Displaying Results for the Category:

Tips Techniques

Indigo: Agriculture Research and Production on NPT's Volunteer Gardener

Indigo: Agriculture Research and Production

A goal of Stony Creek Colors is to replace at least 3% of synthetic blue dye with natural indigo produced on Tennessee farms. Currently, TN has the most indigo in research and production than anywhere in the U.S. with all of the biomass coming from within a 60 mile radius of its factory.


Garden Beds or Rows? on NPT's Volunteer Gardener

Garden Beds or Rows?

Jeff Poppen gives us an overview of the operations of Long Hungry Creek biodynamic farm. He discusses the reasons why he plants some crops in rows, while others he grows in beds.


Terracing to prevent soil erosion on NPT's Volunteer Gardener

Terracing to prevent soil erosion

Farmer Jeff Poppen shows us several examples of terracing on his organic farm. All are designed to prevent soil erosion.


Cherry Tree Maintenance on NPT's Volunteer Gardener

Cherry Tree Maintenance

Cherry tree maintenance includes substantial winter pruning, spraying, and ample watering to produce a tasty, plentiful harvest.


Winter Interest Container on NPT's Volunteer Gardener

Winter Interest Container

Choosing the right type of pot, using really good soil media that will allow for drainage, and a nice collection of evergreen plants all come together for planters that look good now, and in the subsequent seasons too.


Farm Management: Best Practices on NPT's Volunteer Gardener

Farm Management: Best Practices

Erin's Farm is a first generation family farm growing both Christmas trees, and blueberries. They were recognized by the TN Dept of Agriculture Division of Forestry for Best Management Practices in 2017.


Homemade Drip Irrigation System on NPT's Volunteer Gardener

Homemade Drip Irrigation System

A tutorial for a frugal DIY drip irrigation system that is suitable for a concentrated garden area.


Emerald Ash Borer in Tennessee on NPT's Volunteer Gardener

Emerald Ash Borer in Tennessee

In Tennessee, 271 million ash trees could potentially become infested with the emerald ash borer. Prevention against this pest is the key. Dean Glascock of Arbor Art Tree Care shares information about tree evaluation and treatment options.


Water Feature Upkeep on NPT's Volunteer Gardener

Water Feature Upkeep

Whether it is a pond, or a pondless water feature, Derek Johnson of JVI Secret Gardens shares realistic expectations of the maintenance involved to keep a selection of features running smoothly.


Tree Grafting Made Simple on NPT's Volunteer Gardener

Tree Grafting Made Simple

A tutorial on the whip and tongue method of tree grafting is provided by David Hughes of Rock Bridge Trees.


Macrophylla-pruning for showiness on NPT's Volunteer Gardener

Macrophylla-pruning for showiness

On a visit to a garden where the hydrangeas were the spotlight of the garden, we learned how the homeowner tends to the pruning to keep a dramatic show going for the long blooming season.


Plant Problems - Part 2 on NPT's Volunteer Gardener

Plant Problems – Part 2

Marty DeHart has examples of some common plant problems along with recommendations for overcoming the issues.