Saving heirloom tomato seeds is an excellent way to have a supply of seeds for next season and to trade with fellow gardeners. It's easy to do, I'll take you on a pictorial journey on how to save your seeds. Read More
Cover crops are grasses, legumes or small grains grown between regular crop production periods for the purpose of protecting and improving the soil Read More
Geraniums are one of the most popular "annual" flowers in the U.S. They make an excellent container plant as well as planted in garden beds. I'm going to show you how to recycle your plants so that you can get many years of beautiful blooms. Read More
I've been a home food preserver for many years, one of my favorite items to make is raspberry jam. Recently I've found it harder to find good quality raspberries at a reasonable price. I decided to take matters into my own hands and grow my own. Let me share how to choose and establish your own berry patch. Read More
There are other ways in which to preserve foods besides canning. In this installment I'll describe the freezing of fruits and vegetables. Read More
Following a "Garden Mythbuster" article I wrote about rubber mulch and the mulch polluting the soil with heavy metals, I was asked about how to get rid of such pollution? One way is to use plants to clean up or remediate polluted areas. I have had some exposure to remediation while working with a team assisting in turning vacant lots into community gardens. Read More
One of the best ways to acquire new plant material or to get rid of excess plants is to conduct a plant exchange or swap. It can be a very simple event or you can get as elaborate as you desire. Here's a photo story of one such event, held in south eastern Michigan on a sunny fall morning. Read More
Compost is often referred to as "Black Gold," and indeed it can play a key role in adding organic material and nutrients to the soil. Unless you make your own compost do you really know what your compost contains? Read More
Integrated Pest Management what an intimidating term; that was my thought when I first heard it during my Master Gardener class some ten years ago. Since that time I've come to discover that IPM is a very basic approach to controlling pests and diseases in the yard and garden. Read More
Tired of the same old meat and potatoes? Looking for something to spice up that romantic dinner for that special someone? Just looking for something a little different to dine on? Go out to your flower garden, you may have just what you need, right under your nose. Read More
A gutter garden is a great space-saving method in which you can grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Building a gutter garden makes a great winter project that can be completed indoors. Read More
No matter what type of plants that you grow you have to take the good along with the bad. Certain insects are attracted to roses and to prevent significant damage you need to keep a close eye on your plants. I will give you an overview on the most common insects that attack roses and controls to alleviate them. Read More
Roses are heavy feeders, if you're going to successfully grow roses you need to set up a regular fertilization program. Read More
Grey water is water from your sinks, showers, tubs, and washing machines. I also include evaporate from your air conditioner or humidifier in this category. Learn how to retain and use it in the yard and garden. Read More
So many of us take it for granted; but how much do we really know about our soil? Amendments, fertilizers, structure, pH, what does it all mean? In order to grow great plants we need great soil, here's what it's all about. Read More
Born into slavery in a small Missouri town, George Washington Carver would become one of the most notable botanists in the world. Let's take a stroll through his life and view the many contributions G.W. made to the American farmer and the world in general. Read More
Two horticultural professionals took some of the most popular garden myths into the university laboratory to prove or disprove the accuracy of these myths. Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott from Washington State University and Dr. Jeff Gilliam from the University of Minnesota tested these myths under controlled conditions to determine if they really work. Read More
Two horticultural professionals took some of the most popular garden myths into the university laboratory to prove or disprove the accuracy of these myths. Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott from Washington State University and Dr. Jeff Gilliam from the University of Minnesota tested these myths under controlled conditions to determine if they really work. Read More
Two horticultural professionals took some of the most popular garden myths into the university laboratory to prove or disprove the accuracy of these myths. Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott from Washington State University and Dr. Jeff Gilliam from the University of Minnesota tested these myths under controlled conditions to determine if they really work. Read More
Two horticultural professionals took some of the most popular garden myths into the university laboratory to prove or disprove the accuracy of these myths. Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott from Washington State University and Dr. Jeff Gilliam from the University of Minnesota tested these myths under controlled conditions to determine if they really work. Read More