Gardening

Living right in the middle of Pennsylvania State Game Lands meant I would often enjoy my morning cup of coffee while watching a family of deer drinking water from the …

Sweet potatoes are an easy crop to grow in certain areas, and virtually impossible to grow in others. Whether or not they are a good crop for your garden will …

If you are just getting started with companion planting, you’ll likely have more than a few questions. Can I plant tomatoes next to potatoes? What can you not plant with …

Shade loving plants are adapted to very little sunlight because of their place in the forest understory. Since the canopies of larger trees and shrubs block as much as 95% …

Lemon balm is an easy and versatile plant to grow that will provide an abundant harvest throughout the growing season. It’s also a perennial herb so will return year after …

Potatoes are a crucial crop for many home growers. They are often a staple, especially for those living in temperate climate zones. Generally speaking, potatoes are relatively easy to grow. …

Apple cider vinegar certainly is a useful thing to have around. I make my own from our apples. And I use it in an almost endless list of ways, inside …

One of the most important things in gardening is taking care of the soil. It is easy to forget, as we grow in our gardens, that the soil beneath our …

Chances are good that you found this article because you are thinking about planting cucumbers in your garden – and wish nothing but the best for their, and your, success. …

Gardening organically is often a process of trial and error. There are a range of pests that can become a problem, and organic pesticides are sometimes prescribed as a solution. …

The nitrogen cycle is one of the important natural cycles on our planet. Understanding this cycle is key to success in organic gardening. It can help us to give our plants one …

Living sustainably is often about finding new ways to use old things. One person’s trash is, after all, another person’s treasure. By reusing and upcycling old tires, for example, we …

Composting is not rocket science. It is basically taking advantage of nature’s recycling system to return nutrients to the garden ecosystem. There is a lot of information out there telling …

Often associated with vampires, witchcraft, and darkness, bats have gotten a pretty bad rap in our stories and lore. And yet, bats are a sure ally in the backyard, helping …

Potatoes are a staple crop on many temperate climate homesteads. Potatoes are generally a relatively easy (though space consuming) crop to grow. Get it right when it comes to choosing and …

Out of the myriad of reasons for starting a garden, saving money is often among the top. As is food security, the ability to eat nutrient-dense vegetables which taste far …

Eggplant – you either love it or hate it. This misunderstood vegetable has very few tepid fans. Even those of us that adore the creamy taste of perfectly cooked eggplant …

Plastic milk containers or milk jugs can be recycled. But the high quality plastic can also be used in a number of different ways around your home and garden. Before …

Fourteen years ago, I got back into gardening. That first spring I spent hours planning a vegetable garden that would be big enough to feed us throughout the summer, as …

Herb gardening is a fantastic gateway into gardening for those who are new to growing their own. There are many herbs you can easily grow even if you don’t have …

Last year, I added a new plant to my forest garden – a Siberian pea tree or pea shrub (Caragana arborescens). In this article, I want to share my reasons …

Raised bed gardening is a simple and ancient technique for increasing crop yields for less work. Growing food “up” instead of “down” was first developed around 300 BC by the …

Borage is often mentioned in organic gardening circles. It is considered by many to be a wonderful plant, which can find pride of place in many gardens. But what exactly …

Perennial flowers are a great choice for any garden. They can really brighten up your view, not just for one season, but for many years to come. Unlike annual or …