I started growing mushrooms in 2007 purely for fun and as a hobby. When I started growing them as a business in 2009, it was mainly for ideological reasons: I wanted to be my own boss, I wanted to grow food for my living & add to the local food available in my area. My Dad said I was […]

Free planting templatesI often find getting started is the hardest part of many projects. I was recently reminded how true that is for gardening when a Master Gardener from Newport News wrote to me about a fantastic project she is working on with her fellow gardeners: a "Getting Started" kit tailored specifically to Virginia coastal gardens. This sounds like a terrific idea and I hope to be able to share it when it is ready for prime time. In the meantime, her note jogged my memory about anoth

Often given as gifts, and seemingly simple to care for, cyclamens can be surprisingly fussy. Taking a bit of time to get a better understanding of …

A forgotten plant! The many readings about Dracaena lucky bamboo lately have reminded me of a similar species Dracaena fragrans ‘Deremensis / Janet Craig’ that we have. It was a weddin…

Are you a Dahlia debutante growing Dahlias for the first time this year? Have you grown them before but never tried taking cuttings? Have you got a plant with lots of bushy growth? If so you could double, triple or even quadruple the number of flowers by taking cuttings. Each cutting will grow into a

Plant a garden that engages your five senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste). This explains what a sensory garden is and provides tips for creating your own.

Do you want to transplant herbs in Ohio? Then read this ultimate guide to find the BEST time to transplant herbs in Ohio!

Having an allotment has been one of the most satisfying decisions we've ever made. Our kids love being there and we all learn together as we grow food and nurture each other. When we first

Spring is finally here, and the Midwest is shedding its cold, snowy blanket. The tulips are starting to peek through the soil and the snow has finally melted away. As we look forward to the warmer …

Do you want to attract more Magpies this year? Then you need the right bird seed! Find the BEST Bird Seed for MORE Magpies with this guide!

I love geraniums. The smell of the leaves leave a lasting impression on me of times when I was young and my dad had them in the garden. They produce a host of different reds, pinks, and white flowe…

Do you want to know when to transplant celery in Ohio? Then read this article to find the BEST time to transplant celery in Ohio!

Learn How to Get Rid of Aphids on Milkweed with 16 PROVEN Tips! You'll also learn how to identify and prevent aphids on Milkweed

57 low-maintenance perennials perfect for landscaping your flower garden. Perfect picks for beginners and those on a small budget!

Are you getting tired after searching the best fertilizer for plants on the internet? Now with the help of The Gardening Dad, come to know about the best fertilizer for garden easily like never before.

Do you want to grow perennial vegetables in Ohio? Then read this ultimate guide to growing perennial vegetables in Ohio!

Chicken poo, often dubbed as "black gold," is a perfect addition to make nutrient-rich, compost for your garden. Turning chicken poop into fertilizer is easy and provides a no-waste approach in your backyard homestead.

Do you want to know when to transplant Asparagus in Ohio? Read this article to learn the BEST time to transplant Asparagus in Ohio!

Ready to switch from grass lawn to something more pollinator-friendly and sustainable in your front yard? These tips will help you navigate disapproving neighbors, bylaws, and create a natural habitat that—we hope—everyone can live with—neighbors, bees, and butterflies included.

Hydrangeas are flowering shrubs that produce abundant blooms in an array of colors. Hues of pinks, whites, blues, reds, and purples are popular in this

Have you ever heard of lasagna gardening? It is a method of layering bulbs and planting materials to easily get the most yield from the smallest area... [MORE]

Observe how a plant grows towards the direction of light by making a shoe box plant maze! Click here for a pdf tutorial.

An unkempt flower bed can kill your curb appeal. Follow these steps to redo your flower bed and garden design tips to build a beautiful new one.

I have clients who have bought a house in upstate New York. They are a NYC couple who are transitioning their lives to working and living full time upstate and going into the city as they need to. They admired this house from afar, and when it came onto the market a year later, they snatched it up immediately. They are now going through the process of renovating it to become the home of their dreams. Like any renovation project, they are discovering all sorts of issues and dilemmas that are creeping up room by room. This room, pictured above, is technically the third bedroom. They will be using it as their media room. While the rest of the room has sheet rock walls, this one wall with the fireplace is paneled in pine boards. Previous to the 'Before' photo being taken, the pine wall was covered in hideous layers of cracking paint. After going over various options for the wall, my clients and I decided to whitewash it. We had the wall striped with an eco friendly paint remover and then sanded down to 220 grit with palm sanders. From there, I rolled my sleeves up and got started on the Whitewash Project, which is sometimes called Pickling. Please note that this is technically NOT whitewashing. Traditionally, Whitewashing is a process that involves mixing water, lime, and various materials to make a thin paintable plaster. However, there is no technical phrase for the process pictured above. It is generally referred to as Whitewashing. (Confusing, I know!) Below, are the materials and steps involved. Materials: Drop cloth Chisel (optional) Screwdriver 220 sandpaper Vacuum cleaner Paintbrush Rags Water Paint Container Steel wool (optional) How To Whitewash A Wall With Paint: Step 1- Prepare the area for painting by laying down a drop cloth or paper to protect the floors. If the trim and baseboard need to be protected, use blue tape to cover them. Also, make sure to remove outlet covers and light fixtures from walls. Step 2- Since someone else removed the old paint and sanded the wall, I went over the wall to inspect it and remove any paint that was left over in the crevices of the panels or along the mantle and trim. I used a chisel to gently scrape some of the paint off. But in most cases, this step will not be needed. The cleaner your wall is to begin with, the cleaner the outcome will be. Whitewashing allows the grain of the wood to be highlighted. So, any imperfections will also be highlighted! Step 3- Go over the wall and quickly hand sand it with 220 grit sandpaper to make sure the surface is smooth and the flecks of old paint are gone. Vacuum the wall with the brush attachment and then take a dry rag and wipe the wall down. It is amazing how much wood dust sticks to everything. Step 4- MIx your Whitewash solution in a container using clean water and interior paint. In this project, I used Benjamin Moore's Aura Paint in Acadia, as the rest of the room is painted this color and we wanted a lighter version of the other walls. Most interior paints and colored wood stains, in flat to satin finish, will work for this application. I used a ratio of 25% paint and 75% water. Always start with more water and play around with the ratios until you are happy with the results. Remember to continually stir the solution throughout the project to keep it evenly mixed. Step 5- Working in small areas, apply the solution to the wall with a paintbrush. As you paint the solution on, have a rag ready to rub the wall and pick up the excess paint. Beware of splinters when you rub the walls! As you move across the wall, you will notice that the solution does not look even due to the wood absorbing the paint. Don't fret! Let the wall dry completely and inspect the results, as it will most likely dry evenly. In the photo above, I did one coat of the whitewash solution. I am happy with the amount of wood grain showing through. As you add more coats of whitewash, the wood wall will become more opaque and show less wood grain. Step 6- (Optional) Go over the wall with steel wool to make the raised grain smooth. Good luck with your project!

Sobe, desce, pula, arranha...quem tem gato em casa sabe o quanto esses felinos são arteiros e curiosos. Veja ideias de móveis para gatos.

Leave some of your radishes in the ground and let them flower into radish seeds pods! They're a tasty, spicy, and juicy garden snack.

backyard retreat ideas for some dreamy yards to spend your free time. These are some of my favorites from a simple hammock to a shady nook.

Here is something kind of random but I was dealing with this the other day and thought some of you might be interested as well. If you have any of those pesky little ants wandering around the house or yard you might try this little trick to get rid of them. My Dad taught me...Read More »

These growing cucumber tips will help you grow cucumbers that are healthier and tastier! Cucumbers are one of the most versatile vegetables. They are a great addition to any salad, provide another layer of taste