Spring 2010

We now have a facebook page for Blue Bell Greenhouse in addition to our website (bluebellgreenhouse.com).  As we envision it, the facebook page will allow Blue Bell customers to communicate with us and with each other to have a dialog about gardening.  If one customer has a problem with a particular site, another customer may have lots of experience with a similar site and have knowledge of what grows especially well in such a location.   We can tell you what it says in the books, but there is no substitute for experience!

You will be able to give us feedback for, among other things,  your favorite vegetable varieties.   This information is important for us to get during the growing season so that we can plan for the following season.  We order seeds in the fall and winter, and start the seedlings in March and April if not earlier.  

You will be able to share information with other customers.  We will post your gardening tips for the benefit of all in the Blue Bell community.

Periodically, we will post what is happening at the greenhouse, and will answer your inquiries as soon as we can.  

Did you start a vegetable garden for the first time last summer?   Between the early blight, the late blight, and the long stretches of cold wet weather, you might be wondering if it's worth it.  Don't be discouraged!  Diversify.  We have found that if one crop fails because of the weather, another crop will benefit.  Tomatoes like the heat, but lettuce likes cool weather.  Last year our peppers were delayed by a couple of weeks by the cool period, but for some reason the melons were fantastic--maybe from all that water.

Now that you've put the work into creating the garden, don't let it go back to weeds or grass.  If you're not going to use it for a season, sow a cover crop that can be turned under, or cover it with a thick, 6-page layer of newspaper (no colored ink), soak it, and cover with mulch or tarps.

Don't give up.  You are bound to get the hang of it.  There is nothing like your own produce fresh out of the garden.  No space?  Grow vegetables in containers.  No sun?  Get a share in a local CSA or support your local farmers' market!

A very good source of information is your US Dept. of Agriculture Cooperative Extension.  Search also Cornell University for their extension service and their  'gardening resources.'  Johnnyseeds.com also has good informational videos.

Happy planting!