Tag Archives: organic gardening

Using and Choosing Rain Barrels!

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Rain barrels are a thing of the past, or they used to be. They are making a big comeback due to the contribution they make to the local ecology and for water-saving abilities. Rain barrels were used since pioneer times as a water collection system.

Ibackyard rain barreln the past, rain was pristine and could be used for human consumption, but because of pollution and other contaminants, it is not suggested to drink rainwater anymore.

Still, it comes in handy for watering plants, lawns and washing cars. It is worth having a rain barrel especially if you live in a drought prone area.

The traditional way to collect rain in a rain barrel is to connect the downspout from the gutter system to flow into the barrel.

We attached a rain chain to our rain barrel, as you can see in the photo on the left. Continue reading →

Famous Female Organic Gardeners Inspiring Us All!

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Sometimes, there are misconceptions about gardening. Some people think gardening is for the elderly or for men or for people who want to “be green.” But that’s just not true.

Anyone can be a gardener and for any reason. Maybe you just want to create something beautiful but lack the ability to paint. Maybe you just need to relax and want to be closer to nature. Or maybe you just want to try to make the world a better place.

Here are a few women that you will probably recognize for accomplishments not pertaining to gardening. But they are also making their mark in the world with their beautiful organic gardens.

Kim Wilde. Photo copyright www.independent.co.uk

Kim Wilde.
For many people who were teens in the 1980s, the name Kim Wilde doesn’t exactly scream “organic gardener.” You are probably remembering her for her English pop songs like “Kids in America” and “Chequered Love.”

She is still active in the music world but after she became pregnant with her first child, she decided that she wanted to create a garden for her children. This led to advancing into new career opportunities. Continue reading →

How Do Self Watering Planters Work?

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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.

How Does It Work?

Continue reading →

Making Money Microfarming!

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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.

Continue reading →

8 Great Organic Gardening Kits!

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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.

Continue reading →

Organic Gardening Basics (Tools and Supplies)!

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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.

Continue reading →

Organic Container Gardening!

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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.

The only big difference in organic gardening and growing in containers organically is that you have to water your crops more often. Because the container is above ground, the moisture tends to dry out easily because of condensation from the sun’s rays or because of wind. Nearly everything is the same in organic gardening in the ground as it is in containers. Continue reading →

Facts on Urban Farming!

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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.

Urban gardens appear on vacant lots, on rooftops or in brownfields; wherever there is a little bit of space on which to grow plants. Many times these little plots of farming land are self-sufficient. Continue reading →

Using Grow Lights to Start Seedlings!

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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.

Once the seed germinates and breaks through the seed casing, the stem and leaf pushes up through the soil. Once it gets there, the energy has been depleted and it needs a source of energy, which is the sun or light. If they do not receive enough light, they remain weak and are susceptible to fungi and other diseases. Continue reading →