Raspberry bushes are best planted in the spring in a place where they will get plenty of sunshine. They need nutrient rich soil and plenty of hydration during the summer months. Raspberries are a delicious fruit, and fortunately they are one of the easiest types of fruit that you can plant in your own backyard.…
You tenderly raise your seedlings from scratch, but they wither and die. They wither and die every time you try to plant them outside. You planted them in fertile soil and watered them regularly, but they still died. You might ask yourself what you did wrong, and the answer is you never hardened off your…
Soil fertility is key in any sustainable food growing operation. Without proper management, plants will drain the soil of its fertility, leading to reduced productivity and plant health. Most synthetic fertilizers are very harmful for the environment. Thankfully, certain plants can help increase soil fertility. The best plants for increasing soil fertility are those that…
Fungus gnats can multiply by the hundreds quickly, infesting your home quickly despite their short lifespans. The rest of this article will explain what you should do if you find yourself having a fungus gnat problem, or you simply want to prevent one. Fungus gnats can be prevented by watching how much you are watering…
With rising food costs and even occasional food shortages in the store, many people desire to grow at least some of their food. The problem is that many homes are located in areas with strict regulations or very limited space. The solution to these problems is edible landscaping which can create beautiful curb appeal, a…
It can take months, if not years, to create a sufficient amount of traditional compost in compost bins. While it's a wonderful way to create healthy, fertile soil, it's labor-intensive and very time-consuming. Thankfully, there's another, simpler way to improve your soil: the chop and drop system. The chop and drop system in gardening is…
As the earth begins to thaw each spring, many of us are left contemplating what plants to grow in our gardens and around our homes. Bee Balm and Lemon Balm are two popular choices and are often confused. You may be wondering, what exactly is the difference between Bee Balm and Lemon Balm? Bee Balm…
Because they look so similar at certain times during the year, yellow wood sorrel and clover are often confused for one another. While clover is often considered to be a beneficial nitrogen-fixing plant, yellow wood sorrel can be a pesky, stubborn weed, but does have some beneficial qualities. So what's the difference between them, and…
It’s late summer and the last of the warm weather flowers are blooming – so are your allergies. Goldenrod and ragweed are growing side by side along the road and in your backyard. They’re both the same thing, right? Left: Ragweed, Right: Goldenrod Goldenrod and ragweed are two different plants. Goldenrod is a perennial that…
We all know that adding compost is a crucial element of keeping your garden rich and ensuring that your plants are nurtured and have the nutrients to stay healthy. Soil that is high in organic matter can help plants to grow strong, but how do you know how much compost you need? Use the information…
When walking the aisles at your local garden center looking for some compost to put on your garden, you may find yourself overwhelmed with the number of options available. With so many types of compost on the shelves, how do you choose which is right for your plants? One of the most misunderstood--and underutilized--types of…
Pine trees drop thousands of needles each year. If you have pine trees on your property, you’ll probably find yourself looking for a way to get rid of them. Because they are so numerous—and free—you may wonder if pine needles are good for compost. Yes, pine needles are good for compost when added in small…
