Amy Dees Amy Dees

DIY Composting

Composting is a great way to reduce waste and create nutrient-rich soil for your garden. Starting and maintaining a home compost bin is easy and can be done with just a few simple steps. In this article, we will walk you through everything you need to know to start and maintain a home compost bin.

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Amy Dees Amy Dees

High Tunnels - Expanding Your Garden Season!

High tunnels, also known as hoop houses, are a type of simple greenhouse that can be used to extend the growing season for a variety of plants. These structures can be built relatively cheaply and easily, and offer a number of benefits for gardeners.

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Amy Dees Amy Dees

Advice and Tips on Growing Houseplants

Indoor plants are a great way to bring a touch of nature into your home or office. Not only do they improve air quality and add aesthetic appeal, but they can also have a positive impact on your mental and physical well-being. Here are a few of the most popular indoor plants and tips on how to care for them.

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Amy Dees Amy Dees

Seed Selection for the Home Garden

Selecting seeds for your garden can be a fun and exciting process, but it's important to choose the right seeds for your specific climate and growing conditions. Here are some tips to help you select the best seeds for your garden.

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Amy Dees Amy Dees

Types of Vegetable Gardens

DIY a garden - there are several types to choose from!

You have committed to growing vegetables for your family, your neighbors, or the local food pantry. Gardeners typically grow vegetables in three kinds of gardens: in-ground, raised bed, or container. All work well, and you may find a combination of two or more types is best for your needs.

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Amy Dees Amy Dees

Composting and Compost

Everyone knows that composting is beneficial for the environment and for your garden. Although compost is not a fertilizer, it does contain plant nutrients that are essential for plant growth. But you can’t just throw anything into a pile in your backyard and figure it is good for compost. There are definite “dos” and “don’ts” when it comes to having a successful compost pile that will result in producing compost to help you achieve the best results in your gardening efforts.

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Amy Dees Amy Dees

Transplanting to the Garden

Whether you start your own vegetable plants from seeds indoors or purchase them from a nursery or catalog you will eventually need to move them outdoors! Follow these tips to help ensure a successful move to your permanent outdoor garden location.

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Amy Dees Amy Dees

Starting Vegetable Plants from Seed

Spring is in the air and every gardener is thinking about what to grow this season. Here in New Jersey, we cannot really plant our vegetable gardens until after the last frost date, usually around May 15.

If you normally buy your vegetable plants already started, you will still have to wait a while for that.

But, if you would like to start some of your plants from seed, indoors, you can actually start on that right now! The key is knowing when and how to get started.

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Amy Dees Amy Dees

DIY Trellis For Vining Crops

Growing vegetables vertically has many benefits. It allows you to grow more food in a given area and makes harvesting so simple. Vertical gardening increases the air circulation around your plants, making them less susceptible to fungal diseases. It also keeps the plants off the ground, distancing them from soil-dwelling pests. And in many cases, growing vertically is beautiful.

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Amy Dees Amy Dees

Planning Your Vegetable Garden

A successful vegetable garden takes practice, patience and planning. Begin by making a list of the vegetables and herbs you would like to include in your garden. Next, it is useful to diagram your garden. A diagram will help you use your space most efficiently and will show you exactly where to place your seeds or plants. (Use our growing vegetable charts to determine space requirements between plants).

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Amy Dees Amy Dees

Soil Testing, Preparation and Management

Healthy, nutrient-rich soil is the key to a successful vegetable garden! Both water and nutrients reach your plants through the soil so the better the soil, the better the harvest.

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Amy Dees Amy Dees

Plant Profiles

Planting, growing, and harvesting tips for several common plants in home gardens.

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