How to Make a Home Garden Greenhouse

February 5th, 2012


To keep your plants all safe and sound during winters, the best thing to add to your garden is a  greenhouse. You can always scout around and find out affordable options of building a greenhouse yourself, which is truly a useful project and within a day you can accomplish your task. With a greenhouse  in your garden, you can grow your own vegetables and other plants throughout the year.

Besides, you will be contributing vastly towards reducing climate change, with the added bonus of picking fresh vegetables daily for your table. A greenhouse traps the sunlight in and does not reflect back which indispensable for your plants. You can choose to use PVC or glass, which has greenhouse properties. You can follow some specifics if you plan to design and build your own greenhouse.

Building up your greenhouse in the garden

1. Now, you must understand that a greenhouse needs to trap in the sunlight and so you need to choose the right spot for it. Choose a spot where there is ample sunlight in the garden or near a verandah, and avoid shady areas as sunlight will not filter in.

2. You must measure the specific dimension you require for the greenhouse in the shape of a rectangle. However, these specifics will depend on the availability of space in your garden and the number of plants that you want to accommodate. If you have a big garden then you can have a free run of the space but in smaller gardens, you will need to be more accommodating in terms of dimension.

3. Your greenhouse must have a strong structure and you need to plan in such a way that you do not end up using twigs and plastics. Choose strong, wooden planks of old furniture or even skeletal aluminum rods from old household utilities. The material will not only be hard but will be more affordable and solid options to start with.

4. You can build your greenhouse in the basic structure of a room along a rectangular base, which will have four walls and a flat or rounded roof. Of course, rounded roofs are difficult to make as they require a bit of engineering skills, but is well worth the effort as rounded roofs allows for more sunlight penetration.

5. While you adhere to the joints of the structure, you need to use hard material like rope, screws and drill. It matters that the structure should have strong joint support for which you need to pay special attention.

6. If you are building the greenhouse with the help of a professional and using proper custom made frame, then you can go in for glass protection. However, if you have build up your own structure, then glass is not ideal, as it will not be safe without a custom-made frame. You can choose the PVC plastic, which is used for tabletops as they are made of thick transparent material.

When your project is complete, transport your plants inside the cozy confine and watch them thrive throughout the seasons. As long as, you have the determination to take on the project, and happy with a saw, drill and other building tools; you cannot go wrong with the greenhouse.

 

 About the Author:

Kelly is a blogger by profession. She loves writing on technology and luxury. Beside this she is fond of lifestyle. Recently an article on stress relief  attracted her attention. These days she is busy in writing an article on Electric Tankless Water Heater.

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Canning And Preserving 101

February 1st, 2012

First invented during Napoleon’s time as a means of feeding troops healthfully during a march, canning is used today as a useful method to preserve garden fresh fruits and vegetables. Never canned before? Canning entails placing fresh or cooked produce in jars and heating them to a temperature that microorganisms are unable to survive in.  If done effectively; canning can prevent unnecessary waste, save money, and provide healthy food for your family all year long, as well as in an emergency situation.  Essentially, there are two options for home canning: one is water bath canning and the other is pressure cooker canning.  While both effective, this post details water bath canning as it is slightly more user friendly for first time canners.

Selecting The Correct Jar: Mason and ball jars are the two safest and most effective jars to use because they are designed to heat at high temperatures, and come with a two piece self-sealing lid.  Do no use commercial mayonnaise, baby food or pickle jars, as these are not suitable for high temperatures.

Supplies Needed for Canning: Much like with any hobby, the start up costs for canning can seem daunting.  Yet as each year passes, count on saving money as you can reuse jars, canning racks, and other food preserving tools.   There are several canning kits that are available on the market, or perhaps think about purchasing these items separately:

*A large traditional cooking pot, specialized canning pot or pressure cooker to place jars in. Whichever you choose, be sure it has a secure lid to prevent spills.  The pot should also be large enough to fit in each jar with room at the top for water to flow.  Be sure it is no more than 4 inches wider than the burner to ensure an even temperature.

*A jar rack works well to ensure water flow, and to space the jars properly; which will prevent cracking.  If a jar rack is unavailable, some choose to use sanitized cotton cloths to separate and cushion each jar.

*Jar funnels helps to easily ladle food in each jar, and prevents fingers from touching the jar lid.

*Several Mason or Ball Jars with two-piece self-sealing lids.

*Other Useful Supplies: Mixing bowls, saucepans, clean towels, a timer, measuring cups, tongs, a ladle, and a cutting board will all help ensure a smooth canning process.

Basic Step-By-Step Water Bath Canning: This process is ideal for canning acidic foods like fruit, jams, preserves, jellies, pickles and tomato sauce.

1. Sanitize all jars and lids by dishwashing them first, and then adding them to a large pot of boiling water.  Allow all jars to soak for at least 5 minutes.  Remove each jar with sanitized tongs, and place them on a clean towel.

2. Using sanitized tongs for larger pieces of food, or a jar funnel for sauces and jams;  gently place the food into each jar.  Leave approximately ¾ of an inch at the top for the lid. Be sure to use fresh and seasonal produce for optimum taste and expiration life.

3. Seal each jar by placing the small metal disc on the lid of the jar, and twisting the circular piece until securely fastened

4. Place the jar rack inside a large pot of boiling water, allowing the handles to come up from the top.  Carefully lower each filled jar into the boiling water, until all jars are set and carefully spaced. Using the jar rack handles, lower in the jars and fold the handles inside the cooking pot.  Allow the jars to soak for approximately 30 minutes.

5. Carefully remove the jars using tongs, and allow them time to cool off.  Jars should be stored in a cool, dark and dry place to preserve the jar’s contents.

Looking for a great recipe to get your canning off to the right start? Tomato sauces are excellent choices for first time canners.  The Producer includes the Rose Tomato, an heirloom variety with a beautiful, deep rose pink color. Meaty and flavorful, these tomatoes are perfect for tomato sauces.

Classic Heirloom Tomato And Basil Sauce

(Will make enough sauce for 2 jars)

 ½ cup extra virgin olive oil

1 small onion, diced

½ medium carrot, diced

½ stalk celery, diced

3-4 large garlic cloves, sliced

3-4 pounds of very ripe heirloom Rose Tomatoes

2 cups fresh basil, remove stems and coarsely chop

salt and pepper to taste

Method: Peel off the skin of each tomato using a small knife.  Or for easier peeling, cut a small “x” at the bottom of each tomato.  Then blanche them in hot water for about 30 seconds, and rinse under cold water. Once cool, squeeze the tomatoes to remove the seeds and juice, and reserve it for later. Use a potato masher to mash the tomatoes into small pieces.

Heat a large pot to medium high, and add the olive oil, onion, carrot, celery, and garlic cloves.  Add a few pinches of salt and pepper, and allow the vegetables to soften for 10 minutes.  Stir in the tomatoes and basil, and turn the heat to medium low, allowing the mixture to come to a gentle simmer.

Allow the sauce to simmer for 45 minutes, stirring ever few minutes.  If the sauce is becoming too thick, slowly add the reserved tomato juices until it is the consistency you prefer.  Preserve this flavorful sauce by using the step-by-step instructions above.

What are your favorite sauces, jams and produce to can? 

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Gardens that Heal: Two Botanical Gardens Reach Out To Their Communities

January 29th, 2012

Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, “All my hurts my garden spade can heal.”  Two extraordinary Botanical Gardens are using this idea to make a big difference in their communities.  They have created programs using nature related activities to improve the well being of those that need it most, and have inspired other organizations to partner with them so that people of all ages and abilities can blossom within a garden.

 Toledo Botanical Gardens: Toledo GROWs

If you ever visit Northwest Ohio, you’ll notice the beautiful lakes and may perhaps sample some of the local Midwest food.  But many do not plan on running into any of the 50-plus community gardens organized by Toledo Botanical Gardens of Toledo, Ohio.  TBG hosts Toledo GROWs, a community outreach program with an aim of offering organizational resources and technical assistance that help cultivate and sustain community gardening projects all throughout Northwestern Ohio.

You may know that community gardens help beautify neighborhoods and provide nutritious food for its members.  What also makes this organization so special are the partnerships that have formed to help sustain each of these local gardens.  Toledo GROWs has created a safe haven and therapeutic experience for at-risk youth, seniors, those with disabilities and families who want to provide a valuable service for their neighborhood.

A shining example of this is when Toledo GROWs partnered with the Lucas County Juvenile Justice System, and provided 100 adjudicated youth with paid employment, a place to learn new skills and gain work experience, and the chance to connect with positive mentors. Other youth-centered farms organized by Toledo GROWs are equipped with greenhouses, chicken coops, orchards, rain gardens, beekeeping and training centers, and are sustained with the help of children and teens.

 Tucson Botanical Gardens: Horticulture Therapy Program

Located in Southern Arizona, Tucson Botanical Gardens was once a charming family home with an extraordinary garden in the late 1920’s.  It is now an organization that offers more than just the beauty of its 5 acres of varying gardens and exhibits.  Juliet, the Horticulture Therapist along with trained docents and volunteers have worked with more than 40 different schools and agencies to serve seniors and children with disabilities throughout Tucson. Once a program started by a docent in 1983, the Horticulture Therapy Program maintains the belief that “persons working in the garden and greenhouse become calmer and more focused, need less medication and are more receptive to therapy” after becoming involved in horticulture therapy.

Members of the program work onsite at the Botanical Gardens performing seasonal maintenance duties from planting to harvesting the gardens’ fruits, vegetables and herbs.  Furthermore, high school students have opportunities to earn internships offsite at neighboring farms and gardens to further their gardening knowledge and provide a service for their community.  Juliet feels that there is a real need for these types of programs in her community, as those with special needs not only learn about gardening, but are also taught invaluable skills like responsibility and proper socialization.  When she sees children with behavioral issues switch gears and maintain a clear focus and excitement for building and maintaining a garden, it’s certain that the healing powers of the garden is something difficult to replicate.

 Do you feel your own garden has served you or others in a therapeutic way? Share your experience! 

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Ready, Set…Juice!

January 15th, 2012

Let’s set the scene: It’s 3 p.m. and your eyelids begin to feel heavier than they did this morning before your cup of coffee.  You have plans to meet friends for dinner tonight, but you can’t imagine mustering the energy after a long day’s work. You reach for a can of soda, but feel completely drained once you arrive home.  Sound familiar? The truth is, soda and caffeine have the ability to energize for a few hours, but what to do when the inevitable crash comes? Juicing has become the latest trend in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and has been studied to sustain long-term energy better than caffeine. In fact, juicing has also been attributed to weight loss, fighting the effects of aging and healing various ailments from insomnia to IBS.  Intrigued?

The latest nutritional guidelines advocate that we consume at least 9-13 fruits and vegetables each day, while focusing on dark leafy greens and red/yellow vegetables and fruit.  But with work, home and social life obligations, who has the time? Juicing your fruits and vegetables is an effective way to fill in the gaps.  It provides the nutritional content in plants (like vitamins A, C D E, K and B complex, and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus and magnesium) that’s concentrated and easy to digest.  With the right recipes, juicing can be a satiating and delicious addition to the day.

Juice is not only tasty and energizing, but it is also linked to preventing and healing a host of illnesses and ailments.  Cherie Calbom, M.S. provides a great list of insightful natural remedies to common ailments in her book, The Juice Lady’s Guide to Juicing for Health. Below are just a few natural remedies to consider:

Allergies: Alfalfa sprouts and parsley can reduce symptoms.

Asthma: Onion, parsley, ginger and radish have been studied to reduce mucus and asthma symptoms.

Canker Sores: Cabbage is linked to reducing mouth and stomach ulcers.

Colds/Flu: Apples, beetroot, garlic, gingerroot, grapefruit, lemon, parsley, wheatgrass, garlic, ginger and green tea have antiviral and symptom relieving properties.

Headaches: Cantaloupe, gingerroot, garlic, celery, parsley have been shown to reduce headaches.

High Blood Pressure: St. Bartholomew Hospital in London found that beetroot juice can lower blood pressure in just one hour.

Indigestion: Ginger, cabbage, fennel, lemon and papaya can relieve gas, improve digestion and heal heartburn.

Kidney Stones/High Sodium: Consuming citrus juice regularly can help prevent kidney stones and lower sodium.

Stress/Anxiety: Carrots, onions, beetroot, spinach, celery, avocados, celery, fennel, and parsley all have calming effects.

Weight Loss: Alfalfa, asparagus, dandelion, lemon and parsley can help detox the body and promote a healthy thyroid – both essential for weight loss.

Not sure where to begin? Blenders and simple juicers work fine, but to gain the greatest benefits from your produce, choose a juicer with high horsepower (.5 hp).  You’ll notice the investment pays off as you squeeze out more juice from your produce, and there are fewer parts to clean.  A few guidelines to remember while juicing are: wash all produce before juicing, remove the peels, pits, stones and hard seeds before running them through, juice the stems and leaves for added nutrients, and cut everything into chunks for easier processing.

Ready to get started? New York Times best-selling author and wellness warrior, Kris Carr recommends this green juice for a daily dose of health benefits:

Make Juice Not War Green Drink:

Makes 32 ounces

2 large cucumbers (peeled if not organic)

1 big fistful of kale

1 big fistful of sweet pea sprouts

4-5 stalks celery

1-2 broccoli stems

1 pear or green apple (optional)

1 inch ginger (or less)

*Other optional ingredients: romaine, parsley, spinach and dandelion.

Method: Blend or juice and drink immediately.  Reserve the additional juice in an airtight container.

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When Good Food Goes Bad: How To Prevent A Foodborne Illness

January 11th, 2012

When produce like celery and cilantro are recalled due to Salmonella (read a full list here), and after one of the deadliest outbreaks of E. coli this year killing 19 people in Europe and sickening thousands; many of us have become increasingly concerned about what could be tainted next, and if it could directly impact our families. Although we normally associate both Salmonella and E. coli with undercooked beef and poultry, contaminated foods can include eggs, milk, herbs and produce. In fact, produce can become a hazard when they are fertilized with animal manure, and if the manure is contaminated with Salmonella or E-coli.  Yet, it’s irrational to avoid all foods that could pose a threat, especially when there are so many health benefits in each tasty fruit and vegetable we eat. Luckily, there are a few tips that can minimize the risk of a hazardous pathogen ending up on your plate.

Prevention In Your Garden: Colorado State University recommends building your own garden, allowing you more control over safe gardening practices. To reduce the propensity of foodborne illness; locate your garden away from animal pens or manure, and keep your pets and animals away from the garden during growing season.  Also, cover your bases by checking for a neighbor’s run-off that may have be exposed to manure.  When watering, try using drinking water or water from a deep well, as these sources are less likely to contain Salmonella and E.coli.  Also, it’s good practice to never apply manure directly to the edible parts of fruits, vegetables and herbs.

Prevention In Your Kitchen:  Thoroughly washing hands and tools that may have been exposed to manure in your garden will prevent foodborne illness from being spread in your home.  While in the kitchen, washing your hands, cutting boards, utensils, fruits and vegetables in warm soapy water will also prevent sickness.  To further remove dirt, pesticides and bacteria, use a brush or peel the skin off of fruits and vegetables before eating them.  Although, contrary to what many assume, washing meat in your sink can actually splash more harmful bacteria in your kitchen. The Food Safety And Inspection Service recommends cooking poultry to at least 165 degrees F., and all beef, pork and lamb to 160 degrees F. to kill all known pathogens.  Also, store your leftovers at 40 degrees F. or below in the refrigerator, and 0 degrees in the freezer.

In The Case Of A Suspected Foodborne Illness:  If you suspect a food-related illness, first securely wrap up the potential food,-mark it “DANGER” and place it in the freezer. Saving the tainted food and any wrapping, cans and labels associated with it, can be useful in tracking the illness back to its source.  Also, seek treatment if you experience bloody diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or a high temperature.  Call the Health Department if the food was served from a local restaurant, or the USDA Hotline (1-888-MPHotline) if the suspected food was packaged in the United States.

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Eat Healthy and Save Money in 2012: How Gardening Can Do Both

January 5th, 2012

If you’re like the millions of people making New Year’s Resolutions for 2012, eating healthy and saving money may be at the top of your list.  Sadly, we now live in a world where it’s inexpensive to buy processed foods, and costly to purchase healthy foods; making many believe that eating healthfully while saving money is an oxymoron. Yet, many are discovering that a simple garden is quite the financial stimulus during these dark economic times, while providing plenty of fruits and vegetables for the whole family. What could you do with the extra money saved from your garden?

Planting your own home garden is as trendy as ever, especially when we see Michelle Obama planting her own family garden at the White House, and seed sales increasing by upwards 20% this year. Luckily this means that there are plenty of resources out there that can help you build a successful garden.  Below are our top 5 reasons to ditch the grocery store and instead, plant a simple garden and bulk up your wallet.

The Top 5 Reasons A Garden Can Save You Money

1. Bruce Butterfield, a researcher at the National Gardening Association claims that one well maintained garden is able to return (on average) $1 and ½ pound of vegetables per square foot.  You can increase your savings even further by cutting down on capital costs.  This means that forgoing fencing, fertilizer and preventing weeds by planting closer together may increase your returns.

2. A study at the University of Arizona found that 40-50% of American food goes to waste, while each family throws away almost $600 a year on groceries. Gardening allows you to customize exactly what and how much you would like to grow, reducing unnecessary food waste.

3. According to W. Atlee Burpee Co., every $1 you spend on seeds is able produce at least $25 in fruits and vegetables.  This means that investing $50 in seeds could eventually yield $1,250 in groceries – wow!

4. MSN claims that fruit trees, lettuce, herbs, vine vegetables and bell peppers are less costly if grown in your own backyard.  If you can resist expensive gardening gadgets and unnecessary expenses, these vegetables will give you the most bang for your buck.

5. Freezing, canning and drying vegetables grown in your garden can increase the cost-benefit ration even higher.  Plus, saving leftover vegetables means you can eat healthy all year, with no additives or chemicals normally used in preserving. There are countless online resources that give detailed instructions on this process.

 Do you grow your own fruits, vegetables and herbs? How much are your estimated savings a year?

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Survival Gardening: How To Boost Your Disaster Preparedness

December 28th, 2011

It is as good a time as ever to begin your own survival garden for you and your family.  This year, increased food prices, economic uncertainty and recent record natural disasters have undoubtedly heightened our concern about the safety and availability of food. A desire for a survival garden may also be rooted in the fact that you crave fresh, organic and non-GMO vegetables, fruit and herbs year round. Or like our parents and grandparents during World War Two, “victory gardens” save money, while allowing commercially grown food to be directed to areas that need it.  Whatever the reasoning, survival gardens are easy to construct and following these additional suggestions can allow your family to eat healthfully from home.

How To Start A Survival Garden:  First, decide what your gardening goals are.  Are you looking to add a few more fresh fruits and vegetables to your weekly meals? Perhaps you want an emergency food supply? Or, maybe take it a step further and completely live off the grid? Whatever you decide, it’s best practice to begin by planning a 4-foot wide space for your garden.  You do not want it any wider or you’ll have some trouble planting, harvesting and weeding in the center.  You may make the length as long as you prefer, yet many like to begin with 4×12 feet and the opportunity to grow larger as need be. Pick a location that’s relatively flat and receives sunlight with some shade at certain parts of the day.

After you have found the perfect location, dig an area about 1 foot deep.  You may dip deeper to add more vitality to your garden, but keep in mind that you’ll need more soil to compensate.  Using sized pieces of wood, form an “L” at one end of the garden and use a power drill to set each screw in.  Do the same for all four corners until you have a sturdy rectangular shape. Fill in the hole with nutrient-rich, organic soil, leaving some space a few inches at the top.  Use compost periodically to boost the soil’s needs.

Deciding What To Plant:

Grow any type of fruits, vegetables and herbs you prefer, but do keep in mind that some plants are advantageous to grow together while others will literally steal nutrients from the plant next door.  Check our Companion Gardening blog post to see a complete list of companion plants.

Planting medicinal herbs and plants is a good practice for those who aspire to grow a garden for emergency purposes. Garlic, onions, aloe, cloves, anise seed and other herbs have proven medicinal qualities that could be helpful for injuries and other ailments in a crisis.

Emergency Seed Banks: Many of us want to be prepared in any type of natural or economic disaster, and creating your own emergency seed bank is one way to ensure your seeds are viable when you need them most.  Begin by selecting a wide variety of seeds that are non-hybrid heirloom and non-genetically modified.  Next, make sure your seeds are completely dry and place them in a vacuum-sealed bag.  A Mylar® bag may also be used to ensure tight sealing.  Then, place bags in an airtight, waterproof container or a compact storage case.  Carefully label your seeds and keep planting guides in the container as well. These simple steps will increase the lifespan of your seeds, while giving you more control and self-sufficiency over your food supply in a worst-case scenario.

Storing Fruits and Vegetables: Canning your leftover fruits, vegetables and herbs from your survival garden can prevent waste and can prepare you and your family for most unexpected emergencies.  Using mason jars and two-piece lids will suit you just fine for canning foods.  Make sure the food, cans and lids are sterilized before you label and place the jars in storage for later use.  Freezing food in air tight bags will also retain most of the nutritional value, while blanching vegetables before freezing can stop enzymatic activity that slowly causes the quality of the food to dissipate. Remember that freezing is better for short-term consumption, as a loss of power could mean the loss of your food if you do not have a backup generator.

Do you have a prepared food source for your family in an emergency? 

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Seeds Bombs Away! Your Guide to Guerilla Gardening

December 23rd, 2011

Ready-Made Seed Bombs

Some may see a real eye sore of barren land, but in your view it is the perfect location to implement your handcrafted weaponry.  In the shadows you quickly peak over your shoulder.  Others creep along next to you to join in on the ambush.  With one forceful throw – you find yourself immersed in guerilla warfare.  Only this kind of warfare is vastly different from a WWII scene; think seeds and un-loved land in lieu of machine guns and trenches.  A growing world movement; guerilla gardeners form gardens by throwing an assortment of seed bombs in open  land that could benefit from the beauty of a garden, but may be challenging to reach and spend time in for traditional sowing. Intrigued?

Those that participate in guerilla gardening are as diverse as the seeds they launch. Some do not have a space of their own to garden, yet wish to have the benefit of growing their own fruits, vegetables and herbs.  Others wish to build a sense of community in their area or to send a message about sustainable living.  Some want to memorialize a person with their seeds, while others would like to beautify areas that see the wear and tear of city life.

Learn How! (No camouflage required)

Choose a guerilla seed bomb that suits your selected area, purpose and climate.  Whether you find a deserted lot, a park, an empty planter/flower bed, or the side of a road; be sure to select low maintenance plants if you cannot visit the site regularly. Most seeds from Uncle Herb’s Favorites will work well. You should also decide the purpose behind your guerilla garden.  If you wish to be a witness to how your beautiful garden affects the community, don’t stuff your seeds in a balloon you will never see again. Rather, choose a seed bomb that can be easily spotted. Finally, select an area in the right climate.  Ideally, this is an area exposed to plenty of natural sunlight and rainwater.

Traditional Seed Bomb:  These bombs are comprised of clay soil, compost and seeds.  They are eco-friendly and very easy to make.  Keep in mind that they can get quite messy, and will work best in areas that are exposed to sun and water.

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine clay soil, compost and seeds at a ratio of 5:1:1.  Slowly pour in water until the consistency is moist enough to form a hardened ball.

Step 2: Roll out the seed bomb mixture about ½ inch thick using a rolling pin or wine bottle.  Using a small knife, cut into 2in. x 2 in. sections.

Step 3: Roll each section into a ball.  Once hardened, they are ready to throw.

Exploding Eggs: This method requires stuffing empty eggs with your favorite seeds.  The empty eggs will crack and “explode” seeds
upon hitting the ground.  These are much less messy than a traditional seed bomb, but they are slightly more challenging to make.  Be patient, and you’ll be tossing seed eggs in no time at all.

Step 1:  Wash and dry a free-range egg.

Step 2: Using a needle, poke a hole into each side of the egg. The holes should be large enough for the yolk to exit the shell.  Place a bowl underneath you, and using your mouth, blow through one end of the egg. Allow the yolk to dispense into the bowl, and save it for an omelet
later on.

Step 3: Find the largest hole on either side of the egg. Carefully fill the egg with about a ½ teaspoon of seeds.  Be patient, as this takes time!  Wrap the egg(s) in a cotton cloth so that they will not break when being transported. Unwrap the cloth and the egg is ready for tossing!

Other Ideas:  If you’re looking for some other ideas on how to join the forces of guerrilla gardening, many enjoy stuffing clear Christmas
ornaments, biodegradable pill capsules and balloons later filled with helium.  Be wary that each of these may suit your purpose, but have varying degrees of difficulty and environmental challenges once the seeds are airborne.

If you think guerilla gardening is the activity for you, which areas in your community could benefit from such a garden?

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Winter Gardening Tips For Adults and Kids

December 15th, 2011

When the mercury begins to drop, try these gardening tips to spruce up your garden and prevent winter damage.  We also included some fun gardening activities to engage your children during winter break! To learn more ideas on how to protect your plants from frost, stop by and read, Protecting Plants From Freezing Temperatures.

Safety first! Many use infinite amounts of salt in their pathways and porches to prevent a dangerous fall on winter’s slippery ice.  But did you know that salt could wash away in your garden and sterilize the fertile soil? To get the best traction without harming your prized cabbages, use organic kitty litter without any added chemicals.  You’ll find that a light sprinkle of litter can salvage you and your plants from preventable winter dangers.

Drip Irrigation:  It is good practice to check your irrigation system for damage each season.  Before winter hits in full force, you may want to review your model’s instructions and remove all of the water from the system.  Then turn off the system completely for the coldest months.  Many attribute this to be the best way to protect your irrigation investment from extensive winter damage.

Depending on your city’s winter climate, a rule of thumb for winter watering is once every 10 days when temperatures are below 75 degrees F, and once a week when temperatures are between 75-90 degrees F.   Be sure to water only when temperatures in the soil are above 40 degrees, and when there is no snow coverage.  If possible, a midday watering routine is best to allow time for water to soak in before chillier nighttime temperatures hit.

Pruning Procedures:  Pruning a large tree or bush is best done in the wintertime.  Prune branches that awkwardly cross, and/or branches that appear to have diseased or dead wood.  Remember, topping a tree or cutting more than 25% of a plant can ultimately lead to more extensive damage in the long run.  As for more delicate herbs, flowers and vegetables; wait until the spring to prune. Even damaged leaves and foliage continue to carry heat and can suffer more frost damage if pruned too early.

Use A “Winterizer”: During the winter months, plants should focus on root growth, and can benefit from a fertilizer with potassium and phosphorus.  In early to late fall, use a trowel to loosen the soil, and add fertilizer near the roots of the plant.  If your plants have already experienced freezing or snow, skip the fertilizer and simply add more mulch to the roots to keep them warmer.

Involve The Kiddos! Winter break is fast approaching, and finding some fun winter activities is the perfect way to get your kids active and away from the Xbox! Try inviting children to make a windowsill garden. Herbs are wonderful to grow indoors; and they are kid friendly to implement.  Kids also love decorating small pots with colorful paints, paper and glue. Draw a funny face on a pot, plant a little winter grass and watch the head of hair grow! Or, have kids make holiday gifts for their loved ones with a little creativity and a terra cotta pot.

Engage children in a gardening or bird club.  Find a group at your local library, or start one of your own!  Children love distributing birdseed in the winter and documenting birds that have stopped by for a snack.  If you have a craft store nearby, involve kids in building a birdhouse to help keep the neighborhood birds “warm” in the winter.

What gardening tips will you use this winter?

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Humble Seed Announces A New Product: Cow Manure Tea!

December 13th, 2011

Does your garden need a little pick me up? Has it been through bad weather, experienced club root or does it just need a little reviving? Believe it or not, a naturally brewed tea may be just the component to enhance both your perennials and annuals. Humble Seed is excited to announce that they will begin selling Authentic Haven’s Brand Natural Brew for your garden! Humble Seed is introducing their line of cow manure teas that have been proven to cultivate a thriving garden. Haven’s Livestock Producers raises only grass-fed cows, guaranteeing no antibiotics, pesticides, or growth hormones in their products.  Health conscious and green-minded folks will love knowing that they can kiss toxic chemicals goodbye as they naturally grow their indoor and outdoor gardens.

About Cow Manure Tea: For years, farmers and home gardeners have relied on home brewed cow manure teas for enriching their gardens. The tea is comprised of a natural cow manure; one of the best tools for improving your garden’s fertility and growth, while also giving your plants a boost during preliminary cropping time and in poor weather conditions.  The tea acts as a soil conditioner, creating a strong root base and allowing plant roots to better absorb the nutrients they need. The product is shipped to you in environmentally friendly packaging, and is exceptionally easy to use.

What plants will benefit? A variety of house plants, container plants, vegetable gardens, shrubs, grass lawns and rose gardens will thrive when you use Haven’s Natural Brew Tea.

How Does It Work? You can implement the tea in your garden just days after receiving the tea. Simply brew one tea bag in a five-gallon container of water and allow to steep for a few days.   A large watering can will suit you just fine.  Once brewed, water your plants at the roots, avoiding vegetables and any edible parts of the plant.  In a few weeks, you will notice your garden stander taller and more vibrant than ever before.

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