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Questions beginners always ask
“My compost smells awful, did I ruin it?”
You didn't. That ammonia smell means too many greens and not enough air. Fork in dry leaves or shredded cardboard, turn the pile, and it'll sweeten within a week. Our full composting guide walks through the 3:1 fix.
“Can I really grow garlic in a bucket on a balcony?”
Absolutely. Plant one clove per 6 inches, pointy side up, by Halloween in a deep container with drainage, and harvest the following July. Our container garlic guide has the full method.
“What's eating holes in my kale overnight?”
Most likely cabbage moth caterpillars or slugs. Check leaf undersides at dusk, then meet your new best friends: floating row covers. The organic pest playbook covers the rest.
“How often should I really be watering tomatoes?”
Deep and infrequent. A long soak twice a week beats a daily splash. Stick a finger two inches down and water only when it's dry there. More in the watering guide.
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