Niki Jabbour's Blog, page 57

How to grow broccoli sprouts and microgreens: 6 methods for success

Sprouts and microgreens pack a nutritional punch and offer a delicious crunch to sandwiches, soups, salads, and more. Both are reported to contain more nutrients per ounce than mature plants of the same species. Today, I’d like to share information on how to grow broccoli sprouts and microgreens, though this information can be used to [&hellip

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Indoor gardening supplies: Houseplant gear for potting, watering, fertilizing, projects, and more!

As consumers’ enthusiasm for houseplants grows, so too does the variety of indoor gardening supplies to satisfy this popular hobby. It used to be harder to find items like misters or special succulent soil—heck, even succulents. A few years ago when doing a project for a magazine, I had to go directly to a grower [&hellip

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A winter greenhouse: A productive way to harvest vegetables all winter

In my vegetable garden, a winter greenhouse has become the heart of our cold season garden, providing us with homegrown vegetables and herbs from December through March. It’s an unheated structure, capturing solar energy and sheltering a wide variety of cold tolerant crops like kale, carrots, leeks, scallions, carrots, and spinach. I also use the [&hellip

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Pilea peperomioides care: The best light, water, and food for a Chinese money plant

Among the trendiest houseplants, the Chinese money plant (also known as the pancake plant or UFO plant) is adored for its unique appearance. The round, coin-sized leaves are thick and glossy. Each leaf is attached to the crown of the plant by a petiole (leaf stem) that connects directly to the leaf underside, giving it [&hellip

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Fabric raised beds: The perks of growing fruit and vegetables in these versatile containers

I first discovered fabric raised beds in Quebec City. I was there for a garden writers’ conference a few years ago, and they seemed to be everywhere I went: in front of the parliament buildings featuring a lush ornamental mix of vegetables, herbs, and flowers; lined up in rows on the roof of a homeless [&hellip

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Growing fruit and vegetables in fabric raised beds

I first discovered fabric raised beds in Quebec City. I was there for a garden writers’ conference a few years ago, and they seemed to be everywhere I went: in front of the parliament buildings featuring a lush ornamental mix of vegetables, herbs, and flowers; lined up in rows on the roof of a homeless [&hellip

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DIY compost bin: Quick and easy ideas for making your own compost bin

There’s no need to spend big bucks on a fancy composting system when a simple DIY compost bin will transform kitchen and garden waste into a rich soil amendment. And, with a little elbow grease and a few basic materials like pallets or chicken wire, you can quickly and easily build an effective compost bin. [&hellip

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Flowering trees for home gardens: 21 beautiful choices

There’s no doubt that trees are essential to life on Earth. Not only are they the “lungs” of the planet, converting carbon dioxide to oxygen through photosynthesis, but they also filter groundwater, stabilize soils, and provide food and habitat for innumerable animals, fungi, and bacteria. Trees serve a countless array of ecosystem services; yes, even [&hellip

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How to harvest lemongrass for recipes and herbal tea

I grow lemongrass in containers every year. When I give my raised bed talks, I usually tell the audience that I like to plant lemongrass in place of a spike or dracaena, in my ornamental pots because it provides that lovely dramatic height. It’s a great double-duty plant because of its ornamental grass qualities—and it’s [&hellip

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Alliums for the garden: The best long-blooming allium varieties

In late spring, when they come into flower, allium bulbs make quite the statement in planting beds. Whether they’re mixed with perennials or planted in an area all their own, these onion relatives have so many worthwhile traits. They’re deer resistant, unbothered by voles, chipmunks, and squirrels, long-lived, and downright stunning. Alliums come in a [&hellip

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