Posts

Instead of having a dull and deserted balcony where you usually keep your trash or old, unused items; chairs with faded color, brooms, or vacuum cleaner–you can use it to create a tiny balcony KITCHEN garden. Which, when the time comes will reward you with the HARVEST of aromatic herbs, fresh and organic vegetables, and juicy plump fruits with great flavor that you can never get from store-bought edibles! Time, Effort and Planning are Required Time You’ll need to dedicate some time from your busy urban life to look after the plants you’ve chosen to grow....

Continue reading to learn more about using straw mulch in your vegetable garden. The right mulch can do wonders to improve your veggie garden. Straw in particular offers a wide range of benefits that can make a drastic difference for the health and productivity of plants while saving you money and reducing labor. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission....

Once upon a time, Jacob’s ladder plant was called the “charity plant,” although it shouldn’t be confused with the Mahonia species that also bears that common name. It’s also been called “Greek valerian,” although it’s not a valerian. Confused yet? Table of Contents You shouldn’t be. Jacob’s ladder gets its common name from the ladder-like or pinnate structure of its leafy foliage. And in the spring and early summer months, it shoots up slender stalks from which hang clusters of bell-like flowers....

Stepping out to your garden beds to harvest bell peppers for salsa, or padrón peppers to grill, will make all the garden labor worth it! Packed with antioxidants and other health benefits, this favorite summer plant adds color and spice to homemade meals. Peppers like full sun, but in cooler climates, peppers can be planted in pots in a greenhouse or placed indoors near a sunny window. Growing peppers in pots is a great option if you don’t have the conditions to grow a full crop of peppers outdoors....

Why use organic rose pest solutions Before introducing the pests themselves, it’s important to understand why the kind of pest control you use is critical to your garden’s overall health. Yes, rose pests are a common complaint of rose-loving gardeners, but with pollinator populations on the decline, it’s important for us to choose organic rose pest solutions, rather than synthetic chemicals that could harm other wildlife. Many popular rose pest control products are granular systemic pesticides that are sprinkled on the soil around the base of the plant....

Usually, Rhubarb is cultivated for its stems, and most gardeners remove blooms just when they appear. If you are someone who’s thinking—”Should I Let my Rhubarb Flower,” then we will help you out! Here’s all you need to know about how to grow Rhubarb What is Rhubarb? Rhubarb is a perennial veggie with light green or long crimson stalks and ruffled green leaves. The long stalks are chopped and cooked into several side dishes....

In the spring, the vibrant yellow of spurge and forsythia provides a cheerful antidote to the drab winter tones that have dominated the garden. Then come the summer blooms with coneflowers and coreopsis, while chrysanthemums and black eyed Susans provide those harvest shades that carry us through autumn. Of course there are some lovely yellow annuals, too, like sunflowers and marigolds. I had to add those. But let’s start with some yellow perennial flowers to brighten up your garden....

A splash of daring red or a blush of cheerful pink petals might have been just what I needed to see outside my window to cheer me up when temperatures dropped and the snow was falling. Before moving to Florida, I spent most of my life in the Mid-Atlantic. For more than thirty years, the bleak brown grass or glaring white snow-covered landscape of winter was disappointing to me because I love color....

In case you’re worried this dear, sweet human that I call my husband is something of a tyrant, I don’t want you to get the wrong impression. I regret to inform you of this, but I can’t keep it to myself any longer: My partner thinks cantaloupe isn’t any good. There. I said it. This dirty little secret is one that I’ve carried with me and fought against for years, often depriving myself of the (imagined) juicy delights of a sweet and perfectly ripened orange-fleshed melon – for fear of bringing one into the house that might be less than perfect....

Vining Houseplants for Bathrooms add greenery to the place and flourish in low light levels. Have a look at the best humidity-loving plants and display them with style! Here are the best plants for a windowless bathroom Vining Houseplants for Bathrooms 1. English Ivy Botanical Name: Hedera helix This air purifying plant is ideal for greening up the bathroom! It prefers moderately warm and humid conditions perfectly. Here’s all you need to know about growing English Ivy 2....

Fairy Garden Terrarium in a Mason Jar Turn a simple mason jar into the beautiful fairy garden terrarium. Visit the Country Chic Cottage to learn more! 2. Self-Sustaining Fairy Gardens These self-sustaining fairy gardens in jars are low maintenance, can continue to grow for years. The tutorial video is here! 3. Beach Mason Jars Not exactly the fairy garden tutorial but you can bring the beach indoors in the summer with this craft, it’s a nice tabletop decoration idea as well....

Maintaining houseplants can be a tough and expensive task if you don’t know how to do it correctly. To make it easy for you, we bring some of the best Cheap Indoor Plant Parenting Hacks! Here are some quick hacks to save dying plants Cheap Indoor Plant Parenting Hacks 1. Baking soda as Houseplant Cleaner To encourage photosynthesis–the foliage must remain clean and dust-free. For doing this, take a soft, lint-free, moist cloth soaked in water and sodium bicarbonate solution (a pinch of baking soda in one liter of water) and gently clean the leaves....

If you love houseplants and also want to attract good luck to your home, then try growing these Lucky Plants and Flowers. They also look beautiful and will surely bring positive vibes to your room. Have a look at the best good luck plants here Lucky Plants and Flowers 1. Peace Lily Botanical Name: Spathiphyllum According to Feng shui, it is considered a fortune plant. The white spathe with deep green foliage looks elegant in any style of decor....

A bedroom is a place where you rest and regain your energy through a peaceful sleep. By adding some greenery to your bedroom will help you in getting quality sleep in the fresh air. Go through the list and learn about the features of Best Bedroom Plants in detail. Check out our article on awesome indoor plant bedroom pictures here CAM Plants for Bedroom If you want low-maintenance plants for your bedroom, then grow CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) plants....

It might have you scratching your head, but it’s not strange (at least not to the aloe), and it’s a great indication that you’ve been taking good care of your plant. Have you noticed a strange bud forming in the center of your aloe plant? It’s not a new leaf – you’ve seen those develop and know what the sprouts look like. It’s also not an offshoot or pup, since they form below the leaves....

Commonly known as the Winter melon and Chinese watermelon, Ash gourd is native to Japan is found commonly throughout India. When touched, the fruit leaves an ash-like residue on hands. That’s the reason behind its interesting name! Here’s all you need to know about growing Ash gourd! Botanical Name: Benincasa hispida USDA Zone: 2-11 Soil pH: 5-7.5 Check out our article on growing Ivy Gourd here! How To Grow Ash Gourd Propagation Ash gourd is propagated via seeds, in pots, ground, or seedling trays....

People have been growing lavender for centuries. Many are familiar with the use of lavender essential oils for cleaning, relaxation, and bug repellant. Back in Roman times, lavender was used in religious ceremonies. Today, people even enjoy lavender as a culinary accouterment. Table of Contents Possibly the best thing about lavender is how easy it is to grow. Lavender plants thrive in a garden, raised beds, or even indoors. You can grow lavender in pots, making it easy to protect from the cold....

QUESTION: How do you grow okra at home? Does it grow well in the home garden? -Ted S. ANSWER: Okra is a warm weather crop that thrives in USDA zones five through 11. If you don’t have enough space for an outdoor garden at your home, you can still grow okra plants indoors. Growing your okra indoors will also help to protect your plants from common pests and bad weather conditions....

For a pteridophyte neophyte, this loss of vitality and vibrancy can be heartbreaking. But for seasoned growers, this is simply part of the process, as routine as shoveling snow after a blizzard. For fern fans, the Boston fern is probably the pteridophyte that got you hooked. It’s gorgeous, versatile, and fairly easy to care for. Plus, you’d have a hard time finding a plant shop or garden center that doesn’t have N....

If you haven’t made the plunge yet into growing your first vegetable garden, you may feel overwhelmed. On our site you’ll find dozens of articles on how to create a garden bed and prepare your soil. But if you need guidance on what type of vegetable plants to choose for your first garden, continue reading. Planning ahead will save you trouble in the long run. Think about your motivations and expectations for your vegetable garden....