-Chris Amaya- With spring almost over, and the sun soon to be getting too hot for comfort during mid-day, its easy to accidentally forget to water the garden. Fortunately there is a natural buffer that allows plants to stay hydrated longer while simultaneously benefiting soil biology. Mulching the areas around established plants before pesky weeds can germinate will be your saving grace this season. Without mulching, these small, weedy plants can turn into big competition for your … [Read more...] about Mulch Much?
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Brew Review: Blichmann RipTide Brewing Pump
There are a handful of purchases that I’ve made in my 10 years of brewing experience that stand out for their impact on the quality of my homebrew and on decreasing the effort it takes to make it. If I had to name a number one, then it would most definitely be a brewing pump. I can’t think of anything I’ve purchased over the years that has improved my all-grain brewing process to the degree my pump has. There was the expected benefit of not having to physically transfer hot liquids from one … [Read more...] about Brew Review: Blichmann RipTide Brewing Pump
DIY Terrariums | Just In Time for Mother’s Day
-Kristin Weeks- Terrariums make a great gift for just about any occasion, and with Mother’s Day coming up this weekend, we thought we’d turn this week’s blog post into a tutorial for creating the perfect terrarium! What exactly is a terrarium? Terrariums are miniature, self-contained ecosystems that make beautiful focal points, are simple to care for, and act as a reminder of our connection to the outdoors. Terrariums can be created in everything from a small spice jar to large blown … [Read more...] about DIY Terrariums | Just In Time for Mother’s Day
Is Silica In Your Nutrient Line Up?
-Gabrial House- This week on the blog, I wanted to talk about a great supplement to add to your nutrient solution. Silica can work wonders on your plants, protecting them from heat stress, water drought, pests, and even help pack on more fruit for your harvest. This just might be the missing supplement that you are looking for! Silica is used to reinforce plant cell walls in leaves, fruits/flowers, branches, and stalks. This reinforcement leads to an increased ability to efficiently … [Read more...] about Is Silica In Your Nutrient Line Up?
Raised-Bed Gardening
-Patrick Metz- I am getting ready to start a new garden plot. For years I have employed a technique known as double-digging to get started. The concept is simple and effective. The goal: create a deep bed of loose, well-amended soil without harming and undoing the work of the biology already in the soil - earthworms, microbes, fungi. This technique creates a beautifully cultivated plot and an excellent rooting zone for your future plants. So what's the catch? It is labor intensive and … [Read more...] about Raised-Bed Gardening
All Grain Brewing: Step Mash vs. Single Infusion
-Ryan Blankenship- All great beer begins with the mash. So what actually happens when we’re mashing grain? In a nutshell, the mash is a process in which malted grains are mixed with water at a specific ratio, temperatures, and pH in order to activate the enzymes in the malt and convert the starches in the grain into fermentable sugars. If grain goes unmalted, then the starches bound in the grain are inaccessible to yeast due to the size of the molecule. This can sometimes be desirable, … [Read more...] about All Grain Brewing: Step Mash vs. Single Infusion
Growing, Blending and Brewing Herbal Teas
-Pam Scott- I truly love the jolt of drinking a strong cup of Earl Grey tea; it sends me into a creative whirlwind like nothing else. A pot of strong black tea has been the elixir to kick start my day and offer an intense “pick me up” for almost half a century. But .. alas, this roller coaster ride of caffeine can have its consequences when it comes to stable blood pressure and healthy digestion. Growing, blending and brewing my own herbal teas has led me to a new appreciation of the … [Read more...] about Growing, Blending and Brewing Herbal Teas
Tips & Tricks to Beat the Summer Heat for Your Indoor Grow Space
-Gabrial House- Summer is right around the corner, and while that is exciting news for the outdoor gardener, some indoor growers will be cursing the heat. One of the big problems for indoor growers is their heat footprint from their grow lights. In this blog we are going to talk about some easy ways to beat the heat! Whether you’rr starting a new grow space or already using an established space, we will look at some tips and tricks to keep your room in full summer swing. If you are … [Read more...] about Tips & Tricks to Beat the Summer Heat for Your Indoor Grow Space
Growing Fruit at Home
-Luis Guerra- Ahhhh! There’s nothing like eating a fresh-picked piece of fruit or a handful of berries, warmed by the sun and perfectly ripe. Especially if it’s in the comfort of your own yard. The nice cool temperatures of spring offer the perfect opportunity to get started planting some edible perennials on your property so you can enjoy the delicious bounty these plants offer. A number of fruit-bearing plants grow very well in our area in small spaces and with little effort, … [Read more...] about Growing Fruit at Home
Intro to Kegging Beer
-Tyler Newman- In this blog post, I will address the basic steps of kegging, so that you can safely and properly keg your delicious beer! Before I get to the specifics, it’s good to remember that brewing is mostly cleaning. Every piece of your brewing equipment needs to be cleaned AND sanitized before each piece’s involvement in brewing your beer. First, we clean! I suggest using a product called PBW (Powdered Brewery Wash) to clean all the organic and inorganic material that has built … [Read more...] about Intro to Kegging Beer
