I recently found a new site (well, not new, but new to me); the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center website. This website has lots of amazing gardening information from local news about gardening in Southwest Austin, Texas and info about the gardens there to information about plant care and conservation.

However, the number one best thing about this website is their mission which is “To increase the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes” along with a section of the website set up to support this mission.
The Native Plant Information Network (NPIN) is a section of the site …read more

When it comes to garden seeds, especially organic garden seeds there are all sorts of kooky sounding terms that go along with it. Sort some of the basics out below.

Genetically Modified Organism: More common is the abbreviation GMO. This term applies to any animal or plant that has been genetically engineered. Most folks who believe in organic gardening do not support GMO due to the fact that much more research is needed before it’s considered 100% safe. Also note, most GMO seeds are sold to commercial not home gardeners. Learn more about the GMO debate.
Heirloom vs. Hybrid: These two terms …read more

We’ve looked at composting and how to make a homemade worm bin before, but sometimes you may run into work bin problems and the worst is when your worm die off. I mean, most likely you’re not super attached and you don’t name them but really you need the worms to be healthy. Following are some common worm dying issues and solutions.

If your worms seem to be dying off
Moisture check: Make sure your bin is not too wet or dry. Water at the bottom of the bin means the oxygen has stopped flowing about the bin at a reasonable rate …read more

I like gardens a little wild myself. Wait, rephrase that. If I had the space I’d like a wild garden. I’ve always had smaller plots so I’ve kept them tidy in order to maximize space, but I like the look of wild gardens better than totally organized garden because they more closely mimic nature than formal plots. For example, this garden in Alaska (shown below) has been a favorite of mine for a long time.

It’s wild but looks a little more planned wild than run away wild, which I like. Plus they’ve got that great greenroof going on.
The classic gardening …read more

The other day I mentioned that I really wanted a kitchen composter. However, they can be spendy and if you’ve got the space outside you can make a super simple worm (or compost) bin in almost no time at all.
You’ll need a container of sorts…
The container can be simple or elaborate depending on how much time and money you want to spend on it. Worms like the dark so if you choose a plastic clear container surround it with a cover. Covers such as paper won’t work outside due to rain, so it’s better just to make a dark container. …read more

Some people who live in apartments still do want a garden aka, a patio or hanging garden, or maybe they just want to lower their trash footprint. You can grind food up in a disposal but that doesn’t really put your old leftovers and other compost-worthy materials to good use. Not like say, a kitchen composter.
Kitchen composters have really evolved in the last few years. I remember seeing only those ceramic bins for composting and while it is composting, it just seemed like it maybe would smell a little icky and perhaps it might need to be emptied more (those …read more

Gardening is already pretty darn eco-friendly. You’re growing your own food and flowers (organically hopefully) which cuts down on the pesticides that make it into our air, water, and soil; you get rid of some food transport emissions plus food packaging issues; and it gets you and your family out into the great outdoors – or at least the great backyard.
You can make your gardening adventures even more earth-friendly though by using recycled gear to your advantage. Bonus, using recycled items in the garden can save you money.

Recycled planters and ponds: Instead of buying new plastic or wood planters, use …read more

Now that spring is here you may be considering ways to green your landscaping. Here are five green landscaping ideas…

Use solar lighting in the garden and on the patio. Now that the sun will be shining more often, solar lights are the perfect green landscaping lighting solution. Bonus, plenty of companies carry outdoor solar lighting now, so if you check around, you should be able to find a price that works for any budget.
Build and install a rain barrel. A rain barrel can provide water for all kinds of uses. From washing your car to watering flowers, saving rain is …read more

If you’re planning an organic spring garden use the following three tips to keep your garden green and healthy…

Grow the right plants:
Native plants are almost always the best choice for your organic garden. Native plants are suitable to your area thus made to stand up to the natural elements better than exotic varieties. Native plants thrive in your local soil, climate, and water availability and also need less care than other plants. Find plants that will work in your growing zone at the National Gardening Association (click on regional).
Try raised beds:
Raised beds work well in many areas. Raised beds …read more