We interview local hemp horticulturist Jacob Seals, and he details how to clone plants with cuttings. — Recently, I spoke with a friend and fellow gardener about what to cover for this week’s gardening piece; his name is Jacob Seals. He suggested that we cover the topic of plant propagation — particularly with plant cuttings. A skill like cloning plants would be handy information for other folks…

Start a community garden with friends using these simple steps. — “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” — Audrey Hepburn. As warmer days become more frequent and the last frost passes, the time to grow great things is upon us. Despite the increasing prevalence of urban lifestyles, many people still yearn to develop their gardens. Living in apartments…

When do you water your garden, and what are some clever ways to do so? Let’s find out. — Most avid gardeners know the basic needs of plants: sun, water, nutrients, and air. Today, we narrow our focus to the hydration of your garden. Your local climate determines your garden’s water needs. So when does one water their plants, and what are some clever ways to do so? Life…

Let’s learn about soil types and how to improve yours. Healthy soil acts as the structure from which we grow fruits, flowers, and vegetables. — Healthy soils ensure healthy farms and gardens, and this makes or breaks livelihoods. Without considering the land’s needs, the yield and quality of your harvest diminish. Like any living organism in one’s care, you must observe and nurture its health. …

Want the dirt on how to level up your green thumb? Keep carbon in the soil by composting! — Today I want to talk dirty to you. One of the filthiest things to discuss involves digging up some dirt on this situation. Previously, we discussed all different kinds. From silty to sandy, the top suggestion to improve your soil was to add organic compost. …

Learn to companion plant herbs by constructing an herb spiral with upcycled materials. — Variety is the spice of life, and a variety of spices is even better. Are you a gardener or chef who wants a steady supply of freshly-grown herbs and seasonings? Try building an herb spiral in your backyard or shared space. Popular in permaculture design, these herb spiral gardens provide…

Companion plant and encourage friendship between your crops. Deter pests, improve soil quality, and boost yields with polyculture. — Farmers and gardeners rely more on companion planting with each cycle of seasons. But what is it? First, let’s discuss modern, conventional agriculture for comparison. Since the 1950s, conventional agriculture employs monoculture planting with large agrochemical inputs. On one hand, this post-war agricultural revolution reduces the need for human workers…

Does your garden leave you with a glut of fresh herbs? Let’s learn how to preserve our extras by air-drying them to save and share. — Pandemic times led to an emergence of hobbies and crafts from home, and many folks found interest in gardening once more. Since being relegated to stay at home, many green-gilled gardeners found ways to grow things rather than buy them. …

Want a steady supply of cooking herbs year-round? Try these nifty ways to preserve any extras that your garden provides. — So you spent all season growing delicious veggies and herbs. Finally, it’s harvest time, and you have a cornucopia before you. What can you do with the excess before it spoils to compost? Sharing is caring, and that’s the most obvious solution to food surplus. You may still have more…

Do you live in the city but lack a yard to garden? Let’s learn to garden with what space we have. — Traditionally, food crops and flowers grow in the ground, and humans perfected the art throughout millennia. Today, folks still flock to cities where there are jobs and resources. However, they lose yard space when living in apartment dwellings. …

How do you plan for a winter harvest? Grow nutritious food across the seasons with these ideas. — Earth tilts on its axis and creates four seasons as we spin around the sun. Thus, we experience cyclical weather patterns, and this tilt inspires diversity across ecosystems. Most farmers focus their efforts around one primary growing season. But gardeners may like to produce food throughout the cold season.

Let’s discuss hydroponics, Dr. Bernard Kratky, and how to setup his method. — Lack of access to fresh, local food is a cause for concern within rural and urban areas. Of course, many want fresh, wholesome food, but factors such as low wages, lack of transportation, and distant grocers exacerbate this problem. In addition, as populations become more densely packed, we have little…

City dwellers may lack yards, but we can still garden. Grow herbs, food, and flowers in water. Read about my first foray into hydroponics. — Most of my gardening happens in the soil. As a community gardener, I meet regularly with others on a shared plot to grow our choice of things. Unfortunately, I live in an apartment, and there really isn’t a place for me to garden in the ground where I live. …

They’re shiitakes. —

What makes carbon dioxide a greenhouse gas? Let’s discuss how they work. — Peer reviewed by Dr. Bryan Gitschlag Misconceptions abound when it comes to human-caused climate change. Greenhouse gases are a central component of this theory, but how exactly do they work? This article seeks to break that down in a simple way. One could veer off into the who and why…

Find a summary of all referenced herbs curated by JM Heatherly — Herb: Angelica medium.com Best Herb to Save the Bees Hints of anisemedium.com Treat Worms and Find the Green Fairy A bitter aromaticmedium.com A Sacred Herb Known as Basil A peppery mintmedium.com Upgrade Soup or Sauce with Bay Leaf A peppery, piney seasoningmedium.com Benefits When You Brew Bee Balm A minty, sage-like teamedium.com

Find a summary of all referenced spices curated by JM Heatherly — Black Pepper, a Spark of Global Trade Spice of legendmedium.com Cayenne Can Spice Food and Protect Self Dragon’s Heatmedium.com The Gift of Chili Pepper A spicy American fruitmedium.com Cinnamon, a Gift Fit for a Noble A woody spicemedium.com The Sweet Clove of Yore Since late antiquitymedium.com For the Love of Garlic A cousin of the onionmedium.com