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…
Many people tend to confuse fava beans and lima beans due to their similar appearances. Although both legumes have various similarities, they are sure to have their differences. So, if you are one of many individuals unfamiliar with the peculiarities of fava beans and lima beans, continue reading! The main difference between fava beans and…
As the cost of living increases and food security is less certain (GMO's and Pesticides), many of us have taken it upon ourselves to live as homesteaders. For anyone who can make the change, there is no reason not to; however, for those who live in certain states, the practicality of homesteading is more difficult.…
Growing beans vertically is rewarding to incorporate this nutritious, tasty veg into the smallest of gardens. A tee pee fully covered in green leaves, delicate flowers, and dripping with beans can be an eye-catching focal point in a food and ornamental garden. Growing runner beans vertically maximizes the use of a growing area. Successfully growing…
Slugs and snails are enough to make the mildest mannered gardener see red. There is nothing more infuriating than planting and tending your plants, only to discover huge holes eaten in them one morning. You should be forgiven for any expletives and curses that might erupt from you – it is entirely justifiable. Limiting slugs…
Saving heirloom tomato seeds from your crop is an excellent way of saving money in the next growing season as you do not need to buy new tomato seeds. Most people recommend that you ferment your tomato seeds to keep them, but this is not always necessary, and it's not the only effective way of…
Organic herbicides are made from natural ingredients and are far less harmful to the environment than chemical herbicides. Many gardeners are switching to organic products to control unwanted weeds. However, there are still relatively few commercial organic weeds killers on the market. Organic herbicide products, like Avenger, WeedZap, Weed Pharm, AllDown, and GreenMatch EX, are…
Agriculture is a massive part of our lives. It is the bookmark for civilization to settle in one location and develop cities. Permaculture is a type of agriculture. In fact, it stands for ‘permanent agriculture.’ So, do you want to find out how they differ? Agriculture is the practice of cultivating food for human consumption.…
Bamboos are the easiest to grow on your homestead as they don’t have a lot of requirements. As long as the ground is fertile and the climate is neither too cold nor too hot, you’re good to go. One thing you can be certain about is how fast they grow. There are different species and…
A common gardener's dilemma is how to grow an edible garden in the shade. During my arduous gardening journey, I learned a few cardinal rules to follow if you want to cultivate a productive garden in less-than-ideal circumstances. So, if you find yourself in my shoes, don’t despair, there is an array of beautiful plants…
Passion fruits are a delicious summer fruit that many people enjoy worldwide, so it can be highly disappointing when your Passion fruit is not ripening like you thought it would in the time frame you had in mind. So, what are the reasons your Passion fruit is not ripening? 9 reasons your fruit may not…
Grevillea is an astounding genus of beautiful and versatile plants native to Australia. These plants range from evergreen shrubs to trees with delicate foliage and magnificent, showy flowers. However, despite their diversity and hardy nature, Grevillea is prone to several common problems. Grevilleas plants are prone to several fungal infections without well-draining soil, including Cercospora,…
You may be growing your Malabar spinach in your garden as there are plenty of delicious recipes out there for this spinach. But you may notice that your Malabar Spinach is also producing lovely, juicy berries that look tasty and may leave you wondering, are these berries safe to eat? The berries from the Malabar…
