It's December, so if you're in the northern hemisphere, you're in the midst of winter. As you hear the chilly winds blow and watch the icy precipitation fall from the sky, you may feel the urge to hide under a blanket until winter leaves. However, there is no need to despair, you're days of gardening are not too far away. To help bring the warmth of summer to your home and to be prepared for the gardening season, now is the time to start planning.
Before you start planning, there are certain pieces of information to keep in mind: your
Archives for December 2010
The Novice Gardener
by MPK December 24th, 2010 | Fruits, Gardening, Vegetables
If you're thinking about trying your hand at gardening, now is the time to begin. Don't wait until the snow is gone, and greenery is appearing everywhere. It could be too late at that point. Right now, you have the time to research, plan, and make purchases for your garden. As a first-time gardener, what do you need to do? Use this handy list as a starting checklist.
- Determine how large your garden will be. While it is tempting to plan big, don't go so large that you overwhelm yourself, unless gardening will be your full-time career this
Which Herb?
by MPK December 17th, 2010 | Container Gardening
A few weeks ago, I wrote about the benefit of an indoor herb garden. If you're considering starting one of these, you may be wondering which plants you should purchase first. There are a few items to consider:
Will you be cooking with these herbs?
If the answer is yes, then you need to review your typical menus to determine which herbs you use most frequently. Do you tend to cook Italian foods? Basil and oregano are excellent options. Do you want an herb that looks good on the plate? You can't go wrong with parsley. It has been a garnish
Will you be cooking with these herbs?
If the answer is yes, then you need to review your typical menus to determine which herbs you use most frequently. Do you tend to cook Italian foods? Basil and oregano are excellent options. Do you want an herb that looks good on the plate? You can't go wrong with parsley. It has been a garnish
Indoor Herb Gardens
by MPK December 10th, 2010 | Container Gardening
If you're heading into winter and missing the green of summer, why not start an indoor herb garden? There are several benefits to an indoor herb garden:
When you are ready to begin adding herbs to your home, you should choose your plants based on what you will use the most in your cooking. For
- The herbs will give your house a wonderful aroma.
- Herbs will add a little color during the duldrums of winter.
- They also will provide ingredients for your meals.
- Herbs are fairly low maintenance. Using the herbs in your cooking should be all of the trimming you need to do.
When you are ready to begin adding herbs to your home, you should choose your plants based on what you will use the most in your cooking. For
A Tribute to the Compost Pile
by MPK December 3rd, 2010 | LandscapingAlthough they are not the most aesthetically pleasing aspect of a yard, compost piles are much more than outdoor garbage disposals. Not only do they reduce waste by recycling yard and kitchen scraps, compost piles also act as excellent sources of nutrients for growing healthy plants. They are relatively easy to maintain, and a compost pile’s benefits make it worthwhile. So, how do you build an effective compost pile to keep your garden healthy without spending a ton of money?
The positioning of the compost pile is the first step to creating a successful pile.