Michael

How to Make and Use Compost Tea

If you want to improve your soil, learn how to make aerobic compost tea, meaning with oxygen, and use it regularly. It is an effective system, and is safe for your family and pets. You can use compost tea as either a foliar spray or as a soil drench. Materials You Need for Making Compost…

How to Grow Oriental Poppies

The herbaceous perennial Oriental poppy has silk-like dainty blooms that are assorted in colors. You can think deep maroon, pink, salmon, peach, red, orange, and white. Combine them with evergreens and shrubs and other plants of contrasting hues, and you can create a stunning display of color. Bees, butterflies, and birds love the Oriental poppy.…

Get the Most Out of Your Garden with Companion Planting

Companion planting means cultivating plants that lend a hand in each other’s growth. Which plant enhances? Which repels? For instance, certain aromatic plants repel harmful insects but adversely affect other plants. Note likewise that you may need to experiment with companion planting. They are affected by your gardening habits, soil types, plant varieties, microclimates, etc.…

How to Grow Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums, considered as an annual plant, are decorative, colorful, and delicious! They are such a dream plant for experienced and beginning gardeners alike. Once the nasturtiums have become established plants, they are almost carefree! As Kitchen Herb The nasturtiums are edible. They can be used as garnish, chopped or whole, and have a tangy, sweet…

How to Grow Collard Greens

Collard greens belong to the same Brassica grouping as cauliflower, kale, broccoli, cabbage, etc. All contain abundant levels of anti-cancer agents and antioxidants. They are also known as the cabbage plant. Unlike cabbages, however, they do not develop solid heads but have thick loose leaves that could reach up to two feet long and one-and-one-half…

How to Grow Nandina

The growth pattern of the Nandina resembles that of the bamboo. Remember, however, that it is not really bamboo. It is an evergreen that can maintain its foliage as long as the temperature does not dip below 10ºF. The frigid cold kills the cones, although they come back in the spring. If your chosen location is subjected…

Terrariums 101: How to Build Your First Terrarium

When creating terrariums, remember the three basic types. The easiest are the open air, or dish, terrariums that are an open environment. The opposite, the closed environment, are creating terrariums that are more difficult. The third type of terrariums are the vivariums, which are animal terrariums where plants are joined by a live creature inside like a…

How to Grow Mustard Greens

Mustard greens are self-seeding and are fast growers. They are nutritious and easy to grow. Deadhead them or you can get overrun next planting season. They are best as fall or spring vegetables, and actually taste better when they are grown quickly and the leaves have matured before the hot summer days show up. Young…

13 Easy to Grow Culinary Herbs for Beginners

Growing culinary herbs under full sun for about six hours everyday give them better flavor and quality. They grow well in containers, in hanging planters, in raised beds, and thrive even with soilless techniques of gardening like hydroponics and aeroponics. If you are planting culinary herbs in containers, put an inch of gravel on the bottom for drainage. Excepting strawberries, plant just one…

13 Herbs with Possible Medicinal Uses

Many people cultivate medicinal herbs. Actually, you can grow all kinds of herbs almost anywhere you have a sunny spot. If you want to grow herbs, whether for ornamental, medicinal, or culinary purposes, start looking for sunny places. For indoor planting of herbs, windowsills facing east are great. Disclaimer on Medical Herbs It is not…