Here is an assortment of perfect gifts for gardeners and homeowners on your holiday shopping list. Let’s face it. The colder months of the holiday season do not lend themselves to gardening in most climates. But that doesn’t mean gardening is completely out of mind. Avid gardeners and homeowners who must keep their yards neat and tidy appreciate garden-related gifts during “the most wonderful time of the year.” It is actually quite easy to find great gifts for gardeners and homeowners. These folks always need something to satisfy their green thumbs, finish a DIY project, or add one more personal touch to the property. That’s why the editors of Home, Garden and Homestead have put together their annual list of the best gifts for gardeners this holiday season. Heck, you might even want to give some of these gifts to yourself. Gifts for Gardeners: Tools Awesome Pruners When it comes to gifts for gardeners this holiday season, every homeowner and … [Read more...] about Gifts For Gardeners This Holiday Season
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Why I Love to Pull Weeds
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
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
Grow Glass Gem Corn for a Colorful Harvest
Want to grow Glass Gem Corn? If you are looking for the most colorful corn variety of all time, Glass Gem Corn is it. What exactly is Glass Gem Corn? Think of it as Indian corn on steroids. Or LSD. Or both. But it grows like other common corn varieties. So, if you’ve grown yellow corn or sweet corn or white corn, you can grow Glass Gem Corn. (Don’t worry, I will give you some basic tips about how to grow corn below.) Why grow colorful Glass Gem Corn seeds? Well, the dried kernels make great popcorn. You can grind the kernels into a multi-colored cornmeal. Or you can grow it for a showy fall decoration. (The kernels are simply too hard to eat them off the cob.) How Glass Gem Corn was Born We wouldn’t have glass gem corn today if it weren’t for the efforts of two men—Carl Barnes and Greg Schoen. So, my hat is off for both gentlemen and their love for colorful corn. Carl Barnes, a part-Cherokee farmer in Oklahoma, began gathering heirloom corn seed varieties as an homage … [Read more...] about Grow Glass Gem Corn for a Colorful Harvest
Best Garden Tools Make Gardening Easier
Every gardener and homesteader knows the joy of having great garden tools. The right tool makes the difference when you’re digging a hole, weeding a flower bed or pruning your favorite shrub. Let’s face it, having well-designed, well-made and truly great garden tools makes any garden or yard work job easier—and a whole lot more satisfying. From shovels to weeders and from pruners to watering accessories, garden tools help to keep plants healthy. And great garden tools keep the entire yard looking great. So, let’s give a big shout-out to the best garden tools. Let’s hear it for the yard and garden tools that are a pleasure to use because they get the job done. All of the items below are well made for years of hassle-free performance. Best Garden Tools The editors of Home, Garden and Homestead have been digging in the dirt and caring for plants longer than we care to admit. We’ve bought our share of discount shovels, poorly made trimmers and so-cheap-they-fall-apart … [Read more...] about Best Garden Tools Make Gardening Easier
