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…
If you're a home gardener looking to reduce your waste output as much as possible while simultaneously creating nutrient-rich soil for your plants, composting is a great choice. Turning kitchen scraps, old newspapers, and grass clippings into garden soil is a multi-beneficial process. However, not all food scraps are safe to use in your compost…
Permaculture design can be viewed as engineering using biological elements and natural forces. It can be difficult finding a straight answer on the full scope of opportunities and if a permaculture certificate alone is enough to make a difference in the world and a living. With a Permaculture Design Certificate, you can become a permaculture…
An off-grid homestead is a dream for millions of people. Working with your hands, building your cabin in the woods, camping as you build, providing for your heat and water, no rent, no mortgage, having freedom, simplicity, independence, and the satisfaction of doing it yourself. So, what all do you need to know about starting…
Having maggots in your compost may sound like a really bad thing, especially if you’re squeamish and you don’t like bugs. If you’ve ever pulled the lid off your compost bin and found its contents wriggling, you’ve probably felt horrified – but are maggots all that bad? Maggots are not usually an issue in a…
Have you ever wondered what the best way to add cardboard to your compost bin is? Cardboard is a valuable addition that will prevent your compost from getting too wet, but you need to make sure you are adding it in a suitable way to maximize its usefulness in your compost heap. You can add…
