Gardening

Growing herbs is both rewarding and economical! It offers endless gardening possibilities! Take stem cuttings from healthy plants using sharp, disinfected tools. Dipped the lower end into rooting powder, solution or gel for best results to promote root formation. Some shrubs and trees, such as figs, mulberries, quince and various fruiting herbs can be propagated …

Gardeners can create a tea garden to harvest leaves, stems and flowers for herbal infusions that refresh. Herbs are easy to cultivate and provide endless rewards when used properly. Some perennial herbs are hardy while others, like tender annuals, don’t fare so well in winter weather in most climates. To protect these tender annuals, as …

As autumn nears, gardeners focus on prepping their gardens for frosty winter weather. But if your herbs need overwinteringing, it may not always be necessary to bring them inside for protection. Hardy perennial tea herbs typically thrive in containers provided they receive plenty of light. Fill pots with potting mix and aged compost to enhance …

Growing your own herbs makes enjoying fresh tea anytime easier! Choose a spot that gets 6-8 hours of direct sun daily and features loamy soil that dries quickly between watering sessions. The checkerboard layout makes it easier to stock multiple varieties of your preferred herbs or experiment with new ones. Chamomile Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) blooms …

Sustainable herb harvesting techniques ensure potency and long-term shelf life while honoring wild populations and their ecosystems. Learning sustainable harvesting methods deepen herbal knowledge, support an thriving home apothecary, and expand homestead apothecaries. Reducing trampling and accidental damage by carefully walking around delicate, slow-growing plants reduces trampling. Deliberate harvesting times for leaves, flowers or seeds …

How to Grow Comfrey Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is a hardy perennial plant, adaptable to most climates and easily propagated via root cuttings, crown divisions or transplants. Propagated from spring until early summer by root cuttings or crown divisions. A vigorous grower that can outcompete weeds. Requiring moderate soil moisture. Plant in spring/early summer. Comfrey is …

As part of your spring gardening tasks, it is wise to evaluate the perennial medicinal herb beds. Take note of which plants fared the best and which need dividing or pruning back. Herbs can often be propagated easily from cuttings, or pieces of stem, leaf or root which can be used to establish new plants. …

Perennial medicinal herbs such as common and garlic chives can easily be grown in well-drained garden soil. Not only are these perennial plants easy to cultivate, they’re also packed with natural antimicrobials, antioxidants, and mild nervines that make great additions to any health regimen. Some plants need two years for full development, like ginseng and …

As gardeners with pets, it’s crucial that we know which plants are toxic and how to prevent accidental munching of them by unknowing users – such as rhubarb which contains oxalic acid which may lead to kidney failure if consumed accidentally. Oleander plants can be toxic if eaten, leading to vomiting, abdominal pain and heart …

Rhubarb can be a difficult crop for gardeners despite its widespread appeal, necessitating rich, deep soil as well as annual applications of slow-release fertilizer to maintain high yields and ensure continued vigor and vigorous growth. Mulching with layers of straw, compost, leaf mold or well-rotted manure will minimise water loss while conserving soil moisture levels …

Rhubarb leaves can be composted safely as long as they remain out of reach from children and household pets. Oxalic acid present in the leaves quickly degrades during composting without having any detrimental effect on final product quality. Add rhubarb waste in small amounts to your compost pile with other nitrogen-rich green materials and carbon-rich …

For maximum rhubarb harvest, keep the clumps from bolting. Heat can play a part in this, so keeping soil temperatures cool and adding organic matter (compost or well rotted manure) to the planting site will assist. Older varieties may be more susceptible to flowering, and regularly dividing rhubarb crowns should help. 1. Cut the Stalks …

Rhubarb thrives best when planted in loose, rich soil that drains well, with complete garden fertilizers applied prior to growth beginning each spring. Mulches help conserve moisture and control weeds in northern gardens, where perennial rhubarb plants are often harvested from late spring through summer. For optimal results and to avoid crown rot, harvest no …

Rhubarb is an essential ingredient in many dishes, yet requires special attention when grown in containers. When grown properly and maintained accordingly, however, rhubarb can flourish even in tight spaces and become an excellent addition to small spaces. Start with a large pot filled with well-draining potting mix composed of compost, peat moss, coco coir …

Growing rhubarb properly is among the easiest perennials to cultivate, making it an excellent starting point for beginning gardeners due to its resilience and low-maintenance requirements. Rhubarb thrives best when exposed to full sun to partial shade and grows best when planted in rich, free-draining soil with slightly acidic pH levels. Amending clay soils with …

Soil tests provide valuable insight into soil pH and fertility levels, helping to prevent fertilizer from being the cause of yield-limiting issues as well as curb excessive nutrient applications which are both costly and damaging to the environment. With proper fertilization comes high quality trees while reduced risks of groundwater contamination from nitrate contamination. Soil …

Rhubarb plants become dormant during winter to conserve energy, so proper winter care must include protecting them from cold weather as well as diseases that could potentially impact their crowns and leaves. Organic mulch helps control weeds while also conserving moisture. In milder zones, forcing rhubarb harvest for midwinter can be achieved by covering its …

Rhubarb is generally an extremely hardy vegetable, yet it may still be vulnerable to certain diseases. Fungus and bacteria infections are the usual culprits; however, with proper site selection and care this problem can be avoided. Select a garden site with ample drainage, few weeds and organic matter content for optimal soil fertility and water …

Rhubarb plants typically thrive in containers and raised beds, yet may struggle under less-than-ideal growing conditions. Soggy, waterlogged soil robs roots of oxygen supply. Applying balanced fertilizers at the appropriate times throughout spring and fall will increase nutrient levels in rhubarb plants, keeping it healthy and blooming well. This is the key to keeping it …

Rhubarb plants can become affected with many diseases. Rhubarb crown rot, caused by Phytophthora, is often encountered during commercial production but rarely seen at home gardens. Rest and recharge this summer by enjoying long walks without your phone, reading for pleasure or simply sitting still and watching the birds fly by. Spring Rhubarb thrives best …

Instead of planting from seeds, crown divisions are usually the preferred method for propagating rhubarb plants. These act like mini versions of their parent plant and produce faster results than seed-grown varieties. Start by digging a hole twice the size of the root ball, filling it with loose soil and compost (or well-rotted manure), before …

Forcing rhubarb allows you to accelerate its natural cycle and produce stems long before harvest time arrives. Indoor forcing offers more control than its outdoor equivalent in terms of environmental conditions for growth. Select a variety of rhubarb designed specifically for forcing. “Timperley Early” has been grown commercially in Yorkshire’s forcing sheds for more than …

Cloches provide delicate plants with protection from frost and pests, warming soil in order to promote early germination and improving plant health. Crafted from glass, plastic or even unorthodox materials like lengths of wood, they create a healthy microclimate which encourages growth while providing resilience against future attacks. Cloches can promote fungal disease if not …

Garden Cloches provide protection for tender vegetables, herbs and flowers from frost damage while warming the soil for faster seed germination and extending growing seasons for plants that prefer heat. Traditional bell cloches are constructed from plastic or glass materials. Light and portable, they should be removed or propped up periodically to allow ventilation. 1. …

Cloches and blankets can provide your delicate plants with much-needed frost protection. Frost is known to damage plants by creating ice crystals within plant cells which rupture them or break off pieces of plant tissue, leading to irreparable damage. A cloche is a plastic or glass covering that acts like a mini greenhouse to deter …