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Gardening - Blog Posts
Faerie Garden
Plants to grow in your faerie Garden:
Bluebells: Faeries get called to their midnight dances by the ringing of bluebells. Bluebells represent kindness. They symbolize consecrated faery magick grounds. A potent plant for faerie magick.
Buttercup: These flowers help faeries to bring compassion to humans. Buttercups bring healing energy and understanding.
Carnation: Faeries have a strong love of these. They can strengthen the aura and ones love life.
Clover: Attract Fae.
Cowslips: These are loved and protected by faeries. The flowers are adorred by faeries.
Daisy: Symbolizes happiness. Useful for attracting faeries.
Foxglove: A flower associated with faeries and mentioned in faerie folklore. Flowers attract faerie energy.(Very poisonous!)
Fern: Provides the Fae with shelter.
Holly: Holly berries are a favorite food for fairies.
Lavender: Is used in Elf magick.
Lilac: Its scent attracts the fae.
Morning Glories: Keeps malevolent faeries at bay.
Mushrooms and Toadstools: Loved by Fae. Circles of mushrooms are considered dangerous.
Pansy: Said to attract faeries.
Rose: Rose bushes are a wonderful way to attract fairies to your garden. The petals can be used fairy magic and are especially useful for love spells.
Rosemary: Useful for keeping malicious fairies away, but when burned as incense, it will attract the fae.
Tulips: Adored by faeries.
Violets: Used to attract faeries and in faerie magick.
Make sure to add wildflowers and flowers native to your area!
Things to add:
Bird houses, hummingbird feeders, bird feeders, and bird baths.
Bee homes, bee waterers, bee baths.
Fountain or fish pond
Wind chimes and bells
A place for offerings
Mirrors
Shiny stones
Faerie homes (Make sure they are made of natural materials only!)
Glass/mirrored globes
Stained glass
Leave out offerings
Shiny beads
For the Anon who requested this :)
==Moonlight==
Sike! Sad grrrrl hours have ended!
*Enter chill girl vibes
Chat, if he doesn’t text me this weekend do I just give up?
some pictures of my plants 🌸( ᵔ ⩊ ᵔ )
Some of you may have heard about Monarch butterflies being added to the Threatened species list in the US and be planning to immediately rush out in spring and buy all the milkweed you can manage to do your part and help the species.
And that's fantastic!! Starting a pollinator garden and/or encouraging people and businesses around you to do the same is an excellent way to help not just Monarchs but many other threatened and at-risk pollinator species!
However.
Please please PLEASE do not obtain Tropical Milkweed for this purpose!
Tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica)--also commonly known as bloodflower, Mexican butterflyweed, and scarlet milkweed--will likely be the first species of milkweed you find for sale at most nurseries. It'll be fairly cheap, too, and it grows and propagates so easily you'll just want to grab it! But do not do that!
Tropical milkweed can cause a host of issues that can ultimately harm the butterflies you're trying to help, such as--
Harboring a protozoan parasite called OE (which has been linked to lower migration success, reductions in body mass, lifespan, mating success, and flight ability) for long periods of time
Remaining alive for longer periods, encouraging breeding during migration time/overwintering time as well as keeping monarchs in an area until a hard freeze wherein which they die
Actually becoming toxic to monarch caterpillars when exposed to warmer temperatures associated with climate change
However--do not be discouraged!! There are over 100 species of milkweed native to the United States, and plenty of resources on which are native to your state specifically! From there, you can find the nurseries dedicated to selling native milkweeds, or buy/trade for/collect seeds to grow them yourself!!
The world of native milkweeds is vast and enchanting, and I'm sure you'll soon find a favorite species native to your area that suits your growing space! There's tons of amazing options--whether you choose the beautiful pink vanilla-smelling swamp milkweed, the sophisticated redring milkweed, the elusive purple milkweed, the alluring green antelopehorn milkweed, or the charming heartleaf milkweed, or even something I didn't list!
And there's tons of resources and lots of people willing to help you on your native milkweed journey! Like me! Feel free to shoot me an ask if you have any questions!
Just. PLEASE. Leave the tropical milkweed alone. Stay away.
TLDR: Start a pollinator garden to help the monarchs! Just don't plant tropical milkweed. There's hundreds of other milkweeds to grow instead!
Straw Bale Gardening
One of the thriftiest, most versatile ways to garden is what’s called Straw Bale gardening. Often cheaper than garden soil or fertilizer, straw bales are found virtually everywhere. Craigslist, home depot or other home improvement stores will sell them for pennies on the dime when push comes to shove.
But what can you grow?
The answer: just about anything.
Moisture and heat collect in the straw bale like a trap. Tomatoes, corn and other tall plants can break the bale apart the taller they get, but potatoes and herbs will thrive in your bale.
Hay bales start to decompose just hours after they get wet and can provide an atmosphere better than your greenhouse. By digging a hole into your bale, dropping in some soil around your plants and packing it firmly, you’ll add some stability to your plant and as your bale decomposes, it will provide a steady source of nutrition all throughout the growing season.
Everyone please behold this baby tree:
It's so much smaller than the support posts, they had to secure it with caution tape.
Zucchini Time
Drew Crayola with the zucchinis I got from my garden
Potted up my tomato seedlings! Can't plant them outside till May 🍅 zone 5b
Pansy bowl too haha
Garden update! The tomatoes and herbs sprouted! 🌱 Just waiting on the jalapeno plants 🍅 🌶️
Zone 5b. There was a tornado 40 miles from my house yesterday and overnight we got a couple inches of snow 🌪️ 🌨️ ❄️
It's above 60!!!! Zone 5b it's usually still snowy in March. I moved my lettuce and spinach seedlings into bowls. Started some pepper and tomato seeds. Spring is coming 🌱🌷🌞
I'm finally feeling courage to post pictures from my garden. I'm feeling peak seasonal affective disorder with the snow storm. Maybe some bright sunny summer flowers will help cheer everyone else up too... ❤️🌞🔥🌻
Introduction to Gardening for Beginners
Gardening is a rewarding and therapeutic hobby that can transform your outdoor or indoor space into a thriving sanctuary of plants, flowers, and vegetables. Whether you aim to create an English cottage garden, grow organic flowers, or cultivate a vegetable garden, starting as a beginner can be both exciting and overwhelming. This guide will walk you through the best way to start a garden, covering everything from selecting plants to understanding garden design principles.
Understanding Your Space
Before you begin planting, it's crucial to understand the space you have available. Whether you're planning an indoor garden, an English cottage garden, or a vegetable garden, the key is to assess the light, soil, and space conditions.
Indoor Gardens
For those interested in indoor gardening, consider the amount of natural light your home receives. South-facing windows are ideal for most houseplants, providing ample light throughout the day. If your space lacks natural light, consider investing in grow lights.
Outdoor Gardens
Outdoor gardening requires an assessment of your yard or garden plot. Observe how much sunlight different areas receive, noting which spots are in full sun, partial shade, or full shade. This information will guide your plant selection, ensuring you choose plants suited to your garden's conditions.
Choosing the Right Plants
Selecting the right plants is vital for a successful garden. As a beginner, start with plants that are easy to grow and maintain.
Easy Indoor Plants
Spider Plant: Hardy and adaptable, perfect for beginners.
Pothos: Low maintenance and can thrive in low light.
Snake Plant: Tolerant of neglect and ideal for low light conditions.
Succulents: Require minimal watering and are great for sunny windowsills.
Easy Outdoor Plants
Marigolds: Bright, cheerful flowers that are easy to grow from seed.
Sunflowers: Fast-growing and visually striking.
Lettuce: Quick to grow and perfect for salads.
Tomatoes: Popular and rewarding, providing fresh produce for your kitchen.
Garden Design Principles
Designing your garden involves more than just planting; it requires planning and understanding some basic design principles.
English Cottage Garden
An English cottage garden is characterized by its informal, densely planted flower beds. To achieve this look, mix various flowers, herbs, and vegetables, ensuring a continuous bloom throughout the growing season.
Plant Variety: Combine perennials, annuals, and biennials for a dynamic and colorful display.
Pathways: Create charming, winding paths using natural materials like stone or gravel.
Focal Points: Incorporate elements like arbors, benches, or birdbaths to add interest and structure.
Vegetable Garden
A vegetable garden can be both beautiful and productive. Consider the following tips:
Raised Beds: Ideal for beginners as they improve drainage, reduce weeds, and make planting and harvesting easier.
Companion Planting: Grow plants together that benefit each other, such as tomatoes with basil or carrots with onions.
Succession Planting: Maximize your garden’s yield by planting different crops in the same area throughout the year.
Gardening Tools and Supplies
Having the right tools can make gardening more enjoyable and efficient. Here are some essential gardening tools for beginners:
Hand Trowel: Perfect for planting and transplanting small plants.
Pruning Shears: Essential for trimming and shaping plants.
Garden Gloves: Protect your hands from thorns, dirt, and blisters.
Watering Can/Hose: Ensure your plants get adequate water, especially during dry spells.
Garden Fork: Useful for turning soil and mixing in compost.
Preparing the Soil
Healthy soil is the foundation of a thriving garden. Here’s how to prepare your soil:
Test Your Soil: Determine your soil’s pH and nutrient levels using a soil test kit.
Amend the Soil: Based on your soil test results, add compost, manure, or other organic matter to improve soil fertility and structure.
Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
Planting Techniques
Understanding proper planting techniques will ensure your plants establish well and thrive.
Spacing: Follow the recommended spacing guidelines for each plant to prevent overcrowding and promote healthy growth.
Planting Depth: Ensure seeds and transplants are planted at the correct depth, typically indicated on seed packets or plant tags.
Watering: Water your plants thoroughly after planting to help them settle into their new environment.
Caring for Your Garden
Regular maintenance is crucial for a healthy and productive garden. Here are some tips for ongoing garden care:
Watering: Consistent watering is essential, especially for young plants. Water in the early morning or late afternoon to reduce evaporation.
Weeding: Regularly remove weeds to reduce competition for nutrients and water.
Fertilizing: Feed your plants with organic fertilizers according to their specific needs.
Pest Control: Monitor for pests and diseases. Use organic pest control methods, such as introducing beneficial insects or using natural sprays.
Indoor Plant Care
For indoor plants, consider the following care tips:
Lighting: Ensure your plants receive the appropriate amount of light. Rotate plants regularly for even growth.
Watering: Avoid overwatering by checking soil moisture before watering. Most houseplants prefer to dry out slightly between waterings.
Humidity: Increase humidity for tropical plants by misting them or placing them on a humidity tray.
Repotting: Repot your plants when they outgrow their containers to provide more space for root growth.
Creating a Sustainable Garden
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in gardening. Here are some ways to create an eco-friendly garden:
Composting: Recycle kitchen scraps and garden waste to create nutrient-rich compost.
Rainwater Harvesting: Collect rainwater in barrels to reduce water usage.
Native Plants: Choose native plants that are adapted to your local climate and require less maintenance.
Organic Practices: Avoid synthetic chemicals and opt for organic fertilizers and pest control methods.
Inspiration from Botanical Gardens
Visiting botanical gardens can provide inspiration and ideas for your own garden. Here are some famous botanical gardens to explore:
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (UK): Known for its diverse plant collections and stunning landscapes.
New York Botanical Garden (USA): Offers a wide variety of plant species and themed gardens.
Singapore Botanic Gardens (Singapore): Features tropical flora and the iconic National Orchid Garden.
Butchart Gardens (Canada): Famous for its beautifully designed flower displays and themed gardens.
Connecting with the Gardening Community
Joining the gardening community can provide support, advice, and inspiration. Here are some ways to connect:
Local Gardening Clubs: Join clubs to meet other gardeners and participate in events and workshops.
Online Forums: Engage in online gardening forums and social media groups like the #houseplantcommunity or #gardeningtips.
Garden Shows: Attend garden shows and expos to learn from experts and discover new plants and tools.
Conclusion
Starting a garden as a beginner can be a fulfilling journey that enhances your connection with nature and provides a sense of accomplishment. By understanding your space, choosing the right plants, designing thoughtfully, using proper tools, and maintaining your garden diligently, you can create a beautiful and thriving garden. Embrace the learning process, seek inspiration, and connect with the gardening community to grow your gardening skills and enjoy the many benefits this hobby offers.
Additional Tips and Resources
To further assist you on your gardening journey, here are some additional tips and resources:
Gardening Books for Beginners
"The Vegetable Gardener's Bible" by Edward C. Smith: Comprehensive guide on growing vegetables.
"The Flower Gardener's Bible" by Lewis Hill and Nancy Hill: Detailed instructions on flower gardening.
"Indoor Gardening: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Grow Beautiful Plants in Your Home" by Leslie F. Halleck: Focuses on indoor gardening techniques.
Gardening Magazines and Websites
Garden Gate Magazine: Offers gardening tips, plant profiles, and design ideas.
Fine Gardening: Provides expert advice on all aspects of gardening.
Royal Horticultural Society (RHS): Wealth of information on plants, gardening techniques, and garden design.
Gardening Apps
PlantSnap: Helps identify plants and provides care instructions.
Garden Answers: Allows you to ask gardening questions and receive expert advice.
GrowIt!: Connects you with local gardeners and offers plant recommendations.
Getting Started: Step-by-Step Guide
To summarize, here's a step-by-step guide to help you start your garden:
Assess Your Space: Determine light conditions, soil type, and available space.
Choose Plants: Select easy-to-grow plants suited to your environment.
Design Your Garden: Plan your layout, considering aesthetics and plant needs.
Prepare the Soil: Test and amend your soil to ensure optimal growing conditions.
Plant: Follow proper planting techniques for healthy establishment.
Maintain: Water, weed, fertilize, and monitor for pests regularly.
Learn and Connect: Continue learning through books, magazines, and the gardening community.
By following these steps and utilizing the resources provided, you'll be well on your way to creating a beautiful and thriving garden.
How to begin a sustainable way of life
This is a draft of something I've been writing for a couple months. It is mainly focused on the culture of the USA. Feel free to repost or otherwise share, with or without credit.
Do not tell people what to do—help them do it!
Give the gift of relief from being forced to engage in society’s unsustainable ways of life.
“People need to eat more plant-based foods.” ->Talk about your favorite recipes, give others recipes, cook for them, and grow vegetables and plants in your garden and give them away as gifts.
“People need to repair their clothes.” -> Offer to repair others’ clothes, and teach people how to repair their clothes.
“People need to buy less clothes.” -> Give them old clothes that you don’t want, help them repair their clothes
“People need to buy less plastic stuff.” -> Learn to make things that can serve the same purpose, such as baskets, and give them as gifts. Let people borrow things you own so they don’t have to buy their own.
“People need to stop using leafblowers and other gas-guzzling machinery.” -> Offer to rake the leaves. You can use them as compost in your own garden.
“People need to be more educated about nature.”-> Learn about nature yourself. Tell people about nature. Be open about your love of creatures such as snakes, spiders, and frogs. Do not show awareness that this could be strange. You are not obligated to quiet down your enthusiasm for creepy crawlies to demonstrate awareness that it is weird. Point out at every opportunity how these animals are beneficial.
“People need to use cars less.” -> Offer rides to others whenever you must go somewhere. Whenever you are about to go to the store, ask your neighbor or your friend who lives along the way, “Is there anything you need from the store?”
You cannot control others’ behaviors, but you can free them from being controlled.
If you think to yourself, “But this would be so difficult to do!” ask yourself WHY? Why does your society coerce you into less sustainable ways of living, forcing you to consume excessively? After thinking about this, consider that it is less simple and easy than you thought to make more sustainable choices, so why would you judge others for not doing it?
Do not act alone—act with others!
Environmentally friendly behaviors that can be done alone, without collaborating with or consulting another person, are the least powerful of all. Whenever an “environmentally friendly” behavior is suggested, figure out “How can I give this as a gift?” or “How can I make this possible on the level of a whole community?”
“Personal choices” do not work because every single person has to make them individually. If you are focused on making your own personal choice, you are not focused on others. If you are not focused on others, you are not helping them. If nobody is helping each other, most people won’t be able to make the “personal choice.”
You inherently share an ecosystem with your neighbors
Start with your neighbors, the people physically close to you. You live on the same patch of land, containing roots from the same plants and trees. You can speak to them face to face without traveling, which means you can easily bring them physical things without using resources to travel.
Always talk to your neighbors and be friendly with them. Offer them favors unprompted and tell them about how your garden is doing. Do not be afraid to be annoying—a slightly annoying neighbor who is helpful, kind, and can be relied upon for a variety of favors or in times of need is a necessary and inevitable part of a good community. If you make the effort to be present in somebody’s life, they will have to put up with you on some occasions, but that is just life. We cannot rely on each other if we do not put up with each other.
Simply spending time with someone influences them for good
Every hour you spend outside with your neighbor is an hour your neighbor doesn’t spend watching Fox News. Every hour you spend talking with someone and interacting with them in the real world, eating real food and enjoying your real surroundings, is an hour you don’t spend only hearing a curated picture of what reality is like from social media.
Isolation makes it easy for people to become indoctrinated into extremist beliefs. When someone spends more time alone, watching TV, Youtube, or scrolling social media, than they do with others, their concept of what other people are like and what the world is like comes more from social media than real life. TV and online media are meant to influence you in a specific way. Simply restricting the access these influences have to yourself and others is helpful.
A garden is the source of many gifts
If you grow a garden, you can give your neighbors and friends the gift of food, plants, and crafted objects. This is one of the foundational ways to form community. When you give food, you provide support to others. When you give plants, you are encouraging and teaching about gardening. It is even better when you give recipes cooked from things you grew, or items crafted from things you grew. You can also give the gift of knowledge of how to grow these plants, cook these recipes, or craft these objects.
More on gift-giving
Some people are uncomfortable with receiving items or services as gifts. They want to feel like they are giving something back, instead of having obligation to return the favor hanging over them.
It can help to ask a simple favor that can be easily fulfilled. People generally like the feeling of helping someone else.
When you give someone a gift, it can help to say something like “Oh, I have too many of this thing to take care of/store/eat myself! Do you think you could take some?” This makes your neighbor feel like they are helping you.
When allowing others to borrow items, you might not get them back. Don’t worry about that. It just means the item found a place where it was needed the most. You can ask about the item if you think it might have been forgotten, and this can create an opportunity for a second meeting. But don’t press.
If the person you give to insists upon some form of payment, this is a good opportunity to negotiate a trade.
Ask to be given compostable or recyclable things
Ask your neighbor to save compostable scraps, biodegradable cardboard and paper products, and any other items that might be put to use. Use them in your own compost pile. Or, start a compost pile at the edge of the yard where you both can add to it. Remember that “wet” compost like vegetable and fruit bits needs to be mixed with twice as much of “dry” and “woody” compost like cardboard, leaves, small twigs, paper and wood bits.
Use the front yard for gardening
Overcome the cultural norm that the front yard is only decorative. Use the front yard for gardening so you can be seen by others enjoying your garden, and others can witness the demonstration of the possibilities of land. In the front yard, anything you do intentionally with your land can be witnessed. It also makes you a visible presence in your community.
Grow staple foods
Don’t just grow vegetables that cannot be the core component of a meal themselves. Grow potatoes, dry beans, black eyed peas and other nourishing, calorie-dense foods. Grow the ingredients of meals. You could even build a garden around a recipe.
Invite neighbors and friends over to eat food made from things you grew
Be sure to send them home with leftovers.
Grow plants for baskets
Containers are one of the fundamental human needs. If we had more containers, we wouldn’t need plastic so much. You can learn to make baskets, and to grow plants that provide the raw materials for baskets.
If someone rakes their leaves, ask to have the leaves
If you see someone putting leaves in bags, don’t be afraid to ask if you can have the leaves. More likely than not they will be happy to agree.
Collaborate with neighbors to plant things in the no-man’s-land of the property line
In the border land between your neighbor’s yard and your yard, it is almost always just mowed grass because no one can plant anything without it affecting their neighbor. But these border lands add up to a lot of space. It would be much better if you talked to your neighbor about what would be nice to plant there, and together created a plan for that space.
Give others the freedom to wander
Make it clear that you will not get mad if the neighbor’s kids play in your yard or run across it. Invite the neighbors onto your land as much as possible. Tell them they are allowed to spend time in a favored spot whenever they would like.
The power of the hand-made sign
If there is a yard sale, you always know about it because of the hand-drawn signs placed around. Therefore, a cookout or unwanted item exchange can be announced the same way. In rural areas I have seen hand-made signs that say: FIREWOOD or WE BUY GOATS or EGGS. This is one of the few technologies of community that remain in the USA. If someone who looks to buy and sell can put up a hand-made sign, why shouldn’t you?
Religious people or people with strong political opinions like to put signs everywhere. If they have the confidence and courage to do so, why shouldn’t you?
So if there is a message you would like everyone to see, use the simple power of the hand-made sign. Proclaim “BEE FRIENDLY ZONE!” above your pollinator garden with all the confidence of a religious fundamentalist billboard. Announce to the world, “VEGETABLES FREE TO ALL—JUST ASK!” “WE TAKE LEAVES—NO PESTICIDES.” Instead of YARD SALE, or perhaps in conjunction with YARD SALE, you can write, PLANT EXCHANGE or SEED SWAP or CLOTHING SWAP. Who can stop you?
Someone has to do it for society to change
Some of these ideas might be eccentric, strange, or even socially unacceptable, but there is no way to change what is normal except to move against it. Someone has to be weird. It might as well be you.
have therians discovered these digging gloves yet
i feel like they’d like them……
therians what are your thoughts
Deck Backyard Large transitional backyard deck photo
Spotted Towhees (Pipilo maculatus) look like someone took an American Robin (Turdus migratorius) and tried to make it "edgy."
By Pranav Tadepalli, CC BY-SA 4.0
And they really are edgy little fuckers, too. They'll pull up every single shoot that pokes its head above ground in your garden, and are very clever at getting through barriers. They do not fear humans, not further than you could lightly toss one.
If you find a roadkill or mysteriously-dead towhee in Spring, it's worth its weight in gold, because they are deterred by a corpse of their own species. The next problem is putting it somewhere these ground-feeding birds will notice it, without making it a free snack for the first scavenger that comes along.
Happy shmoo hunting, Tumblr!
🚨🚨
A whole year has passed since our displacement in the Gaza Strip and our conditions are getting worse day by day
Hello my dear ones.. My name is Khalil from the afflicted Gaza Strip
I live with my family in miserable conditions that lack the most basic necessities of life. Although I feel ashamed to ask for help and donations, I am unfortunately forced to do so. My mother was killed in this war, and my two brothers were injured earlier. My children are suffering from the horrors of displacement. Please do not make us feel that we are alone in this tragedy, I am confident that my appeal will not stop with you, but you will share it to support me and remember that any amount, no matter how small, can help us. A lot.
My campaign is reliable and vetted by @ibtisams
Hello! I can't donate unfortunately so I will share instead! I hope you reach your goal. May Allah protect you and your family! ❤❤
Hi… I'm Lama Hourani, Mohammed’s wife. We have been living under for 10 months, and we lack access to universal food, and we need help.🇵🇸
My husband lost his job, our house was destroyed, and our car was bombed. 😞🍉
A small donation of 10-25$ could make a big difference in my life.🍉🇵🇸
I hope you help us and donate even something small. Please don’t ignore my story.🇵🇸🍉🍉🇵🇸
https://gofund.me/cd29b3ea
Hello!!! I can't donate to you sadly, but I will share instead !!!! May Allah protect you and your family ❤I hope you reach your goal!!!
Me and my mom started a fairy garden, just cause and it includes my first succulent! The little tab from the store said it was called "hens and chicks" I think. I'm the one that got to set all of it up so far, it was really fun! We'll be expanding and adding stuff to it really soon!
This (@omaxy ) is a fake blog and steal content of people from here n there even erase their watermark n post on their own blog mainly stealing from @melancholiacs
Plz report .
