Tips for edible gardens in small spaces. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Gardening in small spaces doesn’t have to be a struggle. Maximize your minimal gardening space by strategically pairing fruits, vegetables and flowers. Plant flowers that will attract beneficial bugs that will pollinate the vegetables. They can also deter harmful insects resulting in better growing conditions and …
Suggestions for Squeezing a Garden onto a Small Deck or Patio
Some ways to squeeze a garden on to your small deck or patio. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Starting a garden can be a challenge if your deck or patio is the size of a postage stamp. The good news is that there are many clever, space-saving garden ideas where large backyards are not required. You may even …
Dealing with Aggressive, Destructive, Japanese Beetles
Some ways to deal with Japanese Beetles. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Japanese beetles are aggressive, destructive pests in the summer garden. They are known for ruining our favorites things like roses, perennial hibiscus, raspberry bushes and any fruit tree. When Japanese beetles appear each summer, you have two opportunities to deal with them effectively: Attack adults in …
Crabapples Might be Worth Growing at Home
Why crabapples might be worth growing at home. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The term crabapple tree refers to pretty much any wild apple tree, and the term crabapple, refers to the significantly smaller apples. Like domesticated apples, they produce five-petaled flowers that can range between white and red. These flowers are pollinated by insects, likely bees, …
Best Method to Change the Color of Your Hydrangeas
How to change the color of your Hydrangeas. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. If purchasing a hydrangea for the first time and you want to change its natural hue, it is possible. But only if you buy the Bigleaf variety. Bigleaf hydrangeas’ changing colors are attributed to the pH of the soil they are grown in. If you …
Keeping the Vegetable Plants Cool in the Summer Heat
How to keep plants cool in the summer heat. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. When it comes to our vegetable garden, we tend to worry most about protecting our plants from freezing temps and suffering frost damage. However, in some places, the summer heat can be a bear and pose a threat all its own. Even though most …
Onion Diseases You May Encounter, and Dealing with Them
Onion diseases you may encounter, and how to deal with them. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. If you plan to grow onions, you’ll likely deal with some of these onion diseases. Such as Yellow Onion Dwarf, Purple Blotch, or Pink Rot. Damping-Off Disease is another issue you may encounter when starting your seedlings. It’s common when onions are …
Identifying a Few Common Pest That Will Go After Onions
Identifying some common pest that will go after your homegrown onions. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. If you plan to grow onions, you’ll likely deal with onion pests at some point. Although alliums tend to repel many insects, some stubborn species do like them an awful lot. The two-spotted spider mite — also known as the red …
Preventing Serious Health Issues from Chicken Coop Dust
How chicken coop dust could be harmful to your health. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Chicken coop dust, also known as poultry dust, is a mixture of bedding material, chicken droppings, bird feed, and other components that are naturally found within your chicken’s housing area. Although it is admittedly tough to avoid, chicken coop dust can have …
A Few Common Composting Mistakes You Need to Avoid
Some common composting mistakes to avoid. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Composting is the ultimate recycling activity. It reduces the amount of garbage that goes into our landfills, and transforms into one of the best soil boosters you can add to your garden. Just mix air, water, and some kitchen scraps and yard trimmings, then wait. There is …