-Patrick Metz- Winter is tough time of year for anyone, but even more so for gardening and homesteading enthusiasts. It seems as if it is constantly cold, wet, or both, discouraging favorite outdoor activities. But don’t despair! I find this to be the perfect time to experiment in the kitchen. This year, I brushed up on food preservation techniques in preparation for our harvest, mainly food fermentation, and more specifically lactic acid fermentation (aka, lacto-fermentation). First, … [Read more...] about The Lowdown on Food Fermentation
So Much Soil!
-Luis Guerra- We carry a wide range of soils at our Fifth Season locations, and we know it can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming to select a soil that’s right for your particular growing situation. It may seem like dirt, is dirt, is dirt, but the truth is that different plants have different needs, and even the same plants have different needs depending on where they are in their growth cycle. While we are always happy to talk with you in person, we thought it might be helpful to have a … [Read more...] about So Much Soil!
Compost Tea Made Easy
-Gabrial House- With spring approaching, it’s time to start thinking about your garden, and the best way to help your plants fight off heat, high humidity, and the dry soil that’s sure to come. For me, the best route to take is treating my garden to a fresh batch of compost tea. As the name implies, compost tea is made by steeping compost in water, and using the resulting liquid gold on or around your plants. Most of us know the benefits that compost provides to our garden soil, but … [Read more...] about Compost Tea Made Easy
Houseplant Care When It’s Cold Outside
-Chris Amaya- Whether you know it or not, those house plants in the corner of the room are making a difference in the air quality in your home. Air-borne contaminants such as viruses, pollen, bacteria, and mold can be present and growing in your air conditioner, humidifier, and even carpet, circulating all throughout the house. Changing out your air filter every three months will help keep these pollutants down, but greening up your environment can also play a key role in improving indoor … [Read more...] about Houseplant Care When It’s Cold Outside
The Ultimate Flush
-Gabrial House- On the blog this week I wanted to take a closer look at flushing our indoor crops before harvest. I often get asked if I flush my plants, what I use to flush my plants and for how long do I flush my crop? Flushing your indoor crop at the end of its life cycle is a critical step that should not be overlooked. To get the most out of our indoor crops, we tend to push our plants hard, using an array of fertilizers and supplements; however, when it comes time to harvest our … [Read more...] about The Ultimate Flush
Want to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality? Get Houseplants!
-Kristen Weeks- The benefits of adding houseplants to your home decor go far beyond aesthetics. Research shows that being among greenery reduces stress and creates a more tranquil and relaxed environment. It is no wonder that spikes in productivity have also been shown to occur in spaces with plants. There is also a general consensus among scientists that plants have the ability improve indoor air quality and reduce levels of certain types pollutants found in our homes and offices. Therefore, … [Read more...] about Want to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality? Get Houseplants!
Bucket Gardening!
-Chris Amaya- Hydroponic systems come in all shapes and sizes, but the few things they have in common tend to be the most important. Deep water culture in 3-5 gallon buckets generally proves to be the most exciting method for new hydroponic gardeners because it is easy to maintain and easy on the wallet. This will be a quick and easy rundown of how you can get started growing inside today! Before I talk equipment, it is important to think about location of your set up. First, you’ll … [Read more...] about Bucket Gardening!
Hey Gardeners? No Need to Be Bored During Winter!
-Naomi Austin- This time of year, as the leaves fall, and the wind’s chill stings our cheeks, a lot of us don’t think about gardening. However, this time of year is ideal for maintenance, planning, and preparations that will pay great dividends come spring planting time! Tool Care Your gardening tools get a lot of abuse during planting season! They need care during the winter months to keep them sharp and rust free, especially if you own any of our DeWit heirloom tools or Felco pruners. … [Read more...] about Hey Gardeners? No Need to Be Bored During Winter!
Festive Mulled Wine
-Gabrial House- With holidays right around the corner and a crisper feel in the air I thought it would be the perfect time to share one of my favorite holiday beverages on the blog this week. I love sitting around a bonfire with family and friends sipping on a warm glass of properly steeped mulled wine. There are thousands of variations of this recipe, so feel free to add your own personal touches where you see fit. Mulled wine is a heated (never boiled) wine, infused with fruit, spices, … [Read more...] about Festive Mulled Wine
Which Grow Light is Best for Me?
-Cole O'Donnell- Lighting is perhaps the most important consideration when moving a garden indoors. With so many options on the market today, choosing the right lighting setup for your indoor garden space can be daunting. Whether your intention is simply to keep plants in a state of dormancy, or extend the growing season in order to flower or fruit, there are a number of simple measures that can be taken to ensure success. When helping guide our customers, we always start with a few basic … [Read more...] about Which Grow Light is Best for Me?
