Yes, it will soon be that paradoxical time of year when every ad, storefront, website, and friend, will all be exalting – Grow, Life, Spring is for Lovers, you name it, and equally at the same time will be promoting the “cides”. You know, that old word from Middle French, Latin word cida, to kill, killing. Ironic, alittle too ironic don’t you think?

Think, you are what you eat, sound familiar. Well it is true and everything you put in your garden soil, the air around it and in the water you put in it works it’s way up the food chain to – you got it – the top, the head honcho, the big kahuna – You. Every cide you use could have an impact on your health. So, before you choose a cide, afew key thoughts: #1 Take your reading glasses to the garden store so you can READ the label. Or take your chemist friend. #2 If you choose to purchase a cide, use the correct amount. Making it twice as strong will not kill them deader. #3 Know the enemy, take a sample or have your teenager take a cell phone picture and e-mail it to the store. #4 Don’t talk to a salesperson who stands in the cide isle more than 2 minutes. Ever notice that chemical smell in that section? Well, as the saying goes; If you can smell it… well you know. Lastly, don’t use a cide. There are other ways to deal with the challenges of gardening.

Stop, stop right there! Overload right? Exactly my point, too much cide. Enough for now, we’ll get into specifics next time, but for now: Think about what you use to Kill something that’s in your garden, the garden that feeds you to stay Alive!

Take Care, Greenhouse Richard

For the most part, damping-off is a fungus issue, usually brought on by; excess moisture in both soil and air, poor light, too high of temp. and poor air circulation. The two common species of fungus are Phytophthora and Pythium and can be treated with a relatively safe biofungicide, see www.GardensAlive.com, however, I’m not one to use much of anything that I can’t spell or read, if you know what I mean. Lets try this: Don’t use any soil to start the seeds, try a good soiless mix, a sterile mix is a must. Make sure the seeds are not too old or have not been well cared for, and don’t let them dry out during the germination process. 70-74 degrees F all the time, day and night, avoid temp. spikes. Don’t use cold water, always room temp or same as soil temp. Try using individual spaces for each seed and mix the type of seed so that no one is next to the same, and maintain a sunlight or good light spectrum for germination. I hope this helps and contact Pam if you have more ??s. Oh, by the way, maybe a cat would help with the “other” issue.

Take Care, Richard