Organic Gardening News

These days, the amount of gardening information available to us is overwhelming. From personal blogs to videos, it seems that just about everyone has their own views regarding the best methods for growing fruits, vegetables, and/or flowers. With so much at our fingertips, it is easy to see why the line between fact and fiction has so quickly become blurred. Gardening Truths vs. Fiction Debunking common garden myths and focusing on the real facts about your garden is just one way that growers can feel more confident in their ability to maintain a healthy and productive green space. I know it helps me, so I’m sharing some surprising gardening facts that you may not know (but should). Do-it-Yourself Pesticides and Herbicides Did you know that one of the most commonly found posts online is for homemade solutions for managing weeds and insects in the garden? In cases like this, gardening

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You don’t always have to turn to big tea brands when you want a tasty cup of the hot beverage. Make your own delicious and nutritious concoction out of pesky weeds in your garden. Instead of waging a frustrating and nearly pointless battle against dandelions, read on to learn how to make dandelion tea. Growing Dandelions for Tea Our ancestors knew a thing or two about natural health and how to use nature’s bounty to heal all manner of ailments. Dandelion herbal tea was a constant in many homes and all parts of the plant are edible. It has some potential to benefit cancer patients, improves liver health, and contains numerous nutrients and antioxidant properties. Plus, it’s free (making it a godsend to thrifty individuals) and tasty. If you aren’t worried about the plants taking over, grow your own dandelions. The easiest way is to let some of the flowers

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Dandelion tea is a delicious and nutritious hot beverage, especially when the dandelions are grown in your garden. Picking dandelions allows access to a cheap, healthy food source. All parts of the plant are edible, but each part is harvested at different times for best flavor. Learn when to harvest dandelions so you get tastier leaves, roots, and flowers. When to Harvest Dandelions Harvesting dandelion plants throughout the growing season provides tea, salad greens, wine, and much more. These “weeds” are packed with vitamins C, A, and K, plus potassium and powerful antioxidants. Make sure your dandelion harvest is free of herbicides and pesticides and always wash all parts of the plant completely. Want to know when to harvest dandelion plants? The flowers should be taken when they are newly opened, and all the petals are still retained. To keep them fresh, put stems in a bowl of cool water.

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Are you thinking about hiring Heartland Lawns to take care of your lawn? This comprehensive Heartland Lawns review will help you make the right choice.

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Dandelions are considered weedy pests to many people, but these flowers are actually useful. Not only are they edible and nutritious, but they play an important role in ecosystems as well. In your lawn they nourish ladybugs, which in turn eat aphids, and they aerate and add nutrients to the soil. Consider all the uses for dandelions before dismissing this common weed. Medicinal Dandelion Uses Knowing how to use dandelion for medicinal purposes dates back millennia. Always check with your doctor before using an herbal or natural medicine, but generally dandelions are considered safe to consume. Traditionally, dandelions have been used as a diuretic or even a laxative. The leaves may have a slight laxative effect and may also improve digestion. The roots of the dandelion may be used to treat issues associated with the liver, kidneys, and the gallbladder. Dandelions may even be able to help manage diabetes. There

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Whenever you move a plant, the plant is stressed. It remains stressed until it establishes itself in the new location. You hope to see the plant spread its roots into surrounding soil and thrive. Yet, sometimes a plant won’t establish and, instead of thriving, declines. Read on for information on some of the reasons for establishment failure after transplant and what you can do to prevent it. Why Plants Won’t Establish Do your plants fail to establish? It’s always discouraging when a new plant you’ve installed in the garden doesn’t grow well. If you see leaves yellowing and falling or branch dieback, it is probably a case of establishment failure. Plants fail to establish for many reasons, including diseases and pests. Generally, plants don’t grow after transplant because of missteps in planting or cultural care after planting. Too small a planting hole and improper irrigation are the leading issues. Newly

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Do your houseplants keep dying? There are many reasons why your houseplant might be dying, and it is important to know all of these so that you can diagnose and adjust your care before it is too late. How to save an indoor plant from dying may be as simple as making a few adjustments. Reasons Houseplants Die If your indoor plants keep failing, it’s most likely due to cultural issues, many of which can be easily fixed. Too Much Water If you are watering too frequently, or your soil is taking too long to dry out, your plant can suffer from root rot and die. Some signs of root rot include a plant with leaves that are wilting. If you notice that your leaves are wilted and the soil feels moist, chances are that you have root rot. You may also see that your plant has yellowing leaves that

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If you work at home, you may want to use plants to liven up a bland workspace. Having living plants in your home office can make days more pleasant, boost your mood, and increase your productivity. Read on for suggestions on home office plants to consider. Indoor Plants for Home Offices Choosing plants for workspaces in your home is similar to that of any houseplant you have. Consider growing conditions, such as available light and space, when choosing houseplants for a home office. Generally, plants for workspaces are relatively compact, but in the home nearly anything goes. Most require little care and tolerate occasional neglect. Here are a few suggestions for home office space plants. Pothos (Epipremnum): A popular office plant for good reason. It’s a lovely, fast growing plant that cascades gracefully from hanging baskets or high shelves. Pothos tolerates both shady corners and sunny windows. It likes to

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Whether you live in Florida or Virginia, April is a great time to get out in the garden when the soil is warm but the heat isn’t yet oppressive. But what exactly should you be doing in your garden in southern states? Keep reading to learn more about April gardening tasks for the South. April in the Southeast The Southeast region of the United States ranges down much of the East Coast, including Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. Although the climate in these states can vary dramatically, they are all similar in that April is an exciting time with relatively mild temperatures and bursts of new growth everywhere. That means it’s the perfect time to get out into the garden. Gardening To-Do List So what April garden chores should you be thinking about this month? Here are the basics: Plant vegetables: April is the time to begin planting

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April comes dancing into our gardens as fruit trees put on their frilly blossoms and bulbs turn into bright flowers. The gardening to-do list for April can be a long one, especially for those living in the mild western region. Some would argue that the door to West Coast gardening opens in April. If you are making a list of your April gardening tasks, we are here to help. April in the Western Region The areas included in the western region of the country, like the states of California and Nevada, don’t look alike by any means. Some, like cities near the coast, may never see frost. Others, just a few miles inland, get frost but no snow, while still farther east, roads may be closed because of snowfall. Since April in the western region includes such a range of climates, we’re going to focus on West Coast gardening. In

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April garden maintenance in the Southwest varies widely depending on elevation, microclimates, and other factors. Gardeners in lower elevations are enjoying warm, sunny, and dry days but frosty mornings (and possibly even snow) are still likely at higher elevations. Either way, taking care of April gardening tasks will make your life easier as summer progresses and temperatures rise. Take a look at our Southwest garden guide for April, then check tasks off your gardening to do list. April Gardening Tasks in The Southwest Prune trees and shrubs to remove broken or damaged limbs. Also, remove limbs crossing or rubbing other limbs. At low elevations it’s safe to plant tender annuals. Wait two to four weeks in higher elevations, or until all danger of frost has passed. Gardeners in lower elevations can also plant vegetables such as squash, beans, peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, carrots, and cucumbers. In higher elevations, wait until the

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April showers bring May flowers, but April is also the perfect time to get the vegetable garden established as well as other April gardening tasks for the Pacific Northwest gardener. April in the Northwest region may be fraught with rain and temperatures that fluctuate but with the assistance of some cloches or low tunnels, the veggie garden is foremost on a gardening to-do list. This isn’t the only chore in need of being done, however. Northwest Gardening in April April in the Northwest brings with it warmer temperatures, albeit for many regions lots of rain. For the diehard gardener, a little rain isn’t an issue and April gardening tasks wait for no man, or woman. If you’re new to gardening, you might be wondering exactly what April gardening tasks for the Pacific Northwest should be tackled. No need to worry, we’re here to help with that. Veggie Gardening To-Do List

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To learn more about our editorial integrity policy and how we make money through affiliate partnerships, read our full disclosure here. Hiring a professional lawn care company can ensure that your yard will be the envy of the neighborhood. With help from a qualified company, your lawn will be lush, green, and pest-free the entire year— and you won’t have to break a sweat to achieve it.  If you’re a homeowner in North Carolina, you may have considered Agape Lawn Company. Gardening Know How has created a thorough Agape Lawn Company review, evaluating plans, prices, and customer feedback to determine if this company is worth your attention.  But before we dig deeper into Agape Lawn Company’s services, we want to note that our overall top recommended provider is still TruGreen due to the company’s nearly-nationwide lawn care service at competitive prices.  TruGreen offers a free price quote to every new

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With the arrival of warmer temperatures, preparing the garden for spring planting can feel quite chaotic. From seeding to weeding, it is easy to lose focus on the tasks taking precedence over others. April in the Northeast marks planting time for many crops. With so many tasks to keep up, a gardening to-do list is an excellent way to get ready for the corresponding season. Northeast Garden Guide While some April garden tasks are quick and easy, others may require more time and dedication. April Gardening To-Do List Clean garden tools – Cleaning and preparing garden tools for the growing season is essential to beginning April garden tasks. Making sure that tools are clean and in proper working order makes it easier to care for plants and prevents the spread of disease in the garden. So, if you haven’t already done so, get those tools in tip-top shape. Once tools

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Upper Midwest gardening really starts to get going in April. The seeds have been started for the vegetable garden, bulbs are blooming, and now it’s time to start thinking about the rest of the growing season. Add these things to your garden to do list for April. April Gardening Tasks for the Upper Midwest If you’re itching to get your hands in the dirt and on plants, April is a good time to get started on several important growing chores. April is the perfect time in this region to use a pre-emergent weed killer. You can apply these products to beds to keep weeds down throughout the growing season. Get your vegetable garden ready now. Whether you’re building new raised beds or using existing beds, now is the time to prepare the soil. You can also start your cooler season veggies including onions, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, radishes, and

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April is the beginning of gardening season in the South-Central region (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas). The expected last frost date is fast approaching and gardeners are itching to get outside and warm up with April gardening tasks. From lawn care to flower planting to fungicide spraying, there are plenty of chores ready and waiting. Learn more about South Central garden maintenance for April. April Gardening in the South-Central Region April gardening begins with lawn care. After a winter with low moisture and cold winds, it’s time for some TLC. As weather warms, more spring annuals can be planted. In Texas and Louisiana, they are moving toward summer annuals. Here’s a general garden to-do list this month: Warm-season lawns such as Bermuda and St. Augustine can be fertilized three to five times during the season, beginning in April. Apply one pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. in each application.

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Those first few warm days of spring are perfect for getting back in the groove of outdoor gardening. In the Ohio Valley, there’s never a shortage of April gardening tasks to give you a jump on the upcoming growing season. April Ohio Valley Garden To-Do List Here’s a few ideas you might want to add to your monthly gardening to-do list. Lawn Mowing season gets underway this month. Prepare for that first lawn mowing by adding these tasks to your gardening to-do list for April. Pick up debris. Remove those twigs, leaves and trash which have accumulated over the winter. Fill in low spots. Backfill those bumpy dips in the yard with quality top soil. Reseed thin areas. Fill in those bare spots with a grass seed mixture suitable for your climate. Apply weed prevention. Tackle crabgrass and annual weeds with pre-emergent products. Spring equipment maintenance. Sharpen mower blades, check

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Autism gardening therapy is becoming a fantastic therapeutic tool. This therapeutic tool, also known as horticultural therapy, has been used in rehab centers, hospitals and nursing homes. It has become a natural passageway for use with autistic children and gardening. Creating autism friendly gardens benefits not only children on every level of the spectrum but their caregivers as well. Gardening for Kids with Autism Autism impairs communication and social skills. It may also cause several sensory issues, wherein an autistic individual may be over or under sensitive to external stimuli. Autism gardening therapy is an excellent way to tackle these issues. Individuals who have added anxiety created with sensory processing issues greatly benefit from autism gardening therapy. Many people with autism, especially children, struggle with fine motor skills such as zipping up a coat or using scissors. A program combining autistic children and gardening can address these issues. How Does

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As the fictional “pandemic” movie themes of the past become the reality of today, the agricultural community will likely see an increased interest in foods with antiviral properties. This gives commercial growers and backyard gardeners the opportunity to be on the forefront of a changing agricultural climate. Whether you’re growing food for the community or for your family, growing antiviral plants could become the wave of the future. Do Antiviral Plants Keep You Healthy? Little research has been done to definitively prove antiviral foods boost immunity in humans. Successful studies have used concentrated plant extracts to inhibit viral replication in test tubes. Laboratory experiments on mice have also shown promising results, but more studies are clearly needed. The truth is, the inner workings of the immune response are still very poorly understood by researchers, doctors and the medical field. We do know adequate sleep, reduced stress, exercise, a healthy diet

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Gone are the days when leisure time for kids usually meant going outside getting into nature. Today, a child is far more likely to play games on smart phones or computers than run in the park or play kick-the-can in the backyard. The separation of kids and nature has resulted in a number of issues lumped loosely together under the expression “nature deficit disorder.” What is nature deficit disorder and what does it mean for your kids? Read on for information about how a lack of nature injures kids and tips on how to prevent nature deficit disorder. What is Nature Deficit Disorder? If you haven’t read anything about this issue, you are likely to ask, “what is nature deficit disorder?” If you have read about it, you may wander, “is nature deficit disorder real?” Modern kids spend less and less time in the great outdoors, and the physical and

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