“I often hear from vegetable or flower gardeners who are unhappy with their soil quality. They routinely incorporate organic matter in the soil each fall, but are still disappointed with their heavy soil. Why aren’t they developing beautiful crumbly dark brown soil that’s easy to plant and great for vegetable root crops? Routinely tilling your garden...
If you’re looking for an easy way to start your seeds, we suggest giving rockwool cubes a try! Follow these simple 7 Tips For Using Rockwool and it might just end up being your new favorite grow medium. Ready to buy seeds that will grow well in rockwool? Shop all seeds for Hydroponics & Vertical Tower Garden Systems > ...
“The wind-whipped rooftop of a converted warehouse in the Kinzie Industrial Corridor might be the last place you’d expect to find fertile farmland, unless you’re Jen Rosenthal, founder and owner of Planted Chicago. “I got my start in farming on the rooftop at Uncommon Ground, the restaurant up in Edgewater,” said Rosenthal. It was the first certified...
Controlling insects in the garden may seem like a never ending battle for some, but have you ever considered that fixing the problem may be as simple as just planting a few “sacrificial crops” for the problematic bugs to feast on instead of your prized fruits or vegetables? Planting a variety of “trap plants”...
“Vertical gardening is a great way to maximize your living space and enhance the beauty and enjoyment of your home. Easy to create, customize and care for, a vertical garden can be made of anything from hanging flower pots and plastic soda bottles to old mailboxes, wheelbarrow, and crates. And the many options allow you the flexibility to get creative and capture...
The contrast between the cityscape and the greenery is often striking. Pictured here: Oranjezicht City Farm, Cape Town, South Africa. – Courtesy Coco VanOppens Photo/Phaidon.com “(CNN) — From derelict train tracks turned scenic walkways, to rooftop treasures atop train stations, sometimes the best bits of cities are the bits that don’t feel...
WHAT ARE MOSAIC VIRUSES? “Mosaic viruses are plant viruses that cause the leaves to have a speckled appearance.” –wiki HOW TO IDENTIFY MOSAIC VIRUSES AND DAMAGE: Yellow, white or green spots on foliage Wrinkled or curled leaves Yellowing of veins in leaves Reduced yields or stunted growth “Warty”, or mottled fruit HOW TO CONTROL...
Summer has arrived and for a lot of us, that means long, hot days in the garden. Before you get too exhausted or overwhelmed, consider these 7 easy tips for having a beautiful and happy summer garden! TIP # 1 – BE WISE WITH YOUR WATER Make sure to keep your garden beds cool and moist by adding plenty of organic mulch around the base of your vegetables,...
“From providing fresh food for the community to regenerating unused spaces, urban food-growing projects have flourished in the US. In Minnesota, fish and green vegetables are farmed in a former brewery by Urban Organics; in New York, Brooklyn Grange grows produce on the roof of its office. In Dallas, Texas, in an area designated as a food desert, meaning access...
“Hydroponics is the art/science of growing plants in a soil-free environment. Historically, hydroponics isn’t that new. In fact, there are many ancient records of people using the concept of hydroponics to grow plants. One such important record is the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, which is considered one of the Wonders of the Ancient World. In Babylon,...
Try growing these 38 beautiful edible flowers in your yard or garden. Not only will you help provide nectar for friendly pollinators in your garden, but you’ll have fragrant, and delicious blooms that you can enjoy adding to your favorite culinary dishes. They look great, and taste great, too! Follow these tips for eating flowers safely: via TreeHugger.com Eat...
“DETROIT (WXYZ) – As urban gardening grows in popularity more and more people are trying their hand at a green thumb. However, those new to urban gardening should be aware of the threats caused by soil with contaminants and the need to test. “In this situation, ignorance is not bliss,” said Michigan Urban Farm Initiative’s B.J. Franovic....
“Last summer, Paul Maeillo had to clear a vacant lot in North Philadelphia, and he wasn’t happy about it. He’d done it plenty of times before, as part of the Philadelphia Horticultural Society’s LandCare program, which hires local contractors to maintain the neighborhood’s many abandoned parcels. But on this day the lot was full of wildflowers — and...
Mosquitoes can quickly ruin the enjoyment of your outdoor garden experience. Ordinary repellents are full of nasty chemicals that you probably don’t want to put onto your family, and bug zappers are annoying. It also can be debated, how effective candles or incense really is.The threat of contracting a disease from a mosquito is very real. Not only are humans...
One-acre garden provides fruit, veggies and eggs for 50 families with very little labor More and more people are learning growing food doesn’t have to be hard work. When you work with nature instead of against it, it does much of the work for you. It’s called permaculture. While permaculture gardens require a year or two of work up front — mostly restoring...
Learn 30 Things That Can Make Your Garden Better! 1. Cardboard and Newspapers Must you have cardboards and newspapers? Do you know you can use them in your garden? From putting them into the compost to suppressing weeds or this DIY newspaper seed starter, there are many ways. Find out more cardboard uses here! 2. Wine Bottles From creating a water fountain to bird...
Seedlings do not emerge after planting: It’s possible that not enough time has passed. Make sure your soil is not too dry and that the temperature is correct for starting whatever seeds you’re trying to grow. Wondering what plants grow best during specific times of the year? Read Gardening Through the Different Seasons. Plants grow slowly with light green...
Top 30 Organic Gardening Blogs Winners CONGRATULATIONS to every blogger that has made this Top Organic Gardening Blogs list! This is the most comprehensive list of best Organic Gardening blogs on the internet…and we are honored to BE ON THE LIST! Here’s just a few of the TOP 30 Winners! Urban Organic Gardener Organic Gardener Magazine Organic Growers...
1. I use an old plastic mesh bag to round up leftover slivers of soap. I rubber-band the bag so it’s tight and hang it next to the hose. The combo of the slightly abrasive bag and the soap scrubs off garden dirt. — Irene, Washington 2. I make row covers out of tomato cages, old rebar I got free, and used blankets I got at the local thrift store. — Cathy,...
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