Monica Gayle with Rick Vespa from English Gardens (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
Fresh, homegrown produce -- there is nothing more satisfying than harvesting your own tomatoes or fresh lettuce from the backyard.
"If you want to go into tomatoes, peppers, things like that, one way to start these early is to do it in containers," said English Gardens Vice President Rick Vespa. "The beauty of a container ... is you can move it somewhere safe and warm if it gets too cold. Tomatoes are not real tolerant of cold temperatures."
Vespa added that you need to use the right size container and to "make sure you use a container that's got good drainage in it. A drainage hole at the bottom is key."
"Also, your herbs are coming on, and those are things, again, you can grow in pots. It's really neat to do a container of herbs right outside the kitchen door and you can harvest whenever you need some," Vespa said.
Many people like the idea of not having a lot of pesticides in their food. How do you go about making sure that what you're growing on your back patio or in the garden is as fresh and as safe as possible?
"First of all, you can use organic soils. We have organic soils, organic fertilizers, and if you need to spray with anything, there are soaps and things like that you can use that are completely safe and chemical free."
Friday, October 12 2012 10:48 PM EDT2012-10-13 02:48:03 GMT
Halloween is nearly here and that has a lot of people scaring up their best outdoor decorations. You don't have to spend big money for a frightful display.
Halloween is nearly here and that has a lot of people scaring up their best outdoor decorations. You don't have to spend big money for a frightful display.
Friday, August 24 2012 11:32 PM EDT2012-08-25 03:32:38 GMT
Deer and rabbits can be fun to watch, but not when they're chewing down on your backyard plants and flowers. Rick Vespa from English Gardens explains how to keep those furry intruders at bay.
Deer and rabbits can be fun to watch, but not when they're chewing down on your backyard plants and flowers. Rick Vespa from English Gardens explains how to keep those furry intruders at bay.
Thursday, August 23 2012 9:54 PM EDT2012-08-24 01:54:58 GMT
Backyard water treatments are really popular right now as more and more people look to find the perfect oasis without ever leaving home. In this edition of "The Dirt", we show you how to install one.
Backyard water treatments are really popular right now as more and more people look to find the perfect oasis without ever leaving home. In this edition of "The Dirt", we show you how to install one.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:27:07 GMT
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
Monday, June 17 2013 11:31 PM EDT2013-06-18 03:31:06 GMT
Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr is working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
As Kevyn Orr tries to solve Detroit's financial crisis, he is also working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:43 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:43:12 GMT
He is a Detroit lawmaker serving his second term in the state House, but he may be spending a little too much time at his own house. M.L. Elrick puts state Rep. John Olumba's attendance record under the microscope.
He is a Detroit lawmaker serving his second term in the state House, but he may be spending a little too much time at his own house. M.L. Elrick puts state Rep. John Olumba's attendance record under the microscope.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:36 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:36:35 GMT
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:45:07 GMT
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
Monday, June 17 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-06-17 21:55:56 GMT
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
Monday, June 17 2013 4:56 PM EDT2013-06-17 20:56:42 GMT
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
Monica Gayle with Rick Vespa from English Gardens (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
