This year, we started our fourth year in our adventures of urban bee keeping. To say, it’s been a smooth and problem free journey would be a lie. Each year, so far, we seem to lose our bees to the bitter Midwest weather. So, as a result we end up buying a new set of […]
Tips for Dealing with Blossom Rot
Blossom rot, or blossom end rot, is a common problem encountered by tomato gardeners. The condition is characterized by a dark, rotten spot at the blossom end of developing tomatoes. Fortunately, there are ways to combat blossom rot before it starts, but once it appears on an individual fruit, there is no way to “cure” […]
Choosing the Right Type of Sage For Your Garden
Sage has a long and varied history as a culinary herb and medicinal plant. Native to the Mediterranean region, it was revered by Ancient Romans for its healing qualities. Later, the French grew large amounts of sage for tea. Today, sage is considered a classic ingredient in holiday stuffing and other rich dishes. Sage comes in […]
Ways to Extend Your Vegetable Growing Season
If you live in an area with distinct seasons, there are natural limitations to when you can grow vegetables outdoors. In the spring, you have to wait until the threat of frost has passed and soil temperatures reach acceptable levels. Then, before you know it, shorter days and cooler temps will return to signal the […]
Tips for Storing Herbs from Your Garden
You want to prune and harvest regularly so that your plants continue to grow and provide fresh herbs to use, but you need to store those someplace. You have a few choices available and what you decide may depend on which herb you’re storing and how long you want it to last. Storage in the […]
Chemical Free Ways to Keep the Pests away from Your Tomatoes
As a tomato gardener, you will no doubt encounter a whole host of common garden pests. Creepy critters like cutworms, flea beetles, grasshoppers, spider mites, and root weevils are all too eager to feast on your beautiful, healthy plants. Three of the most common tomato pests you’ll want to guard against are aphids, stink bugs […]
Growing Your own Chamomile and How to Dry It
Chamomile has long been treasured for its medicinal qualities. * It is known primarily for its calming, healing and soothing properties. There are two main types of chamomile: Roman and German. Roman, aka English chamomile, is a perennial creeping ground cover with dainty daisy-like flowers. German chamomile is a re-seeding annual. It grows upright and […]
Building Raised Vegetable Garden Beds For Your Garden
There are many benefits to using raised vegetable garden beds in your garden. For starters, elevated garden beds are easier on your back and knees because they require less bending, kneeling and crawling than regular beds. In addition, raised garden beds offer better drainage, which means your plants aren’t stuck sitting in excess water every time […]
Different Ways to Grow More Fruits and Vegetables
If you lack the space for a full-scale garden, you can still grow your own fresh fruits, vegetables and culinary herbs. The only requirement is that you have access to an outdoor space, such as around your home’s foundation, deck, patio, or on a balcony. Here are a few stealthy ideas to grow more healthy […]
Choosing the Right Tomatoes to Grow for Your Sauces
With thousands of tomato varieties on the market, selecting the best options for your garden can seem like a monumental task. Since each variety offers up its own unique set of characteristics, you’ll want to make selections based upon how you plan to put your precious garden bounty to use. If your goal is to […]