Gardening, Herbs, Plant Propagation

Step-by-Step Guide to Propagating Sage from Cuttings

Propagating sage from cuttings is a rewarding way to expand your herb garden and/or share your plants with friends and family. Here’s a step-by-step guide (this method works for any variety of sage): Get Sage Cuttings: Obtain healthy sage cuttings that are 4-6" long. You can take these cuttings any time during the growing season. Prepare… Continue reading Step-by-Step Guide to Propagating Sage from Cuttings

Using Herbs and Flowers

How to Air-Dry Fragrant Roses for Culinary and Medicinal Use

Drying roses is a delightful way to preserve their beauty and use in dried flower arrangements or save them for medicinal or culinary use later when fresh roses are not available. Here is how to air-dry them: If you are drying roses with the intent to use them medicinally or in recipes, choose roses that… Continue reading How to Air-Dry Fragrant Roses for Culinary and Medicinal Use

Chamomile, Herbs, Using Herbs and Flowers

Chamomile Simple Syrup Recipe for Beverages and More

Chamomile simple syrup has a sweet fruity flavor that can be added to water, sparkling water, cocktails or mocktails, tea or other beverages to enhance the flavor. It can also be used over fruit, on pancakes or French toast or any way that other syrups are used. Using this syrup will also give you the… Continue reading Chamomile Simple Syrup Recipe for Beverages and More

Chamomile, Homemade Beauty Products, Self Care, Using Herbs and Flowers

How to Make Chamomile-Infused Oil for Skin: 2 Easy Methods

Making chamomile-infused oil provides a soothing and aromatic oil that can benefit your skin. It can be used as-is directly on the skin or as an ingredient in homemade lotions and salves. Chamomile is calming, comforting, and has anti-inflammatory properties that soothes dry, red and irritated skin. It can soothe mild pain and promote healing. Chamomile-infused oil… Continue reading How to Make Chamomile-Infused Oil for Skin: 2 Easy Methods

Gardening, Plant Propagation

How to Propagate Lilacs from Cuttings: A Step-by-Step Guide

Propagating lilacs from cuttings is a rewarding way to grow more of these beautiful shrubs. Here’s a guide on how to do it: Taking the Cuttings: Use sharp, clean pruning shears and cut a 6-inch section of new growth from the lilac plant. Make sure to take the cuttings below a leaf node (a node… Continue reading How to Propagate Lilacs from Cuttings: A Step-by-Step Guide

Using Herbs and Flowers

Colorful Chive Butter: A Versatile Recipe for Savory Delights

Chives are so pretty when in flower it's always hard for me to cut them to use in the kitchen. But the flowers are very tasty and make food pretty so I usually take a few flowers from each of my 5 plants whenever I harvest. That leaves some colorful beauty in the garden for… Continue reading Colorful Chive Butter: A Versatile Recipe for Savory Delights

Chamomile, Health, Herbs, Home Remedies, Using Herbs and Flowers

Chamomile: Uses, Benefits, and Planting Guide

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita or Chamaemelum nobile) is a delightful herb known for its daisy-like flowers and soothing properties. Both the flowers and foliage have a fruity aroma which makes for a delicious tea (definitely one of my favorites). Whether you’re interested in growing it for tea, herbal remedies, or simply to enjoy its beauty, here’s how to grow… Continue reading Chamomile: Uses, Benefits, and Planting Guide

Gardening, Herbs, Plant Propagation

Easy Steps for Rooting Mint Cuttings in Water

Mint plants (genus Mentha) are easy-to-grow fragrant perennial herbs with stems that are erect, square, and branched. They can grow to heights ranging from 4 inches to 48 inches. Many mints are considered invasive, so if you don't want that, it's better to plant them in pots. Rooting mint cuttings in water is an easy… Continue reading Easy Steps for Rooting Mint Cuttings in Water

Gardening

Bearded Iris Planting Guide: Tips for Successful Growth

Bearded irises are herbaceous perennial plants known for their large, showy and often fragrant flowers that come in a wide range of colors, including purple, blue, yellow, white, maroon and bicolor combinations. Each flower has three upright petals (called standards) and three drooping petals (called falls). The falls typically have a fuzzy or “bearded” patch near the… Continue reading Bearded Iris Planting Guide: Tips for Successful Growth

Herbs, Plant Propagation

English Lavender: How to Grow it and Propagate Cuttings

English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is an easy-to-grow beautiful and fragrant herb that adds charm to gardens. It can be used in the garden in various ways, such as edging garden paths, creating low hedges, accenting other plants, and even growing in containers with other herbs or flowers. It attracts pollinators that will help pollinate your… Continue reading English Lavender: How to Grow it and Propagate Cuttings

Gardening

Step-by-Step Guide to Propagating Vinca Minor from Cuttings

Vinca is a lovely and low-maintenance groundcover plant that can add a splash of color to your garden. The flowers are blue, purple, lavender or white and the leaves can be solid green or variegated. It grows to a height of 3-6 inches and its' trailing vines can extend up to 18 inches. Vinca grows… Continue reading Step-by-Step Guide to Propagating Vinca Minor from Cuttings

Art, Signs and Symbols

Dahlias from My Garden and Dahlia Symbolism

A digital impressionistic style painting of Dahlias in my garden.Dahlias symbolize new beginnings, fresh starts, diversity, enduring kindness and grace even when things are hard and commitment to what is good. See below the image for information on how to purchase the image for personal use for only $5.00, or, click the image to purchase… Continue reading Dahlias from My Garden and Dahlia Symbolism

Food Forest Gardening (Permaculture), Gardening

How Much Land Is Needed To Grow A Permaculture Food Forest?

Growing your own food means that you will always know what you are eating, where the food has come from, and that the produce is toxin-free! These days there are so many ways that you can grow your own produce, from caring for a few small pots on your balcony to running a farm or… Continue reading How Much Land Is Needed To Grow A Permaculture Food Forest?