Four Common Pacific Northwest Garden Problems and How to Fix Them
If you have gotten your garden in and are patiently waiting for your plants to sprout or bloom, you are like so many others of us in the Pacific Northwest. This is the time of year many of us cherish! We get to work in the garden with dreams of harvesting fruits and veggies in a few short months. Serving your family a meal with items you have grown yourself is exciting. Unfortunately, some gardens are not quite as prolific as we all hope. Our team at Greenwood Hardware understands your frustration and has some pointers on dealing with some of the most common garden problems in the Pacific Northwest.
- Soil isn’t draining properly. Soil that is saturated and not draining can breed disease and something known as root rot. You can opt to build a raised garden bed or fill the area with lots of organic matter (compost) to improve the quality of the soil.
- Slugs and aphids are destroying your plants. There are plenty of remedies to eliminate these garden pests. You can try earth-friendly options or some old-fashioned options. Ladybugs feed on aphids. You can buy ladybugs or plant flowers that attract the little beauties. Filling an old lid with beer or salt water and placing it in an area where slugs tend to be will attract them and ultimately kill them.
- Short growing season. The Seattle area isn’t known for its long, hot growing season. It is best to stick with plants that love the cool weather and will thrive. Things like peas, garlic, potatoes, lettuce, onions and cherry tomatoes will all do well in your garden.
- Rain damages fragile plant starts. Consider using a row cover on days when you know there is going to be a lot of rain. Sometimes the strength of the rain can pound your sprouts and kill them. Giving them a little protection is pretty easy and will save you a lot of aggravation.
You can circumvent the short growing season by starting plants indoors at least six weeks before the last frost date. The last frost date tends to be in early May. You can also do yourself a favor and buy plant starts from reputable nurseries and sellers to ensure your plants have plenty of time to grow. Head into Greenwood Hardware and pick up the things you need to control pests, fix your soil or even start some of your own plants inside a sunny window. Come on in, or contact us today.