Garden

If you recently purchased a greenhouse, likely the first question on your mind – besides what you are going to grow, of course! – is where to place it. The best place to position your greenhouse is typically one that gets lots of sunlight (with southern exposure), very little wind, is slightly elevated, and not … Read more

Spend hours pulling weeds, with sweat dripping off your brow, and you might be wondering, “why are weeds so bad for your garden?” Sure, they don’t look all that great – but are they really that harmful? There are some benefits to letting weeds flourish in your garden, but there are also some risks, too. … Read more

Jewelweed is a drastically underappreciated “weed.” While you can eat jewelweed, it is most often grown or foraged it for its potential healing properties. While this attractive bush-like plant has many uses, it is perhaps most widely known for its antipruritic (anti-itching) value. This wild plant is an active natural ingredient in poison ivy rash … Read more

Sweet potatoes are a popular vegetable, especially at holidays. They suggest images of crisp fall days, family meals, and special occasions. Sweet potatoes are an easy vegetable to grow, but they have different needs than many garden vegetables. They are also one of the best yielding vegetables, producing forty to fifty pounds of tubers from … Read more

I have tried to start different types of fruit trees without much success. I mean, I was really getting angry at my inability to do so as I generally have a green thumb. After several failed attempts and then one accidental that worked, I decided I should do some research. The answer is stratifying your … Read more

The gardening season is over, and it is time to put your vegetable garden to bed. Fall is the time to get your garden ready for the next springs planting cycle. The list of work can be long but it all doesn’t have to be done in one day. Do the work as it comes … Read more

Parsley is an herb that is low maintenance, therefore it is easy to grow. It looks a lot like cilantro. It has feather-like leaves that are bright green in color and has a mild aroma. The plant can grow up to a foot tall. Parsley is a biennial herb meaning it takes one year to … Read more

Bats have gotten a bad rap over the years, thanks to their associations with blood-sucking vampires, and the scare of them carrying rabies. However, despite these myths, bats are actually really useful in the garden. In fact, only 3 species of bats carry rabies and all of them live in Central and South America. Instead, … Read more

When you first start gardening, you may ask yourself whether growing organic food is worth it, or if you’re better off sticking to more conventional growing practices. As a consumer, you may ask yourself the same thing, wondering whether buying organic produce or other food is worth the (substantial) extra cost. Now, there are several … Read more

The plow was one of the most important inventions in the history of agriculture. From the early plows pulled by horses or mules to the mechanical ones now towed by tractors, this one farming implement still plays an essential role in the overall health (and success) of your garden. What Are the Benefits of Plowing? … Read more

When we build diverse gardens, we can enjoy the myriad of wildlife that visit the flowers and plants that congregate there. Instead of being mauled by roving bugs, ravaging our crops, diversity in the garden brings natural forms of pest control and increased pollination for higher yields from wildlife such as bats and wild birds. … Read more

Winter slows down everything in the garden, including the compost. Short, cold days change the conditions in your compost pile, bringing the decomposition is almost a halt. It doesn’t have to come to a complete stop though; winter composting is very possible with the right techniques. Now is not the time to through in the … Read more

It can be tricky to make a garden on a slope. Many problems may arise if the land has an incline, mostly because the unevenness of the land can dry the soil. This dry soil can then lead to problems with watering, pruning, and more. Sadly, many don’t have a choice about where they garden. … Read more

If you have ever tasted a homegrown tomato, you likely already know how much more flavorful it is than a store-bought tomato. And it’s not just your imagination playing tricks on you. Homegrown produce often tastes better than supermarket groceries, and it offers a host of other benefits as well. Sure, they don’t always look … Read more

Boron is a trace mineral that is, sadly, neglected by many gardeners. Found naturally in several plants, boron actually plays an important role in plant growth It’s also found in the soil in the form of boric acid or borate and is a mobile nutrient, meaning it is moving in the soil. Food and drinking … Read more