-Naomi Austin- There are a lot of opinions out there when it comes to bonsai plants -- so many, that it can be a bit intimidating to approach this deeply enjoyable pastime. But trust me, once you get started, you’ll have a hard time foregoing the pleasure that bonsai gardening affords you. It can be so calming to focus on small spaces and intricate details, creating and trimming your tiny worlds in a pot. Let me start by saying that I am not a “Bonsai Master”. I have learned how to pot … [Read more...] about Beginning with Bonsai
Blog
Growing Microgreens Indoors – It’s Easier Than You Might Think!
-Mike Weeks- Growing food indoors might seem intimidating, but it is something that you can incorporate into any homestead. Using LED or even T5 fluorescent lighting, it is very easy to set up a small growing space that doesn’t require much energy to produce quality results. This single indoor space can serve several purposes: growing plant starts for the outdoor garden; keeping a few herbs around through winter; supplying supplemental lighting for a house plant or two; or growing my favorite … [Read more...] about Growing Microgreens Indoors – It’s Easier Than You Might Think!
Magical, Marvelous Air Plants
-Gabrial House- There is no easier way to brighten up a room than with tillandsia, a.k.a. air plants! They can add all sorts of colors, shapes, and textures to any house, workspace, or chill space. Air plants are native to forests, mountains, and deserts of the southeastern United States, the Caribbean, northern Mexico, Mesoamerica, and parts of Argentina. Tillandsia will pretty much grow onto anything their seedpods can land on. They are commonly seen growing on trees, rock walls, … [Read more...] about Magical, Marvelous Air Plants
Using Enzymes In Brewing Production
-Ryan Blankenship- Enzymes have been used in beer production for some time now, whether for gluten reduction, turning some non-fermentable sugar into fermentable sugar, or increasing clarity. For brewing, enzymes can, among other things, increase starch liquefaction and saccharification, which in turn increases the production of fermentable sugars. These enzymes can also help reduce viscosity, support yeast during the fermentation process, and even extend the shelf-life of a beer. In … [Read more...] about Using Enzymes In Brewing Production
The Lowdown on Food Fermentation
-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!
