Have you ever wondered just how to transplant seedlings? Starting seeds and transplanting them is an annual ritual. Depending on what you want to grow, a learning curve might be involved. There are plants that do fine when transplanted, and others that suffer transplant shock. And there are timings to remember too. Table of Contents The style of starting you use will also have bearing on how you transplant seedlings. Planting depth is also of importance....
If you’re growing in containers, chances are good you’re using some kind of potting soil for your precious plants. Table of Contents But what if I told you that the “soil” in your pot isn’t technically “soil” at all? What if I told you that it’s a mix made of composted tree materials, peat moss, and a myriad of other ingredients? Well, it’s true. Potting soil is a man-made creation that is in some ways superior to normal garden soil when it comes to growing plants in containers or pots....
Some of my favorite memories from childhood involved congregating in the woods with friends to consume the nectar of the sweet-smelling Japanese honeysuckle plant. The fragrant flowers of Lonicera japonica are a part of my adulthood as well, though the plant is an invasive species. Table of Contents I still enjoy its sweet smell in early summer, and stop to have some nectar. But because it’s an invasive species, I opt for a native species instead....
Luckily, what we lack in square footage we make up for in efficiency. Enter the Square Foot Garden; A highly efficient food production machine that carries a whole host of awesome benefits for those pressed for space. The best part of all is that they are equally as beautiful as they are functional. Let’s take a look at a few great square foot garden designs to showcase just how beautiful and Zen this style of gardening can really be....
Table of Contents African violets, also known as Saintpaulias, are associated with motherhood, and are a traditional gift to Mom for Mother’s Day. They’re also popular for Valentine’s Day and for Easter. But what are African violets? Are there different species or varieties, and what might those be? Are they all blue or purple? Is there a best way to take care of African violets? Are these plants best indoors or outdoors, and what’s the differences in their care?...
I’d hazard a guess that the fenugreek plant is not a popular plant to grow in the vegetable garden. Still, this is surprising given the multiple uses fenugreek provides to the home gardener! Civilizations across the globe have been growing this lovely legume for millenniums. Fenugreek seeds were discovered in Tutankhamun’s tomb, but the oldest archaeological finds are from carbon-dated seeds found in Iraq, believed to be 6000 yrs old. It makes you wonder why growing fenugreek is not popular today....
What’s the name of Bruce Lee’s vegan brother? Brocco-Lee, of course! This veggie may not be into martial arts, but it’s definitely a master in the garden. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about growing broccoli at home. Table of Contents Bad jokes aside, it isn’t hard to grow broccoli, we promise! You’ll be amazed at how well these cole crops take to your garden. Once planted, they’re low-maintenance, especially if you have an irrigation system set up....
It’s Shroom Time, Baby! No, not that type of shroom. Oyster mushrooms! A lot of gardeners haven’t ever delved into the wonderful world of mushroom farming, and it’s a shame…because it’s a lot of fun! I’ve found that mushrooms are a “love it or hate it” type of food – and I’m squarely in the love it camp. They’re absolutely delicious in omelets, pasta, or burgers…or just about anything else you can think of....
Hyssop is an old-fashioned herb you may have heard of, but you might not know what it looks like or what to do with it. Hopefully, the tips and advice in this article will answer some of these questions and encourage you to grow a hyssop plant in your garden! Table of Contents There are many reasons to plant hyssop. Firstly, it looks great! You can grow hyssop in the herb garden, as a border, or as a specimen plant and it will catch your eye....
Today we’re looking at a LED grow light company out of California, aptly named California Lightworks. I’ll be looking at their product line, examining their technology and company policy, and actually growing in one of their new flagship products: SolarXtreme 500. Table of Contents Let’s get into it – but before we do, here’s a deep dive into their factory based in California. I found this video fascinating, because unlike many other LED companies I’ve reviewed, they’ve given people a look behind the curtain and actually shown their entire factory:...
One of the most hated pests is the dreaded squash bug. Much like many common pests in the warmth of the spring and summer growing season, they suck plant juices from your beloved squash vines. They do a lot of damage and proliferate on plants too. That’s why is so important to identify squash bugs and take them out. Table of Contents What’s crazy is that squash bugs tend to attack winter squash varieties in the spring just as much as summer squash....
The barley plant is one that doesn’t receive a lot of attention, but it’s worth the time to learn about this spring annual. It may not be as popular as other small grains such as wheat, rice, rye, oats, or corn, but nevertheless, it is still important. Table of Contents Known as the other cereal grain, it has been cultivated for thousands of years and is grown in areas that would otherwise not support food crops....
The goji berry is a very cheerful looking bright red fruit that packs a powerhouse punch of nutritional benefits great for your health! Jammed with Vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, B6 plus antioxidants, this little fruit does a lot of work for how little food it is! With its recent rise to fame, more and more people are looking to add the goji berry plant to their home garden. Table of Contents...
You may have heard of the ancient grain amaranth, which is an amazing food similar to quinoa and packed with protein. This crop has been cultivated for thousands of years in America and is valued as a superfood throughout the world. Growing amaranth is easy! Table of Contents There are many varieties of amaranth plants that can grow to towering heights, up to 10 feet tall! Its stalk is a popular fun trellis for vine plants such as beans and peas to climb up....
Borage is well-known for its vividly blue, star-shaped flowers. But, this plant isn’t all looks – it also grows delicious microgreens! Borage microgreens have a strong cucumber flavor that’s also been likened to cantaloupe, lemon, and even celery. It’s often grown instead of cucumber microgreens, even though they aren’t related. If you like to make smoothies, tea, and even fancy alcoholic drinks, borage microgreens are perfect for your garden! Table of Contents...
Have you ever wondered how to save tomato seeds? We all put so much time in growing our beloved plants that it seems a shame to only enjoy that harvest for one growing season. Whether you’re thinking of saving heirloom tomato seeds or not, this guide should help you with all aspects of tomato seed saving. Table of Contents But seed saving has to start somewhere. And the first step of that is harvesting tomato seeds....
Gardeners work hard to grow their own food! Why would you ever want to waste that abundance? If you don’t have a large family, you’re stuck with finding a way to preserve it. That’s where lacto-fermenting vegetables comes into play. In lacto-fermentation, we’re relying on a mix of lactic acid and salt. Fermenting vegetables with salt reduces the possibility of unwanted dangerous bacteria. Meanwhile, lactic acid bacteria naturally preserve our veggies....
So you have a tree that needs to be trimmed, and your handheld pruners just won’t cut it – both figuratively and literally. What should you do? Table of Contents Invest in a quality pair of loppers, of course! But how do you decide what you need, and is there really any differences between them? Let’s discover all you need to know about loppers, and I’ll make some recommendations for specific brands....
So here it is. A few things to keep in mind: The creator of this awesome infographic is Brett James. He lives in Liverpool, so all the planting dates are going to be for England. This means you should make sure to cross reference these dates with your Plant Hardiness Zone. If you don’t know what your Plant Hardiness Zone is, don’t fear! Find out by clicking here. You can find the printable version of this graphic here....
Finger limes are slowly being introduced into the culinary world, but quickly becoming chefs’ favorites. Finger limes are described as citrus caviar because the texture of the pulp resembles caviar. The pulp contains small round vesicles filled with juice that provide a burst of refreshing acidity and flavor with every bite. Growing a finger lime tree is incredibly easy and the fruit can be stored in the freezer to be enjoyed any time of the year....
