If you’re like most dog owners, you like doing everything possible with your dog. And your dog loves doing activities with you even more. One of the greatest benefits of owning a dog is that it encourages you to be active and to get outdoors. Gardening can be a great way to enjoy time outdoors.
If you have a tree stump in your yard that is starting to produce new shoots, you’re probably wondering how to kill a tree stump to get rid of it before it attracts pests or grows. A half-dead tree stump is an obstacle that won’t disappear by itself. However, there are several ways to go
Syntropic agriculture (also known as syntropic agroforestry) is a system of regenerative agriculture that focuses on reforesting the planet whilst providing a yield for humans. The word ‘syntropic,’ comes from syntropy, and points to how the system aims to be more abundant over time by creating more matter and energy. This is contrasted with the
Biodynamic farming is considered the father of organic agriculture. Originally developed in 1924 by Rudolf Steiner, it was the very first form of organic agriculture as we know it today. Biodynamics is a form of regenerative agriculture that seeks to restore the land and ultimately make it a self-sustaining system devoid of any external inputs.
Anyone concerned with sustainable living will at some point sooner or later come across the concept of permaculture. Permaculture is notoriously difficult to define, but the term is a portmanteau of the words ‘permanent,’ and ‘agriculture,’ although it was later expanded to include ‘culture,’ as it encompasses much more than just agriculture. Permaculture was started
A tropical garden is all about the feelings that it evokes. They typically are extremely inviting and offer a sense of serenity to whoever looks at them. If you’re missing you’re usually tropical getaway in recent times, why not consider trying to grow your tropical oasis? You don’t necessarily have to live in the tropics
Nothing is quite as rewarding as planting an entire garden from scratch. Watching your seedlings begin to sprout and grow after all your hard work can be an incredibly rewarding experience. However, you may be unsure about where to start, or worried that you’ll accidentally kill all your seedlings before they have a chance. Fear
If you want to summon the spirit of the Mediterranean to where you live, why not consider growing a Mediterranean garden? The climate of the Mediterranean is hot and dry in the summer with mild and wet winters. The layout of the garden and the choice of plants reflect this pattern, with drought-tolerant plants being
Community gardens have been in existence for some time but have seen a huge spike in popularity in the last decade, and in the last few years especially. And it’s about time, some might say. After all, the benefits of community gardens are numerous and, by now, well known: making fresh produce accessible for everyone,
The mushroom is a popular fungi commonly used in a wide range of culinary styles. A surprisingly healthy, flavor filled ingredient which is low in calories, fat and sodium as well as being free from cholesterol these fungi are also packed with fiber, vitamins and minerals. Despite all these benefits the mushroom is not the
Deciding to dig up an old lawn and start again, or turning over a patch of soil to create a lawn is a big decision. To get it right you must prepare the soil correctly, choose the correct type of grass for your situation and, most importantly, know when to mow new grass. If you
Growing and working in a garden can be a rewarding experience. Especially when you enjoy the bounty of your own harvests. But with a productive vegetable garden will come the chores: weeding and watering. But using the Back to Eden method can reduce how much you have to manually water your plants as well as
Growing squash was one of the most difficult plants for me as a beginning gardener. I found myself becoming frustrated over the process, as I could never manage to get any fruits off the huge squash vines throughout the season. However, as I have gained more experience through the years, I’ve figured out some of
The search for more environmentally friendly options to incorporate into our lives and workplaces is becoming more important in the modern day. For the home gardener, growing with soil is one of the least eco-efficient options available. Let’s look at my personal favorite alternative to growing in soil: aeroponics! Aeroponics is a method of growing
A bee is a bee right? Wrong. There are actually many different types of bee, from the fluffy bumblebee which lives as part of a large colony to the solitary bee. While the honey bee lives in a hive, the carpenter bee prefers to make its home by drilling into wooden objects. Some varieties can
Whether you want to create new raised beds in your garden to save your back, or protect the soil, straw bale gardening is one of the interesting options to consider. Straw is an agricultural byproduct that is often readily available in agricultural areas. Hay bales can often be bought cheaply, and small numbers can sometimes
Tall, bright and elegant, sunflowers are a staple plant in many gardens and allotments. Everyone from young children to experienced gardeners enjoy growing these majestic flowers during the summer months. However, what many people don’t realise is that the attraction need not end as the flowers fade. These tall, graceful flowers add a beautiful pop
Elegant and exotic, the orchid is an attractive addition to the houseplant collection. A range of different colored orchid plants can add a luxurious feel to a home. Increasingly easy to find, orchid plants are sold in numerous grocery stores and gift shops as well as flower stores and garden centers. Most commonly sold orchid
As the seasons change, so too must your own personal gardening practices. Depending on the time of year, different gardening challenges may present themselves. One common issue that every gardener must wrestle with is the potentially disastrous effects of a bad frost. If you’re an avid gardener such as myself, you’ve undoubtedly experienced the damaging
Want to grow your own food? Growing your own food all year round is a very worthwhile gardening pursuit and actually not that difficult if you know how. Some gardeners make the mistake of thinking that gardening is mostly a spring and summer pursuit. But when you plan accordingly, and make certain additions to your
Companion planting, or the art of utilizing herb plants to benefit the garden, has been in practice for a long time and is definitely not a new idea. Native Americans used the “3 Sisters” method, our ancestors used herbs to help vegetable gardens produce heavier harvests, and today gardeners all over have modified this practice
When people hear the word “garden,” many think of a lush, green patch in the heat of summer. Truth be told, gardens are a year-long thing. It will just look different with each season. Several simple steps can be taken to prepare for your fall garden. As soon as the heat dies down and the
Growing flowers, fruit or vegetables from seed is a rewarding process. While growing from seed can take a long time, during which you can become invested and attached to the delicate seedlings, it is a thoroughly rewarding process. The next step, transplanting outside, can sometimes see seedlings struggle, develop shock or even fail. Often this
One huge mistake many new gardeners make is that they underestimate just how important soil is to the survival of their plants. The soil forms your base for your garden, and no till gardening is all about ensuring you have plenty of soil available. You’ll use no till gardening to learn how to take care
Have you ever dreamed of filling up vases with freshly cut flowers or making your own floral arrangements? Either of these is the perfect reason to grow your own cut flower garden. Buying flowers at the store is nice for special occasions, but it’s a lot more expensive than picking flowers fresh from right outside
Gardening is much more than a hobby or fun pastime. In fact, there are many proven benefits of gardening that people enjoy. No matter if you’re a hobby gardener or a professional-level horticulturist, spending time out digging in the dirt and caring for your plants, you too can enjoy these various benefits of gardening. If
If you love eating mushrooms and want to know more about how they grow, it’s time to get a mushroom growing kit and try your hand at growing mushrooms. Foraging for wild mushrooms may be exciting, fun, and a great way to get a little exercise, but it’s nice to be able to pick them
Essential oils are all the rage, and neem oil is no exception. Not only can neem oil work as a safe and effective pest control, but you can also use neem oil as a natural herbal remedy for several common problems like dry hair and itchy skin. Neem oil has a rich history that dates
Your planting zone or hardiness zone is a measurement set by the USDA to help you understand what plants can survive outside in your environment. This is why it’s important that you know what planting zones you live in and do your research to find out which plant species can do well in your planting
Want to learn how to grow mushrooms at home? Growing mushrooms can allow you to have your own supply of mushrooms at home. The world is a much more intriguing place than many people give it credit for. One of the interesting and mysterious creations that lend to the allure of our planet is the
One of the best ways to avoid your crops falling victim to pests and diseases is to regularly rotate your planting. This is known as crop rotation. Crop rotation may sound complicated but it really isn’t. Like companion planting, crop rotation is a natural, easy to follow method. Crop rotation can work as a standalone
Lately I’ve been getting back into the garden only to find that I no longer have the option to grow more gardens in-ground, and so I’ve been playing around with my container gardens more and more. They’re easy: I can move them, and I know exactly how much water and nutrients the plants receive. Container