Yes, I love to pull weeds. And I’m not afraid to admit it. Some of you will judge me. I can hear it already. “You love to pull weeds? You must be insane. That’s what Roundup is for.” Well, there’s no better way to remove weeds from a garden than to pull the weeds out, roots and all. I will save the discussion of using poisons in the yard where kids and pets play for another story. Even if you agree with my anti-poison bias, you still might think I’m crazy for enjoying the process of removing weeds. What Are You, Crazy? No. I am not crazy. Unless being an avid gardener makes me crazy. But I still think pulling weeds is awesome. What’s so awesome about going out into the yard and pulling weeds? Here’s my list of Top 5 Reasons Why I Love to Pull Weeds. Reason 1: I love to pull weeds because I love to dig in the dirt. There’s something wonderful about digging in the dirt. Just ask a scientist. Digging in the dirt stirs up the microbes in the soil. When you inhale … [Read more...] about Why I Love to Pull Weeds
How to Get Rid of Ticks
The question is how to get rid of ticks. But you could call it a tick-ing time bomb. In backyards, forests and fields across America, the population of disease-carrying ticks is increasing. Homeowners and homesteaders alike are wondering how to get rid of ticks on their properties. If that wasn't bad enough, a new species of tick not normally found in the Western Hemisphere has now invaded the United States. As a result, many health and insect control experts are predicting this summer to be another bad season for ticks and their disease-carrying bites. How to Get Rid of Ticks: Lyme Disease Ticks are best known for transmitting Lyme Disease, which can cause a rash, fatigue, fever, chills, and headaches. Lyme Disease can also cause aches in muscles and joints. If left untreated, Lyme Disease can cause arthritis, severe joint pain and swelling. So it's no wonder that summer outdoor activities make us think about how to get rid of ticks and control tick populations. Every … [Read more...] about How to Get Rid of Ticks
Best Cordless Electric Hedge Trimmers
The best cordless electric hedge trimmers can make quick work of trimming your hedges and shrubs. The blades are sharp. The trimmers are ergonomically designed to be comfortable to hold and use. The cordless electric motors are quiet, powerful, and efficient. And the rechargeable batteries pack plenty of power to get the job done. Back in the old days (the 1990s), I owned an electric hedge trimmer. This was before cordless electric trimmers existed. My ancient hedge trimmer needed to be plugged in to get its electric power. That meant I could only trim as far away as my extension cord would reach. And that was a hassle. Even worse, one day I was trimming a shrub and accidentally used the trimmer to cut my 100-foot extension cord. That was an expensive mistake. So, I am a BIG FAN of today's impressive cordless electric hedge trimmers. I love the power of the brushless electric motors. I love the quick-charge lithium-ion batteries. And I love the freedom of taking my cordless … [Read more...] about Best Cordless Electric Hedge Trimmers
Backyard Retreat: How to Choose the Right Plants
A backyard retreat is a special place where you can relax and escape the stress of the day. One of the best ways to create a backyard retreat is to choose the right plants. One of the most effective ways for many people to relax and find their happy place is by gardening. Growing herbs and vegetables has many therapeutic benefits that can help you find your center, recharge, and feel better. Few things can be as relaxing and tranquil as gardening. Growing plants and being surrounded by plants helps one practice patience and enjoy the moment. Gardening doesn't require a lot of space to have an impact. A small garden space, a back deck or a balcony makes a great backyard retreat. You can get the benefits of having a relaxing and tranquil garden almost anywhere. Planting and growing herbs, like the ones listed below, will get your new garden off to a good start. Editor’s Note: This story is a companion piece to Create a Stress Reducing Outdoor Retreat. So please read that story, … [Read more...] about Backyard Retreat: How to Choose the Right Plants
Best Gardening Podcasts for Fun and Inspiration
The best gardening podcasts can entertain, inform, and inspire you. You might be a beginning gardener or a professional landscaper. Either way, there is plenty you can learn from the best gardening podcasts. How many garden podcasts are there? More than the number of ripening fruits on a healthy cherry tomato plant. Way more. Each of these best gardening podcasts offers a wealth of ideas, tips and tricks to help you become a better gardener. Here are some of the best gardening podcasts that you can listen to right now. And don't forget to check out the Home Garden and Homestead Store on Amazon to find great garden and home products. Best Gardening Podcasts: Plantrama The co-hosts of Plantrama, Ellen Zachos and C.L. Fornari, like to say that this is the podcast where there are no stupid questions…as long as the topic is plants. From houseplants to holly, cacti to cannabis, or roses to radishes, each weekly episode covers the world of plants. Zachos and Fornari deliver … [Read more...] about Best Gardening Podcasts for Fun and Inspiration
