BLOG: A Little Knowledge Goes a Long Way

Now I might not KNOW everything, but at least I know where to go to LEARN what I need to know. Know what I mean? This is especially true when it comes to gardening information. And I’ve pretty much found it all in one easy location.

Rarely does a week goes by that I’m not on the Home & Garden Information Center of the University of Maryland Extension web site: hgic.umd.edu/.

You can also find them on Facebook at facebook.com/UMDHGIC.

Do you need a quick answer for a specific problem but didn’t see it addressed in one of their publication? You can “ask the experts” and they will be glad to answer your plant and pest questions. They are available by phone Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at 1-800-342-2507 (outside Maryland 1-410-531-1757). They advertise: “No confusing menus—just a real person to answer your questions.

You can also “send a question to the experts” by completing their online form or on their Facebook page.

The web site is full of Timely Tips, Publications, Plant Diagnostics, Links and more. For instance on the left-hand column of the main page, you can click on Timely Tips then Vegetable and Herb Gardening. You can click on the appropriate month and get all sorts of ... well, Timely Tips!

For March they warn you that “spring will arrive fast, so get your seed orders in and complete your garden plans. Be prepared to keep a variety of crops growing throughout the season so that no space is wasted.” Hey, didn’t I tell you about this LAST month? :)

From the main page, you can go to Publications then Online Publications and find a TON of useful categories. For instance, if you go to the Vegetables, Fruits and Herb Gardening section you can get great information about specific vegetables such as eggplants, peppers, potatoes tomatoes, stone fruits and more.

There are Monthly Tips for Food Gardeners, Planting Dates for Vegetable Crops in Maryland and various articles about different diseases and insects and what you can do about them—all in responsible ways.

In addition to the one on planting dates, one of my favorites is Recommended Vegetable Cultivars for Maryland Home Gardens. While this is subjective, it is compiled by surveying gardeners, I feel that if these people have grown these specific varieties successfully enough, then it’s a good bet that I will also have success.

So let me know what you think about this VERY valuable resource. And don't forget that if you're at the MD Home & Garden Show on Sunday the 11th at noon, stop by for my free seminar on Square Foot Gardening.