GARDENING BASICS

Is inorganic mulch ever a better choice than organic mulch? Maybe you need a mulch that doesn’t blow away in high winds, float away in heavy rains, or burn down your house. Newsflash! All organic mulches are flammable. But rock or stone won’t burn. So they’re the best type of…

If you’re new to vegetable gardening, have a limited amount of space, or are tired of sweating in the hot summer sun as you swat mosquitos and pull weeds, square foot gardening is for you. Square foot gardening is a high-yield intensive gardening method that helps you get a lot…

I remember how excited I was, as a kid, to see all those autumn leaves floating down and creating a beautiful, colorful blanket on the ground. My mom would rake them up into huge piles on our lawn. I couldn’t wait to bundle up, run outside, and dive right into…

We live in an era of instant everything. Instant rice, instant communication, and most importantly … instant-dry nail polish! But one thing that can’t be sped up is your garden. I learned that when my fourth-grade teacher had us start sunflower seeds in a paper cup. I woke up each…

Do you start each gardening season hoping to get the most from your garden? What if you could grow a garden that thrives, enjoy flowers and vegetables right out of the gate, and not have to toil for hours in the hot sun while mosquitoes dine on your neck to…

As you thumb through half-empty seed packets left over from last year, or even several years ago, you wonder if they’re still good. You shrug, plant the seeds, and cross your fingers. If they don’t germinate, you’ll buy some new ones. But here’s my prediction. By the time you notice…