Fall planting is awesome. Experienced gardeners know that fall is a great season for planting. The dreams of colorful spring gardens begin with the fall planting of bulbs, perennials and shrubs. In the autumn, it’s starting to get cool outside. The cooler temperatures make it much more appealing to be outdoors planting. Plus, your list of garden tasks is probably shorter than in the spring. Best of all, the soil is still warm enough for plant roots to thrive. They will grow and get established until the ground freezes. In addition, fall plant sales are the best. Many garden centers offer deep discounts because they don’t want to overwinter plants. Take advantage of these deals with fall planting. Autumn is a great time to add new plants to your yard and garden that will delight you come spring. “Fall planting gives spring-blooming bulbs and perennials a chance to get established in your garden before winter,” says Greg Niewold, owner of Power Planter. “And when you want new … [Read more...] about Fall Planting for Spring Flowers
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Natural Insect Control Uses Mother Nature
Natural insect control has gone mainstream. An increasing number of homeowners, gardeners and homesteaders are teaming up with Mother Nature to kill and control insect pests. Using natural insect control can take many forms. But natural insect control typically involves encouraging Mother Nature to fight insects by using organic and environmentally friendly control methods. The growing interest in less chemically intensive, natural and organic living has resulted in a dramatic increase in eco-friendly product choices. The products below prove that you can kill insect pests without resorting to using harsh chemicals. Mother Nature’s mosquito control uses BTI to kill mosquitoes Homeowners looking for an effective way to control pesky, disease-spreading mosquitoes don’t have to resort to harmful chemicals. Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in pools of standing water. That's why the first step in controlling mosquitoes is to eliminate standing water wherever possible. In warm weather, … [Read more...] about Natural Insect Control Uses Mother Nature
Top Tips for Raising Backyard Chickens
Raising backyard chickens has become increasingly popular among those seeking a sustainable lifestyle. By integrating chickens into a homesteading environment, individuals can enhance their self-sufficiency, contribute to environmental sustainability, and enjoy these birds' numerous advantages. Selecting the appropriate chicken breed for a backyard setting involves several considerations, each of which can impact the success and sustainability of a small-scale poultry operation. The primary factors to consider include: Egg Production Different breeds are known for varying levels of egg production. For those prioritizing egg yield, breeds such as the Leghorn, Rhode Island Red, and Sussex are renowned for their prolific laying capabilities. Temperament The disposition of a chicken breed is crucial, especially in environments where human interaction is frequent. Breeds such as the Orpington, Australorp, Light Purple Orpington Hen, and Plymouth Rock are noted for their … [Read more...] about Top Tips for Raising Backyard Chickens
Best Gardening Gifts for the Holidays
Here's the Home Garden and Homestead list of the Best Gardening Gifts for the Holidays The holiday season may be the most wonderful time of the year, but the holidays bring their own stresses. What gifts do you buy for everyone on your holiday shopping list? Don't worry, We've got you covered--at least for the gardeners on your gift list. Here are our choices for the best gardening gifts for the holidays for all of the "green thumb gardeners" on your list! Editor's Note: Click on the photos in this story to buy any of these best gardening gifts for the holidays. Changshou Kumquat Tree Produces Edible Fruit Changshou Kumquat is a rare and hard-to-find plant that produces large juicy fruit. Fragrant white flowers bloom from May to September, and the fruit ripens year-round. Changshou’s pear-shaped fruit is larger than other kumquat tree varieties. Each delicious fruit usually has five or six segments inside the sweet, thin skin. Kumquats are among the hardiest … [Read more...] about Best Gardening Gifts for the Holidays
How to Grow Bell Peppers: Tips from a Master Gardener
Want to Learn How to Grow Bell Peppers? Here is Everything You Need to Know to Grow this Tasty Vegetable! Bell peppers are one of the most satisfying warm-season vegetables to grow in the home garden. I’ve been an active gardener for many years, and I love to recommend growing bell peppers to new and experienced gardeners. Bell peppers are right up there with tomatoes and zucchini when it comes to easy-to-grow veggies that produce lots of delicious homegrown produce. You might want to harvest shiny green bells for a fajita night. Or perhaps you want to wait for those same peppers to ripen into reds, oranges, or yellows for a sweet snack. Few crops are as colorful—or as versatile as sweet peppers. Here's everything you need to know to grow your own bumper crop of bell peppers. How to Grow Bell Peppers: Seed vs. Starter Plants Starting from Seed: If you like the challenge and control of growing your plants from the very beginning, starting bell peppers from seed is a … [Read more...] about How to Grow Bell Peppers: Tips from a Master Gardener
