How To Be A Plant Whisperer
Sometimes we spend too much time and money on activities for little reward. One thing we should all be doing more of is spending time with our plants.
Plants have an incredible knack of giving back what you have put in. Spend as little time with your plants as you can, and they will present you with pest, disease, and deficiency issues throughout their lives.
How You Can Celebrate The 50th Annual Earth Day
Fifty years ago today, 20 million Americans took to the streets to demand better for our planet. It was April 22nd, 1970, and Earth Day was born. Fast forward five decades and the coronavirus pandemic means there will be no mass gatherings, but we can still celebrate all the same! This year’s theme is climate […]
COVID-19: A Planetary Reset Button?
“May you live in interesting times” is a phrase I have read more lately than ever before. Said to be an ancient Chinese curse (published in my adopted county’s own Yorkshire Post), it implies that ‘uninteresting’ times are peaceful and tranquil, while the ‘interesting’ ones are those of troubles. Indeed, these days are interesting. Nothing […]
Looking For Seeds And Can’t Find Any? No Need To Panic
First, it was hand sanitizer. Then toilet paper. Then canned goods and other grocery items. Whether it was hoarding, not enough stock to begin with, or a combination of both – we’ve grown accustomed recently to seeing empty shelves in various sections of our local stores and ridiculous prices on certain items via online retailers. […]
Gardening Brings Joy, Boosts Mental Health When We Need It Most
Whether a seasoned gardener or just beginning to learn the tricks of the trade, National Gardening Day (April 14th) is meant to encourage people to get their hands dirty. It celebrates a wonderful pastime that’s good for the Earth, the body, and the soul. This year’s event might be the most poignant one yet. While […]
Diving For Treasure: The Ugly Truth About Dumpsters
In the dark of the night, Cameron Macleish grabs his flashlight and crate, ready to carry out his work. He stops his van and approaches a large dumpster, hurdling himself over the edge and into the pile of trash inside. While many people would look on in horror, Cameron knows there’s a good possibility he’ll […]
Growing Purple Fruits And Vegetables In The Garden
The color purple is said to evoke many emotions, among them, peace, pride, creativity, and magic. It isn’t as common as other colors in nature, and so it’s also seen as exotic. Beyond the emotions purple makes us feel, eating the color also offers significant rewards! Fruits and vegetables with purple or red pigments contain […]
Feeding Cities with Urban Farms
We are currently witnessing one of the greatest migrations of all time as an imposing mass of people leaves rural areas believing that they can improve their life by living in cities. Currently, 55% of the world’s population lives in urban areas and, according to the United Nations, this proportion will reach 68% in 2050. […]
Give Me A Break: Virtual Garden Tours Help Ease Stress
Working from home has its perks, but for many of us, social distancing and self-isolation can be challenging. Even if we do go out, most parks, public, and community gardens are closed. So why not take a 15-minute work break and take a virtual garden tour? Studies are showing that plant therapy can help reduce […]
Growing A Rainbow In The Garden For Health And Happiness
Mugwort: A Magical and Medicinal Weed
Tall and robust with dark green lobes for leaves, mugwort, or Artemisia Vulgaris, is a weed that has many wonderful virtues. This perennial plant grows just about anywhere; find it along roadsides, railroads, and riverbanks to waste places and fields. It is so common that many of us will walk by it without giving it […]
DIY: How To Build Your Own Greenhouse
So, you want a greenhouse? Of course, you do! Who wouldn’t? A greenhouse is an awesome addition to any home gardening repertoire! Greenhouses pull in the sunlight and trap the heat inside – which your plants, veggies, and herbs, all need to flourish. And that also means you can start planting seeds earlier and keep […]
5 Easy Edible Plants You Can Grow At Home
Being able to grow some of your own food has always been a worthy goal. But in light of the current situation we all find ourselves in – isolated in our homes – the goal seems even more necessary these days. However, necessary or not, many of us have thumbs that are as far from […]
Growing: Good For The Mind
Researchers have been promoting the benefits of horticulture for years, as studies have repeatedly shown that the act of tending to plants can relieve stress and have an overall calming effect. Gardening is so good for the brain; it may even lower the risk of dementia!
Easy DIY: All-Natural Disinfecting Cleaning Solution
Maybe your local supermarket has run out of household cleaners and disinfectants. Or perhaps you’re looking for an effective, all-natural option without any harsh chemicals. In any case, it’s possible to make a homemade cleaning spray to keep your home spic, span, and germ-free! This household cleaner is easy to make and smells divine, courtesy […]
Farm City USA: Regenerative Farming Grows Healthy People
What would it look like if a city dedicated itself to using agriculture to grow healthy people? It’s true; our agricultural system is not focused on nourishing people. Our doctors, and eaters, and farmers are not on the same page. Doctors treat symptoms, most eaters have no idea where our food comes from, and farmers […]
Featured Flower: Rare And Stunning Orchids On Display
Attention all orchid lovers! The 75th Annual Santa Barba International Orchid Show takes place this weekend, offering visitors a chance to admire rare and endangered blooms typically seen in native habitats of Central and South America, Asia, Australia, and Africa. Horticulturists and flower enthusiasts from around the world flock to the Earl Warren Showgrounds to […]
Study Finds Climate Change Will Expand Globe’s Agricultural Land
Living in the Canadian province of Quebec, I’ve dreamed of having a longer outdoor growing season. Like many places, our summers are beautiful here, but far too short. A new study says I might one day get my wish, but that’s not necessarily a good thing. Published in the journal PLOS ONE, the findings suggest […]
The Foliar Frontier: Give Your Plants The Edge
Many growers are searching for nutrients that can give plants a certain edge. Is there something that can make them bigger, stronger and deliver higher yields? There are always new products and fertilizers on the market, but very few of them are original. The wheel is constantly being reinvented. If you want an edge in the world of growing, consider foliar feeding.
The Art of Gardening: North America’s Largest Tropical Bonsai Garden
A small town in Florida is home to the largest tropical bonsai garden in all of North America. Located in Fort Pierce, Heathcote Botanical Gardens is a permanent public display that offers visitors a whole lot to look at and appreciate. The gardens are set on 10,000 square feet and feature 30 different species of […]