If you're like me, and you live in an urban area, there's a good chance you're dealing with some seriously alkaline soil. There are a couple of reasons for this. Many of the building materials prevalent in urban and suburban areas make soil more basic, and most of the processes in nature that lowers soil pH (mainly decomposing and composting leaves and other plant matter) don't happen on a regular basis in urban areas. Plus, rainwater (along with the soft water we use to water in many urban areas) can contribute to the rise in pH in soil.
The result?
Archives for Gardening
Plants as Gifts
by Kimberly Hays October 2nd, 2012 | Gardening
With the holidays around the corner, it is a good time to start planting some organic plants that are great for gift-giving. They are easy to grow, and everyone will love receiving such a thoughtful gift that they can enjoy for years. When growing these plants, you will also have some on hand throughout the year to give as gifts for other occasions.
Orchid Cactus – The orchid cactus is not really a cactus at all, but it is very hardy and easy to care for like a cactus. It has long leaves that are thick and flat that are
Orchid Cactus – The orchid cactus is not really a cactus at all, but it is very hardy and easy to care for like a cactus. It has long leaves that are thick and flat that are
Guerilla Gardening
by Jessica B. September 21st, 2012 | Gardening
If you live in an urban setting, you may not have access to a balcony or plot of land that allows you a chance to do much gardening.
A new trend in some areas is guerilla gardening. While there is always the risk that you could arrive one day and find your garden up-ended, there is also the chance that you and many others will enjoy your guerilla gardening as an addition to the landscape.
Here are a few tips for experimenting with guerilla gardening. Remember this is at your own risk! Some of these tips do involve breaking rules as
A new trend in some areas is guerilla gardening. While there is always the risk that you could arrive one day and find your garden up-ended, there is also the chance that you and many others will enjoy your guerilla gardening as an addition to the landscape.
Here are a few tips for experimenting with guerilla gardening. Remember this is at your own risk! Some of these tips do involve breaking rules as
Cleaning Garden Containers
by Jessica B. August 21st, 2012 | Container Gardening, Gardening
It’s that time of year when my summer flowers start looking a little worse for the wear, and it's time to start getting ready to plant some more fall friendly flowers. I like to reuse my containers as much as possible, so with a little preparation, I manage to use most of them almost year round.
If you have full containers, you know this isn’t a matter of just pulling up your flowers and planting new seeds. The roots of last season’s flowers render the soil pretty much impossible to use twice, without a lot of work cleaning and pulling
If you have full containers, you know this isn’t a matter of just pulling up your flowers and planting new seeds. The roots of last season’s flowers render the soil pretty much impossible to use twice, without a lot of work cleaning and pulling
Growing Bluebells
by Anna P. August 14th, 2012 | Flowers, Gardening
Bluebells are flowering plants native to England and Scotland, but many subspecies also grow in the United States. Such species include Virginia Bluebells and California Bluebells. The blooms are bright blue and beautiful. Unfortunately, they're also short-lived perennials that grow in the spring. Obviously, it's too late in the year to grow these plants, but you can start planning for next spring.
The first step to success is to find the perfect spot to plant the seeds. These flowers thrive in partial sunlight, so you need to make sure you find spot near a semi-shaded area like trees or large
The first step to success is to find the perfect spot to plant the seeds. These flowers thrive in partial sunlight, so you need to make sure you find spot near a semi-shaded area like trees or large