The Kitchen Sink

It’s one thing to want to make changes in your garden, but its quite another to search out and find the needed materials or information. It can be daunting. Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for you to implement changes in your landscape to turn it into an organic/permaculture oasis.

The following offer some great sites. Please check back periodically as we add more:

CLIMATE

USDA Hardiness Map. This map is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location. The map is based on the average annual minimum winter temperature, divided into 10-degree F zones. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Sunset Climate Zone Map. This link will take you to Sunset’s Plant Finder. On the right-hand side of the page, there is a a box with the words “FIND YOUR SUNSET CLIMATE ZONE.” You can either enter your zip code, or your can click on “view maps.” Looking at the maps and determining what zone you are in will help you figure out the best plants for your garden. If you have some time, you can use the Plant Finder as well. Because, nothing is more frustrating than putting a lot of effort into growing something that just isn’t the right fit. Sunset Plant Finder-Climate Zone Map

Last Frost Dates. Last Frost Date Calculator by Zip Code: Dave’s Garden Frost Dates

Sun Path Calculators. These calculators help you determine where the sun is in the sky in relation to your property on any given date at any given time. Sun Calculator and SunEarthTools

GARDEN PROBLEM SOLVING

Dave’s Garden. This website is a great clearinghouse for gardening tips, and problem solving. There is a forum that you can search if you encounter problems with a plant, and the knowledge shared by other gardeners is really wonderful. Dave’s Garden is located at: http://davesgarden.com

Cornell University Cover Crop Decision Tool. http://covercrops.cals.cornell.edu/decision-tool.php

Midwest Cover Crop Decision Tool. http://mcccdev.anr.msu.edu/VertIndex.php

Permaculture

Permaculture Principles, http://permacultureprinciples

POLLINATORS

Crown Bees. This is a family-run business out of Washington State promotes the raising of pollinators. They raise and sell Mason Bees, as well as bee houses, and related supplies. This site also offers tips and help: from month-by-month instructions to faqs about Mason Bees. http://crownbees.com

Terra Trellis. This website offers beautiful high-end trellises and pollinator habitats for your garden. Although somewhat expensive, their offerings are works of art and are wonderful examples of marrying form and function. http://www.terratrellis.com

Backyard Bird Shop. This Oregon shop, with a number of locations, provides the products and information necessary to transform a typical urban backyard into a habitat for birds, squirrels, bats, mason bees and other wildlife. Really nice selection of bird feeders and supplies, as well as nice garden decorations. http://www.backyardbirdshop.com

VEGETABLES

Vegetable Databases