Whenever I experiment with something new during the seed starting season, I feel incredibly anxious. What if it goes wrong? What if I end up with unhealthy starts? Believe me. I’ve made my fair share of mistakes that have resulted in disaster. I tried using jiffy pellets one year, and my seedlings were stunted. Another…
How to Get Free Worms for Your Garden
Composting is an economical way to recycle household waste like kitchen scraps and yard refuse (dead leaves, grass clippings, etc.). It requires minimal effort, and in return, you get free fertilizer for your garden! Using your homemade compost in place of commercial fertilizers is not only cheap, but it’s also better for your garden. Compost…
I’m New to Gardening: Is Starting From Seed Worth It?
‘Tis the season to start fielding questions from curious friends interested in starting a garden. One of my friends recently moved into a new home and is keen to grow a few incredible edibles in her available outdoor space. She’s unsure of whether to bother with seed starting and wondered if she’d be better off…
5 Common Reasons Why Your Houseplant Isn’t Blooming
You brought home a gorgeous houseplant or received one as a gift. You admire it for a week or so while it bloomed gloriously. Soon after, the flowers fell away and the houseplant isn’t blooming anymore or doesn’t look as radiant as it once did. Are you struggling to get that plant bloom again? Maybe…
A New Seed Starting Adventure With Soil Blocks
I’m rushing to set up my grow shelves and get going with seed starting this year. I came down with another illness over a week ago and it hit me hard. The second time this winter! And it was a nasty bug that left me unable to move from the couch. I spent my time…
Expand Your Gardening Possibilities with Seed Swapping
It’s nearly time to start seedlings, but you’ve noticed your seed supply is a bit thin. Or perhaps you’re bored with the varieties you typically grow and want to try something new. Seed swapping is the perfect way to top up your seed inventory on a budget. What is seed swapping? It’s exactly what it…
5 Super Compelling Reasons to Save Empty Seed Packets
Peek into my gardening cabinet, and you’ll find a slew of gardening books, some crafting supplies, seed starting tools, my seed organizer, and a bunch of empty seed packets devoid of seed. Why do I keep the dirty, warped, packets around? If I’m out of seed, why not throw them in the trash? Good question!…
6 Incredible Flower & Garden Shows to Visit in February
Are you missing your garden and can’t believe it’s still winter? Are you searching for an out-of-the-box activity to get yourself out of the house? I know. It’s so tempting to wait out the winter wrapped in a blanket. Curl up on the couch with a good book, and it’ll soon be time to get…
A Wealth of Information: 4 Great Reasons to Order & Keep Seed Catalogs
Have you started receiving your seed catalogs yet? Mine have indeed begun arriving in my mailbox! I’ve set the pile aside during the holidays — I’ve been too busy cleaning, cooking, and entertaining to peruse them, but I look forward to when I have a chance to flip through the pages of delicious-looking produce. When…
You Need to Mulch Trees for the Winter: Here’s Why
Are you worried about your tree’s ability to withstand harsh winter weather? A bit of mulch might be your ticket to preserving new plant life in your garden. Typically, mulching of trees is done in the fall, prior to freezing weather, in preparation for winter. As we head deeper into the winter, there may still…