Plant Gardens 101

Snapdragon family
Scrophulariaceae
Kal-see-o-lay’ri-a. A very large genus of tropical American herbs or shrubby plants, called slipperworts.

Description
Leaves opposite or in whorls, simple or pinnately divided; leafstalk often winged. Flowers in irregular, often 1-sided, clusters, generally yellow, but often spotted with orange-brown. Corolla very irregular and 2-lipped, the upper lip small, the lower one large, inflated, and slipperlike. Stamens 2.

How to Grow    (more…)

Hydroponics is the perfect solution for the gardener in all of us and the best solution for indoor gardening. Hydroponics means soil-less gardening and it allows growing healthy plants and vegetables without getting your hands dirty from soil. I’ve recently begun to grow all of my herbs and vegetables using hydroponics nutrients and organic gardening supplies. We’ve noticed a change in our health for the better already, too.

Hydroponics is not new 21st century way of organic gardening nor is it new technology. Actually, the use of hydroponics nutrients has been used for years on commercial farms. It’s only over the past few years that hydroponics has taken off as a form of indoor gardening. There is nothing stopping you from buying an indoor hydroponic kits and getting started today. (more…)

If your apartment leaves little room for growing things, you can use planter boxes to host an herb garden. An herb garden also requires a more minimal commitment of your time for maintenance. There’s no need to fertilize herbs regularly, and they can withstand dry spells if you forget to water them occasionally. Before you begin, make sure that your planter boxes receive plenty of sunlight. If they are located in a shady area, you should use plants that respond well to a shady environment. Provide your herbs with well-draining soil. Prune and harvest appropriately, and you should enjoy a bountiful supply of fresh herbs for your cooking.

Herbs do require full sunlight. They like direct sunlight, and lots of it. If your planter boxes will be in a shady area, you should pick different plants that like shade. (more…)

The botanical name for pistachio.