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If soil bubbles from adding vinegar, it is alkaline.

If soil bubbles from adding baking soda, it is acidic.

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12. Eggshell Starters

Get your garden started early by planting your seeds in eggshells indoors before the weather permits outdoor growth. There are several reasons why eggshells are the perfect pot for this, but the biggest is that they are cheap (free really), full of calcium to give your seedlings that extra boost, and easy to plant in the garden when ready (the shell can stay on!).

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20+ Insanely Clever Gardening Tips and Ideas (flowers & vegetables)

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Whether you have a vegetable garden, rose garden or weed garden, here is the best round up of gardening tips and ideas that you've probably never tried! All of these little tricks are resourceful ideas for beginners or even the novice green thumb.

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Set your sights on a year of continual gardening delights when you plan according to The Home Depot's Garden Calendar. Pin this infographic now.

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Rosemary, Horsemint, Marigold, Lemon balm, Ageratum, Citronella, Catnip, Basil, Lemon Thyme, Lavender

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Homesteading Simple Self Sufficient Off-The-Grid | Homesteading.com

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By Riley E. Carlson

Are you in need of indoor herb garden ideas? This list will help you satisfy your hankering for spring, with the added benefit of boosting up your culinary prowess, too!

Inspiring Herb Garden Ideas For An Edible Indoor Decor

Growing herbs is a great skill everyone should know, homesteader or not! As herbs are super easy to grow, however, it may pose some challenges especially if you don't have enough space outside. But don't fret, because the solution to this problem is just inside your home, and that is an indoor herb garden! If you have not thought about it, these indoor herb garden ideas will show you how and you'll love the idea of having a perfect project in time for spring.

Hanging something gives you so much more space. Build your very own hanging vertical herb garden inside your home with this DIY tutorial. This easy DIY transforms a few easy-to-find materials into a perfect indoor hanging herb garden that can fit even in the tiniest space.

Whoever said fairies can't come inside? Learn how to make an adorable fairy garden to house your precious herbs while doubling as beautiful home decor.

3. Rainy Pot

Add this rainy pot to your indoor garden to have something colorful and fun. This is something that both kids and adults will surely enjoy. Just look at those bright colors!

4. Coffee Tin Hanging Herb Garden

Super easy to do. This coffee tin hanging herb garden will give you fresh herbs hanging whenever you need them. Your kitchen is the perfect location. All you have to do is reach up and pluck.

5. One Pot

Ever heard of one pot meals? Well, this is your one-pot herb garden. You'll have everything you need in one stop, so what more could you ask for?

6. Upside Indoor Plants

Need some inspiration on how to make your herb garden? Well, this upside indoor plants idea is a great one! Either make a row or do a little layering, add some lights, and you have a living chandelier to brighten up any room in your house.

7. Drawer Herb Garden

Have an old drawer lying around? Turn it into your very own drawer herb garden. Just insert some pots and/or lining and you're all set to have a wonderful indoor herb garden.

Hummingbird Feeder Recipe And More For The Outdorsy Homesteader https://t.co/SE5FZzLrgx via @HomesteadingUSA

- Featherstone (@arrowfeatherst1) February 26, 2017

8. Chalk Paint Indoor Herb Garden

Never have to worry about mixing up which herb is which with some chalk paint. This is something you can work on over the weekend and become your ultimate DIY weekend projec t.

9. Pegboard Herb Garden

Grab a pegboard, some hooks, and old mugs. This would be so easy. Just turn them upright when it's time to water.

10. DIY Clothespin Herb Planters

Want to do a little upcycling project for the home? Spend close to nothing and make these DIY herb planters. Just gather all the clothespins you can find and assemble!

11. Mason Jar Vertical Herb Garden

Miss making something from mason jars? Then this mason jar vertical herb garden will be your next amazing mason jar project. Pretty to look at and will save you a lot of space too.

12. Bottle Gardens

Got old bottles lying around? Cut them up and make an indoor herb garden out of them. This design also self-waters, how incredible is that?

13. Herb Garden Kettle Style

Some old kettles will make for a rustic indoor herb garden. We've used a couple of mugs and mason jars earlier so it only makes sense to also upcycle some kettles for your indoor garden.

14. Mason Jar DIY Herb Garden

Grab some mason jars and plant your assortment of herbs. If you had a hard time doing the vertical mason jar garden, then you can give this mason jar DIY herb garden a try.

15. Gutters Herb Garden
Need more tips on how to maintain your indoor herb garden? Check out this quick video from essortment:
Repurpose gutters into an easy indoor herb garden. But be sure there are no holes! You wouldn't want water spilling all over when you water the herbs.
Number 5 was my favorite, which are your favorite indoor herb garden ideas? Let me know below in the comments! Want to learn how to dry herbs? A very useful skill for your homestead! Get amazing tips on how to dry herbs here! This post was originally published in October 2016 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
When you don't have enough space or fear that the weather outside will limit the growth of your herbs, take them indoors. Not only will you have a steady supply of fresh herbs, but you'll also have some living home decor at no extra cost.

Featured Image Via Real Property Alpha

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Indoor Herb Garden Ideas | Homesteading Indoor Gardening Tips

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By Riley E. Carlson Are you in need of indoor herb garden ideas? This list will help you satisfy your hankering for spring, with the added benefit of boosting up your culinary prowess, too! Growing herbs is a great skill everyone should know, homesteader or not!

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1 gallon vinegar
2 cups Epsom salt
1/4 cup Dawn Dish Soap
Mix well and spray on weeds.

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1 gallon water
1 tbsp Epsom salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ammonia
Mix together & use once a month on all plants.

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How to Install a Raised Vegetable Garden with Arbors - This Old House

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In this video, This Old House landscaping contractor Roger Cook helps an elementary school build and plant a raised-bed vegetable garden.

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Fill your plate with fresh, self-sustained produce that comes straight from your garden. Step-by-step planting, care and harvesting tips give the beginning gardener a good basic understanding of the growing process. Over 30 delicious recipes made with basil, carrots, green beans, leaf lettuce, potatoes, and tomatoes, complete with step-by-step photos, bring your homegrown foods to the table to share with others.

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Grow your own fruits, vegetables, and flowers! Become a gardener in any season with these fun and easy projects. You don't even need a garden space--many of these activities can be done by planting in containers to set on a porch or a patio or even in a window.

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Kids! Explore the mysterious world of herbs with this magical, herbal workbook: Make your own healing potions, secret remedies, magical salves, enchanted syrups and special healing remedies. Recipes, projects, delightful stories, chant herbal songs, color in pictures, activities, grow your own garden, create healing herbal preparations!A Kid

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Creative ways to use the garden to inspire learning, for kids ages 4-8 Packed with garden-based activities that promote science, math, reading, writing, imaginative play, and arts and crafts, The Garden Classroom offers a whole year of outdoor play and learning ideas--however big or small your garden.

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A book that includes planting and gardening ideas to suit children from the ages of 5 to 12 offers an introduction that equips young readers with everything they need to know about plants, soil and tools. Original.

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Getting your hands dirty and growing your own fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers in the garden is great fun. From flowering wellies, grotesque gourds and bird baths to wind chimes, butterfly borders and potato hedgehogs, there is a huge range of exciting projects that you can do in and out of the garden, whatever the weather.

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If you'd like your kids to grow up loving gardening and learning how to grow their own food, it's never too early to get started. While there are many ways to get your kids interested in gardening, here are some suggestions to get you...

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Home Getting Started Tending Your Garden Theme Gardens Grant Opportunities Sustainability Curriculum Kindergarten First Grade Second Grade Third Grade Fourth Grade Fifth Grade Sixth Grade Seventh Grade Eighth Grade Classroom Cookbook Evaluation Organizations Supporting School Gardens Research & Publications Tips From Teachers Feedback & Suggestions

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Schools and community gardens are living classrooms with great potential for learning. In How to Grow a School Garden, Arden Buck-Sporer and Rachel Kathleen Pringle cite the following:

Numerous studies point to school gardens as a means of improving academic achievement, promoting healthy lifestyles, demonstrating the principles of stewardship, encouraging community and social development, and instilling a sense of place.

In addition, gardens are places where students can connect with global issues through the natural resources of earth, advance community development efforts through neighborhood beautification, and leave their green-print in our ecosystem. Gardens, and the people in the community near your garden, are an incredible asset to schools and out-of-school-time programs. Your garden doesn't have to fit one model. In fact, there are many models that your school or organization can follow.

Below are practical, feasible ideas for you to begin growing these benefits in your community.

Academic Enrichment

A study from Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Learning Through the Garden, shows that gardens can function as living laboratories. Students who participate in gardening have a considerable increase in grade point average, utilize new learning styles, and develop their perspectives and ways of learning to incorporate critical 21st-century skills such as "curiosity, flexibility, open-mindedness, informed skepticism, creativity, and critical thinking."

Here are some activity examples that could be used in a gardening unit:

Food and Nutrition/Food Security

Access to food and nutrition unfortunately does not come readily to everyone, and millions of children and adults stare into the face of food insecurity every year. According to Feeding America, giving children proper nutrition and access to food can impact "physical and mental health, academic achievement, and future economic prosperity." Gardens can be an integral part of providing nutrition to children.

Consider these activities:

Ecological Sustainability

Composting and waste reduction teach students sustainable practices. Not only does composting add nutrients to the soil, decomposition is also a large part of science curriculums.

Here are a few sample activities:

Plant fruit trees around your neighborhood in order to contribute to your community's nutrition and air quality.

The American Community Garden Association has an excellent series with free environmental education lesson plans.

San Francisco involved students in environmental stewardship through their Food to Flowers! program. Think about your program's meals or snacks and how you can join the movement to protect the environment.

If such a small act of planting trees on the corner can make a dent in the sustainability of a neighborhood, think about the impact that trees and gardens across the world can make on our global food system! Visit the Green Education Foundation for garden plans and topics such as water conservation and recycling.

Program Management

There is no shortage of great resources available for your garden. Here are just a few starting places:

Collaborating with math, science, and art teachers can bring additional ideas for using gardens as hands-on reinforcement of what they are teaching in those classrooms. Field trips to community gardens and farmers' markets can inspire young minds. If you are in a cold climate, consider learning about greenhouses and hydroponics. These tools allow farmers to simulate a warmer climate and grow various fruits and vegetables all year long. Gardens -- inside or outside, big or small -- support academic and 21st-century skills development.

Does your school have a garden program? In the comments section below, please tell us about how it works.

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Schools and community gardens are living classrooms with great potential for learning. In How to Grow a School Garden , Arden Buck-Sporer and Rachel Kathleen Pringle cite the following: Numerous studies point to school gardens as a means of improving academic achievement, promoting healthy lifestyles, demonstrating the principles of stewardship, encouraging community and social development, and instilling a sense of place.

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Applications have closed for the 2021-22 Teaching Garden Grant Program.

Teaching Gardens work better when we all work together. We're proud to partner with CAULIPOWER to sponsor the American Heart Association's Teaching Garden Network. Together we will award $2,500 grants to 50 organizations to help their garden space thrive.

On behalf of the American Heart Association and CAULIPOWER, we are pleased to announce the 2021-22 grant recipients. These organizations showed tremendous commitment to connecting children to gardens while supporting health, nutrition, and environmental stewardship.
Our 2021-22 Grantees

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Teaching Gardens work better when we all work together. We're proud to partner with CAULIPOWER to sponsor the American Heart Association's Teaching Garden Network. Together we will award $2,500 grants to 50 organizations to help their garden space thrive. On behalf of the American Heart Association and CAULIPOWER, we are pleased to announce the 2021-22 grant recipients.

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KidsGardening supports the educators and caregivers bringing the life-changing benefits of gardening to kids.

We support educators and families with grant funding, original educational resources, inspiration, and community to get more kids learning through the garden.

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We create opportunities for kids to learn and grow through gardening, engaging their natural curiosity and wonder. Helping young minds grow!

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Garden Planning This Year's Garden
Through a hands-on activity, students learn about mapping and construct a bird's-eye view picture of a garden bed. Students work together to make group decisions in planning a classroom garden.

February

Soil Temperature
Students will use thermometers to measure soil temperature and use the information to determine if the soil is warm enough to support plant growth.

March

Return to Lesson Plan page

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Classroom Activity Accompanying Books Description Suggested Month Planting in the Garden The Giant Carrot Working in teams, students plan their garden and plant fall vegetables while learning what different plants need in order to grow. August Introduction to Watering the [...]

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We found 27 items

Use these worksheets, references, and activities to teach children about soil, fruits, vegetables, and gardening. Enrich your curriculum with resources about flora, review garden tools, and enhance lessons with clip art images. Science activities about plant growth and development are a great way to introduce younger children to biology.

Gardening References

Our references list tips for helping students learn about gardening and how to grow plants.

Lesson Plans & Science Activities

Choose from these resources to increase students' knowledge about gardening. Included are activities highlighting math and science skills through literature based activities, growing a class garden, and learning about different types of soil and habitats.

Children's Books

Expand your lessons with these Children's Books about gardens. Included are writing prompts, reading comprehension questions, enrichment activities, and more.

Gardening Worksheets

Expand students' knowledge about gardening with our worksheets. These activities enhance building skills such as predicting outcomes, use of antonyms, and visual discrimination.

Clip Art Images

Enhance your print or electronic lessons and help visual learners by using our Clip Art Images.

Related Resources

Increase student knowledge with these numerous resources including printables, lessons, cross-curricular lessons and worksheets, and much more.

Browse Latest Resources

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Gardening Worksheets, Lessons & Activities

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ADVERTISEMENT | REMOVE ADS We found 27 items Use these worksheets, references, and activities to teach children about soil, fruits, vegetables, and gardening. Enrich your curriculum with resources about flora, review garden tools, and enhance lessons with clip art images. Science activities about plant growth and development are a great way to introduce younger children to biology.

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The Science of Gardening is a superb collection of interactive graphics and videos about gardening that I learned about from Mark Dunk on Twitter. Produced by Exploratorium, Science of Gardening has three basic categories; Feed, Control, and Bloom. In each category there are multiple videos and interactive graphics for students to explore.

In the Feed category students learn about dirt, compost, and seeds. The "garden variety" interactive reveals to student the origins of some common plants like corn, squash, onions, and carrots. Students can also take a video tour of a garden and learn what it takes to create good soil.

In the Control category of Science of Gardening students learn about like hybridizing plants, biodiversity, growing plants in a greenhouse, and take a look at a giant pumpkin competition.

Finally, in the Bloom category students explore pollination, the attraction of flowers, and see that a garden can grow just about anywhere when it is cared properly cared for.

Applications for Education
As spring approaches in the Northern Hemisphere (just a week away now) I'm sure many of us will be thinking about the blooming plants around us. Some of us may even have students planting gardens at home or at school (the alternative ed school in my district does that). The Science of Gardening could be a good resource to build a science lesson around that students can relate to outside of the classroom.

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The Science of Gardening - Interactives and Videos

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The Science of Gardening is a superb collection of interactive graphics and videos about gardening that I learned about from Mark Dunk on Twitter. Produced by Exploratorium, Science of Gardening has three basic categories; Feed, Control, and Bloom. In each category there are multiple videos and interactive graphics for students to explore.

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true-to-type heirloom vegetable seed saving how-to

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How to Avoid Crossing Similar Varieties of Heirloom Seeds

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Specific, completely free how-to tips and instructions enable you to grow heirloom seeds in your garden, true-to-type and without crossing with other varieties. Jack Rowe, 1998.

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Use a free greenhouse plan to build a backyard greenhouse that allows you to grow your favorite flowers, vegetables, and herbs, all year long. Greenhouses provide seedlings and plants with warmth in the winter and cool in the summer, letting you participate in your favorite hobby every day of the year.

The free greenhouse plans below include diagrams, illustrations, photos, written building instructions, materials/tools list, and everything else you need to build your chosen greenhouse. Marie Iannotti, the Expert to Gardening, has a wonderful article to help you with the planning stages of building a greenhouse, which is a great read before you decide on one of these plans.

After you've used one of these free greenhouse plans to build your DIY greenhouse, come back and browse my other free woodworking plans to help you build a shed, picnic table, dog house, pergola, potting bench, cabin, or chicken coop.

Northern Homestead has shared their free greenhouse plan for building a GeoDome. Use this plan and you'll get a greenhouse that's lightweight yet secure, absorbs lots of light, has a lot of ground growing space, and one that makes quite the statement.

There's a materials list, tools list, written directions, diagrams, and photos to help you build it.

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Use a free greenhouse plan to build a backyard greenhouse that allows you to grow your favorite flowers, vegetables, and herbs, all year long. Greenhouses provide seedlings and plants with warmth in the winter and cool in the summer, letting you participate in your favorite hobby every day of the year.

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Taking cuttings from your favorite plants is one of the quickest -- and easiest -- ways to make more plants for free.

Many common garden plants root easily from cuttings, giving you full-grown plants in half the time it takes to start from seed.

Types of Cuttings

There are several types of cuttings you can use to propagate your plants. These cuttings use different kinds of stems. Happily, you can treat them pretty much the same way.

Softwood cuttings are from fresh, new growth, usually in spring or early summer. Plants such as butterfly bush and dogwoods root well from softwood cuttings.

Greenwood cuttings are from young stems that are starting to mature, but still in the first year. They're usually taken in early to midsummer. Plants such as gardenia and boxwood tend to root well from greenwood cuttings.

Semi-ripe cuttings are tougher and more mature. They're usually taken from midsummer to fall. Plants such as camellia and honeysuckle often root well from semi-ripe cuttings.

Hardwood cuttings are taken from woody stems that have gone dormant in late fall or winter. Trees and shrubs such as mock orange and viburnum often root well from hardwood cuttings.
You can also get more from your plants by saving seeds; click here to learn how.

Supplies for Cuttings

Sharp knife or pruning shears

Containers for potting up the cuttings

Potting mix, perlite, vermiculite, or sand

Rooting hormone

Step 1: Cut Off a Section of Stem

To make your cuttings, select healthy growth that's 3 to 6 inches long. Try to make a sharp cut; mashing the stems may make it more difficult for the shoots to develop new roots.

Step 2: Remove the Lower Leaves

Clip off the leaves on the lower half of the shoot so you have a bare stem to insert into your potting mix. Then, if you want, dip the end of your stem in rooting hormone. This helps many cuttings root more quickly.

Step 3: Pot Up Your Cutting

Immediately pot up your cutting in moist potting mix, sand, perlite, or vermiculite. Keep your cutting humid by loosely wrapping it in clear plastic or keeping it under a cloche.

Some plants root more quickly than others, so be patient. On average, it takes a month or two for your cuttings to root and become established enough that you can plant them.

Tips for Cuttings

Early morning is usually the best time to take cuttings because the plant usually has the most moisture at this time.

Keep cuttings cool and moist until you've potted them up. Avoid exposing the cuttings to direct sun if you can.

Many cuttings root faster if they're kept warm and humid, so misting the cuttings frequently can help them grow.

No-Fail Cuttings

Some plants root so easily that you can start them in a glass or jar of water. Examples include:

African violet ( Saintpaulia)

Coleus ( Solenostemon)

Geranium ( Pelargonium)
Impatiens Philodendron

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Taking cuttings from your favorite plants is one of the quickest -- and easiest -- ways to make more plants for free. Many common garden plants root easily from cuttings, giving you full-grown plants in half the time it takes to start from seed.

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check the farmer's almanac to see what to plant when

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check the farmer's almanac to see what to plant when

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What do the plants in your landscaping need to grow properly? Well, giving them a good start certainly helps. And that means carefully matching the types of flowers and foliage plants you'll be growing with the location where they'll be growing. Light and soil requirements should always be considered before deciding what plants to buy for your yard. These requirements trump aesthetic considerations, meaning that sometimes you must compromise in making a plant selection, passing up the choice that would look best for one that is more practical.

By consulting the plant lists (with descriptions and photos), accompanying landscape plans and other resources that I provide below, you can become a better "matchmaker" in your own yard!

Types of Flowers for Shady Spaces

Trying to grow the types of flowers that love the sun in shady spaces is a major faux pas for the landscaping matchmaker. Instead, before planting, find out which types of flowers and foliage plants will feel comfortable in those shady environs:

1. Shade Garden Plants: a List for Zones 4-8

2. Plants That Grow in Full Shade

3. Shade Plants: a Top 10 List, by Plant Category

4. Plants for Dry Shade

5. Sample Landscape Plan for Shady Spaces

Types of Flowers for Sunny Spaces

"If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen!" As human beings, we have the ability to act on this oft-stated dictum. But your plants don't have that choice since they're rooted in whatever space that you have chosen for them.

Shade-loving types of flowers "can't take the heat," and they'll pay the price if you make the mistake of planting them in sunny spaces.

Before planting in sunny areas, find out which types of flowers can take full sun and tolerate drought conditions:

1. 10 Best Perennials for Sun

2. Shrubs for Sun: the 10 Best Bloomers

1. More Shrubs for Sun: Beyond Flower Power

2. Full-Sun Plants

3. Drought-Resistant Perennials

4. Sample Drought-Tolerant Landscape Plan

Types of Flowers for Salty Soils

Besides sunlight requirements, another consideration when choosing between types of flowers and foliage plants is the nature of the soil. For instance, if you live on the seacoast, your soil will be saltier than most. Most types of flowers disdain such soil. So you have to go out of your way to select salt-tolerant plants. Here's a resource providing some examples:
Salt-Tolerant Plants
Types of Flowers for Wet Soils

Many types of flowers are like you and me: they dislike having "wet feet." But other plants tolerate or even thrive in wet soils. Often, we can take our cue from nature, by observing what types of flowers naturally grow in wetland areas. Pair off these plants with the wet spaces in your yard, and you can enjoy a match made in heaven:

1. Native Plants for Wet Spaces

2. Sample Landscape Plan for Wet Spaces

Types of Flowers Deer Don't Like

Of course, having success with your landscape plantings depends on more than just matching types of flowers with compatible spaces. Even if you've paid scrupulous attention to light and soil requirements in planning your landscape, you're by no means home free.

One of the many dangers posed to plantings that might otherwise be a "match made in heaven" comes from garden pests. Deer are the biggest pests. They can decimate a planting bed in no time! But you can outsmart your furry friends by growing types of flowers that are deer-resistant:

1. Deer-Resistant Plants

2. Sample Deer Garden Design

Beyond Types of Flowers: More Resources

Not sure if a plant you crave is hardy to your area? First, find out what planting zone you live in. Then search my site for the plant in question, either by common name or scientific name. Most all of my plant articles contain information about planting zones.

Perhaps you'd like to learn how to create your own landscape plans? Creating your own visual representations can help you organize your thoughts as you strive to match up spaces in your yard with types of flowers that are just right for them.

The first link below takes you to a resource that discusses the traditional method for drawing plans (i.e., with pencil and paper). By following the second link, you can explore the hi-tech option -- landscaping software:

1. How to Draw Landscape Plans

2. Realtime Landscaping Pro Landscape Design Software

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"Location, Location, Location" Holds True for Plants, Too

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What do the plants in your landscaping need to grow properly? Well, giving them a good start certainly helps. And that means carefully matching the types of flowers and foliage plants you'll be growing with the location where they'll be growing. Light and soil requirements should always be considered before deciding what plants to buy for your yard.

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Dig into your new gardening adventure with this step-by-step guide to help you make the most of your landscape.

Starting a garden is one of the most rewarding things you can do. Plant fragrant florals or start a vegetable garden (or both!), and everyone can benefit from getting their hands a little dirty. But if you're new to gardening, it can be difficult to know where to start. Still, it doesn't have to be complicated; when you break your project down into manageable steps, you can ease into gardening at your own pace. And soon you'll see the rewards of your efforts with beautiful views, delicious flavors, and colorful blooms. These steps will help you get started from scratch, but if you have something particular in mind, you could also use a garden plan to guide your design.

1. Consider What to Plant

Do you want to plant a vegetable garden? An herb garden? A flower garden? If you choose vegetables and herbs for their contributions to your dinner table, plant ones your family will eat or be willing to try. If you want flowers for their flair, color, and fragrance, decide whether you want annuals that bloom most of the summer but need to be replanted each spring or perennials that have a shorter bloom time but return year after year. Each one, or even a combination, makes a stunning garden but will have different maintenance requirements. One bit of advice: Start small until you know what you're getting into.

2. Pick the Best Garden Spot

If possible, pick a relatively flat spot for your garden because it's more difficult, time-consuming, and potentially expensive to deal with a sloping garden. And make sure your new garden will have easy access to a water source.

3. Clear the Ground

Get rid of weeds and sod in the area you plan to plant. If you want quick results (if it's already spring and you want veggies this summer), cut it out. Slice under the sod with a spade, cut the sod into sections to make it easier to remove, then put it on your compost pile to decompose. For a longer term project, it's easier to use the lasagna gardening method: Cover your future garden with five sheets of newspaper; double that amount if your lawn is Bermuda grass or St. Augustine grass. Spread a 3-inch layer of compost (or combination of potting soil and topsoil) on the newspaper and wait. It'll take about four months for the compost and paper to decompose. But if you start in the fall, by spring you'll have a bed ready to plant with no grass or weeds and plenty of rich soil.

4. Test and Improve Your Soil

To learn more about your soil, have a soil test done through your county cooperative extension office. They'll lead you through the procedure: How much soil to send from which parts of the garden and the best time to obtain samples. Expect a two-week wait for the findings, which will tell you what your soil lacks and how to amend it. You can also use a DIY kit that may not be as detailed, but will give you an idea of your soil's nutrient levels.

5. Prepare Your Planting Beds

Loosening the soil in new beds before sowing or planting helps roots to grow more easily and access the water and nutrients they need. There are two methods: tilling with a mechanical device such as a rototiller or digging by hand. The first one is a good method when you need to mix in large amounts of amendment s. However, it's easy to overdo it, which will end up damaging soil structure. Digging is more practical for preparing small beds.

Either way, work the soil only when it's moist enough to form a loose ball in your fist but dry enough to fall apart when you drop it. Digging when the soil is too dry is harder work, and you can damage the soil structure if it's too wet. Use a spade or spading fork to gently turn the top 6-8 inches of soil, mixing in the organic matter from Step 4 at the same time. (Walking on prepared beds compacts the soil, so lay down plywood boards temporarily to evenly distribute your weight.)

6. Pick Your Plants

Some people pore over catalogs for months; others head to the garden center and buy what wows them. Either method works as long as you choose plants adapted to your climate, soil, and sunlight. You can even surf the Internet for plants to purchase. Here are a few easy-to-grow plants for beginners:

7. Start Planting

An easier method of starting your garden is to buy young plants, called set plants or transplants. Dig holes in your prepared bed based on tag instructions. Remove plants from the container by pushing up from the bottom. If the roots have grown into a big ball (known as being root-bound), use an old fork or your fingers to untangle some outer roots before setting it into the hole. Pat soil into place around the roots, then soak the soil with water.

8. Water at the Right Time

Seedlings should never be allowed to dry out, so water daily. Taper off as the plants get larger. Transplants also need frequent watering (every other day or so) until their roots become established. After that, how often you need to water depends on your soil, humidity, and rainfall, though once a week is a good place to start. Clay soil dries out more slowly than sandy soil, so you won't need to water it as often. Sunny, windy conditions dry out soil more quickly than cool, cloudy weather. Still not sure? Feel the soil 3-4 inches below the surface. If it feels dry, it's time to water. Water slowly and deeply, so the water soaks in instead of running off. To minimize evaporation, water in the early morning.

9. Protect Your Garden With Mulch

To help keep weeds out and moisture in, cover the soil with a couple of inches of mulch. You won't have to water as often, and by preventing sunlight from hitting the soil, you'll prevent weed seeds from germinating. Choose from a wide variety of mulches, each with its own benefits, including shredded bark, straw, and river rock. If you use organic mulch, such as bark, compost, or cocoa bean shells (which smell good, by the way), it will nourish the soil as it decomposes. For a vegetable garden or bed of annuals, choose a mulch that decomposes in a few months. For perennials, use a longer-lasting mulch such as bark chips.

10. Maintain Your Garden Regularly

As your garden begins to grow, help it reach its full potential by keeping up with garden chores. Water the plants before they wilt. Pull weeds before they go to seed. Get rid of dead, dying, and diseased vegetation. Banish destructive insects by picking them off the plant and dropping them into a bucket of sudsy water (such as tomato hornworms), hosing them off, or spraying on an insecticidal soap purchased at a garden center. Support tall plants (such as tomatoes) with a trellis, stake, or a tepee. Also, harvest vegetables as soon as they're ready. And remember to stop and smell the...well, whatever it is you're growing.

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Follow These 10 Steps to Create a Successful First Garden

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Dig into your new gardening adventure with this step-by-step guide to help you make the most of your landscape. Starting a garden is one of the most rewarding things you can do. Plant fragrant florals or start a vegetable garden (or both!), and everyone can benefit from getting their hands a little dirty.

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If you've never seen a kokedama-a Japanese moss ball-let me introduce you to the ultimate small-space garden. Floating in midair, these plants don't take up surface space, or even wall space. Plus, you don't have to shell out money for a pretty container, as each plant is contained in its own moss-covered pod and is suspended from the ceiling using inexpensive twine. If you're as convinced as we are that this is the gardening solution our tiny homes have been waiting for, follow these steps to make your own.

What You'll Need

A small plant (see our note on picking the right plants, below)

Bonsai soil (like this stuff)

Peat moss (like this from Home Depot)

Clay (such as Bentonite clay, which works as a binding agent)

Sheet moss (found at Home Depot)

Twine

Instructions

1. Mix the bonsai soil, peat moss and clay into a ball, following an approximate ratio of 70% bonsai soil and 30% peat moss-clay mixture. Moisten the mix with water so that all of the elements bind together. Creating a soil that won't fall about, yet isn't so dense that the plant roots can't breathe is important for your kokedama to thrive.

2. Using your thumbs, dig out a small hole in the center of the soil ball. Brush any excess soil off the plant roots before tucking them into the hole and molding the soil around the roots.

3. Cover the ball with sheet moss, gently pressing sections of moss into the soil. Don't worry if it doesn't stick firmly in place at this point-wrapping with twine (step 4) will help.

4. Wrap the ball with twine, making sure to cover all sides, including the bottom, before securing with a knot. To hang up the kokedama, cut another long piece of twine and tie it onto both sides of the ball.

5. Hang up the kokedama in a slightly shady spot and mist with water. When it's time to water your plant, submerge the moss ball in a bucket of water, plant side-up, and allow it to soak up the water for 5 to 10 minutes.

The Best Plants for Kokedama

When choosing a plant for your hanging string garden, pick one that doesn't require full sun, because moss prefers a shady environment. A plant with a small roots system is also best. Here are some varieties that won't mind hanging out in a shady spot.

Many varieties of fern, including maidenhair ferns and bird's nest ferns

Staghorn ferns

Jade

Pothos

Philodendron

Begonias

Succulents

Spider plants

Pin now, make later:

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How to Make Kokedama: Small Space Hanging Gardens

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If you've never seen a kokedama-a Japanese moss ball-let me introduce you to the ultimate small-space garden. Floating in midair, these plants don't take up surface space, or even wall space. Plus, you don't have to shell out money for a pretty container, as each plant is contained in its own moss-covered pod and is suspended from the ceiling using inexpensive twine.

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26 Creative Ways to Plant a Vertical Garden

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Vertical gardening, a boon for the land-challenged, is on the rise. Here, we detail a few of our favorite ways to get started on your own DIY vertical garden.

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Canning Garden Vegetables | At Home With P. Allen Smith

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Like this canning tip? Thumbs up above and Subscribe: http://bit.ly/WESiLs There's more tips from Allen were this came from: http://bit.ly/Re297M Want more helpful ideas from Allen? http://bit.ly/X53iR1 Don't know what to do with all the vegetables from your garden? P. Allen Smith shows how to safely can your garden bounty.

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Canning 101 | Getting Started Canning Guide, Tips & How-To

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Start canning and fresh preserving with Ball®. Enjoy your favorite foods with this easy to follow canning guide that teaches you how to preserve fresh food at home. Ball

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Do you want to plant an herb garden but are not sure you can do it? Never fear! Starting an herb garden is one of the easiest things you can do. Growing herbs is an easy and delicious way to start gardening. Keep reading to learn about the steps for making an herb garden in your yard.

Choosing a Location for Starting an Herb Garden

Most of the herbs that you can grow at home need two things - sunlight and well-drained soil. This means that when considering places in your yard to plant an herb garden, you need to look for a location that gets six or more hours of sunlight a day and that is well drained.

Many people also consider convenience when selecting a place to start growing an herb garden. Planting near the kitchen or near the house will make it easier to harvest herbs from the herb garden.

Preparing the Soil Before You Plant an Herb Garden

Once you have chosen the location for growing an herb garden, you will need to prepare the soil. If the soil is sandy or clay heavy, add plenty of compost. Even if your soil is in pretty good condition, working some compost into the soil will help provide nutrients to the herbs while they are growing.

When growing herbs, do not use composted manures in the herb garden. These are typically high in nitrogen, which will make the herbs grow quickly but will reduce their flavor.

Choosing the Herbs You Will Be Growing in an Herb Garden

Which herbs you grow in your garden depends largely on what you would like to grow. Almost all herbs will grow for at least one season. Some will grow year after year. Some common herbs that people grow when first starting an herb garden are:

Planting and Growing Herbs

Herbs can be started from seed or planted as plants. Planting herb plants is easier than starting them from seed, but if you are on a tight budget, starting herbs from seeds is not that difficult.

Once you have you have planted your herb garden, make sure that it gets 2 inches of water every week.

Also make sure to harvest your herbs frequently. Many times when a new gardener is starting an herb garden, they are afraid that harvesting the herbs frequently will hurt them. Actually, the opposite is true. Frequent harvesting of herbs will result in the herb plant producing more and more foliage, which increases the amount you are able to harvest.

At the end of the season, you can also dry or freeze your herb harvest so you can enjoy home-grown herbs all year round.

Taking the time to plant an herb garden is very satisfying and easy. By starting an herb garden and growing herbs, you can add beauty to your garden and flavor to your kitchen.

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Growing Herbs At Home: Making An Herb Garden In Your Yard

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Do you want to plant an herb garden but are not sure you can do it? Never fear! Starting an herb garden is one of the easiest things you can do in the garden. This article will help get you started.

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Regardless of whether you have a small garden, a huge garden or no garden at all, there should be no excuse for not growing your herbs. They're very easy to maintain and there truly is nothing better than picking your very own fresh herbs right in your home. You can build a big garden feature or a subtler indoor hanging garden or wall; either way, an herb garden won't only provide you with fresh produce and delicious food, but it'll also brighten up your home. And don't even get me started on the wonderful smells that will be emanating from your little plants!

Mason Jar Garden

The Mason jar craze is still in full force, and I don't think it'll be dying down anytime soon. So when it comes to using them for DIY projects, making a wall herb garden just seems like the next logical step! Without holes for drainage you have to be careful not to overwater your plants; you could also put some stones in the bottom of the jar so that the water sits there and not in the soil.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - CamilleStyles
Herb Spiral

This spiral ideas is absolutely stunning and will make for a wonderful feature in your garden; depending on how much space you have, you can make it as big or small as you like. With a raised garden bed design, your herbs will be safe from weeds and better protected from cold temperatures.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - TheMicroGardener
Platic Bottle Vertical Herb Garden
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Rosenbaum
Faux Ladder Planter

I just love the ladder design of this planter - it just really suits the outdoors. You don't have to be a professional carpenter to pull off this relatively easy build, and the best part is that the whole thing won't cost you more than $50.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - AnaWhite
Gutter planter
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Diyncrafts
Simple Hanging Garden

This indoor hanging garden is the epitome of elegance; the minimalist design is what makes it so appealing. It won't take all that long to make this and you actually don't need that many supplies either. Just make sure to pick a spot in your home that gets enough sunlight.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - SusieFrazier
Tea Cup Planter
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Acultivatednest
Bottle-Top Vertical Garden

Not only is this project adorable and functional, but it's a great way to reuse those old plastic two-liter bottles. The opening at the bottom provides the necessary drainage, and the shape makes your herbs look like mini trees.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Home-Dzine
Pallet Planter

Yes, the pallet projects truly seem never ending, which is fantastic when considering that these things are pretty easy to get for free. This project is actually ridiculously easy, and you get to paint and decorate your planter however you want. I think some chalkboard paint could work well here too - that way you can name each herb.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - DIYnCrafts
Vertical Garden Wall

A lack of physical space shouldn't deter you from having your very own herb garden, so going vertical is the perfect option. This stand-alone wire netting wall is pure brilliance and despite its genius function, it is absolutely beautiful! It looks like some modern art creation.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - AkaDesign
Indoor Garden Wall

This is one of those super easy projects that come out looking absolutely incredible. With just some little tin buckets, picture hangers and your plants, of course, you'll have this beautiful display up in no time, bringing both visual beauty and a lovely, fresh aroma to your home.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - TenJune
Crooked Pot Garden

I adore this crooked pot idea - it's just so charming and cute! A metal rod through the middle keeps your wonky pots in place so that they just look like they're about to fall over but won't actually fall over. If you're buying everything new, including the herbs, this pretty little project will only set you back about $25.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - OurCozyCubbyhole
Hanging Bottles

These mercury glass bottles are absolutely beautiful, but don't fret if you can't find any - you can simply customize plastic bottles by cutting holes into them. I'd recommend a nice paint job if you're using regular plastic bottles.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - 11Eureka
Wine Bottle Holder

I just love coming face to face with the ingenious creativity that some people possess. This DIYer decided to turn her vertical IKEA wine bottle holder horizontally, pop in some herbs in glasses and turn it into a stunningly modern indoor herb garden.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Curlby
Shoe organizer planter
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Instructables and Greenupgrader
Repurposed planter
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Apartmenttherapy.com
The Herb Grower's Cheat Sheet
Infographic source - Anglianhome
Vintage Tea Pots

If you're lucky enough to already have a few of these gorgeous vintage silver tea or coffee pots then you're already halfway there. Otherwise just head out to thrift stores or flea markets to pick some up for a good price. This is such an unorthodox way to repurpose such beautiful pieces, so it'll make a real statement in your kitchen.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - AnyoneCanDecorate

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18 Beautiful Ways To Make Your Own Herb Garden. You Don't Even Need Much Space!

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Regardless of whether you have a small garden, a huge garden or no garden at all, there should be no excuse for not growing your herbs. They're very easy to maintain and there truly is nothing better than picking your very own fresh herbs right in your home.

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herb plants of choice

grit or organic matter

plastic membrane

sharp knife

Choose a sunny spot, and prepare the soil by adding grit to heavy soils or organic matter to lighter soil. Weed the area thoroughly.

Step 2: Control the Weeds

Lay plastic membrane before planting the herbs to suppress weeds. This will help to warm the soil earlier in spring and retain moisture in summer.

Use a sharp knife to cut holes in the membrane, and plant through it. For a formal design, consider edging with a low box hedge.

Step 4: Give the Herbs Space

Choose a variety of herbs that prefer the same growing conditions. Arrange them before deciding their final positions, allowing space for them to grow.

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herb plants of choice grit or organic matter plastic membrane sharp knife Choose a sunny spot, and prepare the soil by adding grit to heavy soils or organic matter to lighter soil. Weed the area thoroughly. Step 2: Control the Weeds Lay plastic membrane before planting the herbs to suppress weeds.

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Transplants give you a head start.

Looking for a quick, easy way to plant up your vegetable or herb garden? Consider using ready-to-plant seedlings (also called transplants or starts) for just about everything but root crops.

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Are you a new gardener looking for a place to start? We have the answers to all of your questions from how to choose the right plants to what to do when its time to harvest.

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Take your nutrition to the next level by filling your plate with healthy herbs and veggies you grew yourself. "When you grow your own food, you know where it came from, that it's pesticide free, and as fresh as it can be," says Stacey Hirvela, gardening expert and author of Gardening Outside the Plot (January 2014, Rodale). Even if you don't have a lot of outdoor space, you can plant food in pots, window boxes, wall planters, and hanging baskets. "Most vegetables take readily to being grown in containers--you don't have to start a full-on vegetable garden to start growing edibles," says Hirvela.

Where to begin? Consider how much sunlight your outdoor space gets. Most crops need at least 6 hours of direct sun to thrive and produce well, says Hirvela. Although light is the most important factor, a shaded porch or balcony doesn't prohibit you from growing healthy foods, since some edibles can thrive in shaded areas. To help you get started, Hirvela shares eight foods perfect for beginner gardeners, plus tips on how to make them flourish.

Related: Grow a huge harvest of tumbling tomatoes, a wall of lettuce and armfuls of herbs from your balcony, deck or porch!

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Take your nutrition to the next level by filling your plate with healthy herbs and veggies you grew yourself. "When you grow your own food, you know where it came from, that it's pesticide free, and as fresh as it can be," says Stacey Hirvela, gardening expert and author of Gardening Outside the Plot (January 2014, Rodale).