by Matt Gibson and Erin Marissa Russell Coconut Coir, the widely-used hydroponic growing medium, is in recent years rising in popularity as a soil conditioner, in many cases replacing the use of peat moss, as both are very similar products. So, the question is, which one is … [Read more...]
Hardening Off Plants: Common Reader Questions and Answers
by Erin Marissa Russell Wondering what cold acclimation is all about, and when, why, and how to follow the hardening off process? As a gardener, you don’t want to see your precious plants die shortly after they arrive from an online order or once they’ve grown from seeds into … [Read more...]
5 Reasons Seeds Do Not Sprout
Nothing is more frustrating than putting your garden together, being careful to have everything in place, and then planting seeds only to have... nothing. Having sprout failures, even just a few, is maddening even for the experienced gardener. Here are five common reasons for … [Read more...]
Causes of Long, Leggy Seedlings
Many who start their seeds indoors find that they end up with long, thin ("leggy") seedlings. While this is mainly an aesthetic problem, it can lead to health issues for the plants later on once they're planted into the soil. The taller the unprotected stem or stalk of the plant, … [Read more...]
Seed Sprouting Tips
Sprouting seeds in order to transplant them or grow them in place is a fun part of gardening. Some make critical mistakes that can quickly ruin a flourishing seed bed of newly-sprouted vegetables. Here are some things to do and things to avoid. Eliminate Soil … [Read more...]