Saturday in Saint Matthews
It was great to see so many folks interested in vegetable gardening this past Saturday! Thank you to Rainbow Blossom for inviting us out to help get gardeners started on the right foot this spring. This spring we will continue to have new vegetable starts available as...
How ‘Green’ is Your Grass
It has been warm and sunny enough that I broke out my lawnmower and cut the grass for the first time this past weekend. Which many of my neighbors did as well, however, I have to admit I feel superior when I cut my grass. This is because I purchased an electric...
Boone Gardiner at Rainbow Blossom
Boone Gardiner will be at the Rainbow Blossom store in St. Matthews this Saturday, March 28 from 12:30-2:30 to help get everyone ready for the spring planting season. We are focusing this event on teaching everyone how to grow their own organic veggies and herbs at...
Spring is in the air at Boone Gardiner
Spring has arrived at Boone Gardiner and we have all kinds of great things to show you. We have hundreds of Kentucky grown trees available to replace trees that you may have lost from storm damage. There are new truck loads of trees and plants arriving daily. We...
Carbon, Nitrogen & Compost
In order for microorganisms to properly break down your compost pile they require a certain ratio of Carbon to Nitrogen (C: N). It is also possible to have a nervous breakdown worrying about precise ratios and recommended temperatures. There is a multitude of...
Wood Ducks in Cherokee Park
On my Sunday run through Cherokee Park I spotted a pair of brilliant Wood Ducks swimming in the Beargrass Creek along Cherokee Park Road (north of Big Rock). The male Wood Duck has an iridescent green and purple head that make for quick identification. Not only did...
Matt’s USGBC Training
I just spent all day Friday in my Board Training for the Kentucky Chapter of United States Green Building Council. (USGBC) Wow, what a day. I am so excited to be part of a group that is creating such major changes for the better not only in the built world but in all...
Turnips Love English Peas
Companion planting allows for plants to benefit from their neighboring plants. For example taller plants can offer shade to neighbors who require less sun. Other companions may attract beneficial insects or lure destructive ones away. Still, others fix enough nitrogen...
Rain Garden Overview
What is a Rain Garden? A rain garden is a small area in a residential yard or neighborhood designed to temporarily hold and soak in rain water that comes from a house roof, driveway or patio. A rain garden is not a pond or wetland. It is dry most of the time and holds...
Composting Overview
Benefits of Composting Composting is the most practical and convenient way to handle your yard wastes. It can be easier and cheaper than bagging these wastes or taking them to the recycling center. Most importantly compost improves your soil and the plants growing in...
Rain Barrel Overview
What is a Rain Barrel? A rain barrel collects and stores rainwater from rooftops to use later for lawn and garden watering. The water collected in a rain barrel would normally pour off your roof directly or flow through roof gutter downspouts and become storm water...
Intensive Gardening
Urban vegetable gardening requires a different approach with soil and space constraints. Intensive gardening allows you to get the most production out of limited space. Virginia Tech's Extension office has an excellent publication on intensive gardening that further...
Seeds have arrived at Boone Gardiner!
Boone Gardiner exclusively carries Seeds of Change. We believe that their commitment to biodiversity and sustainable organic agriculture results in better seeds. All seeds are 100% certified organic. Stop by and take a look at the wide range of open-pollinated,...
Rain Garden Presentation
Thanks for all who came out to the presentation! We look forward to a continued dialogue on rain gardens and other sustainable practices.
Backyard Birds
Natural areas in your backyard provide attractive shelter for birds. If space allows consider piling downed limbs from the recent ice storm in an out-of-the way spot in your yard. The Cornell lab of ornithology is a fantastic resource to help you identify birds....
How to clean your rain barrel
It is almost time to bring the rain barrel out of the garage and start catching water again for the garden! Before you hook it up to the gutter it is a good idea to give the inside a good wash. This removes sediment and bacteria that may be dormant from last season....
Green Convene
Boone Gardiner will be at the Green Convene on Saturday! Green Convene Website
Serviceberry
The Amelanchier arborea (Common Serviceberry) is a favorite of migratory birds in Kentucky. The fruit has a similar taste to blueberies and provides an exceptional display of white flowers in the early spring. USDA Plant Profile of the Serviceberry
Vegetable Gardening Guide
The UK Extension office has a great resource for home Vegetable Gardening. Below is the link to the guide: http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/id/id128/id128.pdf
Avoid these 8 in your compost
Black walnut tree leaves or twigs releases substances that might be harmful to plants Coal or charcoal ash might contain substances harmful to plants Dairy products (e.g., butter, egg yolks, milk, sour cream, yogurt) create odor problems and attract pests such as...
21 Things to compost
Animal manure (excluding dog waste) Cardboard rolls Clean paper Coffee grounds and filters Cotton rags Dryer and vacuum cleaner lint Eggshells Fireplace ashes Fruits and vegetables Grass clippings Hair and fur Hay and straw Houseplants Leaves Nut shells Sawdust...
57 degrees in January
The warm weather today is a good reminder that spring will be here soon. It is time to pull out those seed catalogs and start thinking about fresh tomatoes from the backyard garden!