Fertility is a word that brings to mind the lushness of crops in the sunlight, an abundance of food, and the loveliness of growth. True crop fertility is a wonderful thing. However, since the green revolution we’ve associated fertility with fertilizer. What is a fertilizer, and … [Read more...]
What Do Sun and Shade Mean in the Garden?
If you garden, you’ve heard it over and over: This plant needs full sun, or partial shade, or part sun. But what exactly does that mean? Let’s take a look at the differences between the various requirements for sun and shade. Full Sun: Six hours of sunlight each day, … [Read more...]
How to Force Bulbs in Winter
In northern climates forcing bulbs gives you the pleasure of colorful flowers in the dark of winter, plus the satisfaction of creating this indoor garden of delight yourself. Forcing can be a little tricky. It may take some trial and error, but once you get the hang of it you can … [Read more...]
How to Use Mulch in Your Garden
Mulch solves so many problems it ranks pretty high on a gardener’s list of best friends. Mulch controls weeds, keeps soil moist, and prevents erosion and runoff. Organic mulches enrich the soil when they decompose, adding nutrients and improving soil structure. A blanket of mulch … [Read more...]
How To Make an Accessible Garden
My sister loves to garden. She loves to spend her summer hours getting down in the dirt--planting, weeding, and watering. She has a large organic vegetable garden and a circular perennial garden with paths, a labyrinth of sorts. She has filled very nook and cranny of her property … [Read more...]