Articles

Far and away the best thing you can do for your garden is to use organic compost, and it's even better if you make it yourself. Though composting seems pretty straightforward, there are a few things to know as you add your waste to the pile and plan for garden application later in the year.  First, Why Compost? Composting is a great way to  create a nutrient rich, humus component to add to your garden. Once broken down, the compost serves as a great way to improve the soil structure and increase water retention. Compost also adds a beneficial bacterial community...

Life is so much better when you get along with your neighbors. Plants agree! That’s why companion planting can help your garden thrive and flourish. Companion planting is simple: Just arrange plants in your garden so that they are near the ones they “get along with.” There are a few different ways plants can form symbiotic relationships with each other: Repel pests. Certain plants repel pests that might otherwise overtake their neighbors. Provide shade. Planting taller plants that need full sun next to those that like more shade is a space-saving strategy. Attract pollinators. Certain flowers attract butterflies and bees...

Spinach is a cold-hardy vegetable that can be planted in very early spring as well as fall and winter. It is easy to grow and does well in cool spring and fall weather. Though it has a good yield and is slow to bolt, it is best to plant spinach in successive plantings to keep growing garden fresh spinach all season long. With similar growing requirements to lettuce, it is higher in iron, calcium, and vitamins than most cultivated greens, and one of the best sources of vitamins A, B, and C. How to Grow Spinach: Although seedlings can be propagated...