Ideas & Inspiration

5 Bits of Wisdom to improve your spring garden plans... before you even put pen to paper. Are you growing for pleasure, for beauty, for food production or maybe a combination of reasons? Are you planning a long-lasting perennial garden or simply looking for some short-term enjoyment in a location you only plan to stay for a season? Every garden is unique, and serves a purpose defined by you, the gardener.

Natural Holiday Ornaments Sharing your bountiful harvest doesn’t have to stop at the end of the growing season! These handmade ornaments from the fruit you’ve harvested can be shared with friends as gifts and serve as a representation of what you’ve grown each on your tree at the end of the year.

Homemade Elderberry Syrup We grow our own food for more than just the satisfaction of a lovely garden. It’s rewarding to have a hand in growing what you eat... especially when it contributes to the health and wellness of your family.

Lasagna Gardening No, you can’t grow lasagna in your garden — sad, but true. What you can do is treat your garden bed like a big pan of lasagna, and assemble layer upon layer of goodness to create a thriving environment for your treasured plants. It’s inexpensive, and very worthwhile doing. All it requires are the right materials and a little elbow grease.

Preventing Problems Before They Begin Organic gardeners have fewer tactical weapons in their arsenal in the war against pests and diseases, as chemical problem-fighters are not in the mix. Non-chemical alternatives are, by nature, less potent and sometimes an extra effort is required to keep your garden in good health. Preventive action bridges the gap.

How To Make Compost What if someone told you that the very best fertilizer in the world doesn’t cost a dime, that you don’t have to drive anywhere to get it, and that it virtually manufactures itself?

Preparing an Organic Garden Site The health of your soil will rule your organic gardening success. Find out what your soil is composed of and how to keep it vibrant and alive.

Planning a Wholesale Orchard Read about all the things you need to consider when planning a wholesale orchard, including tree density, rootstock, and variety vigor.

Estimated Yield for Fruit Trees For growers with enough space, where tree size isn't an issue, this guide covers the estimated yield of dwarf, semi-dwarf, and standard size fruit trees.

Preparing Your Soil for Winter Whether you are growing ornamentals or edibles, preparing soil for winter is essential for year-round success in the home garden. Give this a try this fall!