Butternut squash is a fantastic addition to any garden, especially for those who want to try their hand at growing something other than the traditional summer squashes like zucchini, yellow squash, and patty pan (scallop squash). This somewhat gourd-shaped squash with a sweet, nutty taste is a good source of…
Neem oil is derived from the neem tree, an evergreen shade tree that is indigenous to tropical India and South Asia. Although the oil can be extracted from all parts of the tree, the seed kernels contain the highest concentration. The usually yellow-brown oil has a pungent odor that some…
Containers are a great alternative to traditional in-ground or raised bed gardening. In addition, they are the perfect way to expand an existing garden when you run out of ground space or if you have limited growing space to begin with. (You can learn more about the advantages to growing…
One of the best ways to ensure that your garden gets off to a good start is to clean and disinfect all the seed trays, pots, containers, and other related items before the season begins. Some may wonder if this is necessary, considering that these items are just going to…
Lettuce, like Swiss chard, kale, and spinach, tastes so much better when grown at home. There is nothing like harvesting the fresh, organic leaves from your back porch or nearby kitchen garden just before a meal. Harvesting greens is easy enough for children to do but still fun for the…
Viable seeds will germinate when certain conditions, such as soil temperature, moisture, light, and oxygen, are met. Different seeds have different requirements regarding these conditions. For some seeds, scarification is one of the requirements. This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I…
Sweet potatoes are nutritious and delicious root vegetables that are easy to grow in beds or containers. Root vegetables like carrots, turnips, and beets are grown from seed, but sweet potatoes are grown from slips. Slips are short vines that have sprouted from a mature sweet potato. You can purchase slips online…
Birds are not only beautiful and fascinating creatures to watch, but as pest control experts, they also provide a beneficial service to our gardens. But in the winter season, when our gardens are at rest, non-migratory birds must consume more food if they are going to be able to burn…
The winter season brings change to every garden. Cold temperatures cause some plants to go dormant, while other cold-hardy crops continue to grow. From time to time, the National Weather Service will issue advisories, watches, and warnings for winter weather events like a frost or a freeze. But what is…
For most gardens, the growing season will come to an end in either late fall or early winter, a fact that avid gardeners might not welcome, but one that we are better off accepting and planning for. Fortunately, there are certain things that we can do to protect our plants…