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Container Gardening: Companion Planting in Containers

I just got back from vacation. As I was picking through my gorgeous thornless blackberry bushes that are dripping with fruit, I noticed that they were also abundantly endowed with some little green bugs. Yum. If they seem to be setting up shop, it may be time for some pest control. In our city, pesticides are banned. Since I garden organically, I would prefer not to use them anyway. This means that I use other techniques to provide pest management in the garden. Most of these techniques are proactive, so I rarely have visits of the abundant buggy kind. If … Continue reading →

Container Garden: Grow a Hot Climate Herb Garden

One of the tried and true ways to garden in a container is to garden small and to garden strategically. The herb garden is a strategic use of space. Instead of going for bulk, you’re going for flavor. What would make your omelets delicious and your soup stocks the talk of the neighborhood? Herbs, of course! A hot climate herb garden thrives in the summer on a hot deck. If you have a sheltered and bright area indoors or if you’re lucky enough to have a greenhouse, you can bring the garden inside for the winter. This is the beauty … Continue reading →

Gardening In Layers

Sometimes, I can spend hours in our garden. Ok, it’s not huge, really. It’s mere meters by meters, not acres by acres. However, it seems like the hours just go by when I’m out there. There are many, many plants and garden structures in my garden, and it’s a postage stamp. I garden in layers, and that is how we can fit so much into the garden. What does this look like? Well, if you were to step into my garden this morning, you’d see a fence made out of old metal headboards. I like my funky decorations. On this … Continue reading →

Gardening As A Whole Curriculum

Now that spring is here, most states are starting to thaw out and warm up. This an excellent time to begin a garden, no matter how small, and teach the kids about botany, art, vocabulary, water conservation, nutrition, and so much more. I’m a firm believer in getting the most bang for my buck and most use out of every moment. Each lesson you teach your kids can incorporate many subjects, not just the most obvious one at hand. Gardening is no different. The house we live in now has a nice back and front yard, but even when we … Continue reading →

Gardening With Your Preschooler: Easy and Early Plants to Grow

We finally have our garden started, a little late for the very early plants like mizuna and fava beans. My daughter has her garden started too, a pot of peas in her playhouse. She’s interested in having her own garden this year. If your preschooler is also interested in growing a garden, what foods are suitable? Out of the early crops, I’d pick peas, radishes, and lettuce. All of these can withstand cooler temperatures, so you can plant them in early spring or late winter, depending on your climate. All of them also do well in pots or planter boxes … Continue reading →

Frugal Container Gardening

Yes, I know that we still have a long way to go until Spring arrives, but it is okay to do a little planning and dreaming, right? Container gardening can be fun and very frugal, especially if it is food that you grow in your containers. Containers can be placed almost anywhere, even if you have only a small space to work with. You can also move the containers around to get a new look or to allow your plants to get the most sun that they need. But before you go out and purchase all of your supplies, why … Continue reading →

Gardening Trends for 2009

I came downstairs this morning and took a look out of my kitchen window, which looks out onto the backyard. There is a good dusting of snow covering it all. But the first thing I thought about was this year’s garden. I know that seems strange, but spring will be here before we know it, and it is time to start planning. If you are looking for some new ideas for your garden this year, take a look at the following trends. These things are all areas in which homeowners and gardeners have shown interest in 2008, according to The … Continue reading →

Save Money with Gardening

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Summer is almost here and there is no better time to start a garden as a tool to save money. Not only will growing your own food save you money on your grocery bills, it is also a great stress reliever. Working in a garden is good for your body and soul. You do not even need to have a big backyard. Even a patio with pots will work fine. All you need is a place outside and some soil. Even a windowsill will function as a mini herb garden. Be creative and you can find a way to grow … Continue reading →

Gardening With Children – Plants of Their Own

Today I took the boys to a local greenhouse and nursery. I told them they each could pick out a plant to take care of this summer. They were actually excited about the chance to pick out a plant of their own. Around our neighborhood we are just seeing signs of spring. We have a few crab apple trees blooming, and the trees are leafing out. At the greenhouse though – wow – everything was green, and growing, and blooming, and a rainbow of beautiful colors. We browsed through ten different kinds of tomatoes, many herbs and vegetables, and all … Continue reading →

Gardening Wizardry for Kids – L. Patricia Kite

Gardening Wizardry for Kids: Green Thumb Magic for the Great Indoors is a fun book for children and parents alike. Teachers will also find lots of fun growing experiments and food lore they can use in their classrooms. The legends and histories behind different foods are fascinating. Did you know that in the Middle Ages magicians put celery seeds in their shoes, hoping it would help them fly? Or that there are more pictures of onions on Ancient Egyptian tombs than any other plant? Or that the soldiers inside the Trojan horse ate carrots before getting in the horse to … Continue reading →