Gardening Guide

Nature has long been known for its relaxing qualities, as a place for humans to find tranquility and healing. Gardening in particular is associated with mental clarity and feelings of reward, and it has many physical benefits as well. Food gardening can particularly be gratifying and an excellent source of fresh produce. From soil preparation to the joy of harvesting, there is always a task, big or small, during the growing season! If you have ever spent a summer gardening, you know that these tasks can serve as great exercise. With many community leaders in Michigan, such as Michigan State University Extension, working to promote private gardens as well as urban agriculture opportunities such as community gardens, there has never been a better time to use gardening for exercise. But just how beneficial to your health is this age-old agricultural tradition? best mushroom growing kit for beginners https://www.justhomegardening.com/8-best-edible-mushroom-growing-kit-plus-growth-tips-for...

Gardening is a great hobby to take up; it gets you outside, burning calories, and produces rewarding results. Whether you're looking to grow some delicious produce or beautiful flowers, these 9 tips and tricks for beginners will get you started off on the right foot! 1. Start Up Gardening Don't fret about finding a suitable plot in your backyard, simply start a container garden anywhere you'd like. Plus this way you can ensure the soil is fertile and easily prevent weeds! You'll be more likely to follow through with your gardening if your container garden is near your back door or a window you use often. First start small, then work your way up to a bigger garden. 2. Solid Soil and Dependable Drainage Make sure your container has good soil and drainage, which means plenty of compost! As Hometalk member The Black Thumb Gardener says, 'a gardener with no compost is no gardener at all'. Composting is easy, just save your food waste, especially egg shells, coffee g...

Composting not only reduces trash in landfills, but also improves your backyard at home. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), "compost is organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow." That means bigger produce, prettier flowers, and a healthier garden can come at no extra cost to you once you start saving your family's scraps and turning them into "plant food." Follow our easy steps and you'll be amazed at the change in your garden — and the amount of garbage you throw away will drastically drop, too. Why should I compost? It’s one of the most effective ways to minimize the amount of garbage your family sends to the landfill. Around 30% of what we throw away are food scraps and yard waste, says the EPA. Not only does this reduce methane gas, which is a major factor in global warming, but composting also controls trash can odor. And the biggest payoff? You'll be left with a rich fertilizer you can use in your own gar...

You've been trying to eat more organic foods, both to decrease the amount of pesticides you and your family consume and to help protect the environment. But take one look at your grocery store receipt and you know that buying organic can get very expensive, very fast.  Luckily, there's a way to grow your own delicious, fresh produce while having fun and learning at the same time: organic gardening! Don't know where to start? It is possible to hire someone to install and maintain a beautiful organic garden for you, but most of us can roll up our sleeves with a surprisingly low amount of effort. Remember, you can start small, even with just a single plant or two. Don't worry if things aren't perfect right away. Related Articles : https://www.justhomegardening.com Organic gardening means you won't use synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, but that doesn't mean your plants fend for themselves. There are an array of tools you can use to bolster plant health and ...

There is no fall without pumpkins — big kinds, mini kinds, orange kinds, white kinds, carved kinds, and most importantly pie kinds. Although you could load up a wagon at the local pumpkin patch, start a new autumn tradition by growing gourds in your own garden. These hardy crops will flourish just about anywhere with the right care. Get the full step-by-step guide on growing pumpkins — and all of your most pressing questions answered — below, with insights from Rosie Lerner, Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist at Purdue University. 1. Pick your pumpkin seeds. Pumpkins come in hundreds of varieties differing in size, color, taste, and texture, so no singular type can claim the title of "best." From ballooning giants to teeny-tiny gourds, there's a variety out there for you. Check out some seeds available for online ordering below: 2. Plant the seeds in a full-sun spot. Pick a day after the last frost to sow seeds directly in the ground. Each seed packet will list h...

Don’t hang up your trowel just because frost is coming. In much of the country, you can tackle growing winter vegetables and expect a handsome harvest. Many vegetables thrive in the cooler temperatures of fall, and where winters are mild these same veggies sail through winter yielding plenty of fresh flavor for your dinner table. Learning which winter vegetables to grow and when to plant them is the secret to starting a winter garden. Some vegetables are semi-hardy, which means they tolerate light frosts (29 to 32 degrees F) without experiencing damage. The list includes a host of greens, such as leaf lettuce, salad greens, Swiss chard, arugula and endive. Asian greens like mizuna, tatsoi and Chinese cabbage also thrive through light frosts, as does savoy cabbage and radicchio. A few root crops fall into this category, too, such as Irish potatoes, beets, rutabaga and carrots. Try growing these winter vegetables in spring and fall gardens. In regions with mild winters, including the So...