My Top Garden Takeaways from 2024

[@joycedagostino6074]

Thanks again Susan. It was such a challenging garden year here. Succession planting is a great idea, it works great for some flowers too. We get hail here so I have to cover most beds with hail netting and insect netting covers are a must too.

[@SusansInTheGarden]

It definitely was a tough year in the garden in so many regions of country. Hoping 2025 will be better.

[@phlyphishsmith]

Susan your channel is the best. You’re a highly respected gardening mentor. I’ve decided to transform my 50’x100’ traditional in-ground garden into a raised bed garden. I’ve got 32 raised beds to build this winter. Could you please pass along info and techniques on establishing weed-free walking paths? I strive to one day have my garden as organized and productive as yours. Thanks for your time.

[@SusansInTheGarden]

Hello! Well, first of all, thank you for such kind comments. They mean a lot to me. Second, what an exciting project you're embarking on! Regarding the paths, here are a couple of thoughts. When we first set up our garden, we knew we were going to put heavy-duty weed-block fabric in the paths but hated to cover all the wonderful the topsoil within the paths. So we scraped off the top 2" (ish) of the soil and added it to each bed. Then we put down the weed-block and covered it with a couple of inches of bark mulch. That has worked so great for us. We almost never get weeds in the pathways and if some do come up, they are super easy to pull up. Plus that method helped provide extra soil for filling the beds. If you have any other questions, just drop me a note at [e-mail]. I'm happy to help!

[@phlyphishsmith]

@ thank you so much. I’ll definitely apply your guidance.

[@donnamullins2089]

Thank you Susan for the great information about the insect netting. I am ordering some for my spring garden. Have a great week.

[@SusansInTheGarden]

Glad I could help.

[@MichaelSmith-je4qv]

Oh Susan! What an upbeat way to begin our day once again. Thank you so much. Jeanne & Mike

[@SusansInTheGarden]

Thanks for watching, Jeanne and Mike! Have a great day.

[@debbienorton3855]

I had the same root problem from a tree in my yard. My answer was to convert the raised beds to elevated beds. This kept the roots from growing in the beds. The sun issue was not as big of an issue because I grew crops that could grow even in the shade of the tree. The difference also was the tree is a very tall Hackenbery tree, so some sun gets through.

[@SusansInTheGarden]

Those are good strategies! Thanks, Debbie.

[@BettyBombz]

Great vid, thank you!

[@SusansInTheGarden]

Thank you for letting me know!

[@jenniferrjohns869]

Thank you for the tips Susan! I am assuming that was a Viburnum in the background of your closing-it was spectacular! What variety? I am more of a landscape type gardener, but your channel is helping me improve my vegetable garden skills-thank you so much! It's especially nice that you are local, so most of your dates/insect issues/weather reflect on mine as well. I am in Colbert at the bottom of Greenbluff.

[@SusansInTheGarden]

Hi, Jennifer. It's nice to meet you! Yes, that is the native shrub, American cranberry bush (Viburnum opulus var. americanum). The berries are edible but we leave them for our bird friends to eat during the winter. It's not in the same family as regular cranberries. I'm so glad my videos have been helpful.

[@jenniferrjohns869]

@@SusansInTheGarden Interesting! I have that same variety in my vegetable garden area and it isn't nearly the size or has quite so much fruit!! Maybe my birds are getting to them!! 😃 Mine is about 8-10 years old and 5' tall and wide. Yours is lovely!

[@SusansInTheGarden]

@@jenniferrjohns869 I think we planted it in about 2003.

[@dustyflats3832]

Totally agree about tree roots. Have oaks and cedars and those roots travel a long ways and suck the life out of gardens. I know permaculture wouldn’t work here. My open compost pile I’m sure is losing much to these trees and trying out a crank tumbler and like it so far. We had almost 3” of rain last night to help alleviate this drought in WI and the leachate we caught in a tray under tumbler was fantastic. I just discovered the hazelnut shrub had leaves starting to grow again 😮. The hot weather we have been getting this late has started growth. We just had 82F and now diving back to 40-50 degrees with up and down night temps. I’m going to stuff leaves in poultry wire around them to try and keep them cool. I’m concerned they will freeze and kill the plants. It’s all I can do, right? What is that lovely red berry plant? Very nice. Thank you!

[@SusansInTheGarden]

Good morning! I'm glad you got some rain. The plant is an American cranberry bush (Viburnum opulus var. americanum). It's not in the same family as regular cranberries but the fruits are edible. We leave them for our bird friends because they love them.

[@TanyardTerrace]

Great advice! I’m starting year 3 in my garden notebook. I love having a custom reference for my property 😀

[@SusansInTheGarden]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Yes, garden journals are so helpful!

[@karens.woltering420]

I heard that about pelleted seeds too, so I planted some pelleted carrot seed that was 3 yrs old. Every seed grew. So, I'll still use my old pelleted seeds as extra just in case .

[@SusansInTheGarden]

That's good to know. I'm expecting good germination next year but it'll be interesting to see if I notice any different in the rate.

[@jenjoy4353]

I started my leeks late in August and they survived and grew well in the spring, here in zone 5b Wisconsin last year. Trying it again this year but started them earlier. I would love to know how to plant them so that I get a lot more white part.

[@SusansInTheGarden]

I shot a video about this a couple of years ago. Here's the link to it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4TMeXSfe7Gri7c

[@arlenevieau5284]

How often do you replace your floating row cover? I feel like mine disintegrates in to sun after just a season. I LOVE agricultural insect barrier. It has lasted for years!

[@SusansInTheGarden]

Hi, Arlene. Our floating row cover has lasted for many years. If it gets a small hole, I usually just use a clothespin to eliminate the opening. I'm so glad to hear that the ag insect netting has lasted so long for you.

[@marilynm8812]

Always great advice. I thought Bill would have said "less tomato space for you, more pepper space for me." Do you leave your Green Stalk Tower out all winter? I got one to start in spring but am thinking I may still have time to transplant strawberries from a crowded container now to get started. I will rewatch your video on setting up the tower. Thanks. Happy Halloween 🎃

[@SusansInTheGarden]

Hi, Marilyn. Yeah, I would have thought that, too! ha ha. I empty my GreenStalks at the end of the season and store them in a garden shed over the winter. Take care.

[@lindykidder4698]

Hi Susan My Napa cabbage started bolting as the east coast is experiencing swings in weather temperatures. I read that they won’t form a head. Is this true?

[@SusansInTheGarden]

That's frustrating. Napa cabbage tend not to form heads if the temperatures aren't quite right for them or if they don't get enough water.

[@NDaszkiewicz]

What are those beautiful red berries?

[@SusansInTheGarden]

I figured someone would ask! Those are on our American cranberry bush (Viburnum opulus var. americanum). It's not in the same family as "regular" cranberries, although the berries are edible. We just leave them for the birds because it's an important winter food for them.

[@nadinedaszkiewicz2282]

@@SusansInTheGarden thank you