Mulching is one of the best things you can do for your garden! An essential component of regenerative-organic and permaculture practices, mulch prevents erosion and helps maintain soil temperature and moisture levels. It also releases nutrients into the ground as it decomposes and prevents weeds from taking over the garden bed. You don’t have to … Read more
Although they may not look it, viable seeds are alive with the structures of future plants inside. These incredible little packages contain the genetics of their ancestors and stores of energy to make germination and the healthy growth of roots and first photosynthesizing leaves possible. What is dormancy? Dormancy is a state of deep rest, … Read more
As the cooler nights set in, the blooms and foliage on many of our annuals and perennials are beginning to fade. It’s time to get out into the garden and tidy things up as the growing season winds down. An easy and effective way to accomplish this task is the chop-and-drop method, which serves as … Read more
There’s something special about starting new seeds, isn’t there? Even after years of gardening, the thrill of opening a new pack of seeds never gets old. However, some seeds can be costly, so beginners need to get the basics right to avoid wasting time and money. Let’s dive into the essentials: Choosing the Right Seeds … Read more
The Basics: What is Guano? Bats live in large colonies, sharing the same cave from generation to generation. As a result, masses of excrement build up within the bat roost cave, eventually breaking down into rich compost. The result is a substance we call guano. Bat guano is an organic plant superfood that encourages prolific … Read more
There is nothing I don’t love about daffodils! They withstand heavy rain without flinching, and getting buried under a late-season snowstorm in mid-bloom is no big deal. Daffodils aren’t fussy about soil and will grow in sun or shade, and pests like snails, deer, and squirrels steer clear of them. Yellow is the most common … Read more
As if December isn’t busy enough, here’s another special event worth celebrating! World Soil Day happens every year on December 5th, and we think it deserves some attention on your calendar. It’s not only about earthworms; World Soil Day strives to teach the young and old about building healthy, living soils to help sustain people … Read more
Everyone is looking for ways to save money and grow sustainably. All gardening inputs can be managed to serve you more efficiently, including your growing media. You can use most growing media multiple times. However, you must ensure the media is suitable for reusing. For example, a build-up of nutrients, diseased plant matter, fungal spores, … Read more
Garden Culture’s Jennifer Cole chats with children’s book author and soil expert Lewis Fausak in honor of World Soil Day, which takes place annually on December 5th. Lewis Fausak is passionate about soil; he studies it as an applied biology education and research technician in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at the University … Read more
If you have a garden, then chances are you have grasshoppers! This common pest is easy to spot, jumping from plant to plant as it feeds on tender leaves. I experienced a particularly nasty grasshopper infestation in my garden last summer. By the end of the growing season, my zucchini barely had any leaves left! … Read more