Raising Chickens and Urban Gardening
A few springs ago, I was engaged in my daily ritual of observing the garden, walking around to see what was coming up, ready to bloom, or perhaps what needed attention. As I dodged the giant bumblebees emerging from their underground lairs, I stumbled upon a strawberry plant nearly eaten to the ground. I was stunned. The once-full leaves were…
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I was recently trolled on social media for a “too-perfect” photo of Sasha’s Altai heirloom tomatoes. Given their origins in Siberia, I promoted the tomatoes’ early-producing qualities and adaptability to our cooler growing conditions. The image showcased beautiful red, ripe, and uniform fruit—picture perfect! But the troll wasn’t convinced, commenting, “It looks GMO, so I’ll pass.” Everyone’s entitled to their…
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Given increasing food costs, cultivating a garden, especially a vegetable garden, is an excellent way to guarantee that your family has fresh and nutritious food while helping to reduce grocery expenses. However, starting a vegetable garden can be costly, especially if it’s your first one. These days, even experienced gardeners feel sticker shock when shopping at garden centers or nurseries….
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If you’ve visited a nursery or garden center, you’ve surely noticed plants, soil, and garden products labeled as organic. But what does “organic” really mean when it comes to gardening? How does it differ from conventional methods, and will using organic products make your garden healthier? Understanding the differences between organic and conventionally grown seeds, soil, and fertilizers can help…
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