Pesticides are chemicals specifically formulated to repel, kill, or disrupt the reproduction of insects that harm crops and plants. While they’re nowadays known to have negative effects on human health, what is their real extent of danger? In this article, I’m sharing insights into pesticide exposure and its impact on our lives. Brace yourself, things…
Part of what makes gardening so exciting is the abundance of diverse and interesting species, shapes, colors, and fragrances in the world of plants. Petunias are no exception. In addition to their attractive blooms and lush foliage, these garden favorites have an unexpected feature: sticky stems, leaves, and sometimes, sticky flowers. As a concerned gardener,…
You walk out to your garden hoping to find your plants growing before your eyes, but instead you find weeds taking over. While weeds are incredibly annoying to us gardeners, your plants will actually love them – if you prepare them as a drink. You see, weed tea is full of nutrients that will help…
I often get overzealous when making dried fruits. What starts with half a pound of apricots can quickly turn into a jar-filled pantry of dried mangoes, apples, dates, and cranberries. As much as I love their texture and taste, it often takes me weeks, if not months, to clear out. If you’re like me and…
Petunias are gorgeous. With their diversity and vibrant blooms, they make a great addition to your beloved garden. However, caring for plants requires a bit of effort and dedication. While petunias may be low maintenance, they can suffer from underwatering if neglected. So, what should you do then? Can you save underwatered petunias? In some…
Have you heard of a wicking bed? Well, you can make your own mini wicking beds with something as simple as 5 gallon buckets. Wicking beds have a reservoir of water that allows the garden to water itself from the bottom. This greatly reduces the amount that you have to go out and water the…
There’s no denying that the world is getting hotter by the year. What was considered ‘hot’ in the early 2000s is now considered normal or even mild compared to today’s temperatures. This gradual increase of heat can be detrimental to crops that are sensitive to extreme temperatures. Luckily, there are several heat-tolerant plants that can…
It can be incredibly disheartening when you notice your tree leaves turning yellow. This may be due to a lack of nutrition, poor soil pH, or insufficient moisture. While these all seem like complicated issues, there’s one simple solution that can address them all: mulch. Adding a layer of the organic compound to your soil…
Interested in an off-the-grid lifestyle? Then you need to make off-grid gardening part of your plan! Yes, it can be challenging to grow plants and crops without electricity and commercial or inorganic products. But, the sense of achievement and pride that you can experience knowing that you’re self-sufficient and doing your part is like no…
Like most things in life, when it comes to growing your own food, there are pros and cons to each decision that you make. Whether it’s the amount of maintenance involved, the yield, or something else, it’s always a good idea to know your goals up front and choose crops that align with them. If…