Not-so-frequently asked questions

Now that I've been gardening for eons (Read: entering my second year) and have such vast knowledge (Read: Still clueless) I find people ask me questions all the time! (Read: One or two people have asked me a few things.)  So, I'd like to put these questions here as often as I can to pass on my immense knowledge. =) If you have a question, let me know and I'll do my best to answer it.

Note: Follow my advice at your own risk.  I don't want to be responsible for the death of your plants.

What do you think about using cow fertilizer in the garden?
 Even if I had it available, there are a few reasons why I'm against it.  
1. You're going to eat the things you are growing in this soil.  Animal feces in your soil = iffy.
2. You're going to be touching it with your own hands. (Especially if you're like me and often find your gloves on the ground and your hands covered in soil.)  Yuck.
3. If you are trying to keep the garden organic, this presents another challenge.  Do you know what the cows have been eating?  Have they been treated with hormones or other things that might *Ahem* carry over to your garden?  These are all things to think about with cow fertilizer.

My recommendation is to buy organic fertilizer if you aren't composting yourself.  I've had great luck with Garrett Juice, but check out your local stores.  You're bound to find something.

Does it matter when I water?

 If you read a few books or websites on gardening, they will mostly recommend that you water early in the morning.  This will give the plants time to absorb some water and won't harm plants that are prone to fungus problems, which can happen if you water at night.  Some resources will even go as far to say not to get any water on the leaves.  Not being a morning person myself, I used to stress out about watering, until I had a thought. (Shocking, I know.)

It rains at all times, day and night.  That gets the leaves wet too.  Rain is great for plants.  So, my young padawan, breathe easy.  Water early in the morning or late at night, but avoid the heat of the day.  The beauty of gardening is the experiment of finding what works for you and your plants, and no two situations are alike!