My introduction to cordless mowing was a Black and Decker “ factory reconditioned” CMM 1000, which I babied well past its expected lifetime. I had promised myself that if I could get it through until the end of its last summer, the long winter would give me plenty of time to research a replacement. A very helpful article in Green Living Journal (*) came just in time to greatly aid me in my search. I know that lawns and mowing are not appropriate in many places. Here, where we live in a pine forest, we keep a circle of mowed lawn around our modest home as a fire-break. We also…
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Worms:
A Solution for Improving Garden Soil & Saving the Planet Are you seeking a way to keep your garden plants healthy without harming the environment? Conventional fertilizers aren’t going to cut it, as they pollute the planet and don’t provide long-term benefits. A better option is to create fertilizer at home with worms by setting up a personal vermicompost that turns your wasted food scraps in plant energy. Why is homemade worm compost so beneficial? It adds essential nutrients back into the soil, plus worms have the potential to make it easier to reduce your household trash. And, as you’ll learn next, that’s no small matter. Compost: Reducing Waste One…
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Top 5 Organic Gardening Tips
THE ORGANIC CENTER 1. Choose organic seeds Organic seeds are harvested from certified organic crops and therefore are not treated with fungicides like most conventional seeds. Without the application of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, organic plants rely more on their own defense systems when battling pests and diseases and grow deep roots to extract nutrients from the soil. Plants grown from organic seed are typically stronger and more adapted to thrive and grow under organic gardening practices. 2. Fertilize your soil by using organic compost and manure Common non-organic garden fertilizers, found at your local garden and home store, may contain ammonium phosphate and other synthetic chemicals. These synthetic fertilizers…
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The Delightful Flexibility of Container Gardening
Container gardening offers a remarkable degree of flexibility and mobility, making it an ideal gardening option for renters and individuals who frequently move. With container gardening, you can create a beautiful garden that can be relocated and taken with you wherever you go.
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Urban Homesteading for Renters
From the Landlord BY KIT It started eight years ago when one of my tenants asked if he could build two raised beds in the yard of the four-plex my husband and I own in North Portland. Being a gardener myself, I was thrilled about the request. I only asked that he garden organically, which he supported. From there, another tenant built more raised beds, and the next tenant constructed even more. We now have twenty garden beds of veggies with three of the four residents growing their own food. My husband and I moved into one of the units last March and after my first summer living on this…
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14 Ways to Be an Urban Homesteader
Are you an urban dweller too? Whether you are in the heart of the city or in the commuter ‘burbs, city folk often find them- selves pining away for more opportunities to tend the earth.
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Homesteading
Today, the western frontier has been settled and most of us live in urban areas, but that doesn’t mean there is no place for the homesteader. Rather than going extinct, the homesteaders of our species have adapted and have re-appeared as the solution to new problems created by urbanization. Thus was born the Urban Homesteader.
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Camas Plant and Garden Fair
Everything for your yard and garden! Held the day before Mother’s Day each year
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Herbs for a Change
Add dry herbs at the beginning and fresh herbs near the finish. Your taste buds will soon prefer the new flavors and your heart will be thankful.
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Victory Gardener’s Almanack for the month of August
By August, the planting season is nearly over and the yard and garden are in harvest and maintenance mode. Take time to sit, relax and enjoy the produce you have fostered from your plot of this Earth.
