Susan Patterson 
Though it is sad to think of it, the end of summer is here. As you enjoy the last few weeks of warmth and sunshine, you are probably busy in the garden, getting everything prepared for the winter and harvesting your late summer veggies. But don’t put those tools away quite yet, as long as you have at least 60 days before your first expected frost, there are plenty of veggies you can plant today and enjoy in just a few weeks.
“The cause of plant disease is poor nutrition and an unhealthy soil ecosystem. The fate of plants is as inseparably entwined with that of the soil as our fate is entwined with theirs. If we want to eat nutritious food we need to take care of the soil, for we too are part of this web of life.” – Heide Hermary
To some, the words urban and homestead just don’t seem to mix. However, more and more people are realizing their lifelong dream of becoming more self-sufficient without actually having to quit their job and move to the country. In fact, it is quite possible and popular these days to create a homestead within city limits on a relatively small piece of urban land. This is good news to those who can’t afford 50 acres of land but still want to catch the homesteading wave.
Have you ever taken a stroll through your veggie or fruit patch to find full blooms and gotten really excited only to see that nothing comes of them? This is one of the most disheartening things that can happen to a gardener, and the reason behind this is a lack of pollination.
They may be small, but this blue fruit packs a powerful punch. In fact, just one cup provides a fourth of the daily requirement of vitamin C and manganese, as well as vitamin K, along with a host of other nutrients in smaller quantities. All these and a considerable amount of fiber come with very few calories, making blueberries a sweet snack that everyone can enjoy.
Most vegetables need plenty of sun to flourish. Corn, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, beans and peas are sun lovers, and you need to grow them in full sun for bumper crops. However, there are a number of vegetables that do better with a bit of shade, especially during the hotter parts of the day.
It could be argued that a beautiful patio or a well-planned backyard garden deserves to be seen and appreciated, but there are many times that privacy over-rules showcasing your yard. When this is the case, consider replacing traditional privacy such as a fence or brick wall with something more organic. Something that becomes part of the landscape…a living screen.
High blood pressure or hypertension is a common condition where the heart pumps blood with extra force. This puts the arteries under heavy load and eventually leads to cardiovascular disease, a major cause of death in many developed countries, including the United States.
Epsom salt is familiar to gardeners as a fertilizer. When you find your plants looking tired, giving them a small dose of Epsom salt is a quick way to rejuvenate them. This is particularly true for ferns and palms. Roses, azaleas, tomatoes, peppers, and fruit trees also respond well to its regular application with increased flowering and yield. If that’s not enough, this inexpensive non-toxic solution can help keep pests out of your garden, too.
Chickweed is a common weed found around the house and garden, usually in moist and shady spots. Although a European native, it has become naturalized in almost every cool and temperate part of the world. In fact, it’s so common that we tend to overlook the possibilities this lowly herb offers.
Marjoram (Origanum majorana) is a milder and sweeter cousin of the popular pizza seasoning oregano, but not as well known. It’s usually referred to as ‘Sweet Marjoram, while, interestingly, oregano is called ‘Wild Marjoram’ (Origanum vulgare) in their native Mediterranean region. Both belong to the mint family.
Sign up for gardening advice
delivered straight to your inbox!
