I live in an apartment in San Francisco. I have a porch, windowsills with different light levels, and some counter space to do any gardening that I’d like to do. However, I don’t have a yard. Therefore, if I wanted to get serious about outdoor gardening, I would need to explore other options. That’s gotten…
gardening methods
5 Reasons To Use Fish Amino Acid on Your Plants
There are so many great reasons to use fish amino acid in your garden. Also known as fish fertilizer, this product provides nutrition to plants in ways that are similar to, but arguably potentially better than, other organic garden fertilizers. There are different types of fish fertilizer and different reasons to use fish amino acid…
DIY Squash Trellis Under $10
Growing squash is a great idea. There are many great squash varieties to feed your family. However, you want to plan ahead when growing squash. If you don’t, then this plant can take over your entire garden. In particular, you’ll want to train your squash to grow on a trellis. Here are some great…
Protect The Garden From Excessive Rainfall: Frugal Tips
While it’s not necessarily a problem in all locations, many people have to worry about protecting their garden from excessive rainfall. Plants love water! Too little, and they’ll wither away. But too much water can also cause problems. Plants that are stuck drowning in waterlogged soil can succumb to root rot. These days, unpredictable weather…
Using Shredded Paper As Garden Mulch
Should you use shredded paper as garden mulch? Normally, I spend my time telling you that the advice you’ve heard countless times is bogus. But using shredded paper in your garden is actually a great idea. What is mulch? Mulch is a substance added to the garden that helps soil retain moisture and stay cool….
Staying Safe While Gardening During a Heatwave
Many gardeners look forward to the summer because it means that the gardening season is in full swing. By mid-July, plots are lush with produce, and flowers are in full bloom. But mid-summer is also a ripe time for heatwaves. As the summers get hotter, it’s getting more and more important to prepare for…
How To Get Plant Spacing Right
When I started gardening over a decade ago, I was so excited to grow things that I would cram many seedlings into tiny spaces. My first garden was my pride and joy, but looking back on it, I made so many mistakes. Mistakes are good! They help you learn. But some of them are entirely…
Should You Use Diesel To Kill Weeds?
Should you use diesel to kill weeds? Short answer: Nope. Weeds can be annoying. They compete with other plants for nutrients and can turn a pretty, organized garden into a patchy mess. Still, I’ll continue to stand up for weeds. Some of the plants we consider weeds are actually beneficial. They offer up food to…
How To Do A Spring Garden Clean-Up
It’s springtime! The season that signals to every gardener that it’s time to get started is here. In my neck of the woods, it’s also the ugliest time of year. I become tempted to start my spring garden clean-up right away, but I know that soon the buds from my maple trees will fall and…
The Importance of Crop Rotation
It’s that time of year again! Gardeners are starting to plan out the season. Usually, I spend this month sketching out a rough plan for my garden—taking crop rotation principles into account. I also start some seeds in my basement. This year, though, the pandemic has me changing up my plans. I’m giving my…