Organic gardening has long been seen as a safe way of producing uncontaminated healthy food. With growing concern over a variety of pesticides containing harmful chemicals, a lot of people are turning toward organic pest control options like Diatomaceous Earth. But how safe is Diatomaceous Earth when it comes to gardening? Diatomaceous Earth is an…
As gardeners, we are always looking for ways to keep our growing as natural as possible, and part of that is finding ways to improve the soil without using chemical fertilizers. Wood is about as natural a product as you can get, so gardeners with access to wood, wood chips, and sawdust may see this…
For some, red clover might be seen as an invasive weed overgrowing some of their favorite plants and lawn space, while others, particularly homesteaders, might grow this herbal supplement intentionally to take advantage of its medicinal, cover crop and nitrogen fixing properties. A question both of these parties might have then is whether red clover…
Many families like to choose organic foods when shopping at the grocery stores to avoid toxic chemicals. But even farmers who grow organic crops can add some herbicides and pesticides. What can be used? You may be surprised but many crops have glyphosate, even though with organic crops, it isn’t supposed to be used. You…
If you’re an avid homesteader or gardener who loves to grow your vegetables, you probably know that the key to producing these crops in thriving abundance is to start with the soil. While the soil itself is important in terms of its nutrients and pH levels, something many gardeners overlook is how deeply they need…
Agastache Tutti Frutti plants are gorgeous plants that can brighten up and home or garden where you keep them. These plants are kept for ornamental purposes as they have stunning flowers that can make your garden feel magical. These plants are generally hardy, but this does not mean they cannot have some trouble. So, what are the…
It feels like over the years, peaches have really lost their flavor. So many people remember the fruit being so juicy it caused a huge mess while they were kids, but nowadays it feels like they’ve all gotten dry, mealy, and rock-hard. Even some homegrown peaches seem to have lost their sweet juiciness, not just…
Most people believe that any vegetable to fruit plant will only survive the growing season, however, that is not true for all plants. If you live in a climate that does not have harsh winters, you may be able to get your plant to survive from season to season for a while. Under the right…
If you are a keen gardener, you will, at some point, gain an interest in creating your own nutrient-rich compost for your plants. Once you commit to this decision, you will need a composter that will allow you to create your own black gold! To assist you in this search, we have some ideas on what you should…
Anthuriums and Alocasias are both in the Aroid family. They both have large leaves with a similar shape and a similar growth habit. It can be challenging for novice plant collectors to distinguish these two plants from one another. Top: Anthurium / Bottom: Alocasia The key to telling Anthuriums apart from Alocasias is to look…
Monoculture is one of those practices many people consider one of the most harmful human activities, yet think it will solve the growing need for food. On the other hand, Permaculture is a lesser-known agricultural practice, which many people believe is a great means to address the global environmental crisis. So, what are the differences?…
The growing and importation of blackcurrants and other currants were banned in many parts of the US for almost a century as they were believed to help spread a fungus that threatened the pine tree timber industry. Regulations were gradually lifted in many states starting in 2003, and now this tart fruit is grown in…
