Lawn & Garden / garden

What is a cover crop and how do you use them in your garden? Cover crops are essentially sacrificial crops that are planted, allowed to grow, then mowed over and tilled under to allow the organic matter to decompose.

When it comes to the home garden. People that don’t “Garden” still like to grow a tomato or two. Over the years, we have compiled some great advice to help everyone be successful.

Companion planting is a timeless practice deeply rooted in the history of agriculture. From the earliest crop cultivators to modern-day gardeners, the concept of strategically planting complementary crops together has been embraced across cultures and continents.

Step back in time to 1921, when a devastating cholera epidemic wreaked havoc on the Southern United States, claiming the lives of countless hogs. However, amidst the tragedy, an incredible discovery was made—one that would change the course of agriculture forever.

Transforming your backyard into a haven for bees and other pollinators not only invites nature's beauty but also supports local ecosystems. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds play a vital role in pollinating plants, ensuring food, beauty, and biodiversity.

It can be easy to get overwhelmed when you decide to grow your first garden. One thing I know for sure, for every gardener, there is a slightly different and equally legitimate way to grow a garden. Over time, with practice, you will become one of those unique growers of produce. There is not one "correct" way to be a successful gardener. It takes time, failure, imagination, and patience.

The word Bokashi is Japanese in origin and generally translates to the term, “fermented organic matter.” To write this article I listened to one of our recent podcast episodes hosted by Jos and Jim Zamzow with their special guest,Craig Alger. You can listen to the podcast here. Through some additional research, there seems to be some confusion around the origin and direct translation of the word “Bokashi,” the process and benefits are very clear.

We all get that natural spring cleaning bug that creeps in when the weather starts to warm up. This is the perfect time to embrace that extra energy and take it outside! The following are a few items to put on your spring to-do list for the lawn and garden. 

During the heat of summer, our gardens put on a lot of growth. Unfortunately, the weeds can begin to take off as well. Adding a summer mulch can help with your weeding, conserve water and cool the soil.

Hydrologists and meteorologists are predicting another year with less water than we need. This is leaving homeowners wondering what they can do to make it through the summer without making the already bad situation worse. The good news is there are some simple things you can do in your yard that will make all the difference!

Organic weed controls must be produced from a list of allowed synthetic substances, or come from all-natural substances that are not prohibited. The National Organic Program (NOP) is administered by the USDA and includes a list of national organic standards, a list of allowed and prohibited substances, and a regulatory oversight structure. Generally, these products are clearly marked on the label as being certified organic.

We have all seen the adult ladybug. They are easy to identify as adults. However, the younger generations look very different. As beetles, they undergo complete metamorphosis. Chances are you have already seen the larva of a ladybug and didn't even realize it.