Do you find yourself wanting to plant a garden every year, but you don’t know how to start? Are you afraid that all your work won’t yield results?

A well-planned garden can save you from many problems, including attacks from pests and diseases.

Here are a few handy tips to keep in mind before you pick up a trowel or open a seed packet.

Plan Your Garden

A complete plan to plant a healthy garden will save you a lot of time and energy later. Everything is important, from selecting the right place for a garden to choosing what you can grow according to the season. Seeds are usually sown in spring, while fall is favorable for planting trees, shrubs, bulbs, and some other perennials.

First decide what kind of garden you want to grow: a fruit garden, a vegetable garden, or a flower garden. Know when to sow and when to reap. Select your planting area according to your plants’ need for sunshine.

It is your garden and it is up to you to plant whatever you wish, but in the beginning, I would suggest that you start on a small scale. Once you understand the nature of your plants, it’s easier to expand the boundaries of your garden.

Clean up the Area

You need to clean up the area where you are planning yourgarden. You can get rid of the sod covering by smothering it with newspaper. Place a layer of five sheets of newspaper with a 3-inch layer of compost (or combination of potting soil and topsoil) on it and then wait for about four months to let the compost and paper to decompose.

 Your Soil Matters A Lot

If you know your soil type, then you can easily manage it and get the best out of it. The three basic types are sand, silt, and clay. And if you can’t recognize which one is yours, then take a sample to a nearby nursery or garden center.

Soil needs a boost as well, which can be done by adding some simple organic matter to it. Such organic material includes the addition of a 2- to 3 inch-wide layer of compost, decayed leaves, dry grass clippings, or old manure. It enhances the nutrient level and encourages life-giving soil microbes and worms.

Know when to dig the soil. Digging loosens the soil so roots can penetrate more easily, but digging when the soil is too wet or too dry can ruin its structure. You should dig only when the soil is moist enough to form a loose ball in your fist, but dry enough to fall apart when you drop it.

Mulch, One of Your Garden’s Best Friends

Sun, rain, and mulch are known as the best friends of a garden. A couple of inches of mulch will help keep weeds out and water in. The different sorts of mulch that are available include pine needles, cocoa hulls,and bark chips. For a vegetable garden or bed of annuals, you may choose a mulch that decomposes in a few months. Longer-lasting mulch, such as bark chips, is used for perennials.

Bring Seedlings Home

Bring all the seedlings outdoors (whether home grown or store bought) and expose them to a steadily increasing amount of sun, wind, and temperatures lower or higher than what they were used to indoors. This process of hardening off gradually introduces seedlings to the conditions in your garden. This process may take about 2 weeks.

When to Plant

The ideal time to plant is when there is rain in the forecast and no frost or heat waves expected. In case forecasts are not that helpful, try to plant in the late afternoon or early evening to minimize the time the seedlings bake in the sun. The day before you planting anything, water the soil to keep it moist.

Planting

You should know which species to plant together depending on their similar requirements of soil, light and nutrients. You can either plant a single type or multiple types. Planting different species together may eliminate the risk of attacks from plant-specific pests.

Keep some space between your plants. Spacing is good for their growth and the bare patches can be filled with flowering plants.

Water Wise

(Infographic to the left – Why Gardening Is Good For Your Health).

The most important element in a plant’s life is water. Seedlings should never dry out; they should be watered daily while they are small. New transplants also need frequent watering, every other day or so, until their roots become firm. The rest of the water requirements depend on your soil and climate.

Watering should be done slowly and deeply. The way you water a plant determines its health.

Pests and Diseases

Once you have decided to plant certain species, make sure you know what kind of pests and diseases attack them. Find organic ways to keep your plants healthy enough to avoid any such problem. And be prepared to tackle their arrival. It is better to know your problem beforehand.

And the Hard Work Continues…

A healthy garden is not a single day’s job. You have to keep watering your plants properly and keep maintaining your garden.  Fertilizers may change according to the season, and you will need to fertilize the soil halfway through the season. Keep up with your plants’ needs and take care of them.

Get ready to have a garden of your own and rejoice in your success. You just need to keep investing time and effort. It will all pay off when the plants grow and you can sit back and enjoy the blessing of having your very own garden. A little hard work today will bring plenty of joy later.

Further Reading:

• Planning Your Organic Garden
• DIY Solutions for the Garden
• How to Start a Vegetable Garden – How to Grow Vegetables
• 5 Natural Pest Remedies for Your Garden
• Medicinal Herb Garden – What To Grow and How To Keep It Growing All Winter
• How to Make Your Own Compost Tea

Gardening has been largely a lost art form with plots drying up and being replaced in favour of lawns, parking lots, and other commercial endeavours. People have decided to completely forego the skill of gardening in favour of completely depending on large scale farming operations to produce their food. The implications of this trend are now starting to be seen, and they could be disastrous. It’s time to shift back to our agrarian roots. It’s time to understand how gardening can save us and the world.

Fresh and Organic Food

When one relies on the conventional food system, it is difficult to find food that is both fresh and organic. Organic food is becoming more mainstream in many parts of the world, but it is still a very small percentage of the overall food that is made available. Fresh is a near impossibility for most, as the elapsed time between harvest and consumer availability is often anywhere between 2-4 weeks.

The only way to help solve this problem is to either produce some of your own food, and/or rely on local organic farmers markets to get your food both fresh and organic. With good food management and preservation skills, this seasonal activity could help feed you and your family for several months, and even up to a year.

Once a person gets a taste of organic and fresh food, they will have little to no desire to go back to the conventional system. Not only that, fresh organic food is at the peak of its nutritional value and can deliver multiplied benefits that could literally save someone’s health.

Known Origin of Food

Another issue with the food on most people’s plates today is that they have no idea where that food originated and what has happened to it from the farmer to the fridge.

Is the food you are eating TRULY organic? What type of soil was it grown in? Where has it been stored, and how has it been transported? How long has it been from harvest to your plate? Has there been anything done to preserve it, and if so, what?

These are all questions that are easily answered when someone decides to grow their own food or puts their faith in a farmer that they personally know and trust, and can visit! Anything outside of these methods leaves the consumer in the dark and creates forced faith.

When one knows the origin of their food, they know its wholesomeness with little question, and that can be a game changer in optimizing one’s health.

Gardening is Therapeutic

Anyone who has spent a short time in a garden will quickly realize how therapeutic it can be to the mind, body, and soul. The fresh smells, sights, and sounds that can be picked up around a garden is something to envy.

Simply being at one with nature and its miracle, along with the act of physically connecting to the soil (also known as grounding), is very healing and can provide a gardener with multiple benefits that can never be obtained from picking up your food from the local supermarket.

Get in a garden, get grounded, and express gratitude. This is a simple process that can help you regain your health.

Gardening Develops Survival Skills

One thing that seems to be lacking in today’s society is survival skills. In the last 30 years, we have been taught survival skills such as clipping coupons, looking for sales, and refrigerating food.

Gardening is a core skill that should never be lost. The ability to produce food is something that should never be taken for granted, as it is a skill that may be required in times of financial hardship and supply disruptions. If one doesn’t know how to garden, either situation could be catastrophic.

Gardening is clearly an activity that could save a family, and many like them, should either scenario occur.

Gardening is Sustainable

Industrial farming practices have placed the burden on a very small percentage of people to produce food for the rest of the world. As a result, engineered seeds, chemicals, pollution, resource and soil depletion, as well as farmer burn out has occured.

There is no need to put that amount of pressure on such a small number of producers, and it can’t be continued. The best case scenario is that production doesn’t fall off, but the world ends up with food that is denatured, toxic, and completely malnourishing. This could take a terrible toll on the world and could spell the end of civilization as we know it.

Gardening is much more sustainable. Even the ability to produce up to 10% of our own food needs could dramatically reduce that burden and create more natural agricultural practices that are working with nature, not against it.

This may be one of the most important acts we can do in our lifetime, to save ourselves and the planet.

We all need a chance to wind down and relax after a long day of work or caring for our families. Gardens are a backyard getaway of sorts, allowing us to enjoy nature and take pride in our ability to better the world around us. However, when pests invade, that peaceful little oasis can turn into a battleground. Rather than purchasing costly and potentially dangerous pesticides, give natural pest control a try. It often works just as well as chemical products, and it is better for you and the environment. These five remedies will help you get your garden back.

Prevent Pests from Invading

Don’t wait for pests to become an issue. Keep them from coming to your yard in the first place by ridding your garden of any weeds or debris, two places where insects like to breed. In addition, get rid of infected or failing plants. Finally, focus on building healthy soil so your plants can thrive. Engage in mulching and composting, and use natural fertilizer to top-dress your soil.

Create a Garlic Spray

If you are dealing with aphids, whiteflies or spider mites, a garlic oil spray should take care of the problem. Soak 10 cloves of minced garlic in two teaspoons of mineral oil. Allow it to sit for at least one full day. Using a strainer, separate the garlic and mineral oil. Mix the garlic with two and a half cups of water and one teaspoon of liquid dish soap. Combine and add to a spray bottle. Put the mixture on all of your plants for best results.

Attract “Good” Insects

There are certain insects, like ladybugs and lacewings, which prey on the pests you want to keep out of your garden. There are two ways to get these helpful creatures on your side: you can purchase them and bring them in yourself, or you can add specific plants to your garden to attract the helpful insects that you need.

Ladybugs, for example, eat mites, aphids and whiteflies. They like yarrow, tansy or daisy plants. Lacewings also help control aphid populations, and they are attracted to goldenrod, yarrow, and asters. If you are having a caterpillar problem, plant carrots, Queen Anne’s lace, or even parsley. These plants will draw in chalcids and brachonids, which should eliminate your caterpillar population.

Mix a Soap Solution

If the garlic spray mentioned above requires too much preparation for you, try mixing up a soap solution instead. It will also help with aphids, whiteflies and spider mites and involves just two ingredients: soap flakes and water. Pour eight and a half cups of warm water into a container and allow two tablespoons of soap flakes to dissolve inside. Measure the soap out carefully; too much could damage your plants. Take the solution and apply it to the problem areas once a week.

Set Up Traps and Barriers

There are a number of traps and barriers that can help in your battle against bugs. A cloche protects your young plants from pests; it resembles a small greenhouse. Yellow flypaper works well when it comes to whiteflies and aphids. And, there are pheromone traps available as well, but since they are very effective at attracting insects, you only want to use them along the perimeter of your garden.

Natural pest control is a great alternative to pesticides. With a little bit of work, you can reclaim your garden and get back to doing what you enjoy.

Further Reading:

• Planning Your Organic Garden
• DIY Solutions for the Garden
• How to Start a Vegetable Garden – How to Grow Vegetables
• Medicinal Herb Garden – What To Grow and How To Keep It Growing All Winter
• Ten Great Gardening Tips
• How to Make Your Own Compost Tea

1. Cayenne Pepper – Most cats have an aversion to cayenne pepper. Sprinkling a small amount around your planter can help keep the kitties away from the plant itself.

2. Aquarium Gravel – Unlike other surfaces, gravel is much too grainy for cats to really get comfortable on. It not only makes an uncomfortable bed, they  do not like the feel of the rocks on the pads of their feet. A thin layer on your top soil can be enough to keep them out of the planter.

3. Mesh Screening – Window screen is actually cheap if you purchase it in a roll. By using a few pieces of wood, you can create a mesh box around your plants. TA mesh box will allow sunlight and water in, while keeping kitties out. .

4. Citrus Peels – Citrus peels are a potent way to keep cats at bay. Place peels around your planters or gardens to provide a layer of protection for your plants. Once they dry, these peels double as compost filling in your garden.

5. Tin Foil – Tin foil is another texture that cats find unappealing. Some people have had a degree of success deterring cats by placing sheets of it on or around the area.

6. Coffee Grounds – Kitties don’t like the smell of coffee grounds. Sprinkle them around your garden and most cats will move on to another space.

7. Spray Bottle – And then there is always behavior modification. Arm yourself with a spray bottle and squirt every cat that comes near your garden. They will soon learn that your garden is off limits.

It is in a cat’s nature to use prefer soft soil for a litter box or a bed.  By making the area as uncomfortable or unappealing as possible, you greatly reduce the chance of your planters being used as bathrooms or beds. While not all of the above suggestions will work for every cat, each has been used with varying degrees of success. If any other methods have worked for you, please comment, and let us know.

Holy Basil or Tulsi is one of the most powerful herbs alive.  The name “Tulsi” means “The Incomparable One” because of its unique health benefits.  The herb was a staple of Hindu mythology and considered sacred by the Indian royalty.  Modern science has shown that this distinctive herb is incredibly good for balancing the mind, body, and spirit.

Holy basil, a variety of Ocimum basilicum (basil), is a small shrub with scented leaves that is a part of the mint or Labiatae family.  It grows wildly throughout south Asia where the natives in these areas have been using it for centuries.  It is known to help the bodily systems adapt, balance, and increase resilience.

The Adaptogenic SuperStar!

Holy basil is known in natural medicine as an adaptogenic herb in that it helps the body better adapt to stress.  Adaptogenic herbs don’t affect an individual’s mood, but they help the body function at its optimal level during times of stress.  They do this by modulating the production of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.

Chronic, low-grade stress is a modern day epidemic that creates sluggish metabolism, chronic inflammation, and abnormal immunity.  High cortisol creates digestive problems and leaky gut syndrome, increased appetite, weight gain, thyroid disorders, and accelerated brain degeneration.  This is commonly found in the brains of those with anxiety disorders, depression, and other physchological disorders.  Many auto-immune conditions also link to chronically elevated stress hormone production as a catalyst for abnormal immune response.

Stabilize Cortisol Levels

One of the key components that adaptogenic herbs offer is their ability to lower and stabilize cortisol levels.  High cortisol drains the precursers to major hormones such as testosterone, progesterone and estrogen.  With less than adequate raw materials, the body becomes sex hormone deficient.  This process rapidly accelerates the aging process and makes an individual’s life miserable.

Healthy individuals have stable cortisol levels that naturally spike in the morning and then level off and stay consistently low during the day before tapering at night.  This allows us to wake up with energy in the morning and maintain that energy until nightfall when we should naturally be gearing down and getting ready for sleep.  Stable cortisol levels result in improved mental clarity and memory.  The individual feels as though they are less agitated and anxious and therefore able to perform better and have higher quality of life.

Holy Basil Contains Powerful Anti-Oxidants

Holy Basil is rich in aromatic essential oils that have powerful effects on the body.  These phytonutrient rich oils include ursolic acid, rosmarinic acid, caryophyllene, and eugenol, among others.  These oils have a great smell that naturally boosts mood and spirit.  Eugenol has been shown in studies to combat stress and enhance mental clarity.

Holy Basil acts to modulate stress levels and blood sugar levels by stabilizing cortisol and insulin.   A study out of the Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry indicated that holy basil may reverse some of the damaging effects of diabetes like neuropathy and retinopathy.

Holy Basil contains vitamin C, vitamin A, and essential oils, which are all anti-oxidants that scavenge free radicals in the body, improving cellular integrity, blood flow, and genetic expression.   It is particularly good for cardiovascular health and brain function, as it helps protect against heart disease and brain degeneration.

Holy Basil Helps the Immune Coordination

Holy basil helps to strengthen the body’s immune system, helping it to fight off opportunistic parasites such as Candida, viruses, and MRSA staph infections.   As an adaptogen, it is able to modulate the immune system by turning it up higher when it is necessary to fight a toxic invader.  It also has the ability to quiet down the immune system to reduce unnecessary inflammation.

The strength and coordination of the immune system plays a very important role in preventing and destroying cancer cell growth.  A 2007 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food described holy basil’s ability to combat the development of cancer. The herb significantly reduced the formation of cancerous micronuclei, while increasing antioxidant levels and healthy enzyme activity.

Breakthrough Technology for Herbal Botanicals

My favorite way to consume Holy Basil is in its fermented form, from Beyond Organic Terrain liquid herbals.  These unique products unlock the full nutritional potential of the Holy Basil by putting it through an intense 3-month fermentation process. The Sacred Herbs Terrain combines the extraordinary adptogenic benefits of fermented holy basil with the incredible anti-inflammatory and cancer killing properties of turmeric.

Related Products & Reading:

• Holy Basil – Green Lifestyle Market
• Detox Cheap and Easy Without Fasting – Recipes Included
• Holistic Guide to Healing the Endocrine System and Balancing Our Hormones
• Candida, Gut Flora, Allergies, and Disease
• Gluten, Candida, Leaky Gut Syndrome, and Autoimmune Diseases
• Hypothyroidism – Natural Remedies, Causes, and How To Heal the Thyroid

Sources For This Article Include: 

• http://www.medicinehunter.com/holy-basil
• http://www.beyondorganicinsider.com/2013/02/holy-basil.html
• http://www.naturalnews.com/033798_ashwagandha_adaptogen.html

Soil 101 – Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K)

Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are the three main staples, the top three macro nutrients, of any soil and any garden. They are essential for plant growth, so keeping them at the correct levels is very important. But how the hell do you get these three elements into your soil?

Let’s start with number one, nitrogen.

Nitrogen

Nitrogen is indeed the number one constituent for healthy growth in your plants. It is what basically makes up chlorophyll and it gives us that fresh green colour in our plants. It is a huge part of our atmospheric surrounds, but it cannot be utilised in this form by plants, which I’ll explain more about later in “nitrogen fixing”.

Nitrogen comes in both natural and synthetic forms, the latter being common commercial fertilisers and common shelf products like urea. The problem with these synthetic forms (besides the massive amount of oil that go into their manufacture) is the overdose amounts a lot of farmers dump on their crops.

Yes, you can have too much nitrogen. This excess simply runs off and eventually seeps into the soil where it joins the ground water and contaminates it. It will usually be marketed as a “nitrate” or “sulphate”. Often, crops that have been over fertilised with nitrogen lack stability and the rapid green growth of the plant soon outweighs its lagging root system, much like the legs of a commercial chicken. The plant eventually gives way and generally dies off, usually with a good amount of burning appearing on the leaves as well.

If there isn’t enough nitrogen in the soil, the opposite can happen. The leaves/plants won’t grow. Their existing leaves will turn a patchy yellow colour and they’ll soon die off randomly.

Well, that all sounds rather bleak doesn’t it? How then do you get nitrogen into your soil naturally and organically? I’m glad you asked.

One lovely example is through “nitrogen fixing”, through “weeds” like clover or legumes such as peas, beans etc. What these wonderful plants do is fix atmospheric nitrogen (N2) to the ground in tiny nodules on their root systems, which are actually symbiotic bacteria called rhizobia. This bacteria is behind the actual process of fixing the gas to the plant. When the plant dies, this fixed nitrogen is released into the soil as it breaks down and can be taken up by other plants.

We can take advantage of this process by planting beans, peas etc in our garden beds from the onset, After they’ve grown, we can simply cut them off at the base and let the root systems break down into the soil, the top half we can compost or put back onto the beds to break down,  after you’ve harvested your peas/beans of course!

I even plant broad beans around my fruit trees in winter. This way I get a crop of beans, the tree’s root system benefits from the beans’ root system breaking down, and the plant itself contributes to the mulch.

I still follow the guidelines of crop rotation with my beans and peas, I try to cycle the type of pea/bean I plant on a four year rotation. So if I plant peas under one tree or in one bed, I won’t plant those peas there for another four years, This reduces the risk of pest and disease build up in the ground.

Other sources of nitrogen include, compost, manure, lawn clippings, blood and bone. See the end of the article for directions.

Phosphorus

Around 75-80% of phosphorus that is mined today is used to make commercial fertiliser as it is most common in solid form. See what I mean about oil/mining being a big player in the fertiliser industry? Phosphate occurs naturally after the breaking down of plant (and animal) matter so composts can be a good source of it, as the whole phosphorus cycle is a very slow one.

Regular introduction of compost can keep phosphorus at good levels. If you have low levels of it in your garden, the effects will be obvious. Your plants will hardly flower and leaves can take on an unnatural green tinge or darken off. Phosphorus is the “building block” of your plant’s growth system, which it takes in through its root system. So it’s important to have good amounts of it in there.

Phosphorous: Compost, manure, blood and bone. See the end of the article for directions.

Potassium

Commonly referred to as potash, this is what your plants and trees need to produce abundant flowers and in turn, fruit. It is also the main nutrient that plants use to get water from the soil and keep it in their leaves and stems. Prior to flowering, many gardeners will sprinkle a small handful of potash around the drip line of their trees (or any plant that produces through flowering) to increase the amount of blossom it produces. Potassium is also commonly labelled as potassium sulphate, though the organic gardener wouldn’t touch it in this form.

Most find that they don’t need to specifically add potassium to their gardens as it occurs naturally in manures and most organic fertilisers, though in small amounts (2-5%). It’s usually enough for the soil to get its fix if added at regular intervals. Blood and bone, rock minerals, potash, and wood ash all contain potassium that will be slowly absorbed into the soil.

Plants that are deficient in potassium will yellow slightly at the leaf edges. A good percentage will simply die off.

Good sources of potassium: manure, potash, blood and bone, rock minerals.

How to Add These Nutrients to Your Garden

Compost and manure can be added to a depth of say 2” on your beds or roughly 3-4 shovel fulls per square metre. You can turn it all over if you like, I prefer to leave it in layers (like lasagna) and let the plants do the work.

For blood and bone, add one handful per square metre. For potash, mix 1 tablespoon in 9 litres of water added to the beds. (This will work great).

For rock minerals, 1-2 handfuls per square metre is what you’ll need.

By rejuvenating your soil after each season with things like compost, manures, and a good handful of blood and bone per square metre, you’ll keep your NPK levels at their best and the results will show in what you grow.  These top three are the main constituents with your soil structure. There are other macro nutrients and micro nutrients that are also found in there as well, but as a rule of thumb, if you look after your NPK, everything else will fall into line. Happy gardening!

Upcycling with Do It Yourself Gardening Techniques

Shelling out money for flower gardening supplies can be a real pain in the grass. For many homeowners, gardening expenses are some of the first to be cut when the going gets tough. Fortunately, do-it-yourself solutions to garden needs can be found all around the house. By recycling and re-purposing old bottles, cans and other materials, you can turn your garden from drab to fab for a fraction of the price.

DIY Planters

Planters are a necessary addition to any garden, and with a little imagination, can be made out of basically anything. All of these supplies can be found around the house or at a thrift store if saving money is your number one priority.

• Boots: Have an old pair of leather boots lying around? Clean them out, fill them with soil and get to planting! If the beat-up-leather look isn’t your thing, throw on a few coats of paint to add some flair.
• Wheelbarrows: Wheelbarrow planters give your garden a rustic, vintage feel. They are typically a bit shabby and run down but chic nonetheless. Plus, they give you plenty of space to plant.
• Wine Bottles: Repurposed wine bottles are all the rage these days. Whether they’re used as drinking glasses, planters or lamps, they make a great addition to your garden. Be careful when making them though, as the glass is sharp and very hazardous.

DIY Birdfeeders

Birdfeeders are a great way to bring some wildlife into your garden. Hummingbirds, and other winged-creatures, are not only pretty to look at, but also aid in the pollination process. By welcoming birds into your garden, you are creating a better habitat and ambiance.

• Tea Cups: Tea cups are adorable, no one can argue that. You may have never expected to see them in a garden, but superglue one to a saucer, fill it with birdseed and voila, you have a super cute, DIY birdfeeder!
• Plastic Bottles: Odds are in elementary school you were told to make a birdfeeder out of a milk carton or liter bottle of soda. Not only are they easy to make, they hold an immense amount of birdseed. Unfortunately they can look a little dingy if not decorated, so be sure to add some color.
• Watermelons: Watermelons in the summer are aplenty. Rather than tossing away your rinds like you always do, etch out some space for some birdseed and hang them from a tree in your backyard. Birds like sweets so a taste of watermelon is sure to encourage repeat visits.  

DIY Outdoor Sofas

Outdoor sofas combine the comfort of indoors, with the tranquility of nature. Although frequently exposed to the elements, outdoor sofas are great for seating guests during outdoor parties or barbecues. If kept covered, they will provide a place to put up your feet for many years to come.

• Cribs: Cribs don’t have to solely be for babies anymore. Once Junior grows out of his crib all it takes is some repurposing and a couple pillows and you have prime garden seating.
• Wood Pallets: Wood pallets have all kinds of uses, many that you wouldn’t expect. If you have some lying around your backyard, stack them up, throw a sheet and a few pillows on them and your guests won’t know the difference.
• Milk Crates: Milk crates are some of the ugliest things you can have around the house. Instead of tossing them out, find a wall to stack them up against. After that, lay a pad on top and you will have a DIY couch worthy of any guest.

Dressing up your garden doesn’t have to break the bank, in fact, sometimes the cheaper option ends up being the best looking in the end. Instead of spending your hard-earned cash on expensive garden décor that’s only going to be weathered over the years, be creative and utilize what you have laying around the house.

If one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, then it won’t be long before that grimy, old wheelbarrow becomes a glimmering beacon of hope among your greens. So, get out there, get a little dirty and turn what was once ugly into dingy, shabby beauty!

Further Reading:

• Planning Your Organic Garden
• How to Start a Vegetable Garden – How to Grow Vegetables
• 5 Natural Pest Remedies for Your Garden
• Medicinal Herb Garden – What To Grow and How To Keep It Growing All Winter
• Ten Great Gardening Tips
• How to Make Your Own Compost Tea