Confessions of a UK Hydro Store – Slims Place
Garden Culture Magazine
by Eric Coulombe
20h ago
In this edition of Confessions of a UK Hydro Store, our buddy Slim, owner of Slims Place in Watford and Hounslow, opens up about life in a grow shop. Slim is a fixture in the local hydro scene, known as a smart, hard-working guy who loves everything to do with plants. Here, he shares tales about his time in the industry and what makes him tick. What do you like the most about being a hydro shop owner? I love the ever-changing industry and customer interaction. From the beginning, all facets of the industry have continuously evolved, and Slims has been a part of the evolution and revolutio ..read more
Visit website
Save Some Green, Go Green By Reusing Growing Media
Garden Culture Magazine
by Rich Hamilton
20h ago
Everyone is looking for ways to save money and grow sustainably. All gardening inputs can be managed to serve you more efficiently, including your growing media. You can use most growing media multiple times. However, you must ensure the media is suitable for reusing. For example, a build-up of nutrients, diseased plant matter, fungal spores, or soil-borne pests can render a medium unusable. Therefore, it is essential to maintain it throughout each growth cycle and prepare it properly before reuse. Here, we will look at each popular growing medium and go through what you must do to reuse it sa ..read more
Visit website
Plant of the Month: Daffodils Are A Sure Sign Of Spring
Garden Culture Magazine
by Jennifer Cole
1w ago
There is nothing I don’t love about daffodils! They withstand heavy rain without flinching, and getting buried under a late-season snowstorm in mid-bloom is no big deal. Daffodils aren’t fussy about soil and will grow in sun or shade, and pests like snails, deer, and squirrels steer clear of them. Yellow is the most common daffodil color, but they also bloom in white, cream, orange and pink. There are at least 25 different daffodil species, including jonquils and paperwhites, and up to 13,000 hybrids! There’s a daffodil out there to please every gardener. The blooms last four to six weeks, and ..read more
Visit website
Common Mistakes When Starting Seeds
Garden Culture Magazine
by Everest Fernandez
2w ago
There’s something special about starting new seeds, isn’t there? Even after years of gardening, the thrill of opening a new pack of seeds never gets old. However, some seeds can be costly, so beginners need to get the basics right to avoid wasting time and money. Let’s dive into the essentials: Choosing the Right Seeds This tip is crucial! Take the time to source a reputable breeder instead of impulsively buying from a random pollen-chucker on Instagram. I have been using a Dutch seed supplier in operation since the 1980s. (Hint: “Masters at Work.”) I can vouch for the consistent quality of th ..read more
Visit website
Taking Notes: Journals Are Essential To Thriving Gardens
Garden Culture Magazine
by Jennifer Cole
2w ago
Each garden has its own specific needs, quirks, and growth cycle. Keeping a journal of what has and hasn’t worked for my garden has helped me grow healthier plants and understand the micro-climate, ecosystem, and soil specific to my space. There are no rules on how to organize or maintain a garden journal. It can be a placeholder for seed packets and plant tags or a compilation of valuable tips. It can be a log on your phone or laptop that’s added to whenever the urge strikes or a large binder you write in daily. Whether a first-time gardener or caretaker of a large backyard or small urban pat ..read more
Visit website
Rise And Shine: Accounting For Seed Dormancy And How To Spark Germination
Garden Culture Magazine
by Xavi Kief
2w ago
Although they may not look it, viable seeds are alive with the structures of future plants inside. These incredible little packages contain the genetics of their ancestors and stores of energy to make germination and the healthy growth of roots and first photosynthesizing leaves possible. What is dormancy? Dormancy is a state of deep rest, during which seeds remain viable and resist destruction until acceptable germination conditions are met. It can be thought of as hibernation, where the metabolism of the living seed slows, preserving its resources and protecting itself from environmental haz ..read more
Visit website
Growing a Pharmacy Garden for Home Remedies
Garden Culture Magazine
by Anne Gibson
3w ago
With a strong focus on health over the past few years, many people are looking for ways to be more self-reliant. Many have struggled to access health services in a timely fashion. So, it’s not surprising there is a resurgence of interest in using plants for medicinal purposes. Creating a themed Pharmacy Garden is one way to be more self-sufficient in treating everyday ailments. For example, pain and healing from cuts, stings, and bruises can be managed by growing and using the right plants. The other day, an angry hornet stung me on the face and arm while watering the garden. The swelling and ..read more
Visit website
Starting Seeds With Soil Blocks Is Plastic-Free And Easy To Do
Garden Culture Magazine
by Jennifer Cole
1M ago
I am currently trying to purge my life of plastic. It was discouraging to see all the plastic containers and trays I use to start my seeds indoors to get a head start on the growing season. I began looking for plastic alternatives and stumbled upon soil blocks. All you need is a tray of some sort, potting soil, and, like all seed-starting, patience! What are soil blocks? Soil blocks are pretty straightforward – all you do is mix your potting soil and compress it into square or round shapes using a soil blocker. Then, plant your seeds and watch them sprout. Benefits Other than no plas ..read more
Visit website
What To Do When Plants Forget To Sleep During A Mild Winter
Garden Culture Magazine
by Jennifer Cole
1M ago
On December 30th, 2023, it was a balmy 13.2°C in Vancouver, and the garden stubbornly refused a winter nap. While flowering plants in typically cold months may seem uplifting, it creates some garden chaos, and it’s a sign that gardeners need to start adapting to unusual temperature swings. Changing Climate, Changing Gardens El Niño is the naturally occurring warming of the ocean in the central and eastern portions of the Pacific that occurs every two to seven years. This affects weather patterns globally, and in southern BC, it generally means a mild and wet winter. Combining th ..read more
Visit website
Growing A Garden For The Mediterranean Diet
Garden Culture Magazine
by Catherine Sherriffs
1M ago
With a focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, healthy fats, and the inclusion of seafood and some meat, it’s no wonder people choose to eat the Mediterranean way! In its annual survey, U.S. News has awarded the Mediterranean diet the top spot for 2024. Eating delicious Mediterranean-style food is my jam, and since the number one gardening rule is to grow what you love to eat, I always fill my garden with Mediterranean-style crops. It’s easy! Live Longer The survey evaluates 30 diets and interviews 40 nutrition experts specializing in diabetes, heart health, and weight los ..read more
Visit website

Follow Garden Culture Magazine on FeedSpot

Continue with Google
Continue with Apple
OR