Many herbs add flavor to food. but thats not all. Herbs have natural compounds that have antioxidant, anti inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. All those cool things that benefit our health and help us fight off germs.
Another health benefits of culinary herbs is that they help add flavor without relying heavily on salt, sugar, or processed sauces.
In this article we look at the health benefits of 7 common cooking herbs, how to use them medicinally, and growing tips.
Basil is one of the most popular herbs to grow because it smells and tastes delightful. Basil is used in many kinds of cuisines, as well as for making pesto, all kinds of vinegar, and oils.
Parsnips (Pastinaca sativa) are a root crop, related to carrots and parsley. They are very cold hardy and do well for fall or overwintering. In fact they need a few weeks of cold weather to make them sweeter.
They are very under appreciated and have a sweet nutty flavor. Parsnips take longer then carrots to grow and can be a bit persnickety but I'm going to help you have a great crop.
Apple trees are one of the most rewarding fruit trees to grow in a home garden. They also attract a wide range of pests and diseases. Knowing what to watch for, and how to respond early, makes a big difference.
I have been told by many farmers and that you cant raise apples organically. That is simply not true. In this article I am teaching about three apple pests, codling moth, apple maggot, and gypsy moth, and two fungal diseases, powdery mildew and apple scab. And how to prevent and control them.
If you grow apples, peaches, or plums in the eastern United States, you will likely deal with plum curculio at some point. The plum curculio (Conotrachelus nenuphar) is a native snout beetle that attacks tree fruit. It is small, but it can ruin a crop quickly if ignored.
As organic growers, we do not panic. We learn the life cycle and interrupt it at the right time. That is the key.
Many herbs add flavor to food. but thats not all. Herbs have natural compounds that have antioxidant, anti inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. All those cool things that benefit our health and help us fight off germs.
Another health benefits of culinary herbs is that they help add flavor without relying heavily on salt, sugar, or processed sauces.
In this article we look at the health benefits of 7 common cooking herbs, how to use them medicinally, and growing tips.
Parsnips (Pastinaca sativa) are a root crop, related to carrots and parsley. They are very cold hardy and do well for fall or overwintering. In fact they need a few weeks of cold weather to make them sweeter.
They are very under appreciated and have a sweet nutty flavor. Parsnips take longer then carrots to grow and can be a bit persnickety but I'm going to help you have a great crop.
Apple trees are one of the most rewarding fruit trees to grow in a home garden. They also attract a wide range of pests and diseases. Knowing what to watch for, and how to respond early, makes a big difference.
I have been told by many farmers and that you cant raise apples organically. That is simply not true. In this article I am teaching about three apple pests, codling moth, apple maggot, and gypsy moth, and two fungal diseases, powdery mildew and apple scab. And how to prevent and control them.
If you grow apples, peaches, or plums in the eastern United States, you will likely deal with plum curculio at some point. The plum curculio (Conotrachelus nenuphar) is a native snout beetle that attacks tree fruit. It is small, but it can ruin a crop quickly if ignored.
As organic growers, we do not panic. We learn the life cycle and interrupt it at the right time. That is the key.
In the winter I crave fresh vegetables. My gardening goal is to extend my harvest as far as I can to provide food for my family all year. Today we are talking about hardy vegetables that are powerhouses in cold weather. Not only do these plants tolerate cold they are easy to grow and will thrive in many soil types.
Living in an apartment has taught me many new ways to grow vegetables and fruits indoors. I have discovered that gardening is not limited to a plot of soil.
For many people living in an urban apartment or condominium means they can’t garden in the traditional sense. When I left rural Kentucky for urban Wisconsin, I was very anxious that it meant the end of my ability to have food security. Not to mention that I just loved getting my hands dirty and playing in the dirt.
Do you love pickles. I do! I used to grow vegetables for market but now I'm all about growing things that I love to eat. Pickles are a great snack and a great way to get started preserving your own food. I love to eat pickled vegetables strait out of the jar but they are fantastic in sandwiches, tacos, salads, and of course burgers.
Grave gardening is a fun new trend that actually has its roots in the Victorian Age. Planting flowers around a grave was a common hobby in the 1800s both in America and Europe.
Planting around headstones, filling cradle graves, to lush plantings in forgotten rural cemeteries, grave gardening is coming back from the dead.
What is the best thing about June? Fresh strawberries, of course! Strawberries are easy to grow and provide an excellent yield for the amount of space.
In addition to the fantastic taste, strawberries have many great qualities. They are the first fruit of the season and the quickest fruit to produce from planting to eating. Strawberries are also very nutritious and are loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants.
Planting schedules can be tricky. You need to understand and be watching climate patterns and weather in your area. It’s important to know the days to maturity of the plants and what type of weather do they grow well in. I live in Kentucky. Zone 6b. Zone Six covers a large section of the country including parts of New England, Pennslyvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri, across Kansas, and into the Rocky Mountain states.
Blossom-end rot is one of the most frustrating problems gardeners face when growing tomatoes. You check on a plant that looks healthy, only to find dark, sunken spots forming on the bottom of developing fruit. Many people assume it’s a disease or a pest, but blossom-end rot is neither. It’s a nutritional issue tied to how the plant takes up and uses calcium as the fruit grows.
Who doesn't love roses. They are such symbols of beauty and love. But they can be difficult to grow. Especially the antique varieties. Growing roses organically is possible and very rewarding.
Growing roses organically means working with nature instead of against it. You can avoid synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, creating a healthier garden ecosystem that benefits beneficial insects, soil microorganisms, and your family. Plus, organic roses often develop better natural resistance to pests and diseases over time.
This article will help you grow fabulous roses in USDA Zones 5 & 6 and discusses some fun things we can make from them.
