Truth be told, all organic material will eventually break down on its own. Still, when you’re impatient (yes, you know who you are…), the fastest way to give your precious pile a kickstart is to add a compost accelerator. Adding a compost starter gives the good bacteria in the pile a supercharge, so they multiply rapidly….
No doubt you’ve heard a lot of talk about mulching lawn mowers, but what exactly is a mulching mower, how does it work, and is it better than a regular mower? I love a lush, green lawn. Who doesn’t? And I’ve used a mulching lawnmower for years and believe it can be great for your…
Plants have various tolerances when it comes to soil pH. While some plants prefer acidic conditions, others are better off in an alkaline environment. However, knowing what you’re working with is essential. So if you have clay in your garden, it’s useful to know whether clay soil is acidic or alkaline? Let’s find out… Is the pH…
Every gardener loves compost! But the compost you buy at a garden center can be disappointing, and I hate throwing away peelings and food scraps! That’s why I think composting in a bucket is a win-win. I love the simplicity of this method. I think it’s accessible to everyone, no matter the size of your…
After moving into my new home, I quickly learned that not all gardeners are blessed with a yard filled with rich, well-draining, loamy soil! My new garden had thick, sticky, compact, waterlogged clay soil, which meant re-planning my entire garden layout. Choosing plants that thrive in clay soil may need some discretion, but creating a…
Struggling with clay soil? Well, you’re in luck! – Or maybe not if your garden beds are full of clay. :-/ Below, I’ll explain some of the best tips for quickly breaking up clay-like soil to improve its structure and fertility. And lessen your gardening woes! How To Identify Clay Soil? You probably know, the…
Is it an obsession? Because while most people see vegetable peels, messy fallen leaves, and food leftovers, dedicated composters see black gold! Turning waste into lush, fertile nourishment for the earth is a deeply satisfying pastime, so it can be disappointing when your glorious mixture fails to heat up and break down as expected. And…
If you’re reading this, you agree that compost is the best way to enrich your flower beds by providing essential nutrients for optimal plant growth and longevity. However, there are many different compost types, either that you can make at home or buy commercially. So, knowing what you need can be a bit overwhelming. In…
Did you know there are more than 7000 worm species in the world? You’d think they would all be okay for composting, but in North America, only four are commonly used. Yep… Just four! A worm’s size, the temperature they thrive in, and burrowing style are some of the reasons only a few worms are…
Plants’ nutritional needs change throughout their life. For example, they need more of certain nutrients when they are in the vegetative stage (growing more stems and leaves) and more of others when they are in the reproductive stage (producing flowers). Worm castings are becoming increasingly popular as an organic fertilizer, but is it okay to…