Properly spaced tomato plants are likely to be healthier and produce a larger harvest than those that are overcrowded or too widely spaced. Tomato spacing depends on two factors; what types of tomatoes you’re growing and how you plan on supporting the plants. Once you have those key pieces of information, it’s easy to figure out how far apart to plant tomatoes.
Read More »How far apart to plant tomatoes
DIY potting soil: 6 Homemade potting mix recipes for the home and garden
I’m a huge fan of container gardening, and I know I’m not alone. Urban and small-space gardening is on the rise, houseplants are strutting their stuff all over Instagram, and few people have the time and energy to dedicate to a large in-ground garden these days. But with hundreds of seedlings to start and over 50 large pots to fill each season, my container gardening habit used to come with a hefty price tag. When I started making my own DIY potting soil, however, I cut my container gardening budget by two-thirds! Here’s how I make homemade potting mix for all of my containers, houseplants, and seed-starting needs. Continue Reading
Read More »Brighten up dark areas of the garden with annual flowers for shade
I have a pretty sunny property, but there are a few little pockets that don’t see as much sun, if any. In these spots, I’ll pop in some annual flowers for shade to add little sprays of colour—a thin strip on the north side of my house; under a loose hedge of unmanicured cedars in the side yard; in my backyard near the ravine where the tree canopy is thick.Read More »The easiest vegetables to grow in garden beds and containers
It’s a fact; certain crops are easier to grow. Maybe it’s because they’re faster to go from seed to harvest or maybe they’re bothered by fewer pests and diseases. Either way, new food gardeners or those with little time may want to stick to these below crops which I’ve found to be some of the easiest vegetables to grow.
Read More »Pruning blueberries: Step-by-step instructions
For backyard blueberry growers, winter means it’s time to break out the pruning shears and folding saw. Pruning blueberries is a task best performed yearly, when the plants are dormant. Closely tied to crop production, plant health, and fruit quality, pruning too aggressively – or not aggressively enough – impacts your blueberry’s performance. Continue Reading
Read More »Raised bed designs for gardening: Tips, advice, and ideas
My first two raised beds were your standard rectangles anchored by 2x4s. My husband and I found the plan online. He surprised me by building them one weekend while I was away. They may have been simple, but they introduced me to all the benefits of gardening in raised beds. When it came time to work on my book Raised Bed Revolution, coming up with the different projects was one of the most fun aspects of the putting the book together. And since then, I’ve come across even more raised bed designs for gardening — if only I had more space!
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