You don’t need to be a gardening language expert to start gardening, but it would be highly advantageous to know some of the commonly used terms found on plant labels and garden center websites. Annuals Annuals are plants that last for only one season. They grow from seed, then flower, produce seed, and die. Annual…
Keeping your garden tools clean and well-maintained is crucial, just like with any item you spend your hard-earned money on. By doing so, you’ll not only extend their lifespan but also improve their performance. Storing your garden tools in a shed is a good practice, but it’s also important to clean them regularly. Once you…
Plants have more similarities to human beings than one might think. For instance, like us, plants have veins that transport nutrients and sap, which is similar to blood, to vital parts of their bodies. They also possess the ability to breathe, and their lives are regulated by hormones and a basic nervous system. Additionally, plants…
When it comes to gardening, soil is a crucial factor that needs to be considered and understood. In fact, it is one of the most important resources on the planet as 95% of our food comes from soil. What is Garden Soil? Soil is the loose surface material covering the planet that contains a mixture…
Composting is a great way to reduce landfill waste, (America wastes 119 billion pounds of food every year). and improve the health of your backyard. By adding organic material to the soil, plants and vegetables can grow bigger and produce prettier flowers and abundant vegetables, resulting in a healthier garden without any extra cost. So…
What is Compost? The aroma of a forest floor is attributed to humus, the result of organic matter’s complete decomposition. The original organic material is no longer discernible, leaving behind a rich, crumbly, black, and sweet-smelling soil-like substance known as compost. In a deciduous forest, leaves, branches, animal waste, and deceased plants and creatures accumulate…
While compost thermometers are not necessary for a successful hot compost heap, they can be incredibly useful if you’re trying to increase the heat of your pile. For instance, if you build two heaps that are identical except for the presence of an activator, it can be difficult to determine whether the activator made a…
All compost ingredients that are suitable for use are organic, meaning they come from living or previously living sources such as plants, animals, and their natural by-products. In nature, animals and plants have a life cycle, when they die, they break down and decay, providing food for fungi and bacteria. These microorganisms then become food…
Trench composting is a gardening method commonly used by individuals who have gardens arranged in rows. If your garden is arranged differently, such as in 1 x 1 foot squares (otherwise known as square foot gardening), you may adjust this system to fit your setup. However, since this method is typically used for vegetable gardens,…
This is a simplified guide for anyone interested in calculating the Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio. If you’re looking for an even simpler version, check out our guide on creating a compost heap. Organic matter contains both carbon and nitrogen, but in varying proportions. As organic matter decomposes, the ratio of carbon to nitrogen increases over…
