Whether you’re customizing your own potting mix, exploring different soil amendments, or purchasing a soilless growing medium, the vermiculite vs perlite question eventually comes up. Which one is best? (Or should you be using both?) As it happens, vermiculite and perlite are ubiquitous in potting soils and seed-starting mixes, but there are some important differences between the two. This article explains where vermiculite and perlite come from and the many ways each of them can be used.
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How to harvest thyme for fresh and dried use
Thyme is an easy herb to grow, but knowing how to harvest thyme can keep the plants productive and healthy for years to come. A hardy, drought-tolerant perennial herb, thyme is a great choice for growing in garden beds or in pots. In this article, you’ll learn how to harvest thyme for immediate culinary use or for drying.
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Seeding cosmos: Tips for direct sowing and giving seeds a head start indoors
Cosmos are among my favorite summer cut flowers. The plants’ light, wispy, foliage, reminiscent of dill, is topped by colorful, daisy-like flowers that sway in the breeze. Popular cottage garden picks, I tend to plant cosmos in my raised beds because they attract bees and butterflies. Growing these semi-hardy annuals from seed is super easy. In this article, I’m going to share some tips on seeding cosmos indoors so you’ll have seedlings for planting season, as well as how to direct-sow seeds right in the garden.
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When to plant sweet peas: The best options for lots of fragrant flowers
Sweet peas are old fashioned annuals with ruffly, fragrant flowers in rich shades of blues, purples, reds, pinks, and whites. They’re essential in cut flower and cottage gardens and for the best show of flowers, you’ll want to start the seeds at the right time. This article provides all the information you need to know about starting sweet peas seeds indoors as well as direct sowing in the garden. If you’re wondering when to plant sweet peas, keep reading.
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Malabar spinach: How to grow and care for climbing spinach
Malabar spinach, also known by the common names of Ceylon spinach, Indian spinach, vine spinach, and climbing spinach, is a heat-tolerant green with large, succulent leaves that are flavorful both raw and cooked. Its climbing growth habit means it takes up very little room in the garden. Plus, its prolific production translates to plenty of fresh greens to add to salads, stews, sautés, stir-fries, smoothies, and soups all summer long. In this article, I’ll share complete growing instructions for this easy-to-grow edible climber.
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How to grow calendula from seed
My first experience with growing calendula from seed was tossing a wildflower mix into one of my front yard gardens. It was fun to see all the different flowers reveal their blooms throughout the growing season. The superstar, though, was the calendula, which produced vibrant, sunny blooms right into December. While a few of the wildflowers have popped up again here and there after reseeding themselves, it’s the daisy-like calendula that dependably returns each year in that one little area. In this article, I’m going to share how easy it is to grow calendula from seed.
