Thursday, December 30, 2010

Easy Tips on Caring for House Plants

Many people worry a lot when it comes to caring for their plants.  When talking about house plants, there is no need to worry.  There are just a few things you need to consider. 

Yucca gloriosa in clay pot + Florero(R)Image via Wikipedia1.  Watering
Overwatering kills most houseplants. Looks can be deceptive, so to see if your soil is dry enough to water, try the finger test.  Insert your index finger up to the first joint into the soil.  If the soil is damp, don't water it. 

2.  Feeding
Foliage plants usually have high nitrogen needs, while doe flowering plants, K2O is needed. Slow release fertilizers can be mixed with the compost.  However, certain plants like cacti and orchids need special fertilizer.  Feed plants during their most active growth period.

3.  Lighting
Plants like Sanseveria and Aspidistra require no sun.  They can be placed away from a window.  Spider plants need semi-shade.  You can put plants like these near a window that does or does not get sunlight. Check the label to see what your plant needs.

4.  Temperature
Most houseplants can survive in cool or warm temperatures, but drastic fluctuations of temperature may not be good for them.  One thing that most plants cannot survive is gas heating. And if you have a plant that likes warm conditions, don't put it near an air conditioner in the summer.

5.  Humidity
Some houseplants require a humid environment. One tip to maximize humidity is to put the pot inside a larger pot and fill in the gaps with stones or compost to keep in the moisture.  Grouping plants together often creates a microclimate that they will benefit from. If you want, you can spray them with water once or twice a day depending on the temperature. 

6.  Re-potting
Some plants require re-potting for optimum growth but there are others that resent having their roots disturbed. Or their roots system may be small enough that they don't require re-potting.  One way to check if your plant needs re-potting is to turn it upside down.  Tap the pot to release the plant and check its roots.  If roots are all you see, then re-pot. Sometimes the roots will come out of the pot. In this case, you should either cut them off or re-pot the plant.

You just need to give your plants a bit of care, and in turn, you'll reap the benefits.  Indoor plants not only add to the beauty of your décor, but also give much pleasure to the indoor gardener - particularly those trapped inside for the winter!

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Indoor Gardening & Houseplants: Recommended Resources:

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Christmas Tree Mulch or...?

Brazilian-christmas-treeImage via Wikipedia
Once Christmas has come and gone, you may be wondering what to do with the tree.... Just tossing it doesn't seem very sustainable (particularly if it's not a real tree - please don't toss an artificial tree - it's a huge waste of resources and also takes up a lot of space). Some areas have Christmas tree recycling programs, which will turn your used tree into mulch for free. Some will let you have the mulch for your garden or yard, while others will use it for local parks or schools. Either way, this is a much more responsible method of disposal.

Or, here is a very interesting new alternative, which I hope will start catching on in more areas soon!

Christmas Tree for Rent | Grass Rooted – All About Lawns Blog
... you can still practice responsible gardening. You can use your Christmas tree for mulch. Call a tree service that has a wood chipper. They can mulch your Christmas tree and you can use it in your garden. Share/Save/Bookmark ...
Publish Date: 12/15/2010 1:23
http://www.allaboutlawns.com/blog/christmas-tree-for-rent.html
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Saturday, December 25, 2010

Holiday Decorations from the Garden

For those of us celebrating Christmas, the big day is already here! If you are still a bit short on decorations, and want to spruce up the house a bit for company, why not check the garden and see if there is any greenery or other items you can use?

This quick video gives a great demonstration of a few truly lovely holiday decoration ideas using materials right from your own garden - even in the dead of winter!  Rather than having to brave the hustle & bustle of holiday shoppers, why not save some cash and create a few decorations yourself, grown in your own backyard! (Or give the kids something to do for an hour or so - they'll have fun, and stay out of your hair during the holiday preparations...)

Enjoy, and Merry Christmas from all of us at New Holistic Living!

Virginia Farm Bureau - In the Garden - Christmas Decorations
In this month's "In the Garden," Mark Viette talks about decorating our homes for the holidays using greenery from the back yard. More at vafb.com


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Thursday, December 23, 2010

Winter CSA Goodies

red chardImage via WikipediaThink there's no way you could get fresh local veggies in the winter where you live? You could be wrong. Really wrong!  We've posted a few articles on here lately about CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture), but maybe you're thinking there's no way there is one in your area. Well, maybe not, but with the growing popularity of CSAs in the last few years, there have been a number of winter options springing up.

For example - see below post, on the goodies from one of Tucson's local winter CSAs (this was what shareholders received last week):

Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010 – Week 3 of 11
Navel Oranges, Butternut Squash, Purple Top Turnips, French Breakfast Radishes, Curly Mustard Greens, Baby Kale, Spinach, Green Onions.
Publish Date: 12/14/2010 15:59
http://www.tucsoncsa.org/2010/12/wednesday-dec-15-week-3-of-11/

Cucurbita moschata 'Butternut'. Original descr...Image via WikipediaOkay, you're thinking, but Tucson isn't exactly the heart of the snowbelt....  Well, I can tell you that I live in central Ohio (really not a year-round warm climate, to say the least), and last week I got a big lovely bag of sweet potatoes, collard greens, swiss chard, salad mix, sprouts, mushrooms, apples, and winter squash - all grown organically and within less than 2 hours from my home. While there may be a bit less variety than in a summer CSA share, I'm definitely still well-fed on fresh local produce, even throughout the winter months (in fact, my grocery shopping is cut more than in half now). (Sorry - these pictures aren't from mine - I forgot to take one; I will try to remember to take one of my next share, and post here soon.)

Here is the CSA I am currently a member of, if you are in the Central Ohio area, and are interested in learning more:

Athens Hills CSA: December 8th Newsletter
Nestled in the hills of Athens County, lies a 120 acre farm - the home of Green Edge Organic Gardens & the Athens Hills CSA. CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture, is a way for you to have a direct relationship with the farmer who ...
Publish Date: 12/08/2010 11:40
http://greenedgegardens.blogspot.com/2010/12/december-8th-newsletter.html

Next month I will also be signing up for several months of local meats, again through a CSA.

Visit www.newholisticliving.com/csa.html to learn more about CSAs, and find out how to find one in your area. And you, too, may be able to eat local, even during the non-gardening season!
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Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Recipe - Spruce Needle Vodka

Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) budsImage via WikipediaI know I don't usually post recipes here on the sustainable gardening blog - usually we reserve these for our Cooking From Scratch blog! However, this one does fall in the category of foraging or collecting your own natural foods - sort of, and it's perfect for the holidays!

Making your own spirits has become somewhat of a popular hobby these days, and this festive recipe utilizes locally grown (and collected) fir needles (make sure it's from a wild tree - not one treated with pesticides or other chemicals; cedar tree needles would also work well). A lovely bottle of this tied with a green ribbon would make a great gift for the nature lover on your list!

Enjoy, and happy holidays from all of us at New Holistic Living!

Spruce up holiday cocktails with evergreen tips
Place the spruce or Douglas fir needles and one-third of the bottle of vodka in a blender. Blend at high speed for 2 minutes. Pour into a large clean jar. Pour the remaining two-thirds vodka into the blender and swirl it around to ...
Publish Date: 12/01/2010 18:33
http://www.seattlepi.com/food/431050_Spruce01.html
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Saturday, December 18, 2010

5 Pricey Garden Gifts (And Some Affordable Ones)

I stumbled across this funny article, and figured it was in keeping with the season! Please keep in mind this is here for humorous purposes only - I'm not suggesting you actually buy any of these things. (Though if you want to, don't let me stop you!)  I just thought it was amusing (and somewhat disturbing) that people pay this much for such items....  What do you think? Does it make you laugh? Cry? Angry? 

Feel free to post comments! (And there are some more reasonable gift ideas below, if none of these work for you.)  :-)

5 Garden Gifts to Give if You're a Multi Millionaire
The imp in me decided to change gears and come up with a list of garden gifts for those of you with cash to burn. The rest of us can just chuckle at the absurdity of paying $269 for a freaking watering can.
Publish Date: 12/06/2010 9:00
http://lifeonthebalcony.com/5-garden-gifts-to-give-if-youre-a-multi-millionaire/
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Thursday, December 16, 2010

The Best Pots for Indoor Gardening

You have researched the benefits of having an indoor garden and found the best plants for your home -- now what do you put it in?  From terra cotta pots to decorative ceramic ones, there are many choices available and in various sizes (you can find some cute ones at the bottom of this post).  Not only do you want to choose a pot that looks good in your home but you want one that is the best size for your plant too.

Meillandine Rose in clay pot + FloreroImage via WikipediaYou want to look at the long-term growth expected in the plant you have chosen and use that information to pick an appropriately sized container.  If you pick a pot that is too small your full-grown plant the roots will not have enough room to grow and the plant will be come “root bound”.  This is a rectifiable condition with re-potting, but it can put the plant through unnecessary stress and creates more work for you.  Your plant may look unbalanced at first in a container that is out of proportion but you will be glad you thought ahead as the plant continues to grow.

The container you choose needs a form of drainage too.  The most common method of drainage is one or more holes in the bottom of the pot to let excess water drain out.  If you have chosen a pot that does not have these holes there you still have two options to provide drainage.  You can put your plant in a smaller pot with drainage holes and then place the smaller pot inside the larger one with no holes.  Or place an inch or two of gravel in the bottom of the container before you put in the soil.  The gravel will allow the excess water to run through the soil and into the rocks instead of staying in the soil and water-logging the plant (just make sure not to water it too much).
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Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Creating an Indoor Herb Garden

Fresh herbs can make a world of difference in your meals.  Instead of buying them at the grocery store and getting too much at once or a bunch that isn’t as fresh as it could be, grow your own.  Grow a variety or just your favorite, in a window box or on the kitchen counter.  It is an easy introduction to indoor gardening.

To start your own herb garden you have two options, you can go to your local nursery and purchase some seedlings or grow your own from seed.  Either way is fine, but if you are a novice the seedlings are the way to go.

Three pots with seedlingsImage via WikipediaOnce you have your seedlings at home, you can replant them or for the first season you can leave them in the small plastic pot that they come in.  If you do decide to replant them, do not pack in the soil too tightly and place a small amount of gravel or woodchips at the bottom of the pot for good drainage (and make sure there are a couple of small holes in the bottom).

If you want to grow your herbs from seeds, follow the instructions on the package carefully and use a container large enough to accommodate future root growth.  Herbs also like air circulation, placing near an open window when it's warm enough out can provide both the sunshine and air movement that they need to thrive.

Indoor Herb GardenImage by ReeseCLloyd via FlickrIf your herbs are growing too large for their pots, you can separate a portion of them (including the roots) and transplant them outside in the spring or summer time.  You will double the amount of herbs you can grow.  On the flip side, if you already have an outdoor herb garden it is a simple matter to take a portion of each plant indoors to have fresh herbs all winter long too.

And of course read the recommendations and information that comes with your herb plants -- not all are suitable for indoor gardening. (For some ideas to try, see below.)

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Saturday, December 11, 2010

Short Video on Winterizing your Flower Garden

This quick video gives a few tips and ideas for preparing your flower garden to weather the winter storms, so that it comes back strong and beautiful next spring.

Although many may have already prepared your gardens for winter, in some climates the preparation is still going on, so this may be helpful for those of you in the southern states.


Preparing Your Garden For Winter : Protect Your Growing Plants & Flowers from Cold Weather
Plants and flowers need to be insulated from cold-weather conditions. Learn more in this free educational video series. Expert: John Guion, Arnetia Francis Bio: John Guion is the Area Manager for Bell Nursery in Burtonville, MD. He has 12 years exper...


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Thursday, December 9, 2010

Natural Pest Control for Indoor Plants

It is inevitable that insects or another infestation will make its way to your plants at one point or another.  If you are dealing with pests in your indoor garden you may want to find a natural way to eliminate them especially if you have young children or pets in your home.  There are ways to do this and most of them require ingredients that you can get at the grocery store.

When you find insects or another disease that is making your plant sick.  Isolate the plant immediately to prevent the problem spreading to the other plants inside your house.  Depending on the type of problem the solution will be different.

Aphids on a house plantImage via WikipediaIf your plants are being eaten by spider mites, you can eliminate the problem by making a solution of buttermilk and water.  Put the solution into a spray bottle, put the plant in the bathtub and give a thorough once over.  A mix of 50-50 is recommended, if this is too thick to use with the spray bottle, add more water for a thinner consistency.

You may be able to control aphids with a thorough washing of the plant leaves with water.  Another recommendation is to kill a couple of the aphids and leave them in the bottom of the pot.  They then emit an odor that lets the other aphids know that danger is near and they abandon the plant.  If this method is used, do it outside so they can find another home that is not inside yours.

The natural and organic methods available for the wide variety of problems your plant can encounter are too numerous to list.  These are the two most common pests, but with some research there is a natural solution to many more different insects or diseases that can affect a plant’s health.

(For some more ideas on sustainable gardening and natural pest control, visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/sustainablegardening.html.)
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Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Terrarium as Indoor Garden - Great for Kids!

This is not so much for us vegetable gardeners, but can be a cool idea for getting your hands dirty with a bit of indoor gardening, and especially for getting your kids started with their own little garden!

This is also a solution for you if you love the look of plants indoors but don’t have the time or a green thumb to take care of them.  A terrarium is a self-contained plant habitat.  Once you have set-up the terrarium and closed the lid (on the jar or other container you have chosen) the plants inside create their own eco-system – all you have to do is enjoy it.

The choices for terrarium containers are only limited by your imagination.  Traditionally a smaller aquarium is used with a lid but a glass jar or other container will work nicely too.  Plastic will work as well, just make sure that it is a clear plastic or you won’t be able to admire your handiwork once it is completed.  Whatever size or material you choose for your terrarium the most important factor is that it does not leak.  You need the water and moisture to stay inside for it to work and you don’t want a mess inside your house.

Time-lapse photography of a growing trap.Image via WikipediaThe plants that you choose should all thrive in similar conditions and grow well in a humid environment.  Popular plants to put into a terrarium are carnivorous (Venus Fly Trap (kids will love these!), sundew, or pitch plant) or rain forest plants (chamaedorea palms, small ferns or fittonia). 

Terrariums are a low-maintenance indoor garden.  They need indirect sunlight (not too bright) and very little watering is needed after the initial water is added.  The heat from inside the terrarium evaporates the water and then it condenses on the lid falling back down to the plants.  This process will continue keeping your plants alive.  If there is too much water present, you may need to vent the terrarium (with a vented lid or opening the top a small amount) just be sure to keep an eye on the soil’s moisture level (not too wet or dry).

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Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Welcome to Our New Blog Home!

For those of you who have been reading our Wordpress blog for the past couple of years, thanks for sticking around!  We love to hear from you, and it is immensely gratifying to hear how you have been enjoying the articles and resources we have been sharing.

Due to technical issues, we have relocated our Sustainable Gardening blog to this address. Rest assured, we will continue to bring you great resources and news on sustainable and organic gardening - the only thing changing is our address!

We are catching up moving over all the old archives, so you will be able to find all previous posts here as well. The old address will still work for some time, but all new posts will appear here, so please update your bookmarks and favorites accordingly.

You can also always find more info on sustainable gardening on our main website at http://www.newholisticliving.com/sustainablegardening.html.

Be sure to check back soon for more new stuff coming later this week!

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Give Thanks for Community Supported Agriculture

If you don’t have locally grown food as a part of your Thanksgiving feast today, you are missing out!

CSA shareImage via WikipediaCommunity Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a great way for those with limited garden space to still eat locally, and support your local community and environment. Many small farmers grow more sustainably, and the food can be more healthful as well.

Here are some great articles on Community Supported Agriculture – learn more, and perhaps you can help support your community (and your family’s holiday table) through a CSA for a holiday feast sometime soon! (And be sure to check our Cooking From Scratch blog for some good CSA recipes – what to do with all those unusual veggies you aren’t normally exposed to?? All the more fun to experiment with, my dear!)

Have a wonderful, fun, warm, and filling Thanksgiving!

My other sphere of activity is Urban Agriculture and our very small, experimental CSA. Three of us started doing Urban Agriculture (growing food in other people’s back yards) mid 2008 with the intention of learning how to grow our own …
Publish Date:
11/22/2010 19:06
http://smallspacegardening.blogspot.com/2010/11/urban-agriculture-and-our-csa.html

Interesting article on farming and the development of CSA in Taiwan Elizabeth Henderson: A CSA Mission to Taiwan : Chelsea Green www.chelseagreen.com. Farmer and author Elizabeth Henderson, whose book is Sharing The Harvest: A Citizen’s …
Publish Date:
11/22/2010 14:13
http://everythinginstantly.net/communityfarming/2010/11/22/interesting-article-on-farming-and-the-development-of-csa-in-taiwan/

Jason Mark is a columnist for Change.org’s Sustainable Food cause. He is a co-author of Building the Green Economy: Success Stories from the Grassroots and the editor of Earth Island Journa… Read more of this post, Instead of a CSA, …
Publish Date:
11/21/2010 11:12
http://food.change.org/blog/view/instead_of_a_csa_how_about_agriculture-supported_community

These last few CSA recaps are gonna be kind of weird, kids, because we did some random things with our produce. (Minds. Out of the gutter. Now!) So, here we go: Our first fennel! What an odd vegetable. It took me a little Internetting …
Publish Date:
11/22/2010 19:33
http://veganburnout.blogspot.com/2010/11/csa-week-22-fennelicious.html
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Tuesday, November 23, 2010

CSAs for the Holidays

The holidays are drawing near, and many gardeners have given up their gardens for the winter, finishing up the cleaning, composting, and mulching, and resigning themselves to a winter of bland, lackluster supermarket produce, with dreams of next year’s gardens dancing in their heads.

But it doesn’t have to be that way! Even if you may not be able to garden throughout the winter in your area, you may still be able to find fresh, locally grown foods as close as your nearest farm stand or community market. Many areas now support multiple CSA (community supported agriculture) programs, some of which offer winter shares as well!

Community supported agricultureImage by yksin via FlickrIn my Central Ohio area, I suffered through the past few winters of bland, tasteless tomatoes and wilted lettuce shipped from thousands of miles away, oblivious to the bounty growing nearly in my own backyard! Though an avid summer CSA member, I was unaware that it was possible to get locally grown veggies here in the winter, until a mutual local food enthusiast turned me on to a winter CSA, producing certified organic veggies year round, in a series of large greenhouses less than 2 hours from my home. (They deliver weekly to our community.)

This will be the first year I will be able to subsist on largely local food year-round, and I am so excited for my first winter share – coming next week! (I also am a member of a meat CSA, offering naturally-raised local meats.) Milk, bread, apples, and sometimes cheese are also available through the CSA.

With a bit of luck, the right connections, and the fortitude to seek out area farmers near you, you may be surprised at just how well (and how local) you can eat, even during the winter!

For more info on CSAs, and how to find one in your area, visit our website at: http://www.newholisticliving.com/csa.html
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Saturday, November 20, 2010

Recent News on Xeriscaping

Xeriscape symbolImage via WikipediaTo wrap up our short series this week on xeriscaping, here are some helpful articles on the topic. From description and benefits, to good plant choices, to gorgeous pictures of some lovely options for your xeriscape, you’re sure to find some good resources in the list below.

And feel free to post your own tips and ideas for xeriscaping or sustainable gardening below!

Xeriscaping Basics
In fact, you’re probably familiar with xeriscaping or you wouldn’t have found our site and this article you’re about to read, but just in case you stumbled here in some other way, let’s take a moment to talk about what xeriscaping is …
Publish Date:
11/12/2010 2:12
http://patiocoversplace.com/xeriscaping-basics/

10 Best Plants for Xeriscaping – EcoSalon | Organic Green Fashion
You’re the perfect candidate for xeriscaping.As a desert dweller, I know firsthand that this eco-friendly method of gardening conserves water, requires minimal upkeep, significantly reduces your water bills and yields stunning greenery …
Publish Date:
03/23/2009 8:00
http://ecosalon.com/10-best-plants-for-xeriscaping/

Bring the Green: Xeriscaping
Xeriscaping
your yard or garden means reducing or eliminating the need for irrigation. Here are some ways you can save water outside. Use native and adaptive plants for your region- use plants known to thrive naturally in your climate. …
Publish Date:
11/09/2010 11:07
http://www.phoenixenergyproducts.com/blog/?p=110

New Choices Adolescents HouseThe Principles of Xeriscaping
I have to admit that when I first moved to the desert and heard the word “Xeriscape“, I didn’t want anything to do with it. To me, at the time, I thought it meant zero plants and more rock. The fact of the matter is that xeriscaping can …
Publish Date:
11/03/2010 22:42
http://gardeningandthespanishway-rohrerbot.blogspot.com/2010/11/principles-of-xeriscaping.html

Xeriscaping and Stunning Desert Gardens that Save Water
Xeriscaping
, commonly known as drought tolerant gardening, can be spectacular and resource friendly if planned properly and maintained regularly.
Publish Date:
07/06/2010 23:55
http://www.suite101.com/content/xeriscaping-and-stunning-desert-gardens-that-save-water-a258458
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Thursday, November 18, 2010

Video – Benefits of Xeriscaping

For those new to xeriscaping, this video provides a nice introduction, a description of some of the benefits to be gained, as well as some good ideas for incorporating xeriscaping into your own garden.

Xeriscaping can be a great addition to our sustainable gardening practices, conserving water as well as other resources, while still providing an attractive and productive garden. (If video does not appear below, please click link to view.)

Xeriscaping Basics-HGTV Pro
Xeriscaping uses drought-tolerant native plants for a water-efficient yard. This video is part of Best Practices show . SHOW DESCRIPTION :The best techniques for building and remodeling homes.




(For more sustainable gardening ideas and resources, please visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/sustainablegardening.html.)
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Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Using Xeriscaping to Save Time and Water

While having a full fledged garden is rewarding and enjoyable, lots of people simply don’t have the time that is required to maintain it. Whether you have too much going on at work or too many kids to take care of, you should never try to operate a garden if you don’t think you can handle it.

XeriscapingImage via WikipediaHowever, for those people who are just too busy for a normal garden, I would suggest a somewhat recent method of gardening, which you may not have heard of, known as Xeriscaping. This minimal yet stylish theory first emerged in Colorado when water levels were at an all time low. It is a great method of having a great looking yard or garden, without having to maintain it or water it very often at all.

If you live in a dry climate such as Colorado, many places now offer free Xeriscaping lessons in order to encourage the conservation of water. If your area is undergoing a drought, you should check with the water suppliers and see if they are offering lessons. If you attend those, you will be able to get advice specific to your region (IE types of plants to grow, how much to water them, etc).

To some, the name Xeriscaping conjures the image of a yard that consists of a giant rock bed. However, this is known as “zero scaping”, and it is a considerably different concept. It focuses on reducing your yard to nothing that requires any maintenance whatsoever.

Unfortunately this is usually just rocks. But this shouldn’t be your goal. While keeping maintenance at a minimum, it is still possibly to retain a nice looking yard that won’t attract the negative attention of everyone who passes by.

Xeriscape2Image via WikipediaThis might sound like it would be hard to implement without making your yard into a hideous mess, but this is not so at all. The theory basically involves choosing plants which are low maintenance to begin with, then putting them each in environments that are ideal. It is usually applied by figuring out what side of the house to place it on to get the best amount of shade, and figuring out how to group it with plants with similar water needs.

To get started in your Xeriscaping renovation, you first need to pick out all the plants you will be using. They should for the most part require a low amount of water. This doesn’t mean you can only grow cactuses in your yard. Just cut back on the really thirsty plants that you have to water every day to keep alive. You’ll want to stick with local plants for the most part, and don’t go with anything too exotic as these generally require larger amounts of water.

The second most important principle of xeriscaping is placing the plants in ideal areas. If you place them all together with plants that require essentially the same amount of water, then you will end up saving lots of water. Also place the plants in areas where they will be protected from wind or excessive sun, depending on the needs of the plants. Xeriscaping is almost the same thing as microclimating, just with more of a focus on adaptation to harsh conditions rather than avoiding them. So if it sounds good to you and you’re looking to save time and water by renovating your garden, you should look for xeriscaping lessons.
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Saturday, November 13, 2010

Recent News in Hydroponic Gardening

As a follow up to our recent series on hydroponic gardening, here are a few other interesting articles. Gardening hydroponically can be particularly useful for those who have little or no traditional garden space.

NASA researcher checking hydroponic onions wit...Image via WikipediaPart of becoming self-sufficient and responsible for our own food supply involves being able to grow at least a part of it ourselves. For city and apartment dwellers, this can seem impossible, but it doesn’t have to be. Use of hydroponic techniques can allow one to successfully grow food indoors, and utilize the availability of vertical space.

How to Grow a Garden When You Have No Yard | Holistic Survival Show
There are some clear cut advantages to hydroponic gardening: 1. Allows urban dwellers to raise their own food, without a dedicated yard. 2. The nutrient solution recycles constantly through the closed system, which means less waste and …
Publish Date:
11/10/2010 15:49
http://www.holisticsurvival.com/2010/11/10/how-to-grow-a-garden-when-you-have-no-yard/

Hydroponics and Indoor Hydroponic Gardening
Hydroponic gardening
is often defined as “the cultivation of plants in water.” Research has since determined that many different aggregates or media will support plant growth; therefore, the definition of hydroponic gardening has been …
Publish Date:
10/29/2010 19:20
http://www.asylumhauntedhouse.com/hydroponic-gardeningindoor-gardeninghydroponics.htm

Grow Lights for Hydroponics Gardening | MOJeDELO HOME IMPROVEMENT
One can enjoy hydroponics gardening any season of the year, but it is especially rewarding during the cold and dark winter days. Being a type of indoor gardening, this system implies growing of plants in a special growing medium, …
Publish Date:
11/10/2010 9:48
http://www.mojedelo.us/grow-lights-for-hydroponics-gardening.html

How Hydroponics Can Benefit Your Apartment Garden | Oh My Apartment
For lots of beginning gardeners who don’t have an accessible outdoor plot, hydroponics is the perfect solution for helping to get home-grown herbs and vegetables to the table without using a conventional.
Publish Date:
11/04/2010 12:35
http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/how-hydroponics-can-benefit-your-apartment-garden.html


For more info on hydroponic gardening, check out our last few posts, or you can also find hydroponic gardening kits and supplies on Amazon.com.
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Thursday, November 11, 2010

Start Your Own Hydroponic Garden

Hydroponic gardening may be a new concept to some, but it can be a great option for those with limited space. You can use wall space or build a scaffolding or simply use a series of steps, to use your vertical space more efficiently than with traditional gardening methods.

An Aerogarden using hydroponics and aeroponics.Image via WikipediaIt can actually be fairly simple to start your own, as well. There are a number of hydroponic gardening kits on the market nowadays, so it can pretty easy and affordable to put together your own small hydroponic gardening system.

You can even find some good and affordable kits on such websites as Amazon.com. They are generally easy to put together, and don’t take a lot of time or effort to maintain.

Try hydroponic gardening for yourself, and see how easy it is to grow your own vegetables at home, regardless of climate or season!
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Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Video-Hydroponic Garden

Here is a cool video on hydroponic gardening — just some great views of a vertical garden in a small space.

(If video does not appear below, please click link to view.)

Hydroponic Vertical Garden:
tomatogeek@gmail.com DIY hydroponic garden. This is my vertical garden. Started with the idea of getting the most production out of a small space. By growing in the vertical styrofoam pots, you insulate the roots of the plant keeping them warm in win...

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Saturday, November 6, 2010

Hydroponic Gardening For Beautiful Plants

If you’ve ever wondered about hydroponic gardening then this article is for you. I will explain just exactly what hydroponic gardening is, why it works, the benefits, and what you will need to get started.

Rix Dobbs shows the roots of a lettuce plant g...Image via WikipediaPut simply, hydroponic gardening is growing plants without dirt. This dirt-less gardening is done one of two ways; with the plant roots growing in a liquid nutrient solution aka solution culture or with the roots growing in another solid medium (other than dirt) which is called a medium culture. It’s all about the nutrients. Soil is just a holder of nutrients and with hydroponics your choices can be perlite, coconut fiber, sand, and vermiculite as well as other mediums.

Hydroponic gardening is simple once you try it, and can be affordable depending on what system you use and to what scale you want to use it. This type of gardening takes less time, uses less space, has no weeds to pull, and requires no digging in the dirt. It’s also very satisfying to watch your healthy plants grow, especially if you’ve never had a green thumb before.

Hydroponic gardening works because the plants are given what they need, in the amount they need, and when they need it. The gardener is in control, not fickle Mother Nature. Also, the plants don’t need to spend time spreading their roots to look for nutrients and they can concentrate on their above root growth. This can mean bigger fruits or vegetables. Another plus to this system is that since the roots don’t spread out, more plants can be planted in a smaller area than when planted in soil.

There are some popular hydroponic gardening name brand systems that you should investigate to educate yourself on what is available. You don’t have to pick an expensive system, especially when first starting out.

You will most likely need a grow tray, reservoir tray, submersible pump with a timer, and air pump and air stone to make bubbles that add oxygen and push the nutrient solution toward the roots. You will also need light; natural or other. Keep in mind that with grow lights you can grow your plants anywhere in your house or garage.

Try the hydroponic way to grow your next crop of lettuce, tomatoes, or cut flowers and enjoy success, even if you’re not known for having a green thumb. Maybe you could take some beautiful tomatoes over to that neighbor who’s always bragging about her garden.
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Thursday, November 4, 2010

Organic Agriculture in Cuba: An Inspirational Story

As you probably know if you’ve been reading this blog for some time,  organic and sustainable gardening, as well as local food production, is one of my passions, which I discuss often with family and friends.

My dad recently mailed me an article he ran across in a magazine, about the re-emergence of organic agriculture in Cuba. It was a tale of struggle, pain, and sacrifice, but ultimately one of triumph. I wish I could find it online to share a link with you, but I haven’t been able to find the exact article. (It was in Christian Century Magazine, September 7, 2010, Page 11, if anyone wants to dig it up. The title of the article was “Organic By Necessity.”)

Community grown vegetables_Cuba 218Image by hoyasmeg via FlickrHowever, there are a number of related articles, as it’s a pretty inspiring story no matter how it’s told. Below are some other articles on the topic, but here are some of the highlights from the original article.

When Cuba lost its connection with the Soviet Union in the early 90′s, the nation of conventional agriculture, readily available cheap food, and modern grocery stores (sound familiar?) lost its main source of oil-based fertilizer; and it was in for a rude awakening. Or maybe that is putting it mildly. The outcome was starvation, or close to it, for many citizens. As this article put it, “It is difficult for Americans to imagine the horrors of (this period).” Farming and gardening were not familiar past times for many of Cuba’s citizens. And not only did many people not know how to grow their own food, but those in urban areas did not have the space to do so.

But in the years since then, Cuba has become “the world’s largest working model of a semisustainable agriculture.”

Without easy access to cheap chemical fertilizers and pesticides, Cuba had to start from scratch – which  meant learning to grow food the way people have grown it for thousands of years before modern civilization and the days of cheap oil. (Combined, of course, with modern research and developments which allow for the use of more advanced organic techniques and ways to utilize smaller amounts of garden space more productively.)

Urban Gardens, Cuba: an agricultural system in...Currently, in Havana, organic urban gardens (or organoponicos) have become the main food source for the city (and the same is true in neighboring cities as well). Not only that, but (and I love this statistic) farmers there make approximately three times the salary of doctors! Thus the gardens are also stimulating the local economy to a great extent.

Although most Americans don’t often think of Cuba as progressive or role-model material, I think it is worth a careful look. Someday not too far in the future, we ourselves may have to take a page from Cuba’s book. As the article suggests, “One day soon oil will become too expensive to extract, making the price of oil too high to warrant using it for food production, and with that will come a collective cinching of American belts.”

Hopefully we won’t suffer through years of starvation as the Cubans did, but if we are to avoid that fate, we must start preparing now, and learn more about producing our own food and supporting local growers, before it’s too late.

Related Articles on Organic Agriculture in Cuba:

Havana harvest: Organic agriculture in Cuba’s capital | San
On a recent visit we learned that Cuba has been raising its fruits and vegetables organically for more than 15 years, using worm and vegetable compost and integrated and natural pest management to raise crops for its people.
Publish Date:
02/27/2010 0:20
http://sfbayview.com/2010/havana-harvest-organic-agriculture-in-cuba%E2%80%99s-capital/

Cuba: An Urban Agriculture Utopia? « down the garden path
Cuba: An Urban Agriculture Utopia? Jump to Comments. Urban Agriculture in Havana. In 2009 I was lucky enough to participate in a three-week sustainable agriculture tour in Cuba organized through the University of British Columbia by a …
Publish Date:
09/02/2010 14:44
http://tgcgarden.wordpress.com/2010/09/02/cuba-an-urban-agriculture-utopia/

Organic Cuba without Fossil Fuels
Cuba’s
experience has opened our eyes to agriculture without fossil fuels, a possibility rapidly turning into a necessity for mitigating climate change as world production of petroleum has also peaked. Dr. Mae-Wan Ho.
Publish Date:
01/23/2008 17:53
http://www.i-sis.org.uk/OrganicCubawithoutFossilFuels.php

Cuba – An Unlikely Model for Organic Farming
Going organic is typically thought of as a choice. Farms choose to become organic; retailers decide that organic is best for their customers and their business; and consumers select the products that best fit their lifestyle. In Cuba
Publish Date:
05/12/2010 15:01
http://blog.albertsorganics.com/?p=934
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Saturday, October 30, 2010

Video-Simple Cold Frames

As promised, here is a second video on winter gardening using cold frames. For those with less carpentry knowledge, these are smaller and simpler cold frames — and even better, they used recycled or discarded materials. These may not be as warm or air-tight as the ones in the previous video, so they are probably best for more moderate climates.

For those with limited or no building ability (like me!) there are also many cold frame kits available on the market today, with just a little assembly required.

(If video does not appear below, please click link to view.)

Winter Garden
Our winter garden is mostly garlic, onion, and lettuce. Take a look at our simple home made cold frames. They are made from pallets and windows with just a little waste vegetable oil to help the wood last.
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Thursday, October 28, 2010

An Inside Vegetable Garden

If you live in a cold climate and don’t have the space for cold frames or other protected garden space, you may still be able to garden in the winter on a smaller scale.

Houseplants and herb gardens are well-known as common plants that are grown indoors.  But they are not the only plants that can be grown indoors.  By using the right containers and having the ability to mimic the ideal growing conditions you can also have an indoor vegetable garden.  The benefits of having one go beyond the beautification of your home or the relaxation you get from gardening, but you can also pick your own vegetables right in your kitchen.

Easter egg radishes, just harvestedCarrots, tomatoes, and radishes are three of the easiest vegetable to grow indoors.  Each grows differently and will need separate containers but with some research this is not a problem.

You will also want to make sure your plants have enough light. Winter is generally a lower-light season, so you will need either a large south-facing window as a source of natural sunlight for your vegetables to grow in, or to invest in some artificial grow lights.

As with any container you choose to grow plants in, making sure there is enough drainage is key.  If your plants sit in too much water they are not going to survive.  If the pots you choose do not have holes in the bottom be sure to put a layer of gravel or wood chips to allow the water to run out of the soil.  The flip side of this is not to ensure the water does not run out too quickly either.

When choosing the types of vegetables to plant, follow the same guidelines as you would for outdoors.  On the seed packets it will give recommendations on when to plant, the amount of light and water that is needed and the spacing requirements.  Tailor your water schedule according to the condition of the soil, make sure it doesn’t get too dry or stay too wet either.

Even during the winter months, with the proper preparation and care, you should be able to harvest vegetables grown inside your own home!

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Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Video-Using Cold Frames for Winter Gardening

If you don’t think you can make it through the winter without at least a bit of gardening, try using cold frames to protect your plants through the cold season. You can use cold frames for anything from storing and protecting plants from the fall until spring, to planting winter vegetables such as lettuce, kale, spinach, and other yummy greens (these tend to like cooler weather anyway).

You can build small or large cold frames, depending on your space and carpentry ability. This video shows some pretty advanced cold frames, built down into the ground, which provides height as well as warmth.  (This one is keeping plants warm in the dead of winter, in Massachusetts, so it really does work!)

Check back in a few days, and we’ll share another video with examples of some simpler and smaller frames, that almost anyone could construct. (If video doesn’t appear below, please click the link to view.)

Winter Gardening Using Cold Frames
Want to get a jump-start on the growing season or store plants for the winter? Dave shows you two different cold frames — structures that allow you to shelter plants from the cold.

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