Better Homes and Garden

Unless you have been living under a rock, you are probably quite familiar with the magazine, Better Homes and Gardens.  After all, Better Homes and Gardens is the fourth most popular selling magazine in all of the United States!  The incredibly popular magazine focuses on interests regarding homes, cooking, gardening, crafts, healthy living, decorating, and entertaining.

The magazine was founded in 1922 and is published once a month by the Meredith Corporation. The Meredith Corporation publishes a number of books on home economics and gardening under the BH&G brand, the best known of which is the Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book, colloquially known as the “Red Plaid” book. Now in its 15th edition (published in August 2010), the Red Plaid was originally published in 1930. Meredith also publishes the New Junior Cookbook for children learning to cook.

This is truly one of the best magazines out there for finding ideas on all home and garden projects!

Related posts:

1. House & Garden House & Garden is a popular home and garden magazine...
2. Ideas for Fairy Garden Homes As today is Valentine’s Day, and my wonderful husband purchased...
3. How to garden: Starting a Vegetable Garden So, you’re thinking of starting a garden?  Well, you have...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Gardens

Gardens are a beautiful thing, after all that is what this magazine blog is all about.  However, have you ever stopped to think about the true meaning of the word, Garden?  That is what we are here to talk about today.  The fundamental basics of a true garden.

A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the display, cultivation, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The garden can incorporate both natural and man-made materials. The most common form today is known as a residential garden, but the term garden has traditionally been a more general one.  Another popular form of garden is urban gardening, or even roof top gardening.

Something you may not know is zoos, which display wild animals in simulated natural habitats, were formerly called zoological gardens. Western gardens are almost universally based on plants, with garden often signifying a shortened form of botanical garden.

Related posts:

1. Roof Gardens Roof gardens are a big part of city life and...
2. Urban Garden Urban gardening is a big part of city life. Urban gardening...
3. Atlanta Botanical Gardens Botanical gardens are some of my favorite gardens to visit,...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Tips for Apartment Gardening

So here is a great video I found on tips for growing a porch or balcony garden.  The key is utilizing pots and planters, the proper plants, and figuring out what is right for your environment and light levels.

There are so really neat ideas on this video for small space solutions.  I really want to purchase a couple of these wall hangings to plant on my very own patio!  Although, I no longer live in an apartment I think this video still showcases a lot of great tips for anyone who likes to garden!

Related posts:

1. Container Gardening Tips Currently I am fortunate to own a home where I...
2. Gardening Tips – Tomato Plants I have had the worst luck growing tomatoes. Perhaps, it...
3. Organic gardening: How to grow an organic vegetable garden Have you ever noticed how expensive organic fruits and vegetables...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

How To Grow Basil

I love growing basil! Yes, that statement deserves an exclamation point. The reason being, it is so easy to grow. All it takes is some water and proper climate and you have a delicious basil for every meal.  I usually keep mine in shadow boxes on my covered patio and make sure to water it everyday.

Some of my favorite things and dishes to use basil with are: pesto, Caprese salad, bruschetta, basil and lemon shrimp and strawberry & basil cocktails.

Also, I learned today that you should pick the flowers off your basil plants.  I had no idea, but my plants would get so big they would start to sprout flowers.  Make sure you cut down the basil plants to prune the big leaves, and the flowers that will grow!

Related posts:

1. Herb Gardening – Perfect For Those Who Don’t Like to Garden! A couple years ago I started my herb garden with...
2. Growing Herbs : How to Grow Ginger I absolutely love and adore ginger! I use it weekly,...
3. Growing Herbs: How to Grow Garlic I go through garlic by the truckload. I find ways...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Growing Herbs : How to Grow Garlic

This is video is great because it shows how simple it is to grow garlic yourself. I feel so stupid for not doing this before. Basically you plant garlic, like you would plant any bulb plant. This is perfect for the beginner’s garden as well. My favorite gardens are the edible kind!

I cannot wait to try this at home for my very own garden!

Related posts:

1. Growing Herbs : How to Grow Ginger I absolutely love and adore ginger! I use it weekly,...
2. Organic gardening: How to grow an organic vegetable garden Have you ever noticed how expensive organic fruits and vegetables...
3. Herb Gardening – Perfect For Those Who Don’t Like to Garden! A couple years ago I started my herb garden with...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Growing Herbs : How to Grow Ginger

I absolutely love and adore ginger! I use it weekly, if almost daily, in various recipes and drinks. One my favorite things to do is make a sweet ginger simple syrup and use it in various teas and cocktails!

Ginger is such a delicious and spicy plant. It comes from the Zingiberaceae family and other members of this family include tumeric, cardamom and galangal. Ginger along with tumeric and cardamom, are main staples of Indian and Asian food. I often use a base of chili peppers, garlic and ginger in many of my recipes.

This year, I am planning on expanding my garden. Right now, I’m pretty much an herb gardener. Every year I grow bushels of mint, sage, rosemary, thyme and other herbs. I would love to be able to grow my own onions, garlic and ginger. While looking online I found this great video dedicated on how to grow ginger. I can already taste all the delicious meals and drinks I will be making with the delicious ginger! It may take a few years, but by God, I will grow some ginger!

Related posts:

1. Herb Gardening – Perfect For Those Who Don’t Like to Garden! A couple years ago I started my herb garden with...
2. Organic gardening: How to grow an organic vegetable garden I love organic veggies and with Spring right around the...
3. Organic gardening: How to grow an organic vegetable garden Have you ever noticed how expensive organic fruits and vegetables...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Organic Gardening

Have you ever noticed how expensive organic fruits and vegetables is at the grocery store? I already spend way too much when I go to Whole Foods, but if I go with the organic selections I really break the bank.

I love the idea of eating organic, but not paying the price. I have thought about starting an organic garden and I cannot think of a better time! This video is great for giving tips and instructions on how to start your very own organic garden.

As I live in a very sunny climate, with a lot of sunlight, it is the perfect conditions for growing an organic garden. I also love that they mention to start “SMALL”. I think that is the key, and to not be to over zealous at the beginning. This is exciting! I can already taste the fresh organic veggies – now, I’m getting hungry!

Related posts:

1. Organic gardening: How to grow an organic vegetable garden I love organic veggies and with Spring right around the...
2. Gardening Tips – Tomato Plants I have had the worst luck growing tomatoes. Perhaps, it...
3. Herb Gardening – Perfect For Those Who Don’t Like to Garden! A couple years ago I started my herb garden with...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Have more time for football: 15-minute garden and lawn drills

(ARA) – Whether tailgating, playing a game of catch with the kids, cheering on your favorite team from the stands or calling plays from the couch – fall means football. A few simple tips can keep outdoor projects from running interference on your weekend game schedule.

Here are 10- to 15-minute garden and lawn drills to keep your focus on the game and yard work on the sideline this fall:

September:
* Lawns can get damaged when kids and pets play on grass that is still wilting from summer heat and drought. Spruce up your lawn by reseeding with a quality grass seed and lawn food specifically designed to help seed germinate, like Scotts Starter Fertilizer. Fall is the best time for grass. Keep the seed and young grass watered and hold off on any weed control until the new grass has been mowed four times.

* Feed the grass. The difference between “so-so” grass and truly beautiful grass, both now and next spring, is two fall feedings. Feeding in early September helps your lawn begin rebuilding grass roots that were damaged during the hot, dry summer. Feed again in late October to prepare for winter, using Scotts Winter Guard once new seed is established.

* Create patches of color in your landscape by filling pots with fall flora. Replace tired-looking summer plants with mums, asters, pansies and flowering cabbage. Look for special displays at local garden centers and add Miracle-Gro potting soil to your containers for big, beautiful blooms.

* Clean up the garden. Perennials may now be past their prime and the summertime vegetable garden may be looking a bit sparse. If so, cut them back. This will help keep bugs and disease away. Use what you cut to start a compost pile.

October:
* Prevent tree leaves from smothering grass. Contrary to popular belief, fallen tree leaves will not insulate the lawn during winter. In fact, they can block vital sunlight and cause turf to thin. So, drop the rake and mulch leaves to dime-sized pieces with a lawn mower. Leave clippings on the lawn to allow leaves to recycle back into the soil, providing food for earthworms and soil microbes.

* Plant spring-blooming bulbs now for bursts of color later. Visit a local garden center for a great selection of daffodil, crocus, hyacinth, tulip and other spring-flowering bulbs. Plant in masses or tuck patches into other beds for a surprise of spring color. Feed with Miracle-Gro Organic Choice Bone Meal for strong root development.

* Due to cooler temperatures, fall is a great time to plant a tree or shrub. Soils stay warm late into the fall which allows for good root development and less transplant shock. Roots will also have an easier time starting new growth again in early spring, and plants are often on sale in autumn. Be sure to use Miracle-Gro Quick Start Transplant Starting Solution to help prevent transplant shock and provide essential nutrients.

November:
Mow at a “summer height” of 2 to 3 inches until your grass stops growing – into early winter. Do not lower your height for the final cut.

* Clean up tools for a fresh start next spring. They have served you well all season, but now it is time to put them away. To prevent rusting, give tools a good cleaning before hanging up, and then spray a light coating of common household oil. When finished mowing for the year, perform any mower maintenance before storage for winter. Sharpen mower blades, change the spark plug, and be sure to drain the gas or run the engine dry of fuel.

With these quick drills in the rotation, the garden and lawn will stay in tip-top shape leaving plenty of time to catch games. They also will look great for any impromptu tailgate parties. These simple tasks will make life easier next spring and give the garden and lawn a head start.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Herb Gardens - beautiful and delicious!

A couple years ago I started my herb garden with a single window box.  I grew mint and it was lovely.  Since that time I have expanded my herb garden a little more and more each year.  I’m now growing: mint, lemon verbena, basil, sage, rosemary and thyme.

I really enjoy growing herbs because literally all I have to do is water them.  Also, since I’m a foodie and truly have a passion for cooking I can reap the benefits in everyday meals.  I love to use basil to make homemade pestos.  This is something my husband and I typically make once a week.  I like to make variations on the pesto recipe such as using almonds instead of pine nuts or adding lemon at the end. Mint is also a lovely herb to grow for both sweet and savory dishes.  Mojitos, anyone?  There is nothing more wonderful than a cold mojito on a hot day.

For those of you, like myself, who do not feel like the accomplished gardener I think growing herbs is the perfect place to start.  Just giving a little love and water to the herbs will do wonders!

Related posts:

1. Extreme gardening: What to do when the weather doesn’t favor you (ARA) – “The month of June, it is well if...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Whether you live where it rains or where it pours, there’s a great, easy way you can conserve water for garden use.

Where I live (Calif.) that’s a very big deal, as we Californians head into a third consecutive drought year.

Rain “harvesting” isn’t a new concept, but let’s just say this oldie is a goodie.

It’s as simple as setting up a simple capture system to redirect rainwater off the roof to a barrel.

Collecting Water - photo by Prem Anand

Whether you use a wine barrel to collect rainfall from your rooftop or recycle waste water from household sinks, bathtubs, showers and washing machines, you’re doing your water bill and the planet good.

If all this sounds like too much work, there’s always a very easy way to save–turn off the sprinklers during the winter, sunless it’s really dry and windy, in which case run them every so often. Get to know your sprinkler system and learn how to turn it off.

According to local experts in my hometown, Sacramento residents devote 60 percent of residential water use to their outdoor irrigation, and of that, 40 to 60 percent is wasted, as most homeowners over water by 200 to 300 percent.”

You can buy rain barrels here. Or buy a whole rain water collection system here. Or, take a baby step and turn off your sprinklers in the winter time.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.