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5 environmental benefits of moss gardening

September 9, 2015

The Magical World of Moss Gardening author Annie Martin makes the case for going green with mosses. We are bombarded with television commercials on how to go green in our gardens—but most of the time, environmentally unfriendly methods are recommended to achieve green, particularly the application of chemicals to promote growth, inhibit plant diseases, and […]

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How soils form and age

July 7, 2015

Soil has a life story. It is born and grows old. The Gardener’s Guide to Weather and Climate author Michael Allaby details the process. In the beginning, when volcanic action or movements of the Earth’s crust expose a new land surface, there is only bare rock. Between 1963 and 1967 a series of volcanic eruptions […]

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What do roses need?

March 19, 2015

The key to healthy, prosperous roses is knowing what they need. In this post, Roses Without Chemicals author Peter Kuklieski explains the basics. Over the years I have been asked time and again, “What do I do with my rose when I take it home? How do I plant it and care for it?” My […]

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Natural plant dyes: 4 ways to use turmeric

October 29, 2014

Some of the easiest natural dyes for the beginning dyer to work with are in your kitchen cabinet. They are fun, nontoxic natural dye materials to get you started with the world of color. Turmeric is a tropical plant that yields an orange-yellow spice from its dried, ground root. Turmeric dye creates a bright yellow. […]

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How and when to water air plants

October 13, 2014

There are so many different ways to water a tillandsia that it’s easy to get confused. In addition, it’s widely believed that tillandsias don’t need any water at all. But all plants need water and light to photosynthesize, and tillandsias are no exception. There are essentially three methods for watering tillandsias: misting, dunking, and soaking. […]

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Foraging in the Pacific Northwest, season by season

June 18, 2014

Pacific Northwest Foraging author Douglas Deur outlines a year of foraging Each year, the natural landscape and the plants within it go through cycles of awakening and dormancy that inevitably guide the food harvest. The exact timing of these cycles varies between elevations and latitudes, with most seasonal changes occurring later, and in more compressed […]

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Harvesting and drying lavender

August 28, 2013

A first-year lavender plant will produce only a few stems, and it is best to trim these before they flower completely to strengthen the plant. By year two, your lavender will normally double in size and will produce two or three small bunches, depending on the type of lavender. From year two to year three, […]

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What’s wrong with my succulent?

June 5, 2013

Succulents are easier to grow than most, but like all plants, they have their problems, too. Here are some troubleshooting tips for common afflictions and conditions from the author of Succulents Simplified.

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Pros and cons of plant container materials

March 1, 2013

__________ With the decrease in yard sizes and the increase in condominium, townhouse, and apartment living, more people are gardening in containers. In small gardens or on patios, a well-planted pot or container brings plants and flowers and their fragrances up close and adds a bit of excitement to the area. Container gardening also allows […]

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The 12 principles of permaculture

February 21, 2013

One way permaculture differs from other methods of gardening is that it is not just a set of practical techniques; it is a way of thinking and of adapting to a particular ecology. Whether you are starting a new garden, or introducing permaculture practices to an existing garden, these principles will help you to understand […]

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