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 Identify the Right Soil Amendments for Drought-Tolerant Plants?
I'm delving into the science of soil health for my garden, focusing specifically on drought-tolerant plants. Given my background as a botanist, I unde...
How can I maintain moisture levels in my compost tumbler during summer?
As a seasoned backyard gardener in a warm climate, I've noticed that maintaining moisture in my compost tumbler can be challenging during the hot summ...
What soil amendments do I need for thriving bee balm?
I'm located in a region with fairly sandy soil, and I've noticed that my bee balm isn't flourishing as I'd hoped. My garden is a mixture of various na...
What pests should I be aware of for my bee balm plants?
I'm passionate about creating a sustainable environment for beneficial insects in my garden, filled with native flora. However, I've recently spotted ...
How do I safely prune larger branches in my native garden?
With my garden thriving, I’ve recently noticed that some of my larger native plants—like my flowering dogwood—are in need of significant pruning. My c...
What’s the best way to keep my raised beds warm in winter?
I'm quite invested in keeping my raised vegetable beds productive through the winter months. Living in a cooler climate has posed a challenge for my e...
What troubleshooting steps should I take for slow composting in my tumbler?
I've been using a compost tumbler for a while now, and I've begun to notice that the decomposition process seems slower than expected. My garden, whic...
What’s the best way to integrate bee balm into an existing native plant garden?
I’ve designed my garden primarily with native plants to provide a habitat for local wildlife. I’m now looking to integrate more bee balm into this alr...
What are the best methods for vertical gardening in raised beds?
I'm exploring vertical gardening techniques in my raised vegetable beds to maximize my limited gardening space. Living in a vibrant community where ma...
When is the right time to prune with a saw for optimal growth?
As someone who is deeply invested in understanding the cycles of plant growth, I’ve been contemplating the timing of pruning with a saw in my garden. ...
What strategies can I use for effective crop rotation in raised beds?
I'm quite committed to maintaining the health of my raised beds through proper crop rotation, but I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with how to implement ...
What pest management strategies are best for a chemical-free pollinator garden?
I'm quite committed to maintaining an organic approach in my garden, especially since I have various native and edible plants that attract pollinators...
How do soil composition and pH affect bonsai fertilizer effectiveness?
As a retired botanist who has shifted my focus to bonsai cultivation, I've become quite intrigued by how soil characteristics play into fertilizer eff...
What role does seasonal change play in bonsai fertilization?
As I delve deeper into the art of bonsai, I've become interested in how seasonal changes impact fertilization strategies. My collection includes vario...
How to maintain humidity levels after repotting orchids?
I'm repotting my orchids this weekend and am particularly concerned about maintaining humidity levels post-repotting since my local climate can be qui...
What techniques should I use to avoid harming my plants while pruning?
In my journey as a backyard gardener focused on native flora, I’m often confronted with the need to prune without causing harm to the plants. While I’...
What are the common mistakes to avoid when repotting orchids?
As I prepare to repot several of my cherished orchids, I’d love to gather some insights on common pitfalls to avoid during the process. My garden cons...
What's the best way to prune fruit trees using a pruning saw?
I’ve been nurturing a few fruit trees—apple and pear—in my garden that I’m eager to maintain for optimal harvests. However, I find that some branches ...
How can I effectively use a pruning saw on native shrubs?
I'm Kofi, a retired botanist now passionately involved in my backyard garden filled with native plants. Recently, I've been focusing on pruning my ind...
What are the signs that I need to adjust my bonsai fertilizer regime?
In my journey as a backyard gardener focusing on indigenous flora, I've always been attentive to my plants' health, but bonsai cultivation has present...