Vermiculite – you probably hear that term tossed around quite a bit among garden websites. ‘Add some vermiculite to your soil,’ ‘plant in vermiculite,’ ‘don’t use too much vermiculite,’etc. But what exactly is this strange sounding gardening product and how is it used? What is vermiculite Vermiculite is an umbrella term given to hydrated laminar...

Horse manure is one of those amendments to a garden that really kicks it off and charges it up. Horse manure, like rabbit manure, is something I apply to my garden and compost heap pretty much every single year. For rabbit manure, I have my own source. This is another story though. Rabbit manure is...

When we talk about fertilizing our plants, the usual nutrients we mention are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK). But there are a total of 13 mineral nutrients that can be found in soil, and each is important for the health of plants and animals alike. One of them is magnesium. If there’s an imbalance of...

Calories are a big subject in the fitness world. If you’re trying to lose weight, gain weight, or maintain your current weight, tracking your calories and making sure you consume and burn the right amount every day is the ticket to success. It’s all about those calories! Your body burns calories in a number of...

Raising my own chickens has been one of the true joys in my life. I find them to be really interesting, amazing creatures. I can’t tell you how many chickens I’ve hatched from egg. I think my all-time favorite chicken breed is the buff orpington. They have a great personality, lay a bountiful number of...

Nothing stinks worse than going out to harvest some cabbage or basil only to find gaping holes in the leaves and a slimy, shiny trail all over your plants. You’ve been visited by slugs and snails! There are a few ways to prevent this from happening again though. Let’s talk about how to keep slugs...

Gardening season is upon us, and what better way to get your kids outdoors, learning about growing food, and soaking up a little sun and fresh air than teaching them to garden? I remember gardening with my mother as a child. It was an amazing experience that I’ll never forget – clearly, since I write...

On the subject of squirrels, many folks are looking for ways to deter or get rid of squirrels. But squirrels have their place in our cities, towns, and communities. They are one of many countless animal species that we share this planet with, and one we see often skittering across sidewalks and up trees. Not...

It has so far not been a terribly uncommon experience in my life where I go buy a bunch of lettuce with lofty salad goals in mind only to have it rot and whither away, resulting in a tasty lettuce snack for my ducks. Such a shame. This lead me to wondering whether or not...

Apple cider vinegar is a constant staple in my home. If I don’t have a full gallon jug of it in my pantry, that means I haven’t paid attention to how much of it I’m using. I find tons of different uses for it, from making salad dressing to cleaning. I even use it as...

If I had to guess, I’d say that more people have heard of truffles than have tasted a truffle. Truffles are expensive, usually used in a fine dining setting, and can be pretty hard to find. But if you’re thinking about finding truffles and cooking them up, you’re probably wondering, ‘what do truffles taste like?’...

Most people think that picking the perfectly juicy, red, and tasty watermelon is a game of luck. Watermelon season usually runs through the summer from May to September, but this can also depend on the climate in your region. I’ve had some bad experiences selecting these fruits myself, but now, I know better than to...