Soil is a hot topic among those interested in the environment. Home gardeners take pains to build a healthy soil profile that supports living organisms while providing adequate support to plant roots and plant growth. But what is soil? Table of Contents Different people view the soil topic differently. While most gardeners think of potting soil or garden bed soil as the easy answer to our question, the truth is much more nuanced than that....
Growing a yardlong bean needs to be a part of your garden plans. Named for their size, yardlong beans can grow up to 3 feet long (although the average size is a half-yard). Because they are a vining plant that grows vertically, they’re a great choice for gardeners who don’t have a lot of room. Because of their size and abundance during harvest time, you will likely have yardlong beans to eat throughout the year....
Horticultural oil vs neem oil: who will win in this epic battle? Or are they the same thing? They’re super similar, and that’s because horticultural oil is an umbrella term for natural oils (previously known as dormant oils) that are made from vegetables, plants, and minerals. Neem oil comes from the neem tree, so it’s a type of horticultural oil. Table of Contents Neem oil is a bit different than other horticultural oils, which may be why it’s mistaken to be something completely different altogether!...
Lemon balm is a perennial leafy herb from the mint family with a strong but pleasant lemon smell. Like most herbs, the lemon balm plant is a hard-working multi-tasker that looks great with its lush vibrant green leaves as well as having numerous medicinal and culinary uses. Most importantly, the uplifting and refreshing lemon scent is so highly fragrant, it can be enjoyed throughout the garden from late spring to fall....
When I first started gardening…I sucked. I thought I was one of those people that just didn’t have a green thumb. It turns out that I was wrong, thankfully (as most of you know!) and now Epic Gardening is one of the best gardening blogs and websites online. Table of Contents But it takes quite a bit of time to learn the art and science of gardening. For years, I’ve been reading gardening books and blogs voraciously along with talking to experts in the field....
Nothing completes a raised bed garden like a trellis. Not only are they whimsical-looking and an easy DIY project, but they’re also extremely practical. Turn one into a raised bed trellis and you have the perfect setup for backyard gardening! Table of Contents DIY trellises are a great idea for any garden, especially since they’re so customizable. You can make one with just a couple of stakes and some chicken wire....
Do you enjoy growing edible perennials? Maybe you love garlic chives for their flavor and pollinator-attracting prowess. Or maybe you’d like to add a splash of color to one of your herb gardens. If this description suits you, look no further than society garlic! Table of Contents A society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea) plant is a great addition to gardens managed by those with different plant tastes. Wildcrafters love using the leaves and flowers in salads and just as they would use wild garlic....
Raised beds are gaining in popularity. By using a raised bed, you can have perfect soil quality. Weeds are easier to prevent, and a quality raised bed can last for a long time. Many are constructed of wood, others of brick or rock. But galvanized steel is becoming a popular option, too, which raises a rather important question: Table of Contents Are galvanized steel garden beds safe? The short answer to this is yes, they’re absolutely safe for gardening use....
If you’ve been in the shade of a black walnut tree, you know how lovely it is. Couple that with a black walnut harvest, and it’s easy to comprehend why walnut is a diet staple for people living in North America. Table of Contents Not only are the nuts delicious, and full of nutrition, the trees are easy to grow. They are a pioneer species, sweeping through barren environments to take residence....
One of the hallmark signs of spring is the welcoming taste of fresh strawberries. However, strawberries can suffer from some pest issues, including being susceptible to the strawberry root weevil. Table of Contents Weevils are insects that are part of the beetles family. There are three different species of weevils that have larvae that will feed on the roots of strawberry plants: the Black vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus), the Rough strawberry root weevil (O....
Used as a mulch, fertilizer, compost accelerator, pollinator attractor, and clay soil breaker, the comfrey plant is an invaluable addition to any garden. Table of Contents The first comfrey shoots appear in spring. By June it has grown waist high with a multitude of pretty bell-shaped, pink to purple flowers, each one with a tiny bee’s bottom protruding from the end as they feast on the rich comfrey nectar. I let the bees feast for a few weeks before taking my first harvest....
Ginger is a powerful, anti-inflammatory herb that has been used in the culinary world since centuries. The ginger plant forms from a rhizome that grows into a dainty, little flowering perennial. If you want to add flavor and beauty to your food garden, growing the ginger plant is an absolute must. Table of Contents Ginger plants have numerous health benefits and have been used as medicinal herbs since the 16th century....
If you are looking for easy-to-grow aromatic herbs that you can harvest in your garden year-round, cilantro (coriandrum sativum) is a great choice. With the right conditions, growing cilantro indoors rapidly supplies gardeners of both the indoor and outdoor variety an ample herb supply. Table of Contents Although its origins are difficult to pinpoint, most botanists agree that cilantro hails from the Middle East to the Mediterranean. It is an annual herb that prefers well-drained soil....
As a beginner hydroponic gardener, one of the things that confused me the most was how to control and maintain my nutrient reservoir. There are a lot of different variables to consider, one of the most important being the oxygenation of your nutrient reservoir. Table of Contents There are three pieces here: your air stones, your airline tubing, and your air pumps. In this piece, we’ll look at air pumps, why they’re needed, and what to consider before you buy....
Gardening the stunning blooms of the tiger lily flower is well worth the effort. Originating in Asia, tiger lily (Lilium lancifolium, also called Lilium tigrinum) is a popular ornamental plant that’s become widespread internationally due to its vibrant image. It’s even become naturalized in parts of the United States and is seen throughout New England in the wild. Table of Contents Of course, there’s a Native American character Tiger Lily from Peter Pan who became popular in the children’s story....
Summer is coming and with it comes back yard barbeques, cool evenings on the patio, and refreshing beer. This year, why not up the summer experience by growing and making your own beer? You’ll get that satisfying, home-brewed beverage and a beautiful addition to your garden: hops! Table of Contents Hops, a key ingredient in beer, is a tall, ornamental climber. It grows fast and large, making it perfect for pergolas and other screen covers....
People have been growing lavender for centuries. Many are familiar with the use of lavender essential oils for cleaning, relaxation, and bug repellant. Back in Roman times, lavender was used in religious ceremonies. Today, people even enjoy lavender as a culinary accouterment. Table of Contents Possibly the best thing about lavender is how easy it is to grow. Lavender plants thrive in a garden, raised beds, or even indoors. You can grow lavender in pots, making it easy to protect from the cold....
I don’t think we could ever live without tubers. Whether it’s the many cooking variations of the potato, the abundant nutrients of the sweet potato, or the rich taste of the yam, these foods are popular for good reason. Today, we’d like to introduce you to one of the world’s favorite, though less heard of, tubers: Dioscorea alata, known as ube or winged yams. Table of Contents The name makes me imagine a flying Thanksgiving dish, but winged yams are actually used the most in desserts....
There might be nothing out of the ordinary about a lime… at first glance. However, limes come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and even colors! From the shocking red rind of the blood lime to the long tubular Australian finger lime oozing caviar looking spheres, lime tree varieties are a whole world unto themselves. Table of Contents Limes are warm loving citrus trees, but if you live in colder climates don’t despair!...
Are you looking for a low maintenance plant to replace your lawn, or fill your rock garden or woodland beds? Creeping raspberry makes one amazing and highly appealing ground cover that is tough and durable in nature. It’s got simple needs, and it’s worth growing in your garden! Table of Contents Botanically known as Rubus hayata-koidzumi (and previously as Rubus calycinoides), creeping raspberry belongs to the Rosaceae family. It produces a mass of three-lobed leaves that form a dense mat to make an attractive ground cover....
