Creating a diverse garden is a great way to create ecosystems that are sustainable and resilient. Diversity is used in sustainable farming practices such as agroforestry and polyculture. You can create diversity in your backyard gardens too. Growing a variety of herbs, shrubs, trees, flowers and vegetables has a lot of benefits. Benefits of a diverse garden 1. Improves soil fertility Growing different variety of plants leads to a significant…
Permaculture can be described as designing landscapes by replicating patterns that are found in nature that benefit man and the environment. The word permaculture is from “ permanent agriculture”. Bill Mollison and David Holmgren are the founders of permaculture. Permaculture designs can be used in various fields. They are more sustainable and benefit humans. There are 12 permaculture principles and they can be used in any field. Be it having…
Mulching is a process of covering the soil with a layer of material to improve soil health. It can be done using either organic or inorganic material. Organic material includes dry leaves, grass clippings, straw and wood chips. Inorganic material includes pebbles, plastic and rubber. Microorganisms feed on organic mulch and in turn improve soil health. Mulching can be done throughout the year. Mulching the plants during summer helps to…
Okra or lady’s finger is a flowering plant that is cultivated all year round in temperate climates. It is one of the drought-resistant vegetables that grows well even in clay soil. It is not frost-tolerant. Okra is a good source of Vitamin C and Vitamin K and it contains moderate levels of Thiamine, Folate and Magnesium. It is easy to grow okra from seeds. Growing conditions for okra You can…
Hot pepper plants or Chillies are commonly used as a spice to flavour dishes. They are easy to grow in containers and you can get lots of them from a single plant. They can be grown easily when you plant them at the right temperature and soil conditions. Hot pepper plants grow well when the weather is warm and dry. The optimum temperature needed is between 20 to 28° C…
Growing cover crops in your garden is an excellent way to improve soil fertility and health. Besides that they prevent weed growth, attract beneficial insects and pollinators, control soil erosion and soil compaction, prevent diseases and pests, and promote biodiversity. Cover crops are cost-effective and do not need much maintenance. They can be planted four weeks before the first frost date. Types of Cover crops 1.Grass Grass grows a lot…
The food that we eat today is grown by using tons of pesticides. This has the potential to harm our health. Organic food is more expensive. Having your own garden where you can grow your own vegetables is not only healthy but also cheap. If you are a beginner and don’t know exactly what to grow in your garden, then this article can help you. Easy vegetables to grow in…
Are you planning to grow your food by having a kitchen garden? Then knowing how to make compost can help you to nourish your plants. Although garden stores sell them, homemade compost is cost-effective and helps to recycle your kitchen waste. It is quite easy and you don’t have to spend a lot of money on buying the necessary tools. You can make nutrient-rich compost by following these simple steps.…
Mentha also called mint is a perennial herb that does not require much care and is very easy to grow. Growing mint in your garden can repel insects, rodents, and ants. The optimum temperature for growing mint is between 13-21°C (55-69°F). It grows well in moist, well-drained soil that contains lots of organic content. You can also grow this herb in pots. You will need a pot that is at…
A food forest is a food production system that mimics natural woodland ecosystems. It is also called as forest gardening. Woodlands have trees and shrubs however in food forests trees and shrubs are replaced with fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers. These can be consumed by humans. Forest gardening has been practised by indigenous people for a very long time. Unlike modern agriculture that has had disastrous effects over a long…
