Not all water is created equal when it comes to keeping houseplants healthy. The water you pour from the tap can carry chlorine, chloramine, fluoride, and dissolved minerals that build up in soil over months, while rainwater and distilled water each solve some problems and create others. Here’s how to choose the right source for…
Overwatering is the single most common way houseplants die, which is why so many gadgets promise to take the guesswork out of watering. But do moisture meters actually work, and are they better than simply using your finger? Here’s an honest look at each method. The Finger Test Pushing a finger 1–2 inches into the…
Photo: BernaBotto (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: PumpkinSky (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Andrey Butko (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons) Light, Warmth, and Soil Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a warmth-loving annual herb that needs at least six hours of bright light a day, either from a sunny windowsill or an outdoor bed. It…
Photo: Kolforn (Kolforn) I’d appreciate if you could mail me (Kolforn@gmail.com) if you want to use this pi (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Acabashi (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Kolforn (Kolforn) I’d appreciate if you could mail me (Kolforn@gmail.com) if you want to use this pi (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Origins and…
Photo: Naturpuur (CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Netha Hussain (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Dr. Jan Hinrichs-Berger, LTZ Augustenberg Referat 33 Karlsruhe (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Popular Thyme Varieties Thyme comes in dozens of species and cultivars, but a few stand out for home gardens. Common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is the classic…
Photo: AnemoneProjectors (talk) (CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Peachyeung316 (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Jamo Photography (CC0, Wikimedia Commons) Mint (Mentha) is one of the easiest herbs to grow — often too easy, since its notorious spreading habit has ruined many an open garden bed. Grown correctly, though, whether in a pot or…
Photo: BernaBotto (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: PumpkinSky (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Andrey Butko (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons) Choosing the Right Spot A south- or west-facing window that gets at least four to six hours of direct sun is the best starting point for an indoor herb garden. During the shorter,…
Photo: fir0002 flagstaffotos [at] gmail.com Canon 20D + Sigma 150mm f/2.8 (GFDL 1.2, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Softeis (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Len Worthington (CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons) Growing your own tomatoes doesn’t require a large garden — a sunny balcony or terrace is more than enough space for a productive harvest of…
Photo: H. Zell (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: University of Georgia Plant Pathology , University of Georgia, Bugwood.org (CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Schlaghecken Josef (CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Growing Cucumbers: From Seed to a Crisp Harvest in Your Own Garden Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) are a refreshing summer classic that belongs in…
Photo: Serigalakampus (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Ianaré Sévi (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Hbrosche (CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Why Regular Potting Soil Doesn’t Work Standard potting soil is formulated to hold moisture and nutrients around fine, fibrous roots — exactly the opposite of what orchids and cacti need. Packed, moisture-retentive soil…
