Gardening Videos and Information
Copy and paste the URLs below to learn more about starting a vegetable garden, starting plants from seeds, dealing with pests and weeds, watering effectively and winter seed sowing.
Here's a great resource on growing vegetables in New Jersey
https://www.amazon.com/Vegetables-Jersey-Regional-Vegetable-Gardening/dp/1604698853
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ9ovcyfh2s
How to Prepare Your Soil
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQrKKmYUh6E
Complete Guide To Starting A Vegetable Garden
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y_9ofkSNoY
Planning A Vegetable Garden
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7Sq2ae_iKU
How To Start A Vegetable Garden
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1X6KvqPjk6I&t=9s
A Complete Guide to Digging and Planting A Vegetable Garden
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLtsTuc2Tuk
Square Foot Gardening
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u34R01BEPdE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPOXnS39Ufg
Starting Plants From Seeds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcLMLyTAKmo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX3PxMbHUyM
Fall Gardening
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNIsH_SrCz0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EItqmOOb-3Y
Succession Planting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4Ke0eXs1Ck
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0yl7DZjIgM
8 Ways To Naturally Kill Weeds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&app=desktop&v=n_LlDOubad0&t=40s
Canadian Thistle
Canadian thistle is a tough perennial weed that spreads via deep underground rhizomes (roots can go 6+ feet) and seeds. Repeated mechanical/organic methods over 1–3 seasons can exhaust its root reserves and bring it under control. Full eradication takes patience—don’t let it flower or go to seed.
Key Strategy: Starve the Roots
The plant stores energy in its roots. Repeatedly removing top growth (before it can photosynthesize and replenish reserves) weakens it over time. Cutting every 2–3 weeks during the growing season is a proven approach.
• Cut or hoe regularly: Use a sharp hoe (e.g., stirrup or diamond hoe) to cut shoots at ground level. Do this every 2–3 weeks. Avoid deep pulling or tilling, which can break roots into pieces that regrow.
• Smother with mulch + cardboard: After cutting, lay overlapping cardboard or thick newspaper, then add 4–6+ inches of compost, straw, or leaf mulch. Plant directly into holes cut in the cardboard. Refresh as needed. This blocks light and weakens regrowth.
• Spot treatments: For stubborn spots, paint on strong horticultural vinegar (20–30% acetic acid) on cut stumps or leaves (avoid desirable plants and overuse, as it can affect soil). Repeat as needed. Not a root killer but helps suppress.
• Monitor edges: Thistle often invades from borders or paths.
Video Resources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0FiJrXO5OQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Z0tGWno-Ss
In Wood Chip Paths
Wood chips alone are not enough—thistle can push through.
• Improve the barrier: Pull or cut visible shoots, then add/refresh cardboard or landscape fabric under existing chips if possible (or top with more chips + cardboard patches).
There are a number of pests that will impact our gardening. Copy and paste the URLs below to find information about and mitigation techniques for dealing with these pests.
Cucumber Beetle
● Scout for cucumber beetles early in the season, especially in the cotyledon and first to third true-leaf stage, when
the plants can suffer defoliation and bacterial wilt. Once beetles are present, monitor more frequently, every
couple of days. They fly fast but can be caught and destroyed.
● Practice good garden sanitation. Remove weeds in and around your garden, as they become potential hosts for
adults. If a plant shows signs of bacterial wilt, remove the infected plant before more beetles can feed on the
plant and spread the bacterium. Stop the cycle.
● Use row covers at planting to prevent beetles from landing and feeding on plants. Be sure to remove the barrier
when cucurbits start to flower or try parthenocarpic varieties, which don’t require pollinators.
● Plant-based pesticides, such as Neem, prevent insects from feeding, which eventually kills them. Neem can also
suffocate the insects but must come in contact with the beetles to be effective. Spinosad may also help manage
beetles. Kaolin clay, such as Surround, creates a barrier to leaf surface and disrupts beetles landing and feeding.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U__3pPzr5_Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lidL8z_zhvw&t=12s
Squash Vine Borer
● Gardeners should inspect their plants and hand-pick adults, eggs and nymphs. Remove and crush them or drop
them in a jar of soapy water. The eggs and nymphs are often found on the undersides of leaves.
● Flat boards can be placed on the ground since adults like to hide under them. Gardeners can lift the boards in the
morning and destroy the squash bugs found.
● Sanitation is especially important. Remove trash, old vines, dead leaves and plant residue to help prevent the
buildup of the pest and remove overwintering protection for squash bugs.
● The insecticide neem can be used for adults and nymphs. As with any insecticide, make sure the product label
includes the plant and pest, and follow the instructions on the label.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAbNCCQzvCg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq4hPQTjPYo
In addition to the information found in the links above, you may want to try this homemade mixture to combat the squash viner borer
6 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 tbsp. of cayenne pepper
1 tbsp. of liquid dish soap
1 qt. of warm water
Mix together and let the mixture sit overnight. Strain out the solids, pour the liquid into a hand held mist sprayer and spray your squash plants
Below is a method recommended by a gardener who plants squash seeds but could be be modified to be used when planting squash seedlings.
When I plant my seeds, I do the following…
Take a drink cup from any fast food place and wash it out really good
Cut the bottom out.
Dig a hole the depth of the cup leaving 1-2 inches of the cup out and place the cup in the hole.
Fill the cup up with fresh soil and add your seeds or plant.
Squash vine borers overwinter as pupae in a silken, dirt-covered cocoon one or two inches below the soil surface. This is why I use the cup to plant in. It prevents the ones in the dirt from getting to the roots.
I do plant geraniums around my squash and I have thrown coffee grounds/cinnamon in my dirt at times.
This may not work for everyone, but it has worked for me the past 2 years
Colorado Potato Beetle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_6W3XHiMDE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QshEWTQZt-8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sanSxpiApXg
Colorado Potato Beetle Mitigation Products
A biological insecticide, Bacillus thuringiensis var. tenebrionis, is available (Novodor). This biopesticide uses a
bacterium that kills small potato beetle larvae when used according to label directions.
Looking For An Organic Weed Killer?
Mix 1 gallon of 30% industrial grade vinegar with 1 cup of salt and 1 tablespoon of dish soap. Apply with a sprayer on a dry sunny day.
or
Mix 1 gallon of 30% industrial grade vinegar with 2 cups of Epsom salts and 1/4 cup of biodegradable dish soap. Apply with a sprayer on a dry sunny day.
It may take a couple applications of the mix to effectively kill weeds, but gardeners have been very pleased with the results.
The Bonide Company https://bonide.com/#/ also makes a number of organic pesticides that you may find beneficial.
Getting water to plants' roots is the key to having healthy and productive plants. Click on the title below to view a video on the best way to make that happen.
How To Water Plants Effectively
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8n4hG7NXbY&t=9s
Copy and paste the URLs below to learn more about winter sowing of seeds.
How To Winter Sow Seeds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKXY6dl-5Tk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JACeJFRmQE0
Click on the titles below to learn more about starting a vegetable garden.
How To Prepare The Soil for Planting
Vegetable Gardening For Beginners: The Complete Guide
How To Start A Vegetable Garden
A Complete Guide to Digging and Planting A Vegetable Garden
Click on the titles below to learn more about winter sowing of seeds.
Winter Sowing: Everyone Can Grow A Garden
There are a number of pests that will impact our gardening. Below are links to information about and mitigation techniques for dealing with these pests.
In addition to the information found in the link above, you may want to try this homemade mixture to combat the squash viner borer
6 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 tbsp. of cayenne pepper
1 tbsp. of liquid dish soap
1 qt. of warm water
Mix together and let the mixture sit overnight. Strain out the solids, pour the liquid into a hand held mist sprayer and spray your squash plants
Colorado Potato Beetle Mitigation Product
Getting water to plants' roots is the key to having healthy and productive plants. Click on the title below to view a video on the best way to make that happen.
How To Water Plants Effectively
Looking For An Organic Weed Killer?
Mix 1 gallon of vinegar with 1 cup of salt and 1 tablespoon of dish soap. Apply with a sprayer on a dry sunny day.
It may take a couple applications of the mix to effectively kill weeds, but gardeners have been very pleased with the results.
The Bonide Company https://bonide.com/#/ also makes a number of organic pesticides that you may find beneficial.
Click on the titles below to learn more about starting a vegetable garden.
How To Prepare The Soil for Planting
Vegetable Gardening For Beginners: The Complete Guide
How To Start A Vegetable Garden
A Complete Guide to Digging and Planting A Vegetable Garden
Click on the titles below to learn more about winter sowing of seeds.
Winter Sowing: Everyone Can Grow A Garden
There are a number of pests that will impact our gardening. Below are links to information about and mitigation techniques for dealing with these pests.
In addition to the information found in the link above, you may want to try this homemade mixture to combat the squash viner borer
6 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 tbsp. of cayenne pepper
1 tbsp. of liquid dish soap
1 qt. of warm water
Mix together and let the mixture sit overnight. Strain out the solids, pour the liquid into a hand held mist sprayer and spray your squash plants
Colorado Potato Beetle Mitigation Product
Getting water to plants' roots is the key to having healthy and productive plants. Click on the title below to view a video on the best way to make that happen.
How To Water Plants Effectively
Looking For An Organic Weed Killer?
Mix 1 gallon of vinegar with 1 cup of salt and 1 tablespoon of dish soap. Apply with a sprayer on a dry sunny day.
It may take a couple applications of the mix to effectively kill weeds, but gardeners have been very pleased with the results.
The Bonide Company https://bonide.com/#/ also makes a number of organic pesticides that you may find beneficial.
Click on the titles below to learn more about starting a vegetable garden.
How To Prepare The Soil for Planting
Vegetable Gardening For Beginners: The Complete Guide
How To Start A Vegetable Garden
A Complete Guide to Digging and Planting A Vegetable Garden
Click on the titles below to learn more about winter sowing of seeds.
Winter Sowing: Everyone Can Grow A Garden
There are a number of pests that will impact our gardening. Below are links to information about and mitigation techniques for dealing with these pests.
In addition to the information found in the link above, you may want to try this homemade mixture to combat the squash viner borer
6 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 tbsp. of cayenne pepper
1 tbsp. of liquid dish soap
1 qt. of warm water
Mix together and let the mixture sit overnight. Strain out the solids, pour the liquid into a hand held mist sprayer and spray your squash plants
Colorado Potato Beetle Mitigation Product
Getting water to plants' roots is the key to having healthy and productive plants. Click on the title below to view a video on the best way to make that happen.
How To Water Plants Effectively
Looking For An Organic Weed Killer?
Mix 1 gallon of vinegar with 1 cup of salt and 1 tablespoon of dish soap. Apply with a sprayer on a dry sunny day.
It may take a couple applications of the mix to effectively kill weeds, but gardeners have been very pleased with the results.
The Bonide Company https://bonide.com/#/ also makes a number of organic pesticides that you may find beneficial.