the Imperfectly Happy home

Gardening

Growing Borage For Home Health and Garden

by 14 Comments

Growing Borage may be the single best thing you do for your home and garden this year! Growing Borage is fairly easy and it is a powerful herb for healing and companion planting. And if that isn’t reason enough, growing Borage adds a touch of whimsy and beauty to any garden. It never fails to attract friends and family that wander out to my garden. I want to show you how to grow Borage, without it taking over; and using it effectively for your home, health and garden.

Growing Borage For Home Health and GardenGrowing Borage For Home Health and Garden

How to Grow Borage…wait what is Borage?

Borage is an herbal plant with bright blue flowers. This Mediterranean native herb also sometimes called a starflower, bee bush or bee bread. It is used in medicinal purposes as well as many garden uses….

Read More

9 Ways to Conserve Water in Your Vegetable Garden

by 1 Comment

Conserve water, save water, call it whatever you like; but our vegetable gardens can be more efficient and use less! It is so important to conserve water in your garden; even if you don’t live in the desert like I do. There are so many ways we can save water in our vegetable gardens; good for the environment and our wallets. Water is our great resource but it isn’t unlimited, and it doesn’t take a lot to reduce your usage.  Don’t worry, I’m not asking you to let your garden die – you’re a great resource too!  But I have some simple ways you can conserve water and still have an amazing harvest!

 

Conserve Water in Your Garden

Conserve Water in Your Garden

Save Water by Amending Your Soil

Soil that has a lot of compost, worm castings and other organic material helps with the growth of beneficial bacteria and organisms that will keep the soil light, nutrient rich and requiring less water. See DIY Soil Mix.

Live in a place where outside composting isn’t an option? You can still compost for your garden – give Bokashi composting a try.

Plant in Raised Beds

Planting your garden in raised beds has many benefits, one of those being is to conserve water. When you plant in raised beds, with plants closer together, you have less area to water.  In traditional gardening you end up watering a lot of ground that has nothing growing. See Raised Garden Bed Benefits….

Read More

Easy to Grow Vegetables for the Frustrated Gardener

by 4 Comments

Easy to grow vegetables for the frustrated gardener is the topic today. I know that growing your first, second or even third vegetable garden can be frustrating when you’re not getting any goodies in the harvest time. But I implore you – do not give up! I have some simple advice for beginner’s gardeners, here. But today we are going to go over a few vegetables that are easier to grow and will give you success in just about any garden.

Easy to Grow Vegetables

One of the best parts of growing your garden, whether is is a simple 4×4 raised bed, pots on your porch or a 1/2 acre, is eating from it! But if you’re having a hard time growing anything the garden can quickly become a source of frustration and stress. But let me assure you that these easy to grow vegetables are going to give you the plenty you’ve been craving!

The great part of these easy to grow vegetables, is that most of them grow wonderfully from seed; so you won’t need to buy a bunch of transplants.  Growing by seed is a money saver but also gives you a lot more control over the varieties that you grow (organic, heirloom, etc).

Easy to Grow Vegetables for the Frustrated Gardener

…

Read More

How to Have an Amazing Backyard Vegetable Garden

by 3 Comments

An amazing backyard vegetable garden may be easier than you think! No matter the space you have available, you can be growing your own food and supplement (or replacing) your produce shopping. Whether you have a few pots on an apartment porch or a 1/4 acres available, it is time to grow a backyard vegetable garden.

So whether you’re hoping to be completely self-sufficient or just grow your own tomatoes, I have tips you can use today!

How to Have an Amazing Backyard Vegetable Garden

 

How to Have an Amazing Backyard Vegetable Garden

Soil – The Foundation of an Amazing Backyard Vegetable Garden 

Soil really is the foundation of a great garden. If you are not sure where to start, that’s ok, I have you covered. You can make your own compost, amend the soil you have or even create awesome potting soil.

…

Read More

Everything You Need to Know About Growing Corn in Your Backyard

by 3 Comments

Growing corn is great and it doesn’t have to be complicated. You can start growing corn in your backyard garden this year! Today I’m going to give you the tips and information you need so you’ll have an amazing corn harvest from your garden.

Growing Corn in Your Backyard Everything You Need to Know.

Everything You Need to Know About Growing Corn

I’ve been asked a lot about growing corn and I’m not really sure what this vegetable seems to intimidate some gardeners. Growing corn isn’t complicated, you jut need a bit of knowledge and space to start your rows of corn goodness!…

Read More