We’ve got an Aquafarm to take a look at today on the blog. It’s a pretty cool countertop aquaponics system that was first brought to life via Kickstarter by the same guys who do the Mushroom Kit that I’ve also reviewed here on the blog. Table of Contents The Aquafarm, also called the Back To The Roots Water Garden, is designed to be a mini-aquaponics system. It’s a great introduction to the growing method for the total novice....
Whether you’ve slathered it on your skin, seen it in tiny pots at the grocery store, or witnessed all its glory in the desert, we’ve all come across aloe vera at some point in our lives. This unique, medicinal plant is a staple of succulent gardening – and one you can very easily take care of! So if you haven’t already, it’s time to add aloe vera plant care to your gardening repertoire....
If you ask any gardener, they’ll tell you that corn tastes so much better when it’s home-grown. Now, you could take our word for it, or you can find out for yourself! You’ll find that not only is it tasty, but growing corn is easy and extremely rewarding. It’s no wonder that this plant is one of the top grown crops in the world. Table of Contents Corn can be found on every human-populated continent, where it’s grown mostly for animal and human consumption....
Napa cabbage is an excellent spring vegetable for gardeners because it is easy to grow and provides a large harvest of heads. It grows similarly to other brassica family plants, and it will be familiar to gardeners who have grown bok choy before. If you’re interested in learning how to grow Napa cabbage in your garden this spring, we can help! Table of Contents This type of cabbage is commonly used in Asian cuisine, especially kimchi and stir-fry....
Growing food-producing plants alongside native plants is a popular gardening practice. One flowering plant that is indigenous to several regions is lupine. Not only will it attract pollinators who help food production, but it also fixes nitrogen in your garden’s soil. Table of Contents Lupine is a North American favorite. Texas calls one species its state plant. In the eastern part of the country, L. perennis is a common hybrid that grows wild on dunes, open forest floors, and savannahs in the Pacific Northwest....
Because it looks so intriguing, you might think that the succulent called string of pearls plant is hard to grow. Nope! This is an excellent succulent for beginners. String of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) is hardy, fast-growing, and a plant you’ll love. Table of Contents A string of pearls plant is instantly recognizable by the bead-like leaves that trail down each stem. Nicknamed ‘pearls’, these leaves are plump and a lovely shade of light green....
Table of Contents Have you ever wondered what to plant in a fall garden? Despite what you might think, it’s not impossible to have a plentiful garden in the cooler weather that precedes winter. Fall is a wonderful season that fills the earth with beautiful colors from the natural change of plants and leaves. Most people don’t think of fall as a season for gardening (myself included until recently), but that couldn’t be further from the truth....
If we’re going to continue the expansion of urban sprawl around the world, it’s in our best interest to make it look as beautiful – and natural – as possible. As humans, we’ve increasingly moved away from natural environments in favor of grey, bleak concrete landscapes that rob us of the sights, smells, and tactile sensations of living in the wild. While we’re not arguing for living in the jungle, it’s no secret that our cities and homes could be beautified with a little touch of nature....
There are so many different types of succulents, and they’re all just as lovely as the next. Succulent plants are great because they don’t require a ton of fussing or care. And they’re easy to propagate. Because there’s a lot to choose from, chances are there’s one out there that suits you just right. Table of Contents Whether it’s indoor succulents you want to grow or an outdoor succulent garden, there’s at least one succulent appropriate for either or both....
It’s said that sunflowers symbolize adoration. Maybe it’s because these bright yellow flowers are easy to grow, with lovely flowers. They’re great gifts to uplift friends and family alike. But maybe you’d rather stick with flowers that look like sunflowers instead. Table of Contents Whether that means bright yellow flowers and a green flower stem, so many plants resemble sunflowers. Obvious examples include those in the daisy family or the asteraceae family....
There is no question that gardening can be an enjoyable experience. Carefully planting and caring for your lawn, plants, trees and even vegetables can be rewarding. However, to ensure your plants and lawn remain healthy, you have to maintain the space. Table of Contents Without the right tools, this can be quite time-consuming. With a quality backpack sprayer, you can keep your garden free from pest infestations with a quick and easy method of applying insecticides, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizer....
Everywhere we look, cacti seem to be creeping into gardens both in and outdoors. Their popularity is justified by the numerous shapes and sizes available. With so many different forms, you can never have too many cacti. And this is when you need to learn how to propagate cactus. Cactus propagation is a fantastic method of increasing your cactus supply without spending a cent. It’s simple enough for beginners and gets easier with practice....
Table of Contents While some people grow determinate tomatoes so that they don’t have to worry about a trellis, anyone who wants to grow an indeterminate variety is going to need one. Whether short or tall, big or small, I’ve got a list of different options which will help ensure your tomatoes have the support that they need to give you huge quantities of fresh produce! I’ve broken these down into categories based on what is actually providing the support for the tomatoes, and included some rough estimates of cost and difficulty....
The balloon flower is a popular plant. Lush green foliage sets off massive five-pointed flowers that open up like stars from puffy, balloon-like buds, making the perfect edging plant or container garden. Table of Contents But how does one grow these Asian plants to their utmost potential? We’re going to explore growing balloon flowers in detail, and when you’re finished reading, you’ll know exactly what you need to do to make these gorgeous plants thrive....
A flea beetle is not a flea. Let’s get that out of the way right at the beginning! In fact, fleas and flea beetles have almost nothing in common, although they’re often confused with fleas by those less familiar with them. This is not the pest that bites your dogs and cats (and sometimes you). Table of Contents But if it’s not a flea, what exactly is a flea beetle? How can you identify this surprisingly-common United States pest, and where are you likely to find it?...
Table of Contents There’s nothing worse… You’ve cultivated an amazing garden, full of lush greens and veggies, only to have it relentlessly attacked by grasshoppers. Unlike many garden pests, which focus on one type of plant, grasshoppers aren’t too picky and can obliterate most of the plants you’ve spent all season growing. In this guide, you’ll learn many different ways to prevent, control, and kill grasshoppers, even if they’ve already infested your garden....
One of the most common pests of indoor plants is mealybugs. These scale insects aren’t a huge issue in some cases, but infested plants can experience myriad problems as mealybugs feed on them. It’s important to act appropriately even in light infestations so they don’t become heavy infestations. Table of Contents Any pest management strategy, even with houseplants should include integrations of biological control, cultural practices, and insecticides. By knowing which species of mealybugs you’re dealing with, you’ll know how to get rid of mealybugs in the most effective ways....
Looking for an alternative ground cover that’s reminiscent of juniper? Siberian cypress, botanically known as Microbiota decussata, is great. This evergreen, low-growing shrub has a wealth of garden uses. Table of Contents Unlike junipers, it’s a bit more shade-tolerant. Its mid-green leaves turn a coppery bronze in the fall, adding to its appeal. Spreading with ease, it will gradually fill in an area with lush color. Though it was found in 1923, the world didn’t discover the plant until nearly fifty years later....
Have you noticed large dark spots forming on the center of leaves of your plants that get larger as time goes on, and eventually cause the death of entire leaves? Did this occur during the wet and rainy summer season? You could be dealing with one of the many species of fungus diseases in the cercospora genus, called cercospora leaf spot. Table of Contents There are dozens of species in this particular genus....
Ladies and gents, I do believe we’ve found the most wholesome plant in the gardening world! Chamomile, the “apple on the ground”, is a beautiful bundle of low-maintenance, cold-hardy, and medicinal traits, wrapped in cute, daisy-like flowers. Seriously, you’re going to love growing chamomile plant and the whimsical vibe its flowers bring. Table of Contents Chamomile is perhaps the most famous in tea form. Its blossoms have a unique, calming aroma when brewed that’s believed to ease anxiety and depression....
