Welcome back to our “Year in the Organic Garden Series!” In July, we were watering, fertilizing, harvesting and even getting started on our Fall gardens. If you missed the post, or want to refresh your memory, please take a look at July in the Organic Garden. In August, our Summer garden’s harvest is at its peak and the transition to Fall gardening is imminent. Read on for our suggestions on how to make the most of the month. As always, we welcome your own comments, questions and … [Read more...] about A Year in the Organic Garden – August
Organic Gardening
Growing Healthy and Beautiful Roses… Organically!
Roses are one of the most beloved flowers in the world, known for their beauty, fragrance, and symbolism. However, growing and maintaining roses requires proper care to ensure they thrive. Oftentimes people think that growing beautiful roses requires using synthetic pesticides and fertilizer. In fact, there are Organic products that will help to keep your roses healthy, and your garden and soil happy too! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, these tips will help you cultivate … [Read more...] about Growing Healthy and Beautiful Roses… Organically!
Ten Steps to Make Your Garden More Sustainable and Earth-friendly
In honor of Earth Day, we’re sharing ten steps you can take to make your garden more sustainable and Earth-friendly. You’ll notice that many of these tips are linked to each other. For example, if you mulch or add compost to your garden, your plants will require less water and will thrive much more easily in the summer heat. If those plants are native, they’ll provide food for pollinators, which in turn increases garden yields and health. In nature, everything is related, which means even small … [Read more...] about Ten Steps to Make Your Garden More Sustainable and Earth-friendly
It’s All About Mulch
Summer is here! And so is the heat! Watering is critical as always, but there’s a simple thing you can do to help keep your garden in great shape…Mulch! We’re fans of mulching in our organic gardens during the summer months. Mulch helps moderate soil temperatures, controls exposed soil erosion, prevents nutrient depletion from water runoff, mitigates weeds and retains moisture for thirsty plants. Applying a nice 2-inch to 3-inch layer of mulch on top of exposed soil will simultaneously … [Read more...] about It’s All About Mulch
Gardening with Kids–Making it Work!
Gardening has been great for my kids. It helps their bodies – maybe they will try that vegetable that they grow on their own. It helps their minds – learning where food comes from and how it grows. And it helps their souls – time outside and the sense of accomplishment that comes when that first seed sprouts! We have also hit a few hurdles on our journey, so we keep it simple – the attention span of a 6-8 year old is not lengthy enough for some of the more advanced techniques out there. We … [Read more...] about Gardening with Kids–Making it Work!
Building Raised Beds on a Slope
Hi all! Sometimes we get questions from folks that want to build raised beds, but aren’t sure how to do so in a sloping space. It is important that your beds be close to level so that water is evenly distributed. Your plants will like that part and it does look better this way too! So, we rolled up our sleeves and took a run at the project. Here’s how we did it and we’re pleased with the results. Hopefully you’ll find this information helpful and if you’ve got tips on how we could have … [Read more...] about Building Raised Beds on a Slope
A Beginner Grows Some Spuds
I found myself with more personal “me” time this past year and was determined to occupy the “free” time with a new hobby. Enter the world of gardening…oh boy! There’s a lot going on with that word “gardening.” Simple, rewarding, economic, healthy they all said, and yes, while these things are true – there’s so much to this hobby called gardening! Determined never-the-less, I decided to start my “garden” with some “easy” to grow potatoes. Simple, tasty, and inexpensive (btw, groceries are … [Read more...] about A Beginner Grows Some Spuds
Soooooo Many Hops!
Today’s post is a conversation with Steve from Winston-Salem, NC. In his spare time, he is an organic gardener and home brewer. He’s also kind enough to shop at FSG (Thank you!). Steve has been growing his own hops for a few years now and we thought it would be fun and useful to get his insights on growing this great plant. We hope you agree! Please introduce yourself to our readers. Hi, well you already shared my name, some of my hobbies and my home town. Other things that … [Read more...] about Soooooo Many Hops!
Hey Grass, Move Over! Make Room for Clover!!
About this time last year I was seeking a new solution to an annual ritual with predictably frustrating results. I’m referring to my Fall habit of preparing the lawn, seeding new grass, tending it carefully, being pleased with the results and then watching it all die just as soon as the heat of the next Summer arrives. One of my colleagues here at FSG suggested that I overseed my lawn with clover as a potential solution to my problem. I did a little research and found out that clover … [Read more...] about Hey Grass, Move Over! Make Room for Clover!!
A Guide to Healthy, Organically-Grown Tomatoes 2023
This article was originally published in 2017, it has been updated with new information and product links. As always, please leave us your comments below! -Pam Scott- I love tomatoes! Canning them, freezing them, drying them, pickling them, roasting them and saucing them is my idea of fun. Tomatoes, basil and mozzarella define the taste of summer for me. Growing up in cool, dry, New England, I spent most every August canning tomatoes with my mother. You can imagine my despair when … [Read more...] about A Guide to Healthy, Organically-Grown Tomatoes 2023
