The “perfect garden” is simple. It’s the garden you imagine with vegetables or flowers or a mix of both. It’s the garden in a size and location and design that suits your needs and wants. In reality, the perfect garden is where, how and when you want it – because there is no right or wrong way to garden. There is only your way. There are, however, ways to make it more perfect in terms of success so your time, energy and money are put to good use. Here are 5 tips for the “perfect garden,” all gleaned from my decades of successes and failures and training as a Virginia Master Gardener and horticulture student. For more specific tips about vegetable gardening, read How to Start a Victory Garden 2.0. Tips for a Perfect Garden Perfect Garden Tip 1: Know your zone. When I first started gardening in southeastern Virginia, I lived in USDA cold hardiness Zone 7. Tender plants were likely to freeze and die in a typical winter that often dipped below 32 degrees. Oh, … [Read more...] about 5 Tips To Grow The Perfect Garden
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Your Homestead Thriving Business
Want to have a homestead thriving business? If you have a hobby farm or homestead, you can turn your homestead into a thriving business. Here’s how to monetize your passion project and start a money-making business. Whether you grow vegetables or raise livestock, there are many ways you can sell goods from your farm. And earn a living from working the land. Running Your Own Farm Before monetizing your homestead, familiarize yourself with the regulations that apply to farmers and the resources that can assist you. As there are many risks associated with farming, you consider getting crop insurance and other forms of disaster protection. You can also look into the various loans, tax breaks, and aid programs that support small farms. Furthermore, you should refine the operation and design of your farm before you launch your business. Decide which types of farming you want to focus on and choose efficient manageable methods. For example, if you want to raise … [Read more...] about Your Homestead Thriving Business
Bamboo Plants and How to Grow Them
Bamboo plants are popular garden plants because they are both beautiful and easy to grow. Some types of bamboo plants are great for tropical landscaping, while others fit well in more modern or urban designs. Different bamboo plants for your yard can work well as natural screens in a landscape. Many bamboo varieties grow quickly, so they can be used to block unattractive views. Bamboo can also or create a privacy barrier between you and your neighbors. The dense canes (culms) are both beautiful and prolific. The canes can range from green to yellow to brown to black. Bamboo is a fast-growing evergreen plant that looks good all year long. Two Types of Bamboo Plants: Running and Clumping There are two basic types of bamboo plants, commonly called running and clumping. Running bamboo spread via underground roots. These species can quickly outgrow their intended growing space. Running bamboo grows quickly. The roots are fairly shallow, and they spread with abandon. (See … [Read more...] about Bamboo Plants and How to Grow Them
Preparing Your Garden for Winter
Preparing your garden for winter is a fall activity for millions of gardeners and homeowners. If you are reading this story right now, you are in good company! Most people tend to think of spring when it comes to planting and gardening. However, autumn is a great time to get a head start on your garden for the following year. Here are a few things you should consider when preparing your garden for those cold winter months. Trim Hedges and Shrubs Preparing your garden for winter can begin with trimming your hedges and shrubs. The growth rate of plants slows down due to the cooler temperatures and reduced daylight. If you complete some prep during autumn, you won’t be faced with a lot of yard tasks during the winter. Pruning your hedges and shrubs in autumn makes them less vulnerable to freezing. And autumn is not bird nesting season, which is an important consideration when cutting back hedgerows. Working with heavy power tools can be dangerous, so you may want to … [Read more...] about Preparing Your Garden for Winter
Reduce Water Consumption in Your Garden
In times of water shortages, you need to reduce water consumption in your garden. Everyone needs to do their part in conserving this valuable resource. Many states in the United States are experiencing severe drought conditions, including California, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Kansas and Oklahoma. Even if you're not in a drought-stricken area, it's still important to conserve water whenever possible. In this article, we'll give you tips on how to reduce water consumption in your garden – from xeriscaping to using targeted irrigation. Let's get started! Xeriscaping A xeriscape is a type of garden that uses native plants adapted to the local climate. These plants require less water and maintenance than non-native plants. High Country Gardens is a terrific online source for waterwise plants and preplanned waterwise gardens. Xeriscaping can also include using rocks, gravel, and other materials that require little or no watering. If you're not ready to xeriscape your entire … [Read more...] about Reduce Water Consumption in Your Garden
