Vertical Gardening Tips and Ideas on a Budget

Imagine the joy of being able to shop for fruit and vegetables right in your backyard rather than at the grocery store. That dream is now a reality for around 42% of Americans. They now spend their hard-earned dollars on seed and saplings rather than squash and spinach from the store.

If...

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The Lemon Verbena Plant: How to Grow, Harvest and Preserve

Lemon Verbena is a  refreshingly-scented herb that adds a pleasant, fragrant zing of lemon to your garden. It's also an easy-to-grow plant with leaves that are perfect for cultivating to make a healthy and great-tasting tea. 

To keep the uplifting freshness of lemons at your...

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Safely Canning Elderberry Syrup & Preservation Options

Known for its healing properties and therapeutic benefits, the elderberry is still commonly used in the prevention and treatment of many ailments. 

Despite the elderberry being controversial at times, the plant with the amazing power of its berries, is a powerful natural remedy. The berries...

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Is My Kombucha Moldy? Mold/Not Mold

You're going about your day and decide to check on your homemade kombucha. You take a peek into the jar and...What is that?! You notice something doesn't look quite right.

Your SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast) looks a little off. Bumpy, uneven, brownish, strings hanging down, fuzz,...

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Chamomile Flower Tea: How to Plant, Grow, Harvest, and Blend

 

 

Chamomile is an easy-to-grow, common flower that brings whimsical life to any garden, and its plethora of uses means it's ideal for growing and making chamomile tea.

But how do you grow chamomile? And what goes into actually making something useful out of it?

It's not as...

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Most Affordable and Productive Medicinal Plants to Grow

 

We have used medicinal plants in healthcare for thousands of years. Studies have been conducted across the world to prove how good they really are, and most of the time, medicinal plants win the argument. Although we can’t always do without modern medicine, curing common ailments and...

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Companion Planting Chart for Herbs

 

Did you know that there are more microorganisms in one teaspoon of soil than there are people on the planet? These microbes are an important part of the ecosystem of your garden, and keep your soil healthy and packed full of nutrients.

The thing is, different plants need...

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Calendula Salve (Cream), Infusing Oil With Botanicals/Herbs

 

Many of us are not new to getting started with essential oils but when it comes to the art of infusing our own oils with botanicals it may seem a little daunting.

The art of infusing oil for health and well-being is steeped in history, but how do we know where to start with so many options...

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Types of Rose Hips: Do All Roses Produce Hips?

 

Did you know the first roses were most likely cultivated in China around 5,000 years ago? The Romans started using rosehips for medicinal purposes soon after, and the Egyptians for scent.

Filled to the brim with juicy, vitamin-packed flesh, the hips of a rose plant are an...

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How to Dry Orange Slices

 

Oranges represent sunshine and bring warmth and light during long, cold winters. Not only that, but they have many benefits when it comes to food storage.

Who doesn't want a little sunshine in their homes when it's cold outside? Yet, while we may think of dried orange slices...

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Rose Bush Care: Methods and Techniques

 

Did you know archaeologists have found rose bushes that are 1000 years old? And really, it's no wonder they're still a popular choice for gardens and budding horticulturists.

They have incredible scents, look gorgeous in a garden, and you can even eat them and add them...

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Nettle Tea: How to Grow, Harvest and Preserve Nettles

 

A hot cup of nettle tea is still a remedy for many ailments for many people. It's no surprise considering stinging nettle greens are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. 

Besides the health benefits, stinging nettles are really tasty.

But we can't ignore the fact that...

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