Kofi Mensah
A retired botanist turned backyard gardener, Kofi has dedicated his time to teaching others about native plants. His garden is a colorful mix of indigenous flowers and edible plants.
How to handle pest issues during orchid repotting?
I'm currently repotting a few of my orchids that I've nurtured over the past couple of years. Living in a tropical climate, I’ve noticed some pests, p...
Which native plants best support solitary bees in my pollinator garden?
I'm located in the southeastern region of the U.S., where my garden features a variety of native flowers and edible plants. I've read that solitary be...
What amending techniques work best for raised beds over time?
In my experience as a backyard gardener, I've noticed that the soil in my raised vegetable beds can deplete over time, affecting the growth of my plan...
How can I design a pollinator garden layout that optimizes visitor flow?
I've been working on my pollinator garden layout for some time now, focusing on maximizing accessibility and visual appeal. My garden is relatively sm...
How do I choose the right mulch based on my local climate and soil conditions?
As I expand my garden with more native and edible plants, I realize that the choice of mulch is crucial for maintaining soil health and moisture level...
Can certain mulching materials repel pests while benefiting my plants?
Living in a region that's prone to various garden pests, I’ve been considering using some types of mulch that might not only help with moisture retent...
How do I incorporate native plants into my raised vegetable beds?
I'm Kofi Mensah, a retired botanist passionate about integrating native plants into my gardening projects. My current setup consists of several raised...
What nutrient balance should I aim for in my bonsai fertilizer?
I'm currently working on my collection of bonsai trees, which includes a mix of Ficus, Juniper, and Chinese Elm. I've been researching nutrient ratios...
Should I use a specific fertilizer post-repotting for orchids?
I’m gearing up to repot my orchids and I’ve been pondering about their feeding requirements right after the process. During my time as a botanist, I’v...
Can I create my own bonsai fertilizer using kitchen scraps?
I've always been an advocate for sustainable gardening practices and am keen to apply that philosophy to my bonsai care as well. Living in a temperate...
What's the best way to incorporate mulch into a no-till gardening approach?
As a retired botanist now focused on backyard gardening, I've recently become interested in no-till gardening methods to preserve soil structure and h...
How can I encourage more butterflies in my pollinator garden?
I absolutely love seeing butterflies flutter around my garden, and I've been trying to create a more inviting environment for them. My space includes ...
How to effectively propagate gladiolus corms in my garden?
As a retired botanist, I've dabbled in various propagation techniques, but I’m particularly interested in propagating gladiolus corms. My garden has a...
What are the long-term effects of different mulches on soil fertility?
I'm deeply interested in understanding how different types of mulch impact soil fertility over time. As a retired botanist, I’ve been using organic ma...
How do I select the right native plants for my pollinator garden?
I'm currently developing a pollinator garden in my backyard located in the temperate region of the Midwest. My garden setup includes several raised be...
Can I compost certain types of diseased plant material?
As a retired botanist, I’m always interested in maintaining biodiversity and health within my garden, which is why I’m cautious about what goes into m...
How do I enhance soil health specifically for gladiolus growth?
Soil health is a priority for me as I cultivate my garden, which features a range of native plants and edible landscaping. My gladiolus does well, but...
What are the best practices for trimming orchid roots?
In my backyard, I have a lovely collection of orchids, but I’ve noticed that a few are developing some dead or mushy roots while being repotted. I wan...
How can I balance mulch type to promote beneficial organisms in my garden?
I'm currently experimenting with different types of mulch in my backyard garden, which is located in a temperate climate. I've used straw and wood chi...
What is the best way to manage watering for gladiolus in varying weather?
Living in a region where we experience both heavy rains and dry spells can be challenging for managing my garden accurately. I’ve had some issues with...