use in the garden. In past years, gardeners have traded perennials, annuals, vegetable plants, seeds, bulbs, trees, shrubs, fish pond accessories, garden tools, flower pots, watering cans, staking posts, garden hats and gloves, decorations and composting accessories.

Garden Swap will be held from 11am-2pm at the Frick Environmental Center (2005 Beechwood Blvd, Frick Park).   There is a $3 admission fee for adults; but kids aged 12 and under are free.  For more info -- or to register, call 412-422-6538!  Click here to read more about the event (http://pittsburghgardenswap.blogspot.com/)

 

From basil to dill, there’s nothing quite like the taste and smell of cooking with fresh herbs – especially those you’ve grown yourself!  Today on Pittsburgh Today Live, “garden guru” Doug Oster went into our studio kitchen to show just how easy it can be.

In case you missed it,  you can watch the video here

While I didn’t get a chance to sample Doug’s garlic-based salad, I can tell you that it smelled (and looked) fabulous!  If you’re a fan of garlic and feta cheese, you’ll want to give this recipe a try.  It was quick, easy and you only need a few ingredients (minced garlic, olive oil, feta cheese, some mixed greens, a little sugar and green onions!

If you’re going to be using your own produce in your cooking, growing organically is definitely the way to go!  Doug sums it up the best: "Feed the soil, don’t feed the plants... Don’t put any chemicals on there!"

Need some help getting started with planting herbs for your kitchen?   Check Out This Pittsburgh Today Live Segment that Doug did a while back!

Don't forget: Doug and his radio partner, Jessica Walliser, will be doing organic cooking demonstrations at two area Giant Eagle Market District stores this Sunday, June 1st.  From 11am until 1pm, they’ll be on hand at the Bethel Park Market District, then from 2pm until 4pm, Doug and Jessica will be cooking at the Shadyside location.

 

Did you take advantage of the nice weather over Memorial Day weekend to get outside and start planting?  Judging by the lines at the Lowe’s and Home Depot garden centers, you were not alone!  It was a madhouse out there (and so much nicer to get home and start digging!)! 

Whether you were loading up on mulch or picking out some perennials, send us some photos of your latest home & garden project!  

My big coup for this weekend was finally cleaning out an outside corner of our house (that lent itself to stashing trash like empty pots from trees that we’ve already planted). We went a little nuts after finding some edging that matched our deck.  Here’s a look at the finished project. 

Bugs have started to munch on the leaves of my kwanzan cherry tree!

Just about anyone who has ever planted anything has likely had the misfortune at one point or another of seeing those nice green leaves filled with holes.  But before you reach for the pesticide – it might be worth your while to check out a new book.

In case you missed Pittsburgh Today Live on Monday, Horticulturist Jessica Walliser talked about her new guide to help gardeners differentiate between good bugs and pests (Watch the segment here). For someone who is admittedly not fond of bugs in general, it was still a very interesting segment!  Jessica explained how less than 10-percent of insects are actually pests and the remaining 90-percent either don’t harm our gardens/plants or actually help by pollinating them or eating the bad bugs.  One ladybug, for example can apparently eat between 300 and 400 aphids in a day (aphids are those pesky bugs that attack your fruit trees and veggies)!  The novice gardener, though, might mistake the Mexican bean beetle (which is a pest) for a ladybug.

As someone who tends to worry about using chemical treatments in the lawn & garden, I was also interested to learn about an organic alternative of applying “beneficial nematodes” to your lawn.  As Jessica explained, these are microscopic roundworms that can be applied to the lawn to seek and kill Japanese beetle grubs.  They’re safe and you don’t have to worry about using toxic chemicals (especially if your pets or kids will be playing in your yard!)  “You can go out and roll in your lawn, you can let your kids go out there and play in the lawn the moment after you apply them,” she added. “There’s no issue with any chemicals being applied.”

These types of beneficial bugs also keep working all season long – so there’s no need to keep applying after it rains!  “They live in your soil and they continue to attack those grubs for the entire season – so one application of this a year will control grubs the whole season.”

If this sounds like something that you’d like to learn more about, check out Jessica’s website at http://jessicawalliser.com/.

Welcome to our new Home & Garden blog on KDKA.com!

Just in time for your Memorial Day planting, we're getting some expert advice on putting together your own baskets and flower pots from Charlie Anderson of Anderson Greenhouse! 

If you have a question about what to plant in that swampy section of your yard...which plants deer are the least likely to munch on... or just want to find a shrub that does well in the shade, we want to hear from you!

Send Your Home & Garden Questions To: Webteam@KDKA.com

By Charlie Anderson of Anderson Greenhouse in Salina, PA

Planting your own basket or pot is both rewarding and fun.  Just a small amount of your time provides an entire summer of beauty and pleasure.  Starting with the container, choose a style and size that compliments the surroundings.  Match to your home style, the neighborhood or environment.   This is especially true if you are an apartment resident; baskets and pots are perfect choices for the trapped gardener.

Next comes the soil.  Make certain it is a solid mix of potting soil and a little granular fertilizer for feeding the plants.  If you are reusing soil over several growing seasons be sure to fertilize.  Growing plants depletes the soil of nutrients and beautiful, healthy plants only come from healthy soil.

By Charlie Anderson of Anderson Greenhouse in Salina, PA

The most important consideration should be not the size of your plant selection now but what size it will become. Read the tag! :)

Start in the center with your tallest plants and continue toward the outer rim. A common center plant is a spike but some useful center plants include; carex “Ice Dance”, or Guara, also known as wand flowers. They do great in both sun or shade area.

Filler plants to surround the center come next. Choose only a few and do not “over plant.” The size of the pot and soil may not support too many plants. And the size of the plant will increase throughout the summer.

For great cascading options with nice color and foliage consider; sweet potato vine, licorice, vine, cascading petunia, million bells petunia, verbena, or bacopa. For great bushy options featuring great colors consider; gerber daisies, coleus, geraniums, and dahlias. Lastly always keep in mind that planting should be fun and relaxing; REWARDING!  Take some risks, mix and match. You may be pleasantly surprised with your results. You are now, good to grow!  Enjoy the holiday!

Charlie Anderson is a plant and gardening expert who has more than fifteen years experience in plant growing, soils and landscaping.  He is a virtual walking encyclopedia of plant knowledge; from basic gardening including plant species and varieties to annual, perennials and full range of vegetables, herbs, trees, and shrubs.  Charlie owns and operates Anderson Greenhouse on Anderson Road in Salina, PA.  To contact Anderson Greenhouse, call 724-697-4424.