Savvy Gardening

A vegetable garden planner for a healthy and productive garden

For me, a detailed vegetable garden planner is essential to growing a productive and healthy vegetable garden. It keeps me on track of when to sow seeds indoors, helps make crop rotation simple, and allows me to maximum production with a succession planting schedule. Whether you’re starting your first food garden or are a seasoned vegetable gardener, consider creating your own custom kitchen garden planner to help you get more out of your garden.

How to grow broccoli sprouts and microgreens: 6 methods for success

Written by Jessica Walliser

Sprouts and microgreens pack a nutritional punch and offer a delicious crunch to sandwiches, soups, salads, and more. Both are reported to contain more nutrients per ounce than mature plants of the same species. Today, I’d like to share information on how to grow broccoli sprouts and microgreens, though this information can be used to grow young edible shoots of many different plant species, including radish, kale, beets, cilantro, basil, amaranth, and many others. They are far less expensive than sprouts or microgreens you purchase in the grocery store, plus they are fun to grow.
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Indoor gardening supplies: Houseplant gear for potting, watering, fertilizing, projects, and more!

Written by Tara Nolan

As consumers’ enthusiasm for houseplants grows, so too does the variety of indoor gardening supplies to satisfy this popular hobby. It used to be harder to find items like misters or special succulent soil—heck, even succulents. A few years ago when doing a project for a magazine, I had to go directly to a grower for plants. But now there they are in mainstream shops, basking among the traditional favourites, like African violets and peace lilies, for everyone to enjoy.

Pilea peperomioides care: The best light, water, and food for a Chinese money plant

Written by Jessica Walliser

Among the trendiest houseplants, the Chinese money plant (also known as the pancake plant, friendship plant, coin plant, or UFO plant) is adored for its unique appearance. The round, coin-sized leaves are thick and glossy. Each leaf is attached to the crown of the plant by a petiole (leaf stem) that connects directly to the leaf underside, giving it a very unique appearance. This houseplant’s tendency to create lots of small “daughter plants” that are easily separated from the parent plant means it’s a great houseplant for sharing with friends and family. To top it off, Pilea peperomioides care isn’t difficult, making this a terrific choice for houseplant lovers of all abilities.
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DIY compost bin: Quick and easy ideas for making your own compost bin

Written by Niki Jabbour

There’s no need to spend big bucks on a fancy composting system when a simple DIY compost bin will transform kitchen and garden waste into a rich soil amendment. And, with a little elbow grease and a few basic materials like pallets or chicken wire, you can quickly and easily build an effective compost bin.

Flowering trees for home gardens: 21 beautiful choices

Written by Jessica Walliser

Trees serve a countless array of ecosystem services; yes, even the ones growing in your own backyard. While most home landscapes contain at least a few trees, it’s clear that we all need to make room for more. Not everyone has the space for a stately oak or a mammoth maple, but there’s always room for a smaller specimen tree, no matter what size yard you have and what zone you live in. Thankfully, many flowering trees are terrific choices for the job. Not only do they provide all the benefits mentioned above, but they’re beautiful, too.
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