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 Your Own Raised Bed Soil
You have chosen to garden in raised beds. The frames are set and it is time to fill them with fertile soil that will serve as a good growing medium for your garden plants. One option is to buy a good grade of commercial soil, but that can easily break the bank. The best … [Read more...]
How to Make Your Own Potting Soil
There are a couple of good reasons for making your own potting soil. The most obvious is that blending your own ingredients together is cheaper than buying commercially made sterile varieties. In addition, different plants require different soil types for healthy and … [Read more...]
Healthy Soil: the key to a Healthy, Productive Garden
Healthy Gardens Start with Healthy Soil Healthy soil is the key to growing delicious and nutritious food. But what exactly is soil? And what makes it healthy? Soil is a blend of organic material, water, air, and minerals. The organic matter comes from plant roots, … [Read more...]
Six Smart Ways to Recycle Food Waste
Many years ago I was listening to a radio program about gardening; composting was the topic for that day’s call-in show. The moderator, a quick-witted and well-informed agricultural extension agent, took a call. “What can you do with food scraps if you don’t have a compost pile?” … [Read more...]