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An Introduction to Tamiami International Orchid Festival

Whether you’re in the floral industry or just someone who likes orchids, you’ll want to check out the Tamiami International Orchid Festival, which is the largest orchid event in the United States.

Humans have long admired orchids for their beauty and refined elegance. Orchids grow in almost every habitat and can even be found above the Arctic Circle. While these flowers have been popular since the 19th century, it wasn’t until the 1990s that they became a common and popular houseplant. Currently, there are almost 30,000 different species of orchids, with more popping up every year.

Since 2004, the Tamiami International Orchid Festival has celebrated the beauty and diversity of orchids. It is a wonderful event for all who love these gorgeous flowers. Whether you are a seasoned veteran in the floral industry or a home gardener, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Tamiami Orchid Festival Basics

The Tamiami Orchid Festival is held every year on the first weekend in October. For 2021, the event is located at the Fruit and Spice Park in Homestead, Florida.

For those interested in attending, you can purchase tickets in advance for a discounted price. Tickets range in price depending on how many days you attend and whether you buy tickets in advance or not. Make sure to check out the website for more information. Unfortunately, all ticket sales are final, so you won’t get a refund if you can’t make it.

If you’re short on cash, you can volunteer and get free admission for the entire weekend. While you will have to work a few hours a day, it’s a great way to see the festival without breaking the bank. Plus, you’ll connect with other volunteers who are just as enamored with orchids as you are.

Things to Do at Tamiami Orchid Festival

As the name suggests, the festival is all about orchids. It’s the perfect opportunity for you to see rare orchids and purchase them for your home or garden. There are over 90 vendors so you’re bound to find something you like.

If you plan on bringing the orchids you bought to another country, you can easily get the appropriate documentation at the festival. The USDA will be on-site to provide CITES documentation for a fee.

If you want to get more in-depth information, the festival also offers a variety of orchid-related lectures that come free with the price of admission. These classes cover a range of topics such as:

Orchid insect and pest control
Basic orchid care
Preventing and controlling diseases
Repotting orchids
Starting a nursery business
And much more!

These lectures are a perfect opportunity to meet other orchid enthusiasts and learn the best way to care for your plants.

The festival is an excellent place for professionals in the floral industry to network with vendors, other professionals, and customers. For best results, you can purchase a booth yourself at the festival as you’ll be able to meet wholesale and home buyers at the same time. It will cost you a bit up front, but it will be worth it for the connections alone.

What to Do Beyond the Festival

The festival is located in Homestead, which is a city within Miami-Dade County. By car, it is around 42 minutes from Miami, so you won’t have to travel far to enjoy a bit of that Miami nightlife. Miami is full of delicious restaurants, great bars, and, of course, Miami Beach if you want to catch some rays.

If you don’t want to travel far, there’s a lot to do in Homestead as well. Some great sightseeing options include:

Coral Castle - referred to as the Modern Megalith, Coral Castle boasts a nine-ton hand-carved gate that many consider to be one of the wonders of the world. It also features a Polaris telescope and the world’s only sundial with seasons.
Schnebly Redland’s Winery - Try unique wine and beer crafted from exotic tropical fruits. The winery offers daily tastings and tours every weekend.
Everglades Outpost Wildlife Refuge - If you’re more into nature, this refuge is a great place to visit, especially if you have children. You can take a behind-the-scenes tour and feed and interact with the animals.

Conclusion

The Tamiami Orchid Festival is a must-attend event for all orchid enthusiasts. It offers the widest variety of orchids available on the market for affordable prices. But, more importantly, you get to meet other orchid lovers like yourself!

Flower of the Week: Cosmos

Native to Mexico, cosmos is a member of the Compositae family. With slender foliage and lovely, vibrant flowers, it’s often planted along streets, highways, and railroads, and can grow in fields or flower gardens to bring beauty to the landscape. You can also harvest it as a cut flower to decorate your room or give to a loved one.

Cosmos flowers attract many pollinating insects such as bees and butterflies, which go on to pollinate neighboring plants.

Colorful Cosmos

Cosmos are beautiful and easy to grow, so they are very popular. Horticulturists have hybridized them to produce colorful varieties of cosmos, such as pure white, lovely pink, and bright red, etc. The rich colors make it even more sought after. Come on, pick one, there’s gotta be one for you.

In addition to the common single cosmos, there are also elegant and luxurious double varieties, such as the ‘Double Click’ series, which comes in a variety of colors. Its layered petals look like they are cascading down the skirt of a gorgeous dress.

The cosmos variety called Double Click

The petals of the ‘Cupcakes’ variety are gamophyllous, united together like a cupcake. Slightly translucent in the sun, with refreshing white and light pink colors, it is one of the trendiest varieties nowadays.

The Flower Language of Cosmos

Cosmos’ genus name, Cosmos, implies that its exquisite flowers contain a small universe within them. With its sunny and romantic appearance, its flower language speaks of beauty, peace, order, and humility. You can give cosmos to your loved one because it also says the following: “Thank you for walking with me on this journey. I would like to be with you for the rest of this long life.”

Cosmos is also the birthday flower for October, so if you were born in October, you should plant yourself a big bush of cosmos.

Can I Grow Cosmos Well?

If you look up “plants that are the easiest to grow” online, the cosmos will definitely be on the list, because it’s known for needing only simple care. As long as its requirements for soil, light, and water are met, it’s guaranteed to flourish in your garden.

Cosmos is an annual plant that can grow in most areas. It prefers moist, well-drained soil, ample sunlight, and at least 6 hours of light per day. Plant it somewhere that is not shaded by buildings or trees.

Cosmos doesn’t require much water and can tolerate drought; just wait until the soil is dry and water it. Cutting off wilted flowers reduces nutrient consumption and helps your cosmos bloom again.

Size: 30-120 cm (1-4 in) tall

Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zones 2-11

Light: Full sun

Soil: Moist, well-drained

Bloom time: Summer or fall

The Dos and Don’ts of Cleaning Up Fall Leaves

Cleaning up leaves in the fall is a chore that none of us can ignore. But what’s the best way to approach this task? Here’s a closer look at the dos and don’ts of cleaning up leaves in the fall.

For most of us that live in colder climates, the beginning of fall weather brings up thoughts of raking leaves. Some people love this annual task, while others put it off as long as possible. However, there are quite a few tips and tricks that make this annual chore a bit easier. Here’s a guide to the dos and don’ts of cleaning up leaves in the fall.

Don’t Skip Cleaning Up Leaves

Tempting as it is to skip this task, you’re putting your lawn at risk if you don’t deal with your leaves. Thick layers of leaves are slow to rot and can kill off the grass underneath. Take the time to remove fallen leaves this autumn to avoid a lawn disaster in the spring.

Do Mow Them in Place

One of the easiest, low-maintenance ways to deal with fallen leaves is to mow right over them with a lawnmower. This shreds them into smaller pieces that break down into the soil faster and prevents them from matting up into thick, wet piles.

Most lawnmowers have a mulching option that makes it possible to crush and shred the leaves. You may need to make several passes to ensure the leaves are small enough.

After mowing, you can gently rake the leaf bits throughout the lawn to break up any thick patches and ensure they are dispersed evenly.

Do Put Them Through a Leaf Shredder

If your mower isn’t set up for mulching leaves, consider using a dedicated leaf shredder to do the job instead. Just toss in leaves and watch them come out as perfectly shredded mulch. You can put these leaf bits in a compost bin or scatter them throughout your yard.

Don’t Hurt Your Back

It’s all too easy to injure yourself while raking by hand. Many people spend hours cleaning up their yard, only to end up with extreme lower back pain from staying in a bent position for too long.

Pay attention to your posture while raking, and give yourself lots of breaks to stretch out. It’s also wise to use a rake that’s long enough that you don’t need to stoop over. Keep your knees slightly bent to take the pressure off your back. Stay intentional about your posture, and your body will hold out until your raking is finished.

Do Use Leaves as Natural Mulch for Plants and Animals

When leaves fall in the forest, they break down and add nutrients to the soil that improves the health of native plants. You can follow the same protocol with your plants at home by spreading fallen leaves around your garden beds.

As with all mulches, make sure you don’t pile the leaves directly against plants and tree trunks. Instead, leave a few inches of space so they don’t become suffocated. Shredded leaves work best because they break down more quickly and are less likely to blow away.

An extra benefit? Leaf mulch acts as insulation to protect vulnerable plants and beneficial insects from chilly winter temperatures.

Don’t Throw Them in Your Regular Trash

Tempting as it may be to simply toss raked leaves into your trash can, it’s not good news for the environment. Leaves take a long time to break down in landfills, and they produce polluting methane gas in the meantime.

If you need to dispose of yard waste, wait for a local collection day or toss it into designated bins instead of with the rest of your household trash.

Do Wear the Right Gear

Cleaning up fall leaves is a dirty process that involves lots of potential irritants like dust and pollen. It’s best to wear protective gear like gloves and long sleeves to protect you from these irritants.

Don’t Start Raking on a Wet or Windy Day

Fallen leaves are dry and lightweight. This makes them easy to rake, but it means they tend to blow everywhere on windy days. Save yourself the hassle of raking the same leaves multiple times by waiting until the weather is calm. Likewise, avoid raking after rain unless you’re willing to move heavy clumps of leaves around your yard.

Don’t Burn Them

Burning leaves might be an easy way to make them disappear, but the smoke they produce contributes to air pollution and is dangerous for anyone with lung conditions. Furthermore, if there’s even a slight wind, you run the risk of the fire spreading and causing serious damage.

Do Consider Composting

Shredded fall leaves are one of the best things you can add to a home compost pile. Incorporate them as a carbon-rich brown material to balance out an abundance of kitchen scraps, and you’ll have high-quality garden fertilizer in no time.

Do Wait Until They’ve Finished Falling

Tempting as it is to start raking as soon as the first leaves fall, you’ll need to complete the same chore multiple times. It’s best to wait for most of the leaves to fall off the trees before starting.

Dealing with fall leaves might feel overwhelming, but taking the time to do the job right sets your yard up for success for the upcoming fall and winter. Take the time to learn about the dos and don’ts of how to clean up fall leaves. Both your body and your garden will thank you for it.

How to Optimize Your Soil

Soil is a gardener’s most precious asset. The perfect soil contains microorganisms, plenty of nutrients, and a balanced structure. Here are some tips on how to keep your soil in peak condition so that your plants thrive every year.

Though many gardeners take it for granted, the soil is our most precious asset. If we are going to get the most out of it, we need to keep our soil in peak condition. Healthy soil contains microorganisms, plenty of nutrients, and a balanced structure. In this article, we will look at ways to keep your precious asset in the best possible health.

Balanced Soil:

A balanced soil is rich in organic matter and contains plenty of living organisms. Healthy soil is filled with living microscopic organisms and plants cannot grow healthily without them. In fact, one teaspoon of healthy soil contains more microorganisms than there are people on earth!

These organisms break down organic matter such as plant debris, compost, manure, or grass clippings. As a result of their efforts, your soil becomes humus-rich. Humus is broken-down organic matter upon which our plants feed.

As the microorganisms break down organic matter, they also open up the soil which allows for the passage of water and air as well as easier access to the plant’s root system.

Chemical Fertilizer:

It’s impossible to grow healthy plants without nutrient-rich soil. One way to ensure your soil has these necessary nutrients is by adding chemical fertilizers. Some gardeners have no problems using chemicals; others swear against them. Adding chemicals has pros and cons, so it is up to you to decide if you want to add them to your garden.

Pros

Cons

Though these problems are primarily caused by the industrial use of chemicals rather than small gardens, they are still factors to consider.

As you can see, there are pros and cons to adding chemical fertilizers. If you use chemicals, just make sure to read the label thoroughly and use them safely. If you decide against chemicals, there are non-chemical options (such as organic fertilizer) that ensure your soil has all the nutrients it needs.

Steps to Achieving a Balanced Soil:

We will now look at ways by which you can improve your soil to create a perfectly balanced structure.

Compost

This one is at the top of the list because it is the number one go-to magical product for any gardener. Compost will improve the texture and quality of almost any soil while also adding nutrients and increasing microbial life. You can dig it into the soil of your beds when you prepare for planting and again at the end of the season. It also comes with the added advantage of being free. Every garden should include a compost heap or bin somewhere.

Manure

For many gardeners, manure is one of the most useful fertilizers available. It is rich in nutrients and at the same time helps to bulk up the soil and increase water retention. Although it provides an almost perfectly balanced natural fertilizer, it needs at least six months to break down before adding it to your beds. If the manure you use is too fresh, you risk burning the roots of your plants.

Leaf Mold

Here is another free material that is often referred to as black gold in the gardening community. Many people burn the piles of leaves that they gather in the fall. This is a waste of a valuable free resource, as leaves can be a great soil conditioner. Once broken down, leaves form a rich black mold that can really add texture to your soil. This will cause the soil to retain more moisture and bring with it a wealth of microscopic creatures that will add to the soil’s biodiversity.

Cover Crops

Cover crops are plants that you sow into your beds during the off-season. The plants bind nitrogen into the soil and suppress weed growth. Before planting, dig the cover crop material into the soil where it breaks down to improve texture and add nutrients.

Practice Soil Rotation

Certain plants require more nutrients than others. Over time, the soil is depleted and the plants will fail to thrive. Another problem is that pests that favor that plant will build up in the soil. These problems can easily be avoided by simply changing what crops you plant into each bed every year.

Work the Soil

Turning the soil over with a fork or spade before planting helps you achieve a few goals. First, you open the soil, which allows air to penetrate it. At the same time, you make it easier for plant roots to pass through. Luckily, you don’t need to work the soil much to achieve these goals. It was once popular to really dig soil, but we are now starting to learn that the amount of digging needed to maintain your soil in peak condition is quite minimal, meaning less backache.

Avoid Soil Compaction

It would be a great shame to dig your soil over and work it into a perfect condition and then simply crush the air out of it by walking on it. You can avoid this by not working the soil when it is wet and treading on it as little as possible when you work in the beds. If you need to walk on your beds, lay down a plank and work from there so that your weight is more evenly distributed. Think carefully when designing your beds so that in most instances you can reach all areas of the beds without stepping into them.

Mulch

This is another product that is often very cheap and which offers many advantages. Mulch is simply biodegradable material that is laid onto the soil surface around the plants. No matter what type of mulch you opt for, it reduces evaporation from the soil, retains moisture, and acts as a weed deterrent. Straw is popular, but there are dozens of other different options. One option is to mulch with compost during the hottest periods in summer to reduce the amount of water you use. If compost is in short supply, then leaf mold works just as well.

Everything to Know About Trailing Plants

Long, cascading vines of trailing houseplants are the hottest trend in interior decorating. Here’s a look at the varieties lighting up social media.

You may have noticed that long, cascading vines of trailing plants have become an integral part of interior design trends. Whether hanging from baskets or spilling over the edges of shelves and bookcases, these playful additions can soften modern edges and add life and depth to indoor spaces.

But what species will add just the right touch of style? Read on to discover the trailing varieties getting the most attention on social media during the current houseplant craze.

String of Pearls and other Senecio varieties

Some of the most unique looks in the hanging-plant trend come from the wide variety of Senecio plants that grow in a trailing habit. Their succulent leaves are three-dimensional, plump little objects that look like treasures that have been strung along a cord. The most ubiquitous is Senecio rowleyanus, known as the String of Pearls or String of Beads for its ball-shaped leaves.

Rarer finds are even more delightful: The String of Bananas has crescent-shaped adornments, and the String of Tears features elegant, pointed succulent leaves. The most eye-catching may be the String of Dolphins, whose unique, instantly recognizable shape might make these the most desirable variety of all.

Each of these varieties spills over the edges of its pot with hardly any vertical growth, making them a natural choice for a high shelf or hanging in a basket above eye level. Planters painted to look like faces may be the perfect match for these plants: The mind instantly interprets their flowing stems as delightfully adorned locks of hair.

String of Hearts

Succulents aren’t the only plants that grow in the trendy leaves-on-a-string style: Ceropegia woodii, the String of Hearts or Sweetheart Vine, displays cute heart-shaped leaves with plenty of visual interest. Its patterned leaves will deepen in better light, although it will scorch in more than a few hours of direct sun, so choose your placement appropriately. When happy, it grows quickly, forming a hanging curtain with its many long strands.

The variegated form of this plant is even more popular to photograph, although it may be harder to actually find one for your own home. The pink edges of its fancy leaves match so well with its heart-shaped form that the Ceropegia woodii variegata is on many a plant lover’s wishlist and sells out fast.

Burro’s Tail

When it comes to social media trends, the more unique the look, the better. And the Burro’s Tail is unlike any other plant you’ve seen. Its thick, succulent leaves grow too densely for the stalk to hold up against gravity for very long, leading to thick “tails” that hang over the edges of any container it’s put into. The striking, alien look of this plant makes it endlessly photographable. Although its leaves are usually a pale, minty green, the right amount of direct sunlight can cause “stress colors” to appear, potentially creating a rainbow of shades across your plant!

Heartleaf Philodendron

For those in search of the “indoor jungle” vibe, look no further than the gorgeous, rich-colored leaves of the Heartleaf Philodendron. Not only is this plant considered quite easy to care for in standard indoor conditions, it grows voluminous vines rather quickly, creating a lush look that is completely on-trend, whether spilling from a shelf or climbing up a trellis.

Monstera Adansonaii

Fenestrated (hole-filled) leaves are all the rage right now, and so the Monstera Adansonaii is in high demand for multiple reasons. Not only is its leaf shape endlessly admirable, but it grows in a vining, trailing habit that adds a wild, tropical look to any space. It can be used in the background or as a focal point of a room’s décor. It even comes in a variegated, white-and-green version that is so popular that a single two-leaf cutting for propagation can fetch more than $1,000 USD.

Tradescantias

There are many varieties of Tradescantia on the market, and each one can bring a pop of unusual color to an otherwise monochromatic plantscape. Perfect for ambitious visions that require dense growth and lots of leaves, these plants grow fast and thick, and will fill any available space with an avalanche of foliage in no time. The undersides of its leaves range from maroon (t. zebrina) to deep purple (t. pallida) to pale pink (t. fluminensis and t. nanouk), and variegated versions of several of these species display a beautiful green-and-white striping. If all these colors sound enticing, you’ll be glad to know it’s easy to trade cuttings with friends, as stems from this plant root very quickly and propagate new plants in no time.

Pothos

Although the most popular varieties of these well-known plants are certainly not rare, people just can’t seem to get enough of the Pothos. Its versatility under poor lighting conditions, fast growth, and elegant leaf shape make it an ideal addition anywhere in your home. Many people find themselves collecting every variety of this plant that they can find. It’s easy to train its fast-growing vines across shelves or even along walls, filling any space that gets a little light and could use a bit more green.

There are many popular varieties of the Devil’s Ivy, so-named because of how hard this plant is to kill. The leaves of the Golden Pothos show occasional yellow variegation, while the Pothos N’Joy and Marble Queen each have unique patterns of white. The Neon Pothos features bright lime-green foliage, while the Satin Pothos has a deeper hue and a silvery sheen. The most coveted variety is currently the Cebu Blue, whose leaves carry an attractive turquoise hue. Although the Pothos is ubiquitous, it can still surprise and enrapture.

How to Grow Succulents Indoors

Succulents are beautiful and tough plants that thrive in almost any condition. They make great houseplants and are fairly easy to care for.This guide will teach you all you need to know to successfully grow and propagate your indoor succulents.

Looking for a low-effort plant that looks beautiful indoors? It’s hard to beat the succulent. Equally at home in the arid outdoors as on your bedroom shelf, succulents require little care and are content in most environments. Once you get one established, you’ll enjoy gorgeous natural décor for years to come.

Here’s what you need to know about keeping a succulent healthy indoors.

What Are Succulents?

Succulents are a family of plants with thick, fleshy tissue. Cacti may be the most well-known type, but succulents vary considerably in size, coloring, leaf style, and growth habits. Some are known for their whimsical frills and coils, while others produce gorgeous flowers.

What all succulents have in common is that they tend to retain water, meaning they are well-suited to survive drought, low light conditions, and other environmental challenges. In fact, you can often find them growing in harsh environments outdoors, from freezing mountains to scorching deserts and even cliffs overlooking the ocean.

Ten Requirements for Healthy Succulents

The drive to survive in any condition makes succulents hard to kill off at home. Though growing succulents in your home is fairly easy, here are ten steps to ensure success.

1. Choose the Right Pot

The right growing space is essential for success with succulents. They withstand crowding well, so you can pack multiple varieties within one pot without a problem.

However, these plants don’t do well in waterlogged soil. Ensure the pot has drainage holes in the bottom to prevent excess moisture that will rot the roots.

2. Use the Correct Growing Medium

Planting succulents in a standard potting mix is a mistake because the soil will hold onto too much water. It’s better to choose a cactus mix or blend potting soil with coarse materials like sand, pumice, or perlite.

Take good care of the roots as you repot your succulents, as they tend to be fragile.

3. Give Them Lots of (Indirect) Light

Succulents need at least six hours of light each day. Keep them out of direct sunlight, though, as it can scorch their leaves and may cause your succulents to grow lopsided. Some growers place them near a window protected with a sheer curtain to reduce the light’s intensity.

4. Switch Locations Frequently

As with many plants, succulents tend to grow towards the sun. Fail to rotate them often, and you’ll be left with scraggly, uneven plants. Give your succulent pots a quarter turn every few weeks to promote even growth.

5. Water the Soil, Not the Succulent

While succulents need consistent watering, they don’t do well when the leaves get soaked. Too much moisture around the stem and leaves will quickly lead to mold.

A better watering option is to soak the soil directly by placing the pot in a pan with an inch or two of water. Leave it in place for at least ten minutes and remove it once the top of the soil feels wet. This means the water has soaked to the surface.

6. Follow the “Soak and Dry” Watering Approach

Keeping succulent roots overly wet will cause them to rot. The best approach is to allow the soil to completely dry out between watering sessions. It should feel dry to the touch throughout the whole pot.

While the best watering frequency will vary based on your indoor conditions, most succulent growers only need to do so once every two to three weeks. Use this time frame as a guideline and adjust as necessary.

7. Adjust Watering By the Season

Succulents need minimal water during their dormant season, so plan to water less frequently during the coldest months of the year. Likewise, you may need to water more often during periods of heavy growth.

8. Fertilize When Necessary

While succulents don’t need much fertilizer, they appreciate a light feeding in the spring at the start of their growing season. Remember that less is more—adding too much fertilizer will make the plants grow tall and spindly.

9. Keep the Leaves Clean

The fleshy leaves of succulents are known to collect dirt and debris within their crevasses. This is especially an issue when you avoid watering the leaves. Keep things clean by gently wiping down dirty leaves with a damp cloth or soft paintbrush. You should also snip off any dying stems and wilted leaves as soon as you see them.

10. Keep Things Pest-Free

Even indoors, insects are likely to find your succulents. Gnats, in particular, love to call them home, especially when the soil stays wet. You can avoid most pest problems by placing your plant in a place with good airflow and letting the soil dry out occasionally.

If you see signs of an infestation, remove any eggs you find on leaves and spray the soil with diluted isopropyl alcohol.

How to Propagate Succulents

One of the perks of growing succulents indoors is how easy it is to turn a single plant into dozens. Learning how to propagate succulents is a simple process. The process varies slightly depending on the type, but tender varieties like Sedums and Echeverias will regrow from a single leaf.

Start by gently twisting a leaf off the main stem so it breaks off cleanly, ideally pulling a bit of the stem off with it. Let the leaf dry out for one to three days so that it starts to shrivel and scab over. Skip this step, and the leaf will absorb too much water and rot.

Place the prepared leaves on top of the soil, making sure the twisted end isn’t touching it. Water the soil every time it feels dry, and the leaf will soon develop roots. While timelines will vary based on your indoor growing conditions, you should see signs of new growth within two to three weeks.

It’s possible to pull multiple leaves off your succulent at once to propagate numerous plants. With a little care and attention at the beginning stages, you will soon enjoy a house filled with hardy succulents.

How to Grow Cover Crops

Cover crops are a great way to restore your soil after a successful harvest. However, the whole process can be a bit overwhelming when just starting out. Here is a simple guide to get you started with cover crops.

If you’re looking for an all-natural way to protect your garden soil, improve its fertility, and prevent weeds from establishing, then you should add cover crops.

This easy cultivation strategy offers plenty of benefits but can feel overwhelming when you’re just beginning. Which plants are best for cover crops, and when should you sow them?

Here is a beginner’s guide that will teach you everything you need to know to start planting cover crops.

What is a Cover Crop?

By simple definition, a cover crop is a crop you plant without any intention of harvesting it. Their primary function is to protect the soil’s surface when it’s not growing something else. However, cover crops also give the soil a chance to recover and rebuild its nutrient stores.

Benefits of Cover Crops

There are many reasons to consider planting a cover crop. Below are a few of the most important benefits.

Gives the soil a nutritional boost: Soils become depleted with every harvest. Growing a cover crop and chopping it down in place puts nutrients back into the ground for the next season. Some cover crops even restore nitrogen or phosphorus to the soil.
Breaks up compacted soil: If you’re dealing with heavy soils, planting a cover crop with deep roots can break it up and aerate it. No heavy machinery required.
Protects soil from wind exposure and erosion: Bare soil is susceptible to erosion from wind and heavy rainfall. Planting it with a cover crop anchors it in place.
Prevents weeds: Cover crops grow quickly, meaning they shade out the soil and prevent weed seeds from germinating.
Food source for pollinators: Winter-planted cover crops, like clover, are often some of the first plants to flower in the spring. This makes them an ideal food source for bees and other insects that otherwise might struggle to find enough food early in the season.

Types of Cover Crops

There are three basic types of cover crops to choose from: grains, legumes, and broadleaves.

Grains

These crops grow quickly and build extensive root systems that break up compacted soil. Most are cold-hardy, so farmers can plant them in the fall for “harvesting” in the spring.

Common examples: annual grasses, rye, wheat, oats

Legumes

Commonly known as nitrogen fixers, legumes can produce up to 300 pounds of nitrogen per planted acre to give the next generation of crops a nutritional boost.

Common examples: peas, clover, vetch, soybeans

Broadleaves

These plants germinate quickly and produce big leaves that shade out weeds. Some, like buckwheat, help build up phosphorus, while others break up the soil with large taproots.

Common examples: mustard, buckwheat, alyssum

Sometimes it makes sense to plant a single cover crop over your empty garden bed. In other cases, it’s better to plant multiple species in one spot so the soil gets the full range of benefits. Once you know what your soil needs, you will be able to determine how many cover crops are needed to get the job done.

When and How to Plant a Cover Crop

As a general rule, it’s best to plant cover crops soon after you pull a harvest from a garden bed to minimize the time the soil stays bare. For cold-hardy crops meant to survive the winter, plant them at least one month before the expected first frost date.

Cover crops are almost always seeded directly into the ground. Start by tilling up the soil in the empty bed through the top four inches to remove any remaining vegetation. Smooth the ground with a hand rake until the surface is even. You can scatter the seed over the top by hand or use a seed spreader for larger spaces. Pay attention to the optimal application rate specified on the package.

Use the same rake to cover the seeds with soil. Some varieties, such as rye, require light to germinate and need to stay close to the surface. Others, like most legumes, need a deeper planting for germination.

Ensure the bed stays moist until you see signs of germination. This might require irrigation, but temperatures are often cool enough by the fall for the soil to remain wet after a heavy rain.

How to Harvest a Cover Crop

After planting, your cover crop should grow vigorously throughout the fall before becoming dormant during the winter. The crop should recover and pick up steam again by early spring.

The best time to deal with mature cover crops is a few weeks before spring planting. Ideally, this should be while the plant is flowering. Cover crops are the easiest to kill when in bloom, and they will break down fast without the risk of spreading weed seeds.

Cut the crop down by hand or with a mower, letting it fall onto the bed to decompose in place. You can till it into the soil after one week so that the nutrients become accessible in the ground for the next season’s planting.

It’s also possible to remove the cut cover crop foliage into a compost pile so it breaks down there instead. While this method might make things more organized around your garden, it creates extra work by making you move the compost back to the bed once it’s finished.

Three Questions for Determining the Best Cover Crop

There are dozens of plants that make perfect cover crops, so knowing which ones to choose for your garden can be challenging. Here are several essential questions to ask before starting.

1. How Will You Kill It?

Some cover crops, like clover, are easy to break down by hand. Others, like winter rye, will only die from mowing after it’s created a seed head but before these seeds are released. Have a plan in place for how you’ll kill off your crop so you don’t accidentally release new weeds into your garden.

2. What’s the Time Frame?

All cover crops take different amounts of time to mature. Pay attention to your timing in the growing season to ensure you plant a variety that will have time to get large before you cut it down.

3. What are You Growing Next?

Base your cover crop decision around what you plan to plant right after it. For example, heavy feeder crops like tomatoes will love following a nitrogen fixer like legumes, while winter rye residue releases chemicals that may prevent kale and broccoli seeds from sprouting.

Cover crops offer the opportunity to improve your garden soil naturally. Take time to do it right, and your off-season planting will ensure your garden gets better every year.

How to Plant Bulbs in the Fall

Bulbs are a great way to add dramatic impact to your garden. However, they require some preparation and forethought months before they even bloom. Here is everything you need to know about planting bulbs in the fall.

Few things add more pizzaz to a spring garden than the emergence of a swathe of brightly colored bulbs. Their appearance is almost an act of defiance to those cold gray winter months. Bulbs are generally quite forgiving of even the most careless of gardeners, and their appearance can give impact to the blandest of gardens.

However, unlike bedding plants, bulbs require a little extra forethought and preparation. Though bulbs bloom in the spring, they must be planted in the fall. This requires you to develop a plan and start prepping your garden months before you see any results.

Below is everything you need to know about planting bulbs in the fall. You will learn why fall planting is essential, how to plant bulbs properly, and potential problems that may arise.

Why You Should Plant Bulbs in Fall

So why should you plant bulbs in the fall? Wouldn’t it be easier to plant them in the spring, just before they bloom? Bulbs are unique in that they require cool temperatures to start the biochemical process that is in charge of flowering. Without exposure to cool temperatures, bulbs simply will not bloom.

It is best to plant bulbs in the fall before the ground freezes. At this point, the soil is cool enough to start the biochemical processes but is not so cold that it is difficult to plant. Some bulbs will do better if planted at the beginning of the season, while others will do better if planted right before frost. Do some research on your bulbs to make sure you plant them at the perfect time.

If you forget to plant in the fall, it doesn’t hurt to try later in the winter or early spring. However, your bulbs are less likely to bloom if planted late.

If you live in a warmer climate, you may need to pre-chill your bulbs in your refrigerator. Make sure to plant them during the coldest season of the year.

Purchasing Bulbs

Today, bulbs come in an enormous variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. It is easy to get a little overexcited when you arrive at a garden center and are exposed to hundreds of bulb varieties. Here are a few tips to prevent you from blowing your budget.

1. Have a Plan in Mind

Before you even head for the garden center, do a walkthrough of your garden and work out where bulbs would be appropriate and where they would offer the most impact.

2. Know Your Color Scheme

You may be tempted to chase the latest fad or buy bulbs in every color. At best, the result is you have a garden that doesn’t suit your personality or complement your other plants. At worst, you have a mismatched multicolored mess. Some people love that multi-colored effect and can organize it quite well, but in general, a scheme with just a few complementary colors packs the most punch.

3. Expensive Isn't Always Best

Just because something is more expensive does not mean it is the best option for your garden. For the same amount of money, you can buy one or two expensive bulbs or a bunch of cheaper, but just as good, regular bulbs. One or two bulbs will look out of place in your garden, but a group of bulbs will offer more impact.

Furthermore, spending less sometimes results in a better product. For example, cheaper bulbs are often much hardier than expensive bulbs. The bulbs may also offer colors and shapes that better complement other plants in your garden. Therefore, don’t dismiss something just because it’s cheap.

Tips for Planting Bulbs

Now that you’ve come up with a plan and chose your bulbs, it’s time to get to work! Though planting bulbs is fairly straightforward, here are a few tips to help you with the process.

Loosen the soil and mix in some compost or organic matter before planting.
Plant bulbs at a depth of two and a half to three times their height.
Plant bulbs twice as far apart as the width of the bulb.
Ensure that the base of the bulb (where the roots grow) is in contact with the soil by giving it a quarter turn as you place it in its hole.
Plant groups of bulbs together instead of just one or two here and there. This adds more impact to your garden.
Invest in a bulb planter that cuts out a perfect circle of soil. However, a trowel will do fine if you don't plant bulbs often.
Lightly water the bulbs after planting.
Add labels so you don't forget where you planted them.

Think Outside the Box

We are all accustomed to seeing drifts of daffodils or tulips in spring gardens, but bulbs can be used in other ways. One of these is to layer a pot with different types of bulbs so that they can grow on a patio or terrace.

First, find a nice deep pot that can fit multiple bulbs. Lay in 8 in (20 cm) of potting soil and then plant your larger bulbs at the bottom. Next, cover them with soil and then plant another layer of medium-sized bulbs on top of that. Finally, add a third layer of even smaller bulbs and cover those. The results can be breathtaking.

Not all bulbs need to remain outdoors to have an impact. Hyacinths and paperwhite daffodils can be brought into the house just before flowering. Many bulbs will flourish on a windowsill or bright shelf, so do some research to explore other indoor possibilities.

Potential Problems and Cautions

In the vast majority of cases, your bulbs will be trouble-free. Once planted, all you need to do is keep the area weed-free and wait for the explosion of color. However, there are a few things that you may need to take into consideration.

1. Squirrels

Squirrels are even more fond of bulbs than gardeners are. They love to dig up and destroy the bulbs that you worked so hard to plant and cultivate. However, there are a few methods that will prevent squirrels from destroying your bulb garden.

The first is to pa layer of fine chicken wire over the bulbs but just beneath the soil surface so that they cannot be dug up. The second is to grate some soap into the soil as you bury the bulbs. The smell confuses the culprits, and the taste puts them off.

2. Rot

Sometimes bulbs can rot prior to planting. Whether you are just purchasing new bulbs or are replanting bulbs you lifted the previous season, always examine them carefully before planting. They should be firm and blemish-free.

3. Improper Location

Improper location can kill your bulbs come springtime. For example, shade-loving bulbs planted in the open may find the position too bright. Likewise, sun-lovers planted beneath a tree will find themselves in deep shade come the spring.

One of the reasons that gardeners fail to make greater use of bulbs is that it requires some planning. Unlike bedding plants which you see, purchase, and pop into the ground, bulbs require you to envision the impact months in advance. However, with a bit of prep and planning, you can have a bulb garden that is dramatic and impactful.

How to Build a Simple Patio Space

A little planning and moderate construction skills are all you need to build a gorgeous outdoor patio space.

If you are willing to put in just a little time and effort, building a small patio space in your yard is an achievable goal. It’s true that building a patio requires some considerable forethought and a moderate amount of construction skill. But if you follow a reliable patio-building process, you can overcome those challenges and create a patio space that you and your loved ones can enjoy for years to come. To prepare for that kind of project, the following guide will serve you well.

Chose the Form and Location of Your Patio

A poorly planned patio construction project is likely to fail. So, as an essential first step, you will need to determine your new patio’s:

Choosing Your Patio's Location

Choose an area of your yard that is relatively flat and where a new patio would not conflict with any existing structures or utilities. Ideally, the area you choose will be highly accessible. This will make it easier to move construction materials in and out of the area. It will also make your patio more usable once completed.

Sizing Your Patio

Next, consider the size of your patio. The larger your patio is, the more costly and time-consuming it will be to construct. The benefit of a large patio is that it will serve many users once it’s finished.

Finding Your Patio's Form

Regarding shape, it’s best to keep it simple. Uncomplicated, rectangular forms are often the easiest to build. If you choose a curving shape, know that it may be difficult to cut your paver stones to match your intended shape.

Mark the Shape and Excavate

Once you know your patio’s shape and place, it’s time for you to mark your future patio space and begin excavation. Here are some quick steps that you can follow at this stage:

Later you will fill that depth with several layers of base material and your patio paver stones. It is helpful to know the dimensions of the pavers you wish to use as well as how many inches of base material you intend to lay. Let those figures be a loose guide during excavation.

You should also make sure to excavate an area that is about a half-foot wider in all directions than your intended patio shape. This tactic will help you complete the next step correctly. Once your excavation is complete, use a hand tamper to compact the soil within the excavated area to prevent unwanted settling.

Lay Patio Base Materials

Patio base materials help drain water and contribute to the overall longevity of your patio. There are many types of base materials that are useful in construction. But for the sake of building a simple patio, all you will need is a large-grain material such as crushed stone or pea stone and a fine-grain material such as sand. Once you have those materials, here is what you should do:

Fill the excavated area with about six to eight inches of your coarse material
Use an iron rake to smooth the surface
Compact the material with a hand tamper
Add a one- to two-inch layer of the fine-gain material
Smooth and level the surface as much as possible
Compact the material again with the hand tamper again
Smooth and level the surface again

Make each base material layer as level as possible. Also, your base materials should fill the entire excavated area, which is slightly larger than the patio itself. This will discourage erosion at the edge of the patio.

Lay Paver Stones

One of the easiest steps in this process is also one of the last. When laying pavers for a dry-laid patio, all you will need to do is place the pavers on the layers of sand. Again, make sure that the sand is level, then lay each paver stone on top of it in any pattern you like. Adjust the sand as needed to make sure that each new paver is level with the one you placed previously. A bubble level is a great tool to use during this stage.

As a final step, you should cover your patio area with sand and use a broom to sweep the sand between the paver joints. Next, spray the patio with your garden hose to encourage the sand to settle between the joints. Repeating this step until the joints are full of sand will promote long-term stability for your patio.

Complete Your Patio with Plants and Furniture

With all practical matters taken care of, it is time to embellish your new patio space. Plantings around your patio will enliven the space, while a nice set of patio furniture will make your patio a comfortable place for you and your friends to enjoy together for years to come.

A Few Excellent Patio Examples

By now, you have a good idea of how to create a simple dry-laid patio in your yard. You’re now ready for one of the more exciting aspects of designing your patio. Choosing the style and intended use for your patio is what will allow you to get the most out of the space. Here are a few ideas to spark your inspiration.

Outdoor Dining on Your Patio

If your patio is nearby your house, consider designating it as an outdoor eating space. The patio in the image below serves that role and is large enough to accommodate a table for six.

Grow a Patio Garden

A patio alone is nothing more than hardscape. If you want to enliven your patio area, the best approach you can take is to add plants. Use containers to grow some ornamental species and arrange them throughout your patio as you please.

Patios Are Great for Firepits

Firepits are one of the most sought-after residential landscape features. If you are one of the many homeowners who want one, why not incorporate a firepit into your new patio?

Relax By Treating Your Patio as a Lounge Space

The best backyard landscape designs permit you to expand your living spaces to the outdoors. Why not add a comfortable set of cushioned outdoor furniture to make your patio a place of repose?

Homemade Jam Recipes That Everyone Will Love

With just a bit of fruit, sugar, and lemon juice, you can make a tasty homemade jam that everyone will love. Here is a guide to making homemade jam, as well as a few recipes to get you started.

The best way to preserve all that delicious fruit that you’ve so lovingly grown is to make jam from it. Not only will you have some lovely homemade jam to have on your toast or scones, but you’ll more than likely have plenty of jars left over to give away to your family and friends.

Below is some basic information on how to make your own jam as well as a few recipes to get you started.

What Fruits Are Best For Making Jam?

Though you can make jam from almost any fruit, the best options have high amounts of pectin. Pectin is a starch that occurs naturally in many fruits and vegetables and helps your jam to set properly.

Fruits with high amounts of pectin include blueberries, raspberries, cherries, apples, pears, apricots, figs, peaches, oranges, and lemons. You can still make jam with low pectin fruits, such as strawberries, but you will need to add pectin to the recipe.

You also don’t have to settle with just one fruit for your jam recipe. Try mixing different fruits to come up with jams that have unique flavors and textures.

Other Important Ingredients

When you look at the recipes below, you should notice a pattern. Each jam recipe includes sugar and lemon juice. When making jam, it’s important to add some sweetness and acid to the mix.

Sugar (or other sweet substitutes) adds to the flavor. Some fruits can be quite tart, and a bit of sugar can balance the taste. Though we have recommended certain amounts in our recipes, put in as little or as much as you want.

Acid, which comes in the form of lemon juice, not only keeps the jam well-balanced but also activates the pectin in the fruit. Therefore, this is a crucial ingredient to get the right texture for your jam.

Homemade Jam Recipes

Now that you know the perfect equation for jam recipes, it’s time to start cooking! Below are some recipes for strawberry, fig, and apricot jams to get you started.

Strawberry Jam

There are many different strawberry jam recipes available and you may even have a favorite one that was handed down through your family.

If you’ve never made strawberry jam before, here’s a super simple recipe to get you started.

Ingredients:

Directions:

Wash and hull the strawberries.
Roughly chop the strawberries either in a food processor or by hand.
Using a large heavy-based pot or saucepan, put in the chopped strawberries, the sugar, and the lemon juice.
Gently cook this mixture over medium heat and stir often.
Turn off the heat when you start to see bubbles all over the surface.
Once cooled, pour the jam into some jars and refrigerate.

This easy jam will last in the refrigerator for about ten days. To store the jam for a longer period, you’ll have to preserve it using a canning kit or a water bath.

You can also ensure your jams stay preserved longer by pouring them into special canning jars that have new sealing rings. These rings allow the excess air to condense and create a vacuum which helps to preserve your jam. Make sure that you sterilize the jars and lids before using them.

Fig Jam

Growing figs requires a little patience as the trees can take a few years to start producing abundant fruit. However, once you have a mature fig tree in your garden, you’ll realize that it was all worth the wait.

Unfortunately, the fig harvesting season is quite short and we only get to enjoy fresh, juicy figs for a few weeks. What better way to keep that taste going than to make some fig jam?

Here’s a simple recipe to get you started.

Ingredients:

Directions:

Remove the stems from the figs and cut them into quarters.
Using a heavy-based pot or saucepan, add the figs, sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla.
Cook this mixture on medium heat and stir frequently until the sugar is dissolved.
Reduce the heat to a low setting and add the water.
Let the jam mixture continue to simmer until you see bubbles all over the surface.
Once cooled, pour the jam mixture into some nice jars and store them in the refrigerator.

Because of the higher sugar content, this jam should last about two months in the refrigerator. If you want to store it for longer, you’ll have to use a preserving method.

Apricot Jam

You know that spring has arrived when your apricot tree starts blossoming. Apricot trees are so easy to grow and will provide you with lots of delectable fruit sooner than you might think.

If you plant your tree in winter or early spring after the frosts have left, you should get a small amount of fruit the following year in the summer. After that, be prepared, because you’ll most likely get quite a bumper crop.

All that lovely, juicy fruit tends to ripen all at once which means you have to pick it if you don’t want the birds getting it all.

Thankfully, when you have an abundance of apricots, you can make delicious apricot jam. Here’s a quick apricot jam recipe we found that is easy and only uses three ingredients.

Ingredients:

Directions:

Wash the apricots, remove the stones, and cut them into quarters.
In a heavy-based pot or saucepan, add the apricots and the sugar.
Cook over medium heat and stir frequently.
Continue to simmer the mixture for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Stir in the lemon juice and remove from the heat.
When the jam has cooled a little, pour into some fancy jars and refrigerate.

As with the other recipes, if you want to keep your jam for longer, you will need to find another preservation method.

There’s nothing better than picking lovely fresh fruit from your garden to enjoy. But, if you have a bumper crop, then you can simply make some jam to enjoy long after your trees have finished fruiting.