If you have a problematic set of trees in your yard or property that you simply don’t know what to do with, go with a positive mode of thinking and “make the problem the solution” and make those trees into part of a shade-loving garden. The trees will naturally provide … Read more
Gardens are places of practicality, beauty and even used as status symbols. Botanical gardens are distinctly special in that they are meant to be places of education and study as well as a place to for preservation, all within a natural and beautiful setting. In botanical gardens, different ecosystems and … Read more
Surely you have heard of a botanical garden, and maybe you’ve roamed around the sanctuary like place seeing and smelling the different flora and fauna carefully cared for and studied by public and botanists alike. Yet did you know that the first known botanical garden, in fact was a physic … Read more
Catnip affects both humans and cats, although quite differently. As you probably know, your little feline pet probably goes a little crazy when exposed to catnip, and is specifically reacting to the oils found within the plant. This same oil also has medicinal properties that can help humans with a … Read more
The road to self sustainability starts with you and the creation of your own garden flourishing with fruits and vegetables. Growing edible mushrooms are a great addition to your vegetable garden or, if you are just starting, it can be one of your first projects. Grow Edible Mushrooms The first … Read more
Whether rural, urban, or suburban, abandoned properties are blight to communities. One way to turn these eyesores into a community asset is by transforming these areas into community gardens. Abandoned tennis courts, empty residential lots, abandoned gravel parking areas are ideal candidates to rekindle as community gardens. Not all properties … Read more
Aquaponics is defined as “the integration of aquaculture (the raising of marine animals, such as fish) with hydroponics; the waste products from the fish are treated and then used to fertilize hydroponically growing plants”. Aquaponic Farm Simply put, aquaponics is a recycling system, it mimics the natural system of our … Read more
Once you have your tomatoes in your garden it’s best to know how to prune them correctly. Pruning a tomato plant can increase your fruit size and help lessen the chance your plants will catch a disease. Pruning Tomatoes There are two main types of tomato plants. Determinate plants are … Read more
There’s basil, rosemary, thyme, coriander, parsley the list goes on of the herbs great for seasoning dishes. But there’s a whole other world of pretty petaled plants ready for you to devour. Flowers You Can Eat First things first, before we go into specific examples with names and recipe ideas … Read more
Depending upon the type of landscaping and soil you have in your yard there may be a variety of different backyard ideas that can help achieve a sustainable lifestyle and reduce your carbon footprint on the planet. If it is gardening and raising livestock that interests you there are many … Read more
One of the by products of mushroom farming is mushroom compost. More precisely, the compost that the mushrooms were grown in that no longer has enough nutrients for mushrooms but plenty of nutrients left for the garden and landscape plants. Mushroom Compost Mushroom compost is made specifically for mushroom farming … Read more
Aquaponics can be an intimidating concept for the home gardener but it really is no more difficult than caring for an average fish tank with the added benefit that you could eat both the fresh garden produce and the fish. Aquaponics is a sustainable food production system that combines the … Read more
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) was started in March of 2000 by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). In essence, LEED provides owners and operators with a framework that aids them in identifying and then implementing a greener method and options for not only construction, but design … Read more
Oscar the Grouch got it right: worms are fabulous. And like Oscar the Grouch, composting with worms – also known as Vermiculture – is great for kids. Most kids love the slimy, the silly, and of course what kid could pass up the opportunity to talk about (and participate in … Read more
Land for gardening is often difficult to come by, especially for apartment dwellers. But if you are lucky enough to have even a small outdoor space, such as a patio or balcony, you can optimize your gardening capacity by utilizing the concepts of vertical gardening. A Guide to Vertical Gardening … Read more