Jeffrey Hickey Writes Blogs

Category: Education

  • Terpenes

    One day several years ago, Bee and I were pruning a Harlequin plant together. While we pruned, Bee said, “I’m getting hungry for pesto.” At that moment, I suddenly agreed, “That sounds great.” It was around noonish, so we were probably a little hungry, but that isn’t why we both…

  • Treasure Hunt

    It’s about 45 minutes before dawn. I stretch, and dress warmly, because it’s 44 degrees (6.6 C) outside and I am about to go hunting for compost tea ingredients. From ten years of doing this, I know where to go on my property, in my neighborhood, and deep in the…

  • July–Plant Updates

    July is the transitional month. Plants should be vegetatively growing at their full potential. Some plants will grow over an inch a day. But July is also the month where plants begin to transition to flowers. July is the month where my grow is at its most automated. Every day…

  • Pruning and Training

    Light shines through a fence lattice on beds 12 and 13. I have previously written that I try to avoid pruning, and it’s true. However, pruning is inevitable. It is critical for proper plant maintenance, and for encouraging growth. I don’t like excessive pruning or emergency pruning. I like proactive…

  • A lifetime of Summers

    I’ll take another of these pictures in September, when the girls are fully grown. Right now, they are getting trained, and as of this morning, they are also getting their first inner pruning. More on them next week. But in the meantime, I’m in a nostalgic mood as we approach…

  • Dealing with the Unexpected

    You are growing for the first time outdoors and you notice that one or more of your plants are beginning to flower. You don’t want this, you were not expecting this, but what are you going to do about it? The first time one of my plants tried to flower…

  • Perfect Growing Conditions

    75 degrees (23.8 Celsius) and 60% humidity. Those are some perfect numbers. When I look at our garden weather station and I see 75 degrees and 60%, I have to pinch myself and smile. It’s June 2, all my plants are completely adjusted to their beds and they are reaching…

  • Vegetative Growth

    Veg growth on a 400 plus year old tree, yes, I’ll take a little of that in my tea, please. The plants are settled in their beds. There are a few minor problems to address, but overall, the transition from inside to outside has been smooth. The plants are taking…

  • Away We go

    Welcome to my beds, Rosé. It’s Saturday, May 17, and currently I have 10 out of 12 beds filled. There is also a 25 gallon smart pot sitting outside the beds, amongst the lavender, where we grew a small Fruitcake last year. We’re going to grow a larger plant (hopefully)…

  • Decision Week

    The 19th of May marks the six week point of the grow. On the calendar, it says the 19th is my planting day. The week leading up to that date is the fish or cut bait week for the plants. I’ve got a table full of contenders and another partially…