Water is never just water. It is the universal solvent and collects just about everything in its path. We go to great lengths to ensure that our drinking water is clean and safe because we know that tainted water can make us sick. The same goes for our plants. Heavy metals, chemical contamination, poor oxygen levels, and pathogenic, anaerobic microbes can negatively impact the health of your plants.
Fortunately, testing and treating your water has never been easier. But, unfortunately, that is just the beginning. HOW, WHEN, and WHAT you feed your plants is equally essential when it comes to gardening. The kind of plant, the substrate, and your environment will dictate how best to manage your water and nutrient schedule.
In this edition, we will try to help you create the best watering practices for your garden.
Light always plays a role in plant morphology and plant physiology. Water and Light: Hydrophilic Physiology by Brian Gandy explains the relationship between light, heat, and water. To complicate things, many plants require different watering methods for different stages of their life. Doug Jacob’s gets more specific in Crop Steering Through Flowering and Fruiting.
Not to preach from my soapbox, but according to most climate scientists, time is running out, and we need to act. One of the top things we can do is to grow our own food. If everyone takes one small step, it will equal a giant leap.
Happy Gardening
Water is precious and we need to use it wisely. In this article, Sarah Schuette offers six water-conserving gardening tips we can all be practicing at home.
Xeriscaping is typically practiced in dry climates, but we should all be conserving water in the garden, no matter where we live. Follow these tips and tricks.
Aquafarm is an aquaponics startup working in close partnership with a local community garden aiming to inspire people to make ethical food choices.
City gardens are gaining popularity since the start of the global pandemic, and at Grapes Hill Community garden, it’s easy to see why people keep coming back.
The busy area of West London is home to Balfour & Burleigh Garden, a no-dig kitchen garden that proves food can be grown in tight urban spaces.
Zero-waste practices and a desire to educate people on making good food choices make Simply Grow Ltd stand out from other microgreen farms.
Water is water, right? Wrong! Various sources work with plants differently. Joanna Berg gives us the basics of H20, some potential issues, and how to fix them.
Are you looking for ways to boost your plants without nasty chemicals and other synthetic products? Anne Gibson offers advice on feeding your plants naturally.
Environmental control isn’t easy in the garden, especially not in challenging climates! Martyna Krol tells us how one farmer copes in the rainy British Isles.
You wouldn’t drink dirty water; why should your plants? Cody J. Garrett-Tait talks water quality and why it matters to your garden and resulting yields.
Lavender is known for helping people feel calm and relaxed, but as Caroline Rivard writes, these gorgeous purple flowers offer so many health benefits!
In the simplest of terms, plants need water and light for survival. And yet, there’s nothing simple about it. Brian Gandy explains hydrophilic physiology.
It’s one of the most studied substances out there: water. In this article, Philip McIntosh teaches us everything we need to know about H20 in the garden.
Calling all tree huggers! Rich Hamilton writes about urgent calls for protection measures as many of the world’s tree species face extinction.
Crop steering is fun to do in every growth stage! Doug Jacobs helps us understand how climate and irrigation are excellent tools to get the job done.
With food prices rising and a shortage of urban farmland, indoor growing is gaining popularity. Albert Mondor digs into this revolutionary gardening method.
How is the U.S. tackling the global climate crisis? While better off than a year ago, Andrew Abramson says America must do better in fighting climate change.
What kind of water do you have? Rich Hamilton explains the differences between hard and soft water and how it can impact an indoor grow.
