Q:So, my vegetable garden is finally dying because it's getting colder. I feel kind of sad because I didn't utilize it much. A lot of good crops went bad and were wasted. Also, I had a hard time keeping pests away and preventing my squash plants from rotting. Anyone have any tips to share that I can keep in mind for next year as far as utilization and pest/mildew control while keeping everything organic?

Think about what you grew that was over kill and plant less of that. Weather is a killer. If you are getting to much rain tent up some clear poly over the plants. Make sure your garden is located in an optimal part of the yard and each of the plants is growing far enough apart to get the full effect of the sunlight. When the ground is very moist lift ground vegetables with a Styrofoam florist ring. Planting marigolds and putting trays of hot pepper around plants deters bugs..As does a daily spray with dish soap and water. Don't pull but rather till in the dead plants and add lime to prep the bed for next season. Do not plant the tomatoes in the same spot they need to be moved every year. Compost the leaves and grass cuttings it will make great mulch for next year.

Q:I have cute puppy and want a small home at balcony garden.I want my puppy and garden should not affect each other.How should i design home for him as well as maintain my garden?

u can very well accommodate your puppy in the balcony area. use some DISINFECTANT occasionally. some of the plants you can hang it on the top to get spacious area.

Q:I have a home gardening book that says jalapenos thrive in a slightly acidic soil (5.8-6.5) but mine is very near neutral at about 7. Is this to alkaline for my jalapenos or will be ok?

They will do just fine.

Q:I have a Mandalay Garden Swing that I bought back in 2001 and it needs a new seat. I have no phone number or web site for the company.

www.okorder look for outdoor equipment

Q:What are the techniques of landscape architecture?

The sculpture is too big for us to choke, and the scale and scope of control are not enough

Q:I have seen these plastic grow bags online. I was wondering if Home Depot, Menards, Farm and Fleet or some store like that would sell them? I don't have any special gardening stores by me but was wondering if anyone knew if a normal chain store or wallmart or something might sell them?

I have not seen them at these stores. I just ordered one.

Q:My wife and I have a spot all picked out for a new home I plan to build in a few years. We think it makes sense to purchase some home design software so we can begin to put together a floor plan for upstairs and downstairs. What simple easy to operate software is available to help us design and see what our home will look like?

This is a very difficult question to answer. Much depends on your computer operating capabilities. There are quite a few different programs, from cheap ones that may not do everything you want to very expensive professional ones that almost require special training to operate efficiently. Have you thought about a portable drafting board, T-square, Triangles, triangular scale ruler, and furniture template? That is what I use for some types of design work.

Q:My neighbor uses hose to send refuse into my garden. What type of borden can I use to protect my garden?

Use a hose and spray it back at him.

Q:same sort of context as 'good housekeeping' home/garden/family/fashion/weddings/shopping etc

One of the best out there is ivillage. I am attaching a link to this site. ivillage is a combination of everything you listed above... They have home/garden/family/love/career/beauty/ho... decorating...etc,etc... You can also try Oxygen online.

Q:I have a small garden space it is a little garden area with a foot wide stone path running through it, so it is like two separate garden areas. I wanted to plant green beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, okra, lettuce bell peppers, celery, and potatoes along with a few herbs that I would plant inside on the widow ledge in a planter (thyme, rosemary, basil, sage, mint, chives). How should I arrange them? What plants go well as companion plants to these? What other plants climb upwards to maximize my small garden space? I want to have enough of these for my roommate and I to share with a little extra left over. That being said how many of eat plant should I put into my garden?

I am just starting a small garden in my backyard, check out my website, it might help you with some ideas... backyardfarm101.blogspot.ca/ Hope it helps!, C