Posts

Companion planting is an old but popular strategy. Gardeners and farmers have been employing this organic gardening technique for years, and it’s undergoing a revival of sorts in backyard gardening. As people try to abandon artificial fertilizer and pesticides to hone in on more natural practices, growing companion plants has become more important. For those stocking their home pantry, choosing the right onion companion plants is essential to get maximum yields....

Contrary to their name, sago palms aren’t palms at all. They are hardy cycads with feathery fronds that make them a hit at urban gardens. Tolerant to extremes of temperature, the sagos are big guys with prickly plant parts, making them quite a challenge to grow in pots. However, with the right combination of soil, drainage, and growing conditions, sago palm care is easy. USDA Zone: 8-10 Propagation Method: By Seeds and Offsets...

When starting seeds — no matter if you’re starting them for hydroponics or otherwise — it’s important to provide them the perfect germination conditions. Each type of seed has different conditions. But as a general rule, most seeds like to be in a growing medium that’s warm. Table of Contents Because most of us are starting seeds indoors, either in preparation for the coming season or to grow them indoors, we don’t have the luxury of warm soil....

Blanching is the simple practice of binding large outer leaves together over and around developing cauliflower heads, to prevent them from yellowing or browning and developing a bitter flavor due to an overabundance of sun exposure. Some older white varieties can even turn shades of blotchy purple. Cauliflower, Brassica oleracea var. botrytis, is a cool-season cruciferous crop that can be challenging to grow. Many different varieties are available in shades of green, orange, purple, and white....

I’ve found that a lot of people who get into hydroponics will start out very excited only to become disinterested because their garden starts to fail. When I ask them a few questions it always seems to come down to the fact that they weren’t doing the small things on a daily basis that keep hydroponic gardening running smoothly. What Gets Measured, Gets Managed The above is a quote from the legendary management guru Peter Drucker, but his wisdom applies to anything that can be measured – especially your garden!...

If you garden, chances are that you have wondered whether you can grow plants in your home even with poor lighting. I’ve been in the same position before, and I was frustrated by the lack of resources that were available to help me make my decision. Table of Contents Don’t worry- you won’t have to go through the same struggle! I’ve compiled a list of the 14 best indoor shade plants that require minimal lighting and maintenance....

If you haven’t read the first post in this urban farming business series, go back and do that before you continue! Table of Contents In my first post I talked about the business idea and how it got started. I also talked about how I went out and pitched customers, validated the idea, and even landed a client. I got some feedback on that post and it seems like many wish to learn more about the numbers and the basic setup of the business....

Ready to learn more? Here’s what we’ll cover: Herbs and spices can add flavor to your meals. But did you know they’re also filled with nutritional components that may help to boost your health? Caraway, Carum carvi, is a member of the Apiaceae family, which includes carrots, celery, fennel, and parsley. The seeds are commonly found in America in rye bread, caraway seed rolls, and more. It is also common in European cooking and baking....

In this guide, we focus on harvesting. You will learn when nuts ripen, what they look like, and how to gather your crop. Here’s what’s to come: We’ve already discussed how to grow and care for the two types of edible macadamia, the smooth-shelled Queensland variety, M. integrifolia, and the rough-shelled M. tetraphylla. Native to Australia, they grow well in home gardens in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products....

Cutting back an overgrown or sickly zucchini plant takes about as long as those seven notes, and costs even less than “two bits,” which is 25 cents. Pruning zucchini puts me in mind of the catchy seven beats that tap out “Shave and a haircut…” and then the response, “Two bits!” The knocking pattern for gags originated in vaudeville, but younger folks may know it from Bugs Bunny cartoons or the movie “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?...

Eggs hold quite a lot of significance in the Christian festival of Easter. People decorate and use them in a variety of ways for gifting. Keeping that in mind, we have come up with some exciting DIY Eggshell Ideas you would love to implement! Check out our article on gorgeous indoor statement planters here 1. Golden Eggshell Planters This is a smart, eco-friendly solution to recycle eggshells. Instead of throwing them away, you can turn them into golden planters....

Roses are the most beautiful flowers to have in your garden. With a huge variety of colors, you can grow many rose plants and bring various shades to your garden. For healthier plants, you need to take some extra measures for their disease-free growth. Using Epsom Salt for Roses is one of them: Its use can make this shrub healthy and productive. How? Find below in detail. What is Epsom Salt?...

Read on to learn what to do to keep your crops from bolting and going to seed, and what steps to take once they do. Turnips are typically an easy and productive crop to grow in the spring or fall garden. Both the leafy tops and roots are edible, nutritious, and can be stored and eaten in a variety of ways. While relatively low maintenance, early bolting of turnips is a common frustration among many growers....

Mango is a tropical fruit, belonging to the genus Mangifera. It is native to the Southern part of Asia, especially eastern India, Burma, and the Andaman Islands. The fruit comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, textures, and tastes. Its little tart, fragrant, sweet, and pulpy flavor makes it famous all over the world. So, what mango is? Is Mango a Citrus Fruit or Stone Fruit? Let’s find out! Check out our article on growing Mango tree here Difference Between Citrus Fruit and Stone Fruit?...

Microgreens are one of the top ways to add nutrition to a meal. They’re also an easy and artistic option for garnishing your dishes. Just imagine a steaming dish of lasagna topped with crunchy, bite-sized basil. Mouth-watering, right? In this article, you can make that tasty meal a reality by learning how to grow basil microgreens. Table of Contents Genovese basil, also known as sweet basil, is by far the most popular for growing microgreens....

With the explosion of hydroponics, indoor growing, and the LED grow light industry, it’s no surprise that there are a ton of companies in the market right now. Table of Contents It’s a bit overwhelming to sort through all of these companies popping up and determine which are the best ones for your particular needs in the garden. So, I’ve decided to go deep and review some of the most popular LED grow light companies on the market....

Lavandula herbs boast many uses, and thanks to the wide range of species and cultivars available, they are perfect for a range of garden designs. Lavandula is a genus in the mint family that contains 41 accepted species. And this might be daunting when selecting the variety of lavender that best suits your garden, because there are so many options. This plant species breakdown will focus on two of the most common selections from the genus, French (L....

Here are some great cozy apartment balcony garden ideas 1. Narrow Balcony with a Vertical Garden Make the best use of available space by growing plants in hanging pots. 2. Plants on Railing with Lights The lights will make the plants look more beautiful at night! 3. Large Open Space with Plants and Coffee Table Use the large open space of your lavish penthouse by decorating it with plants. 4. Plants Under the Stairs The small space under the stairs can be used to showcase your favorite plants!...

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) You can pick up the ginger root right at your local grocery store. Once you start experimenting with roots your grocery shopping experience will never be the same! Ginger, (Zingiber officinale) is a perennial which is native to Asia with reed like stems and long, narrow leaves. Its fleshy rhizome has a sweet pungent flavor and is used for culinary and medicinal purposes. Ginger is Hardy to zone 10....

In this article, we offer five tips to help you create a garden that the young people at your house can call their own. Adults enjoy gardening for the outdoor time, exercise, inspiration, relaxation, healthy homegrown food, fragrant blooms, a sense of well-being and accomplishment, and probably many other delightful reasons. Guess what? Children can enjoy the same benefits when you design a growing space that’s suited to their abilities and interests....