Garden

How to Get Your Kids Involved in Gardening

Gardening is a great way to get your kids to take a break from the electronic world that they live in.  It gives them a chance to get away from the computer screen and cellphones that dominate their lives.  But the trick is you need to somehow hook them to get them interested in gardening.  While … [Read More...]

schoolgarden

Start a Garden at your School

If you want to start a garden at your school there are a few steps you need to take to get started.  First you need to know that it may not be that easy since you have to go through an approval process.  But don't let this deter you from trying since you can get approved if you go through the … [Read More...]

cactus

Vegetable Gardens Can Thrive in the Desert

When you think of the desert you think of cactus plants and cracked barren landscapes.  However vegetables can thrive in the desert because they are provided with a ton of sunshine.  In fact the state of Arizona which is associated with the word desert, is second in the nation for the production … [Read More...]

Featured Articles

Growing Lettuce in your Garden

Lettuce is one of the most popular vegetables in culinary arts and is used in salads and several other dishes. Hence, wouldn't it be great if you could simply harvest one from your own garden? This will ensure the freshness of the lettuce while also saving you cost from having to buy them off the … [Read More...]

How to Grow Potatoes

Potatoes are relatively easy to grow, and taste great when grown in your garden.  While potatoes are a root crop, they still require full sun to produce the best potatoes.  Potatoes will grow best in a slightly acidic soil that ranges between 5.9 and 6.5.  Since potatoes grow underground a soft … [Read More...]

How to grow lettuce from seed

Lettuce is one of the easier crops to grow, and can easily be started from seeds.  Lettuce seeds are very small therefore you have to be careful when you break open the seed package.  Sometimes the outer seed packer will then have a small inner seed package, as the seeds would get lost in the … [Read More...]

Choosing the Proper Tomato Varieties

One of the keys to getting a successful tomato harvest is to start off with the correct variety.  Unfortunately the proper variety for one area of the country is different for other areas of the country.  This is because there are different diseases and insects present in certain areas, and it … [Read More...]

Container Vegetable Gardening

For people that live in condominium, apartments, or just don't have a large back yard, container vegetable gardening is a viable solution to a backyard garden.  While it is true you still need a location for your containers that get adequate sun, there are certain varieties that require less sun … [Read More...]

Gardening Basics

earthworm

Benefits of Earthworms in the Garden

Worms are very beneficial to all gardener’s.  They fertilize, till and improve soil texture thus are a welcomed animal in the garden.  If you don’t find worms in your garden this can be a sign … [Read More...]

Alaska

Gardening in Alaska

Usually when you think of the world Alaska you don't relate gardening with it.  You relate mountains, snow and vast wilderness.  Alaska lacks good sunlight, warmth and fertile soil so gardening in … [Read More...]

gardendesign

Choosing the Right Plants

One of the most important aspects of gardening is picking the right plants for your yard.  You must make sure that you aren't selecting perennials that aren't tolerant to cold weather if you live … [Read More...]

weeds

Start an Early War on Weeds

In the early Spring is when you will first see weeds appearing in your garden and in flower beds.  The key to keeping weeds at bay is to pull them when they are young.  You need to get the weeds … [Read More...]

evergreen

Proper Pruning Techniques

The best time to prune your trees is upon us.  Evergreen and deciduous trees are in there dormant state currently and therefore it is a good time to prune.  It is always a good idea to finish all … [Read More...]

Herbs

Growing and Eating Mint from your Garden

Mint is an easy herb to grow and you will enjoy eating fresh mint from your garden.  The concern with mint has always been the fact that it will take over your garden as it is quite an aggressive … [Read More...]

Container Herb Garden

Do you love to use fresh herbs in the food you cook?  Did you know that you can grow many of the herbs you buy in stores right in your own home?  Even if you have very limited space, and no room for … [Read More...]

How to Grow Cilantro and Coriander

First many people wonder what the difference between cilantro and coriander are.  Actually they come from the same plant.  Cilantro generally describes the leaves of the Coriandrum sativum plant, … [Read More...]

Flowers

hummingbird

Hummingbirds in the Garden

Hummingbirds are a welcome delight to the garden.  Normally people try to attract hummingbirds with special feeders and mix sugar in water.  However if you plant the right combination of flowers … [Read More...]

red rose

Are Roses Edible

Roses are not just decorative flowers they are actually a culinary delight as well.  They can be described as having a light sweet flavor and are sometimes included in salads.  They add quite a … [Read More...]

News

Prince Harry’s Green Thumb

May 20, 2013

Did you know that Prince Harry is an avid gardener?  Harry recently had a "Forget-me-not" exhibit at the Chelsea Flower show.  Prince Charles and … [Read More...]

Gardening Jobs are Not Boring

May 16, 2013

There is a misconception that gardening jobs are boring and only for the unskilled.  The reality is that gardening jobs require a great deal of skill … [Read More...]

Do Onions Flower?

May 14, 2013

Have you ever seen an onion flower?  Onions are biennials which means in the first year they will product bulbs but in the second year they will … [Read More...]

Pruning Pines in the Spring

May 13, 2013

Now is the time to prune any pine trees you might have.  They probably have just started growing and that is the best time to prune them.  The … [Read More...]

Easy to Build Gardening Box

May 12, 2013

If you like do-it-yourself project you can build a very useful vertical gardening box.  Vertical gardening has become very popular and this is an … [Read More...]

Snails in the Garden

May 10, 2013

Do you have a problem with snails in your garden?  After a heavy rain is your garden inundated with snails?    Some areas of the country have this … [Read More...]

Gardening Improves Your Body and Mind

May 8, 2013

Healthcare professionals agree that gardening can improve your health.  You not only reap the benefits of consuming the healthy vegetables you grow … [Read More...]

Gardening with Grandchildren

May 7, 2013

If you have grandchildren a great way to spend some time with them is in the garden.  You can talk to them in a natural environment about any subject … [Read More...]

Gardening Mother’s Day Gifts

May 2, 2013

If your mother is a gardener then picking a garden related mother's day gift is the perfect choice.  Instead of looking for a new blouse or perfume … [Read More...]

Parent and Child Gardening Bond

May 1, 2013

Gardening is a way to strengthen the bond between parents and children.  It is a recreational activity that can be enjoyed regardless of your ages. … [Read More...]

Videos

Organic Gardening Video

 It is easier than you think to get started with organic gardening.  More and more chefs are using organic vegetables in their recipes.  Some tips include making sure your plants get enough sun.  They need eight to ten hours of sunlight every day.  You need to make sure that your soil has good drainage.  You shouldn’t select an area that has sitting water as that will cause many problems.

You don’t need a lot of space.  It is best to start with a smaller garden that is four feet by eight feet. This size allows you to reach into the garden to pull weeds without stepping on the soil.  You never want to step on your soil once it has been turned over.  Your local garden center or hardware store will supply you with all the tools you need for your garden.  You should use a wide fork to turn over your soil and break up clumps.  You could consider lasagna gardening if you are starting your garden on top of an existing lawn.

In an organic system the key is to nourish the microbes.  The best way to to that is with compost.  You need to keep the soil covered throughout the season with mulch. This will help keep weeds from growing and will conserve water.

Amend a Garden Bed Video

This video shows you how to amend a garden bed with some compost.  You can purchase this compost or use your own.  You evenly spread out the compost across the whole bed.  Then you take your pitch fork and start turning the soil over.  You put the soil on the top on the bottom and thus you are aerating the soil.  If you have a larger garden plot you could also use a tiller if you think doing it by hand will be too much work.

After you finish turning the soil you will now take your cultivator and break up the big clumps of dirt that may have formed from turning the soil over. You do this by hitting the soil and clumps with your cultivator.  After the clumps are broken up you will then go back to using the rake to spread out the soil nice and even. After you are done raking if you still have large clumps you can either hit them with the cultivator again or remove them from the garden.  Then you are done, you have amended your garden bed and you are on your way to having a better garden.