Pruning is a vital practice to train your young trees to develop strong structures. The right tools and techniques make pruning easy and effective. What are the best practices for branch pruning? Cut a branch or twig back to a side branch to shorten them. Or, cut about 1/4 inch above the bud facing the…
Asparagus is one of the first vegetables ready to harvest in the spring. The young stem shoot of the asparagus plant is edible. It emerges as soil temperatures rise above 10 0C in the spring. You need to wait up to 3 years to harvest them. Why does asparagus take so long to grow? It…
Natural plant fertilisers are a crucial element in gardening, farming, and landscaping practices. They provide essential nutrients to plants, improve soil health, and promote healthy growth. With the increasing awareness of the harmful effects of chemical fertilisers on the environment, many people are turning to natural alternatives to grow their plants. Using natural plant fertilisers…
Coriander, also known as cilantro or Chinese parsley, is a versatile herb that has been used in culinary applications for centuries. From flavoring dishes to garnishing plates, coriander is a popular choice in many cuisines, especially in Indian, Middle Eastern, and Asian cooking. However, many people don’t realize that growing coriander from seeds is not…
Do you envision a layered, flourishing garden? Your garden ideas must include perennial flowers and plants. If you are like me, who loves to plant, Perennials are a long-term strategy and a cheap one at that, in contrast to the quick satisfaction that showy annuals provide. Once they are established, you will have an easy-to-maintain…
Heirloom tomato varieties come from previous generations. It is due to the farmers’ practice of saving the best seeds each year. Their genetic diversity gives them various colors and odd shapes. How do heirloom varieties differ from hybrids and GMOs? Farmers pass down heirloom tomatoes from one generation to the next. Heirlooms come from open-pollinated…
Spring is the season of hope, rebirth, warmth, and beauty. The new growth signals spring. After being dormant in winter for months, the living world wakes up in spring with bliss. The pleasant weather allows them to enjoy the outdoors more. How can we prepare our garden for spring? Clean out your greenhouse and tidy…
Hydroponic gardening has become increasingly popular in recent years as a sustainable and efficient way to grow plants. This method involves growing plants without soil, using nutrient-rich water instead. One of the most commonly grown crops in hydroponic systems is tomatoes, which thrive in this environment and produce higher yields than traditional soil-based methods. However,…
Intensive subsistence agriculture is a type of farming that involves a high level of input and labor to produce crops on a relatively small plot of land. This farming method is typically used in areas with high population densities, where farmers need to maximize crop yield to sustain their livelihoods and provide food for their…
Organic gardening is becoming more popular as people realize the benefits of growing their own food in a sustainable and environmentally-friendly way. One of the challenges of organic gardening, however, is controlling pests and diseases without resorting to chemical pesticides that can harm the environment and our health. Fortunately, there are many natural methods of…