Composting is usually an easy and relatively trouble free process, but there are certain things that can go wrong. If you have a problem with your existing composting system, this …
Learning how to successfully save zucchini seeds can only mean one thing: even more zucchini next year! But wait, there is more. Especially if you are willing to search a …
As colder weather approaches, you’re probably wondering whether your greenhouse is up to the task. Will it fend off the frosts well enough to keep your crops growing all winter …
Mint is a reliable perennial herb that needs little attention in the garden. That’s in part what makes it such a wonderful plant to grow. It is one of those …
Have you had it with too much misting and fertilizing and pruning and watering? Are you watering too much, not watering enough? Or maybe you travel a lot, or you’re …
A keyhole bed can be a great way to maximise space and productivity in an organic garden. A keyhole garden is a type of garden bed commonly utilised in permaculture …
Mulches are layers of material placed over growing areas or between plants to cover areas of bare soil. There are two main types of mulch – mulch made from organic …
Sawdust, otherwise referred to as wood shavings, is a beneficial by-product of working with wood that has many applications on both urban and countryside homesteads. The further you get from …
Turning food scraps, yard waste, and other organic materials into free fertilizer is one of the best things you can do to elevate your gardening game. Not only does composting …
Composting is nature’s inherent nutrient recycling system. Anything and everything of organic origin is part of it, where death and decay means a return to life and growth. Over and …
Cardboard is certainly a welcome sight in the eye of the gardener. Often free and fairly ubiquitous, cardboard is a biodegradable and earth-friendly material that enriches as it breaks down. …
Lemongrass is a key ingredient in plenty of Asian cuisines and as you will discover as you read on, it is also useful in a wide range of other ways. …
Garlic is an incredibly useful and versatile ingredient. It is not only a pungent flavour enhancer, it is also excellent for your health. Even before it is harvested, garlic can …
Making a hotbed for winter growing is a great way to extend the growing season. It allows you to grow more, both towards the end of the year and early …
Keeping chickens on your homestead gives you far more than just eggs (and potentially meat). Chickens also help to incorporate organic matter by scratching, they eat pests that would otherwise plague …
Being a successful home grower involves understanding how to make the most of each and every crop that you grow. Experienced organic gardeners soon learn that not everything goes according …
Flowering bulbs (and corms and tubers) are early harbingers of spring, providing some much needed color and beauty after a long and dreary winter season. Aside from buoying our spirits, …
When the warmth of summer suddenly comes to a halt, will your garden be ready for cold nights and beautiful, sparkling frosty mornings? Many gardeners know the feeling all too …
There are few fall pleasures as profound as biting into a homegrown apple. However, apple trees cause far more than their fair share of stress for any home growers. …
When you live in a part of the world with distinct seasons, dutifully checking the weather forecast every day is a semi-annual gardening tradition. Sudden swings in temperature in late …
If you’ve been gardening for any length of time, you know that compost does magical things for your yield. But even the most active compost bin can’t break down all …
Am I the only one that grows herbs and then thinks, “Okay…now what the heck do I do with these?” I mean, for some herbs, it’s obvious. Mint you make …
Compost always amazes me. You take scraps from your kitchen that you’d typically throw away, mix them with microbes and air, and dry scraps from your yard that you’d normally …
Lettuce is one of the easiest crops for any gardener to grow. But getting it right means thinking about which varieties are right for you and your area. If you …