Having plants indoors is a great way to help keep air clean and bring the feel of the garden into your home, but some plants can be toxic to animals. We’ve gathered a list of some of the most common houseplants to avoid as well as care instructions for plants that are known to be […]
How to Grow Fennel
The Greek nicknamed this memory-enhancing, cancer-inhibiting herb maratho, or “marathon,” based on its versatile uses—specifically to support longevity and strength. Fennel is a common plant that thrives particularly well in the Mediterranean and some areas of North America, Asia and Europe. It is used as both an herb, due to its medicinal properties, and as […]
Microgreens provide serious nutrition in a small package
Microgreens are sprouting up everywhere from upscale restaurants to home gardens. They help spruce up old recipes with intense flavors and colors, and are packed with nutrients. Microgreens are typically seedlings of spinach, lettuce, red cabbage and other veggies that are usually 1-3 inches in height and harvested within 14 days of germination. They enhance […]
Health Benefits of Mango
According to a new comprehensive review of the available scientific literature published in Food & Function, mangos and their individual components have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties, which may help to reduce risk for chronic disease. In addition to being associated with better nutrient intake and diet quality, research suggests eating mangos may be important for […]
How to Grow a Germ Fighting Herb Garden
Kitchen gardens are a wonderful way to keep fresh, flavorful herbs on hand to use in recipes, but sometimes a green thumb means you end up with more than you can consume. Instead of just drying or freezing herbs for future use, have you ever considered making your own household cleaners? Many favorite kitchen herbs tout […]
Protect your plants from drought by using vinegar
Researchers at the RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science (CSRS) have discovered a new and very simple way to increase drought tolerance in a wide range of plants. Published in Nature Plants, the study reports a newly discovered biological pathway that is activated in times of drought. By working out the details of this pathway, scientists […]
Whole broccoli better than supplements
Turns out that your mother was onto something when she insisted that you eat your broccoli. A research study finds that if you want some of the many health benefits associated with eating broccoli or other cruciferous vegetables, you need to eat the real thing. Turns out that a key phytochemical in these vegetables is […]
List of Vegetables You Can Grow in Winter
As fall and winter approach, summer crops produce their final yield of the year. If your garden usually sits empty through winter, this is the year to make those cold days count. A wide variety of vegetables and herbs are easy to grow in cold conditions, given the right protection. Some will produce throughout the […]
List of Adaptogens, and What These Adaptogenic Herbs Can Do For You
Adaptogen is a name for herbal remedies that have been used for hundreds and sometimes thousands of years. The term adaptogen was originally coined by Russian scientist Dr. Nikolai Lazarev in 1947, during the Soviet search for natural and safe remedies to increase the resistance to biological stress. When our ancestors were sick they turned to plants for healing, […]
List of Houseplants for Low Light
Having plants nearby is good for the soul, but not everyone has the time or space to dedicate to a garden—or lives in a climate conducive to gardening. Growing plants indoors can be tricky, though, because they need the perfect amount of space, water, and light to thrive. If you’re looking for an indoor […]
Xeriscape: Making the Most of Your Climate
Certain plants grow happy and wild in certain climes—like mosses in shaded forests or cacti in arid deserts. Plants are well-equipped to handle the ins and outs of whatever environment they make home, flourishing on extra water, low light, lots of light, dry conditions, or extreme temperature. Choosing plants that grow well in environments that […]
Researchers discover the power of ant poop as fertilizer
Researchers at Aarhus University have discovered in a new study that ant poop left behind on plant leaves serves as a valuable fertilizer for the plants. You have often seen ants wandering about on leaves – even in tall trees. In fact, it is the plants themselves that attract them by secreting sugar-containing nectar, which […]