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1500 questions
27
votes
5 answers
Which side of a house will get the most sunlight?
Which side of a house will get the most sunlight? Articles on the internet seem to have conflicting answers. Is this because it is dependent on location?
Alex B
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26
votes
4 answers
How true is the idea that weeding your vegetable garden is necessary?
I have heard constantly that weeding is a must for growing healthy vegetables else the weeds will "steal nutrients" from the plants you want to grow and your garden will produce less.
How true is that statement? I've been reading about organic…
user36333
26
votes
1 answer
What conditions are necessary to make a potted aloe vera bloom?
I have a potted aloe vera that I keep indoors during the winter and outside the rest of the year. It has leaves one foot long and two inches wide at the base. I fertilize it with tea from my vermicomposter. I water it sparingly during the winter and…
J. Musser
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26
votes
5 answers
What vegetables can be grown effectively in a small, urban garden?
I currently live in a condo with a limited sized balcony. Which vegetables work out best for a small garden?
silent1mezzo
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26
votes
9 answers
What are inexpensive materials for homemade tomato cages?
After starting our tomato plants from seed this year, we have many more small plants in the ground than in the past years. We are looking to make our own inexpensive and durable cages that we could use year after year.
What are starting materials…
kmm
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25
votes
2 answers
Why do plants root when placed in water, but die in standing water
A lot of plants need well drained soil. They're said to not like getting their feet wet. The explanation given is that the roots need oxygen; they will rot and die if they're in standing water for too long.
But a lot of the same plants will root if…
Tim
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25
votes
2 answers
How can I keep my compost wet?
During summer my compost bin dries out considerably and slows down. We have hot dry summers.
What should I do to keep the compost moist? Should I add water or will this rinse nutrients away?
going
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25
votes
6 answers
Why do many landscapers put gravel around the base of buildings?
Where I live, I've noticed many buildings have a stone/gravel barrier between the building foundation and the lawn or flower bed. Why is this? Does it prevent insect or pest infiltration of the structure?
Megatron
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25
votes
3 answers
How can I discourage ragweed from growing?
After three years of pulling, hoeing, and tilling, one corner of my garden is still infested with this vile weed. I live in Southeast Colorado, and the brutally-hot summer days seem to keep it under control except for this one, shaded corner...
Is…
Shog9
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25
votes
3 answers
What house plants or flowers act like a dehumidifier
I live in a wet climate and the house I currently reside in gathers a lot of moisture on the windows, this is due to no ventilation on the windows among other factors. We are only renting so I'm looking for an alternative. I know I could just buy a…
Jason Delaney
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25
votes
1 answer
Onion seeds v. onion sets
You see onion seeds for sale but the literature, TV and advice from fellow gardeners always talks about onion sets and it feels as if sets is all anyone ever bothers with.
So who are the seeds for? Are they especially hard to grow from seed?
Why is…
Tea Drinker
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25
votes
3 answers
Does fruit on fruit trees need to be thinned?
Do fruits need to be thinned on the tree? For example, I have a young Pomelo tree that's producing fruit for the first time. In order to get bigger, nicer fruit, should I be thinning the fruit? How is it done?
Here's a good example cluster from my…
Jonathan
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25
votes
5 answers
How can I get rid of gophers in a non-lethal way?
Gophers or ground squirrels are common pests in North America, that can destroy the fruits of your hard labour. They create extensive underground tunnels and are mostly active at night. A typical gopher infested yard looks like this with mounds of…
Lorem Ipsum
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25
votes
2 answers
What actually occurs for manure to become considered "well-rotted"?
I know that you shouldn't use raw manure on plants because it's bad for them, but I don't understand why.
I know you should stack manure before using it (i.e. literally stack it into a big cone), and wait until it no longer smells. How long would…
bradley.ayers
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25
votes
4 answers
Does water temperature affect vegetable plant growth?
Generally speaking, when watering a vegetable garden, are there any benefits to using cold water vs warm or vice versa?
I'm in Wisconsin, so 90+°F is about as hot as it gets around here. Typically the temps are in the 80s during summer months. I'm…
Jim Geurts
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