Chelsea Green Blog
Gardening
Grow Vegetables Like You Mean It
In the United States, 40 percent of the food we produce is wasted. Ben Hartman is trying to put a dent in that dismal statistic. Inspired by Toyota’s “lean” approach to manufacturing, a production strategy designed to minimize waste and maximize efficiency while increasing profits. In his practical how-to manual, Hartman shows how he has…
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From the Ground Up: Using Soil Amendments
It may be too early to plant your garden, but it’s not too early to PLAN your garden! Beyond what and how you will plant, it’s important to have a plan for enriching your soil. For us, soil amendments are the perfect solution. Do you add compost to your garden? Congratulations! You’re using soil amendments.…
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Perfect Salad with Soil Sprouts: Unlock the Secret
Around this time of year, when “seasonal produce” is just a synonym for root vegetables, many of us begin to dream about fresh greens and colorful salads. Without a greenhouse or expensive equipment, it’s hard to imagine a reality in which you can have fresh and local greens every day. Luckily, you can grow your…
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How to Use Reflected Light to Boost Indoor Food Production
Growing food indoors or in an urban setting can be quite a challenge. You need to find the right kinds of plants, purchase or build tools, and make sure you have lots of time and patience. Oh, and don’t forget making sure your garden gets enough reflected light so it can thrive! If your space…
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Okra Marshmallow Delights
Did you know you can make marshmallows out of this peculiar plant? Anything is possible when it comes to okra! Whether it’s a treat you’re creating at home with your family or an on-the-go snack, okra marshmallows will certainly become one of your favorites. Check out this amazing recipe by Katrina Blair. The following is…
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The Ultimate Guide to Sheet Mulching
Sheet mulching is a layered mulch system that nurtures the soil. You start with a biodegradable weed barrier like cardboard. From there, you build a thick, layered substrate for your garden with compost and mulch. As the materials break down, worms move in, softening the soil below, and creating a healthy, aerated planting bed where…
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Learning to Love Insects
With spring in full swing, bugs are making a reappearance in our gardens and in our lives. Before you reach for the fly swatter, consider this: While they inspire fear in many of us, bugs also play an important role in the ecosystem. So let’s learn to live with bugs, not in fear of them!…
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Save Your Soil the Power of Pee
It’s time to roll up your sleeves and get down into the dirt – but you may want to grab a bucket, especially first thing in the morning. Nutrient loss in our soil is an ongoing issue for some gardeners, but you may find help in an unexpected—liquid—form. The following is an excerpt from The…
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Resilient Living: 12 Must Have Books
Are you looking to grow and prepare your own food, conserve energy, and be more resilient? Maybe you’re looking for ways to simplify your life. Wherever you find yourself, there are things you can do today to become more resilient. We’ve compiled our favorite books about all aspects of resilient living to get you started.…
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The Eat-All Greens Garden: Effortless Effort
If you want to start a garden but don’t have much spare time, give eat-all greens a shot! These plants are sturdy and need little management or help at all, plus you can eat almost the entire plant! Try starting with Green Wave mustard. The following is an excerpt from The Tao of Vegetable Gardening…
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Low-Maintenance Perennials for Your Garden
Have you ever wondered about growing perennials? Now’s a better time than ever to get started with them. Here are some low-maintenance perennials suited for gardeners of all interests and abilities! The following is from Perennial Vegetables by Eric Toensmeier. It has been adapted for the web. Perennials: General Overview, History, and Ecology Around the world…
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How to Create a Nitrogen-Rich, Compost-Fed Soil Bed on Your Patio
If you have an unused stretch of patio, why not make it into a garden? Turning a concrete slab into a verdant garden isn’t as impossible as it sounds, all it takes is time, a compost-fed soil bed, and some good old-fashioned elbow grease. The following is an excerpt from Fresh Food from Small Spaces: The…
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DIY: Make a Self-Watering Planter
Whether you live in a four-season climate or a small apartment in the city, fresh food at your fingertips is easier than you think! Just follow the directions for this self-watering growing container and you’ll have an abundance of produce in no time. The following is an excerpt from Fresh Food From Small Spaces by…
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All-Star-All-Sprout Salad
Without a greenhouse or expensive equipment, it’s hard to imagine a reality in which you can have fresh and local greens every day. Sprouts, however, are easy to cultivate, mature very quickly, and really pack a nutritional punch. The best part is, you can use them for some great recipes! The following is an excerpt…
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No Garden? No Problem! Grow Your Own Salad Indoors
Think you need a vast outdoor garden in order to enjoy fresh produce? Think again!
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The Secret Life of Fungi
Fungi have intricate lives, behaviors, and uses most people are unaware of. Mychorrizal fungi form symbiotic relationships with the root systems of other plants. The crucial, symbiotic role that fungi play in everything from healthy plants to healthy soils to a healthy planet. The following is an excerpt from Mycorrhizal Planet: How Symbiotic Fungi Work with Roots…
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When to Plant: Determining When Crops Thrive
Most people know that different crops thrive in different seasons and climates and that each crop has ideal growing conditions. But, did you know that the moon also has a significant influence over the productivity and health of plants? Paying attention to the proximity, declination, and phase of the moon will help you determine when…
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10 Great Gardening Books: Gift Guide for Growers
Are you scrambling to find the perfect gift for the gardener on your list? How about a new book featuring insight from our expert roster of authors? From building a garden plot in the backyard to crafting indoor growing containers for small spaces to incorporating organic practices we’ve got the perfect gardening books for the…
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Rethinking Pests, Invasive Species, and Other Paradigms
At the first sight of small chew marks on leaves or fruit mysteriously disappearing, you’ll want to get rid of the pest to protect your crop. Your first instinct might be to use pesticides or other forms of extermination. You can save yourself and your crops from using harmful methods by preparing and managing your…
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A Guide to Okra: Ok-RAH-RAH-RAH!
Expert okra enthusiast Chris Smith writes regularly for The Heirloom Gardener, the Mother Earth News blog, and the Farmers’ Almanac blog. His presentations on the versatility of okra have delighted audiences at food and farming festivals and fairs throughout the Southeast. He is the Communications Manager for Sow True Seed in Asheville, North Carolina, and…
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A Community Food Forest: Planning and Managing
As Benjamin Franklin stated, “By failing to prepare, you’re preparing to fail.” A good community food forest will always require robust planning but don’t let that scare you! By breaking down the work into the following five project management phases, you not only establish an initial plan you’ve also developed a dynamic system to allow…
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Okra Recipe: Fabulous Fries
Ever think about eating fries that aren’t made out of potatoes? Why not try okra fries! These easy to make and fun to eat treats are the perfect side to your meal, or you might be tempted to have a whole bowl full. Author Chris Smith pulls this fabulous recipe from Chef Viviane Howard. The…
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Tips for the Square-Inch Gardener: Vertical Gardening
Do you dream of having your own garden but live in a city or an area with not enough space? Try vertical gardening! Take advantage of plants’ willingness to grow toward sunshine ability to grow in unusual places. There are three techniques involved in vertical gardening: terracing, trellising, and tumbling. Each is designed to maximize…
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Making Your Own Okra Cosmetics
Okra, slime is gold! This pod-producing vegetable is a nutritional powerhouse and has been used throughout history for medicinal, culinary and cosmetics purposes. Discover the benefits of okra when eaten or use the slime from okra for glowing skin, thick shiny hair and strong nails, among others. The following is an excerpt from The Whole…
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Building Your Backyard Permaculture Paradise
The award-winning Paradise Lot takes a behind-the-scenes look at how two plant geeks transformed a desolate urban backyard into a permaculture paradise. At the same time, the pair were hoping to each find their own Eve for this special garden adventure. They succeeded on both fronts–creating an urban, food-producing oasis on a tenth of an acre, and…
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