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
plants
How to Grow Cucumbers, Trellis Cucumber Plants, and Treat Cucumber Diseases
A comprehensive guide on how to grow cucumbers, maximize production with a vertical trellis, and identify and treat common cucumber diseases and problems. Growing cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) in your backyard garden can be a rewarding experience. Cucumbers are a versatile vegetable, perfect for salads, pickling, and even eating fresh off the vine. That's why cucumbers are a popular backyard vegetable. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about growing cucumbers, from planting to managing common diseases and pests. Selecting the Right Cucumber Variety and Planting Before you start, choose the cucumber variety that best suits your needs. There are two main types: Site Selection for Planting Cucumbers Planting Time Planting Method Many garden vegetables can be planted directly into garden soil or started as seeds for transplanting into the garden. Cucumbers grow well either way. So, the question about how to grow cucumbers comes … [Read more...] about How to Grow Cucumbers, Trellis Cucumber Plants, and Treat Cucumber Diseases
Best New Gardening Books for Summer Reading
Summer is the season for gardening, and it’s also the time to read the best new gardening books. There’s something delightful about finding a comfortable spot outdoors and reading a great book. It’s one of the joys that makes summer special. This year we have a bountiful crop of great new gardening books for summer reading. So, pour a cold glass of lemonade, pull up a chair and get lost in the best new gardening books for summer reading. Editor's Note: Home Garden and Homestead is a proud member of the Amazon Associates Program. We earn a small commission (at no cost to you) when you click on a link and make a purchase. Thanks for supporting our website! The Urban Garden In cities and towns across America (and the world), urban gardeners grow plants of all kinds in whatever space they have available. The Urban Garden is a book for anyone who gardens in limited space. Authors Kathy Jentz and Teri Speight both have roots in the Washington, DC area, and their new book … [Read more...] about Best New Gardening Books for Summer Reading
Best Black Plants for a Goth Garden
A goth garden is an increasingly popular garden style which captures the essence of gothic aesthetics with its eerie atmosphere. This type of garden is characterized by dark foliage, dramatic flowers, and Victorian-era architectural elements. A goth garden can remind one of an old, overgrown graveyard or a haunted Victorian garden. The revival of gothic elements in garden design taps into a love for the moody, the romantic, and the macabre. It is often inspired by gothic literature, architecture, and modern goth subcultures. By the way, despite the photo above, you cannot grow black roses in a goth garden. Why? Because black roses cannot yet be grown on a rose bush. Typically, any black rose you see is a white or red rose that has been soaked in black dye. But don't worry, rose breeders are busy developing roses with darker and darker petals. Why Goth Gardens are Growing in Popularity Goth gardens are growing in popularity for several reasons. They offer an aesthetic … [Read more...] about Best Black Plants for a Goth Garden
Windowsill Herb Garden: Best Plants and Growing Tips
Creating a windowsill herb garden offers the joy of fresh savory flavors and greenery indoors right in your kitchen. Growing a windowsill herb garden is an easy way to have fresh kitchen herbs right at your fingertips. Many herbs grow well in small pots and containers. They will thrive on a sunny windowsill in a kitchen or on a deck or patio. Most herbs prefer moist soil. But don’t let the soil get waterlogged. It’s best to grow them in a pot or container with a hole in the bottom that lets excess water drain away. A plant saucer underneath the pot will keep your herb pots from making a wet mess on your windowsill! Different Plant Types for Your Windowsill Herb Garden It’s important to decide which specific plant varieties to grow in a windowsill herb garden. But first, let’s take a moment to review the differences between annual, biennial, and perennial plants. These three plant types refer to the life cycle of the plants, which affects how they grow, bloom, and need to be … [Read more...] about Windowsill Herb Garden: Best Plants and Growing Tips
