Maggots are often associated with death and decay, and their small, squirming, wiggling appearance does little to offset the unpleasant impression they give. So encountering them, especially when that encounter is a completely unexpected surprise, can be off-putting. Unfortunately, one of those places a chance encounter might happen could be in your compost pile. If
Mulching your plants is one of the most beneficial things that you can do in your garden. A layer of mulch can help to keep the soil cool, protecting the plant’s sensitive root system from temperature extremes. It can also help to deter weed growth and pests while improving moisture retention. While synthetic mulches are
Growing plants takes work, dedication, effort, and the best potting soil available. No matter if you have indoor or outdoor plants, the best potting soil for your plant type can help give them the nutrients they need to grow and thrive. There are dozens of different types available from reputable companies that it’s challenging to
Everyone dreams of having a green and lush lawn, but you may need to give nature a small boost. Even if your lawn has everything it needs in place to grow a thick and green lawn, it may need a little encouragement. This is where the best lawn fertilizer comes in. It can liven up
Can you reuse coffee grounds? In this guide we will go through the potential uses for used coffee grounds and dispel a few myths along the way. Can Coffee Grounds Be Used To Boost Plant Growth? There is a plethora of articles out there acclaiming used coffee grounds as a miracle substance for plant growth.
A lush green lawn is many homeowners’ dreams. Sadly, this dream can be difficult to achieve. The grass growing outside our homes can be moss or weed ridden. It may be uneven or threadbare. Sometimes it may only grow in patches. Fixing this issue can be difficult. Often your choice is between seeding a new
Infinitely useful, neem oil for plants is a great solution for a number of problems. Providing a safe, chemical free way to treat everything from fungal problems to infestations, this is a safe solution that won’t harm plants or animals or even wildlife. If you want to start reaping the benefits of using neem oil
How do you make a gritty, well-draining cactus mix for cheap? After I bought my first cactus, I fell into a black hole of researching everything I could to keep my new cactus plant happy and thriving. This research very quickly took me on a journey that looked like this: buy a new cactus plant,
Want to create a DIY compost bin? This guide on how to make compost at home will show you how to start composting. What do banana peels, dead leaves, and cow poop all have in common? If you’re thinking nutrients for the garden, you’d be right. Making your own compost adds nutrient-dense, rich soil to
Succulents like Chicks and Hens and cacti are different from your traditional plants. They have different care needs, including having a specialized succulent soil. In their natural habitat, these plants typically face drought, and this means that they store moisture in their leaves or stems. The soil in which they grow is also very different,
Are you having issues knowing when it’s time to water your houseplants or the plants outside? If you are, you’re not alone. Having a soil moisture sensor on hand is one way to combat this issue, and you can quickly and easily tell at a glance whether or not you have to water your plants.
Creating compost is very beneficial to gardeners because it gives you an excellent mix of organic materials that allow you to grow healthy plants. It’s a quick and easy way to reduce how much food waste your household has, and the right compost tumbler will have enough space for all of your materials while making
The use of eggshells for plants has long been seen as a natural, organic way to enrich the garden. But is there any truth in this old wives tale? This article will look at how eggshells can be used for the benefit of plants. As well as exploring the science behind the myth, we will
Nothing tastes as good as freshly picked homegrown tomatoes. But to get the most out of your plants they require fertilizing. Notoriously heavy feeding plants, tomatoes require regular doses of fertilizer throughout the growing season for a truly bumper crop of flavor filled fruit to form. Trying to find a good tomato fertilizer that is
With millions of plants growing in soil, you may occasionally question what is in your soil media, and if you need to add anything to your soil for optimal plant growth. Soil additives are materials like vermiculite, perlite, sand, mulch, or others that amend the soil for preferred media conditions for the plant (well-drained, dry,
Perlite is one element you don’t want to overlook when planning your spring garden. Growing flowers, fruit, or vegetables will be so much easier when you add this key component to your soil mix. Dive into this post for a breakdown of everything you need to know about this mighty mineral and why your garden
If you’ve ever tried gardening in heavy clay soil, you know what a challenge it is. Digging is back-breaking work, and you might end up with plants that don’t grow very big or just struggle and die. This doesn’t mean that clay soil is the worst thing ever. Clay actually has some benefits that are
During the fall months, gardening and general yard work can be a little more time-consuming due to falling leaves that pile up everywhere. There are dozens of products available to help clean them up, including leaf blowers. The problem lies in trying to figure out what to do with the leaves once you rake them
Coco coir is a fairly new addition to the gardening world that has many growers excited about its potential. It’s a versatile, soilless growing medium with lots of applications out in your garden and for hydroponics. Lots of gardeners are concerned about making their gardens as eco-friendly as possible, and using coco coir fits right
Peat moss is considered by many gardeners to be one of the most useful materials to add to a garden. If you’ve done much gardening at all, you’ve probably either heard of peat moss or used it without realizing. Many seed starting and potting mixes have peat moss as an ingredient. You’ll also find it
If you have a yard or a larger property, you know how important it is to stay on top of any maintenance needs because they can quickly get out of hand. Proper maintenance is the key to keeping your yard looking its best while keeping your home’s value up, and larger properties can cost you
Getting the correct balance of nutrients in your garden soil is key to helping your vegetables, plants, and flowers thrive and grow all season long. However, your soil’s nutrients can fluctuate depending on the environment, the soil itself, and whether or not you add things like fertilizer in. This is why it’s important to have
Using natural fertilizer for houseplants is a great way to encourage growth and flower production. Steadily releasing nutrients into the soil, a natural fertilizer can be just as effective as a potentially harmful chemical product. Natural fertilizers are also eco-friendly, safe and easily available. In fact many of our natural fertilizer for houseplants suggestions are
Adding compost to your garden is an easy and quick way to give you plants a nutrient boost so they can grow and thrive. You can use compost in your vegetable gardens as well as in your regular houseplants, but it can take a long time to break up and be ready to use. This
Here’s everything you need to know about how to make soil acidic using natural methods. Use a soil test kit to determine how acidic or alkaline your soil currently is. You can have the best soil in the world and give your plants the right amount of sunlight and water, but if they don’t have
Buying mulch at a traditional garden center or nursery can quickly get expensive, especially if you have a large garden or multiple flower beds to maintain. You usually apply mulch once or twice a year, but you may have to apply it more if you plant new shrubs or get a lot of rainfall that
It’s almost time to get those outdoor plants in the ground and growing. Are you ready to get outside, arrange gorgeous flower beds or plants, and watch them thrive? It can be a challenge to keep your plants healthy all year round, and plant food recipes can help. We’ve found several homemade plant food recipes
In an organic garden, it is crucial to think long-term. Learning how to make your own liquid fertilizer or plant food is one of the many ways to ensure your garden works not just now, but well into the future. Liquid fertilizers are one of a number of organic gardening practices that you can use
As an organic gardener, one of the most important jobs is making compost. Composting is crucial. It allows us to take organic matter from the garden, kitchen scraps and biodegradable household waste and return their nutrients to the natural system. This can help us to grow our plants, and keeps the soil ecosystem healthy and
Want to learn how to build a bug hotel? The average garden can be home to thousands of different bugs and insects. While some of these creatures, such as aphids, can be harmful or destructive, others are more helpful. For example ladybugs will predate aphids, helping to keep their numbers down and your plants safe.