Pine Straw Mulch Pros And Cons [All You Need To Know]

pine straw mulch pros and cons

Pine Straw Mulch: Pros and Cons Comparison

Last updated: 06/21/21

If you’re new to gardening, then you may be wondering what mulch is and whether you should use it. Pine straw is a popular product used as a mulch — especially in vegetable and herb gardens. Some people use it for its aesthetics, while others use it because they want to keep their vegetables from having dirt on the surface of the soil.

This will help improve your soil structure for your vegetable garden or flower bed, keep your plants roots warm, and prevent compaction. 

So, without further ado, here’s my list of pine straw mulch pros and cons.

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Hose Measuring Guide [Standard Garden Hose Size]

standard garden hose size

Standard Garden Hose Size Measuring Guide

Last updated: 10/30/21

You’re shopping for a new water hose because the old and tired current regular hose you inherited has sprung a leak and you’re tired of getting wet every time you turn it on to water your plants.

Maybe your spouse has decided that they need a new hose and you just don’t know what to buy.

Just a few years ago, most people just bought your typical garden hose. So before you venture into your local home improvement store, looking for the basic vinyl hose and then see the different sized hoses and types of hoses.

It can be a little confusing. So what do you buy? What types of hose are available? Let me help you out.

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How Often To Water Seedlings [Beginner Tips]

how often to water seedlings

How Often To Water Seedlings Guide

Last updated: 06/16/21

The more you water the seedlings, the more it will grow, as long as you keep it fed. As you can guess, this means that you need to be very careful when you water your plants.

Water too much and you can kill a plant. You can also kill your plant by overwatering then underwatering.

This totally defeats the purpose of planting them in the first place. In this article, you will learn the inside scoop on how often you should really be watering your seedlings to ensure that you end up with a healthy adult plant.

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How To Use Diatomaceous Earth [Garden Saving Guide]

how to use diatomaceous earth

How To Use Diatomaceous Earth

Last updated: 07/08/22

Pests can be a big problem in your garden. Using chemical pesticides to remove them may not be the best option.

Certain chemical fertilizers have been suspected of causing various adverse health effects such as chemical poisoning, hypertension, strokes, kidney failure, and cancer.

The great thing is there are natural options you can use to control some of these troublesome pests. Using diatomaceous earth in the garden can is an excellent alternative to using chemical fertilizer. 

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Basil Companion Plants Guide [Top 7 Plants]

basil companion plant

Basil Companion Plants That Love Each Other

Last updated: 05/10/22

As a young gardener, I am always amazed when I learn that basil and tomatoes go together like peanut butter and jelly plus repels insect pests. Now that I am Gardener and Blogger, I know that if you want to grow basil, you also have to plant with tomatoes as it is a potent aromatic shield.

Basil is the quintessential Mediterranean flowering herb, and a staple of Italian cooking. Planting basil has been a long staple of medicinal use, and is often used as a folk remedy for the common cold.

But which plants, herbs and vegetables bring out the best in basil? Check out our list of the plants below that grow well with basil and which ones you should avoid.

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Quietest Inline Fan Guide

quietest inline fans

Quietest Inline Fan Buying Guide

Many people believe that sacrificing some quiet is a necessary evil while enjoying great ventilation from the use of inline fans and this is a wrong assumption.

Inline fans do not have to be noisy at all and several brands offer the quietest inline fans in the market.

This article will not only introduce you to 8 of the quietest inline duct fans on the market but also give you tips on what to consider while choosing an inline duct fan for your grow room or grow tent.

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Best Self Watering Planters

best self watering planters

Best Self Watering Planters [Buying Guide]

Watering your plants in your garden can be a big chore, so why not make it easier?

Since the invention of the wheeled garden planter, there have been many innovations in the world of container gardening. However, the humble self-watering planter remains a constant.

The self-watering planter box is the perfect solution, and it will help you grow more food, in smaller spaces, while saving you time and money.

You can’t rely on a hose like other gardeners, and you can’t rely on a hose to water at all hours of the day. But with a self-watering pot, you can water when it’s convenient for you and your plants.

Check out these self-watering planters that made our list and see our guide to finding the perfect smart design planter.

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When Is The Best Time To Water A Garden?

best time to water a garden

Best Times To Water a Garden

Last updated: 06/10/21

Watering your garden is one of those things that can be a little tricky. When you live in a dry climate like Arizona, it gets even more tricky. A common question among new gardeners is when to water their plants to maximize the amount of produce they’ll get from their garden.

While there is no one answer to this question, there are some guidelines that can help you create a watering schedule that will work best for your garden.

Watering your garden is a very important aspect in order to gain healthy food and make gardening an attractive hobby. However, it is not an easy thing to do because it is essential to know when is the best time to water a garden.

On average, an American family uses around 320 gallons of water per day. Approximately 30% to 60% of that water is for outdoor uses such as daily watering of plants, lawns, gardens, etc.

Let’s help you figure out what works for you and save some precious water at the same time.

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Best Garden Shovel

best garden shovel

Best Garden Shovel Buying Guide

A quality garden shovel is a versatile tool and a must-have for digging, planting, removing weeds, and creating a fantastic new planter bed.

Having the best garden tool and equipment is essential so you can do your gardening task faster and more efficiently.

There are several types of shovels to choose from depending on the size, materials, type and price.  Here is the list of the top garden shovel. 

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Tomato Plants Wilting [Too Much Water Edition]

tomato plants wilting too much water

Your Tomato Plants Wilting | Too Much Water Issues

Last updated: 06/07/21

My tomato plant leaves and stems were wilting and I wondered if it could be from too much water or if there was another reason behind it. I was worried that my plants were going to die, and I knew I had to do something to save them.

Wilt is the most common symptom of an unhappy tomato plant and I knew it could lead to the plant dying if I didn’t take action.

My tomato plant leaves and stems were wilting and I wondered if it could be from too much water or if there was another reason behind it. I was worried that my plants were going to die, and I knew I had to do something to save them.

Wilt is the most common symptom of an unhappy tomato plant and I knew it could lead to the plant dying if I didn’t take action.

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Tips For Fertilizer For Rhubarb

fertilizer for rhubarb

Fertilizer For Rhubarb Beginner Tips

Last updated: 06/04/21

Rhubarb is a nutritious, easy-to-grow vegetable that is famous for its edible red, pink, or greenish stalks and is often used in tarts, jams, and pies like the strawberry-rhubarb pie. The red stalks are more popular in pies compared to the green stalks with their slightly grayish color when cooked.

Rhubarb is a perennial vegetable that can grow its edible stalks for many years. It grows easily and you can easily have a Rhubarb patch in your garden.

Although the tart flavored leaf stalk is edible, the Rhubarb leaves are toxic and contain oxalic acid, which is poisonous to humans and animals.

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How Much Water Does Corn Need

how much water does corn need

How Much Water Does Corn Need

Last updated: 06/04/21

There are four main categories of corn in the United States: Dent corn, Sweet corn, Popcorn, and Flint corn. Aside from being tasty, corn is rich in fiber that aids in digestion.

It also provides essential nutrients like vitamin B and minerals like zinc, iron, magnesium, etc. But for your corn fields to produce those large ears full of delicious kernels, the corn needs fertile, well-drained soil and a constant supply of water to maintain soil moisture. 

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When To Pick Kale [Harvest & Storage Tips]

when to pick kale

When To Pick Kale | Pick It Over & Again

Last updated: 06/03/21

Kale is a highly nutritious leafy green vegetable that is usually planted in early spring or late summer. It has a sweet and nutty flavor that is great for both salads and cooking.

Kale’s mature leaves come in various colors such as red, purple, or green kale, making it a beautiful and tasty addition to any family meal.

A kale plant is also easy to grow, making it a great addition to your garden crops.

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When To Pick Cabbage [Beginner Guide]

when to pick cabbage

Tips On When To Pick Cabbage

Last updated: 06/02/21

The cabbage plant is a very versatile and familiar-kitchen-garden vegetable that can be used in many ways. There are various varieties of cabbage available for veggie lovers that can be eaten raw, cooked solo, or mixed with other vegetables.

A fresh cabbage head is a great sight to see with its layers of fresh leaves and variety of colors. It is important to know when is the right time to pick the mature head so that you can maximize its taste and nutritional value.

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Fertilizer For Carrots

fertilizer for carrots

Fertilizer For Carrots

Last updated: 06/08/22

Carrots are amazing vegetables, and they are rich in fiber, beta carotene, potassium, vitamin K1, and antioxidants. Fresh carrots are crunchy and are eaten raw, but they are often baked, sautéed, or mixed with other vegetables for a yummy salad.  

The carrot plant is a popular root vegetable for every gardener because they are easy to grow and great with novice gardeners. But it doesn’t mean you can leave them, and they can grow by themselves.

Carrots still need to be given best conditions and a nutrient rich type of soil to grow successfully. You can do this by providing carrot fertilizers, regular watering, and enough sunlight.

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Growing Cucumbers in Containers

growing cucumber in container

Growing Cucumbers in Containers

Last updated: 05/24/21

You might be wondering if you can grow cucumbers from seed if you are limited for space. Maybe you grew tomatoes on your balcony before, but not quite certain if it would work to grow cucumbers in pots.

Cucumbers need to vine up and can grow all over the place but is if ok on a porch?

Growing cucumbers in containers is actually pretty easy when you follow our best tips below.

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Fertilizer For Green Beans

fertilizer for green beans

Fertilizer for Green Beans Tips

Last updated: 6/8/2022

Green bean plants or string beans are popular among backyard gardeners because they are easy to grow, highly nutritious, and tasty beans.

Fresh beans are high in fiber and protein and low in fat, making for a yummy and healthy meal. Sometimes, I even eat them off the vine while harvesting.

Scarlet runner beans are even beautiful bean plants when they start to bloom.

They are a very cheap and practical way of addressing nutrient deficiencies in people. They grow in warm climates and have two main types of beans: pole beans and bush beans.

We are going to focus on how to grow beans the right way and address the questions of fertilizer application best practices.

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Best Compost Aerators

best compost aerator

Best Compost Aerators

Composting is essential because it generates organic materials that improve soil fertility and create a  condition conducive to microbial health.

It can also improve soil quality that can help plants produce delicious fruits and beautiful flowers. 

Compost Aerators are a big help since they speed up the distribution of oxygen and moisture in compost piles, which hastens beneficial bacteria’s decomposition and growth. 

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18 Types of Peas To Grow

types of peas

18 Types of Peas To Grow

Last updated: 04/12/21

Peas are a quick-growing, tasty tool in any gardener’s belt. They are cool-weather vegetables, making them a good option for early spring and late fall planting.In any case, they are a sweet tender bean with a thin skin and good light flavor – a good choice for salads as they absorb dressings well.As nitrogen-fixing legumes, peas will revitalize the soil if planted after heavy-feeding plants, such as squash.Peas are divided into three categories:

  1. English
  2. Sugar Snap
  3. Snow

With a huge number of varieties available, every gardener can find at least one type of pea to grow that fits their needs.

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