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
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Healthy Soil and Clean Water: What Every Backyard Gardener Should Know
If You Care About Healthy Soil and Clean Water, Here's What You Need to Know to Keep Your Garden and Landscape Free of Contaminants. Soil and water safety is an important topic for every gardener. That’s true whether you’re growing vegetables for your family or maintaining a backyard oasis of flowers. The long-term sustainability of a garden is based on understanding its building blocks: soil and water. For a garden to thrive, it must have healthy soil and clean water. It’s more complicated that you think. It goes way beyond “soil is dirty, and water runs clear.” And many gardeners don’t know what to look for. Soil and water contaminants can be sneaky critters, and this article will share what you need to know to keep your garden safe. Healthy Soil and Clean Water: What to Know About Soil Contaminants Unseen pollutants in soil pose serious risks to plants as well as people. Soil may look rich and fertile, but a closer inspection is needed to be sure … [Read more...] about Healthy Soil and Clean Water: What Every Backyard Gardener Should Know
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
How to Start a Victory Garden 2.0
Planting a Victory Garden 2.0 is a good way to preserve your sanity in a crazy world. Plus, you get vegetables! Victory Gardens were vegetable and fruit gardens that people planted in their yards during World War Two. Not only were Victory Gardens a great way to provide homegrown food, but these gardens were morale boosters during the war. In 2020, the Victory Garden idea was brought back to life when the COVID-19 outbreak forced millions of people worldwide to quarantine and stay at home. Instead of feeling helpless, thousands of people retuned to gardening by starting a Victory Garden 2.0. That's because growing plants and tending a garden provides stress relief, a healthy outdoor activity, and food security. Many people don’t realize that gardening has a history of being a coping tool during times of national crisis. During the first World War more than 100 years ago, the U.S. government encouraged Americans to plant vegetable gardens. (Back then, they were called Liberty … [Read more...] about How to Start a Victory Garden 2.0
Best Pellet Grills for Backyard BBQ
The Best Pellet Grills for Backyard BBQ Offer a Mouth-watering Way to Cook Outdoors Backyard BBQs and cooking on a grill are popular outdoor activities. But the best wood-burning pellet grills take outdoor barbecues to the extreme. (And we mean that in the best possible way.) Gas grills and charcoal grills have dominated the art of barbecuing for decades. That’s because both kinds of grills have their own advantages. Cooking on a gas grill is convenient. Propane gas provides a clean, mess-free burn, and a gas grill starts instantly. Meanwhile, cooking on charcoal grill is a time-honored tradition. Charcoal gives you better control over the shape and size of the grilling fire. But the best pellet grills create the perfect environment for cooking meats—and just about anything else. We love cooking outdoors, and we love cooking on a wood pellet grill. So, we decided to spread our love by reviewing the best pellet grills for backyard BBQ cooking. What’s So Great About the … [Read more...] about Best Pellet Grills for Backyard BBQ
