Worms, poultry, koi, and horse manure Red wigglers (Eisenia fetida) are among the most productive and versatile creatures in sustainable small farm and homestead systems. Voracious composters, prolific breeders, and exceptional live food sources, these small worms punch far above their weight in ecological value. Whether the goal is richer garden soil, healthier poultry, more … Continue reading Farm & garden vermiculture with red wigglers
garden
DIY floating planters
Floating net pots are a simple and affordable way to grow plants hydroponically, suspending roots directly in nutrient-rich water. Here are several methods using common materials. What you need to know first Floating net pots work by holding a plant in a mesh or perforated container that sits at the water surface, allowing roots to … Continue reading DIY floating planters
Lotus
Growing and propagating Lotus Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera or Nelumbo lutea) are among the most rewarding aquatic plants to grow from seed. With a little patience and the right conditions, you can go from seed to bloom in a single season. Understanding lotus seeds Lotus seeds are remarkably durable. They have one of the longest known … Continue reading Lotus
Peony petals natural dye
There is something quietly astounding about coaxing color from a flower, and the peony, with its richly pigmented petals ranging from the palest blush to the deepest burgundy, is one of the most rewarding plants to work with as a natural dye source. This is an ancient practice. Long before synthetic dyes existed, plant-based color … Continue reading Peony petals natural dye
Phalaenopsis Orchid
Natural habitat and geographic range Phalaenopsis, commonly called moth orchids, are native to a broad swath of tropical and subtropical Asia and the Pacific. Their natural range spans: Southeast Asia including the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam South Asia including parts of India and Sri Lanka East Asia including southern China and Taiwan Northern Australia and some Pacific … Continue reading Phalaenopsis Orchid
Peony
Perennial bush. The peonies (Paeonia spp.) in my garden are cherished gems, weaving a tapestry of joy and beauty. With their lush, extravagant blooms, they transform the landscape into a paradise of colors, from soft pastels to bold hues. Each spring, their arrival is a breath of fresh air, a poetic dance that heralds the … Continue reading Peony
Growing sweet potato as water plants
Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a surprisingly versatile and rewarding plant to grow in an aquatic setup. It is not a true aquatic plant, but it thrives as an emersed or semi-aquatic plant, meaning the roots and lower vine stay submerged while the foliage grows above the waterline. How it works Sweet potato is grown … Continue reading Growing sweet potato as water plants
Begonia
Tender annual. Begonias are popular because they offer showy flowers or striking foliage, depending on the type, and many do well in containers, garden beds, and even indoors. The key to success is matching the begonia type to the light and moisture conditions you have. Main types of begonias Wax begonias - Small, bushy, rounded … Continue reading Begonia
Currant
Currants are one of the most rewarding small fruits you can grow in a northern garden. Hardy enough to handle brutal northern garden winters, productive enough to fill your kitchen with berries year after year, and beautiful enough to earn a place in an ornamental border, they are a plant that truly earns its space. … Continue reading Currant
Blenheim Apricot
About the Blenheim Apricot The Blenheim (also called Royal Blenheim or Royal) is widely considered the gold standard of apricots. An heirloom variety originating in England and named after Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, it was brought to California in the mid-1800s and became the dominant commercial apricot of the Santa Clara Valley for over a … Continue reading Blenheim Apricot