In many cases, self watering planters and containers are very beneficial especially if you live in a dry zone or are prone to forget to do the watering of the garden. The way self-watering containers work is that there is a reservoir at the bottom of the container that holds enough water for a long period of time.
The plant receives water from the reservoir through a channel of soil that works as a wicking agent pulling the water up through capillary action.
Balcony gardens are a good option for those that live in apartments, and love to garden. Most plants including vegetables, flowers, herbs and some fruits grow beautifully out on a balcony during the summer months.
One of the most important requirements in starting a balcony garden is to assess how much sun the plants get. A good 6 to 8 hours is necessary so that flowers bloom, vegetables produce and herbs stay healthy. Some balconies are just not situated in the right direction to get that much sun, or they may be shaded by trees and other buildings. Continue reading
Can you make money microfarming? Well, decades ago, the only way to make money from agricultural pursuits was to invest the time and money necessary to build up a major farm operation.
But these traditional, sprawling farms are beginning to become less and less common. In their place is rising a new trend, and it’s providing average hobbyists with opportunities to pursue their passion while potentially making some money along the way.
Don’t know where to start to try to garden organically? Do not fret because you can find a plethora of kits that will help you achieve a large or small organic garden for your backyard. Find kits for raised beds, containers, soil, compost seed and more at your own local garden center or look online for some interesting kits and deals.
Many people think organic gardening is much too complicated for the regular homeowner, but in reality it is much easier to make and maintain an organic garden than any other type of garden. Yes, you may need different types of seed and plants than the ones found in local garden centers and nurseries, but the basics of building a garden are easy.
Perhaps you do not have the room for a big garden in the ground. You may live in an apartment and only have a balcony. This would mean you need to grow your garden in containers. This is entirely possible and what is even better, is that you can grow an organic garden in containers. Most vegetables and flowers both do well in containers and you can keep your garden organic.
Urban farming has become very popular in the last few years. Growing food in heavily populated municipalities is becoming mainstream. Large cities often boast several urban gardens and farms and some may also have community gardens.
What differentiates an urban farm from a community garden or urban garden?
The urban farm actually sells their produce either to local restaurants or at farmer’s markets while community gardens and those in the backyard of a city lot are for consumption of the people that keep the garden maintained. Urban farms can also grow food that will be given away to a soup kitchen or at a food pantry. The food is grown and exchanged in some form of commerce to another person or entity.
Grow lights are an essential gardening tool when starting seeds indoors during the last part of winter and early spring. The sun’s rays are not strong enough in the Northern Hemisphere to allow seeds to germinate and grow inside.
Seeds require light to germinate and put forth stems and leaves. Properly installed and used lights enable seeds to develop into strong plants that are planted outside at the earliest time in order to capitalize on the growing season.
Rooftop gardens are a great alternative to having a yard and garden or having a balcony filled with pots. In many cases a rooftop garden insulates the roof and helps the roof reduce storm run-off that can damage siding and gutters. Rooftops are often left bare and are a big waste of space. A green roof can be efficient and produce food for the family.
Many urban municipalities have laws or ordinances that might apply to rooftop gardens. Always check with city hall before installing a rooftop garden. Those that rent or have home owner associations should also check to make sure there are no regulations on gardening on a rooftop. Continue reading
Normally, when we think of greenhouses, we think of really large gardening areas covered in glass. But did you know that you can still build a small yet convenient and working DIY greenhouse for your home organic garden?
Depending on your land area size and choice of materials, you can easily build an economical greenhouse for your organic garden. However, of course, you need to have an initial investment for building, which includes the materials needed to construct it. Continue reading