One of my favorite first gardening books was A Garden from A Hundred Packets of Seed by James Fenton. I remember being enthralled by the idea that a young, poor gardener like myself could afford to have a big, beautiful flower garden, simply by opening … Read More
Whether you’re dealing with a respiratory infection or you suffer from chronic respiratory issues like asthma, chest congestion, chronic bronchitis, and allergies, take comfort in the wonderful lung tonic herbs you can grow in your backyard: mullein, horehound, wild cherry, marshmallow, and plantain. Some are … Read More
A seedling rack provides a space-saving vertical garden to give your plants an indoor head start. This rack, made primarily from inexpensive PVC pipe and fittings, can accommodate grow lights to give your … Read More
If you’re like me, you love gardening for the beauty and food it produces and for the sheer pleasure of being outside and watching stuff happen. This is a process we can do instinctively, often with great success. But my enjoyment of gardening increased dramatically … Read More
There is no easier way to turn a piece of lawn or patch of weeds into a garden bed than to make Comforter Compost, which is so named because it blankets the soil with cushy layers. Simply select the spot where you want to create … Read More
There are many houseplants that love to spend the summer outdoors, where warm temperatures and abundant light help support strong seasonal growth. Every houseplant grower can recall a day when a sudden cold snap caused them to rush to get plants back indoors in one … Read More
Many new herbalists panic when it comes to harvesting time, not sure what to do and when best to do it. It’s really easy! Generally speaking, harvest when that particular plant looks, smells, and tastes potent, flavorful, healthy, and vital. Basically, when it’s “happy.” Aromatic … Read More
It is possible for anyone to grow their own food, at least some of it; you don’t have to live in a small town or picturesque landscape. I’ve done it — at my third-floor urban apartment, where I planted tomatoes in pots in the parking … Read More
You can grow a garden in pots and planters even if you don’t have a yard. If you make your own planters, you can be creative! Pretty much anything that holds soil but allows water to drain from the bottom could work. Hypertufa looks like … Read More
The first rule of foraging for edible plants is never, ever, eat anything you’re not 100 percent sure of. This applies whether you’re picking in the wild or in your own backyard. “Foraging in your own backyard!” you say. “I thought you had to wander … Read More