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Posts by McClendon’s Select

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About McClendon’s Select
McClendon’s Select is a premier organic specialty farm based in Peoria, Arizona. With a commitment to sustainable agriculture, they provide the desert region with an exceptional variety of organic vegetables, citrus, honey, and dates. Through Open Gates Farm, they share their expertise in desert cultivation and their passion for farm-to-table quality
checking flowers for pests
Posted inPest Control Tips

Pest Control Tips That Help Backyard Gardeners Protect New Flowers and Early Fruit Before Small Damage Reduces Later Harvests

Useful pest control tips can help backyard gardeners protect new flowers and early fruit before a small hidden problem quietly reduces the harvest that would have followed later. Many growers focus on leaves because leaf damage is easy to see, but…
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Posted by Avatar photo McClendon’s Select May 30, 2026
watering vegetable bed with minimal runoff
Posted inWater Saving Tips

Water Saving Tips That Help Backyard Gardeners Catch Runoff Early Before Good Water Leaves the Bed Too Fast

Useful water saving tips can help backyard gardeners catch runoff early before good water leaves the bed too fast and stops helping the crops it was meant to support. Many growers think watering problems always come from using too little water,…
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Posted by Avatar photo McClendon’s Select May 29, 2026
checking backyard bed for smooth care
Posted inGarden Tips

Garden Tips That Help Backyard Growers Notice When Productive Beds Start Looking Busy but Stop Working Smoothly

 Useful garden tips can help backyard growers notice when a bed still looks productive but has started becoming harder to use well. This is a common stage in active gardens. Crops are growing, harvests are still coming in, and the bed…
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Posted by Avatar photo McClendon’s Select May 29, 2026
backyard garden harvest tips
Posted inHarvest Tips

Harvest Tips That Help Backyard Gardeners Pick Fast-Maturing Crops on Time Before Beds Turn from Productive to Overgrown

Useful harvest tips can help backyard gardeners keep fast-maturing crops from slipping past their best stage while the bed still looks healthy and productive. Some crops move from small to ready very quickly. Beans, cucumbers, squash, herbs, leafy greens, and many…
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Posted by Avatar photo McClendon’s Select May 27, 2026
farm supply station with tools
Posted inFarm Life Tips

Farm Life Tips That Help Backyard Growers Organize Small Supply Stations So Daily Garden Work Flows Better

Useful farm life tips can help backyard growers make daily work smoother by setting up small supply stations in the right places instead of keeping every item in one crowded storage spot. Many outdoor chores take longer than they should because…
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Posted by Avatar photo McClendon’s Select May 27, 2026
soil crusting in backyard garden bed
Posted inSoil Tips

Soil Tips That Help Backyard Gardeners Read Surface Crusting Early Before Seedlings and Watering Both Struggle

Useful soil tips can help backyard gardeners notice surface crusting before a bed becomes harder to water, harder for seedlings to emerge through, and less balanced overall. Soil crusting often begins quietly. The top layer dries, tightens, and turns into a…
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Posted by Avatar photo McClendon’s Select May 26, 2026
garden edge rows with mulch
Posted inGrowing Hacks

Growing Hacks That Help Backyard Gardeners Keep Edge Rows More Productive Without Letting Them Dry Out Faster

Useful growing hacks can help backyard gardeners keep edge rows productive without letting those exposed spaces become the weakest part of the bed. Outer rows often face slightly different conditions than the center. They may dry more quickly, receive more foot…
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Posted by Avatar photo McClendon’s Select May 26, 2026
backyard garden second crop spacing
Posted inPlanting Tips

Planting Tips That Help Backyard Gardeners Space Second-Round Crops More Wisely After Early Harvests

Useful planting tips can help backyard gardeners handle second-round planting more wisely after an early harvest opens space in the bed. These later plantings often seem simple because some ground is suddenly available again, but the bed is no longer in…
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Posted by Avatar photo McClendon’s Select May 25, 2026
tracking seasonal garden changes
Posted inGarden Tips

Garden Tips That Help Backyard Growers Track Small Seasonal Changes Before Beds Lose Momentum

Useful garden tips can help backyard growers notice small seasonal changes before those changes quietly slow down the whole bed. Many gardens do not lose momentum because of one big problem. They slow down because the season shifts little by little.…
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Posted by Avatar photo McClendon’s Select May 25, 2026
Soil tips for raised beds with healthy garden soil and productive vegetable growth
Posted inSoil Tips

Soil Tips That Help Raised Beds Stay Productive for Longer

Practical soil tips can help raised beds stay productive well beyond the first planting season. Many gardeners build raised beds for better control, a cleaner layout, and easier access, but those advantages can fade if the soil isn’t maintained properly. Good…
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Posted by Avatar photo McClendon’s Select April 28, 2026

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Planting tips for preparing a backyard bed surface before making even garden rows

Open Gates Farm is a dedicated resource for backyard growers who believe that a successful harvest starts with a smart plan. We move beyond basic gardening advice to focus on the structural foundation of a great garden—layout, soil recovery, and efficient seasonal routines. Whether you are mapping out your first raised bed or looking to streamline your spring farm prep, our goal is to open the gate to a more manageable, productive, and stress-free homesteading experience.

Open Gates Farm is a dedicated resource for backyard growers who believe that a successful harvest starts with a smart plan. We move beyond basic gardening advice to focus on the structural foundation of a great garden—layout, soil recovery, and efficient seasonal routines. Whether you are mapping out your first raised bed or looking to streamline your spring farm prep, our goal is to open the gate to a more manageable, productive, and stress-free homesteading experience.

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