Author: Jodie Michalak

  • Change Your Gardening Game with Planting by the Moon

    Change Your Gardening Game with Planting by the Moon

    You may have heard of planting by the moon, but have you tried it? Farmers and gardeners have used this age-old technique for hundreds of years, and some swear by its success.

    If you want healthier plants and a more productive garden, this interesting planting method could be the winning card in your gardening game. Here’s what it entails.

    What is Planting by the Moon?

    As fun as it may sound, planting by the moon isn’t a magical, celestial endeavor where you grab your trowel and get to digging under the moonlight. Instead, the concept of planting by the moon is based on the idea that the moons phases can affect plant growth. How so? The moon causes tides to rise and fall with its gravitational pull. It also affects soil because it pulls more moisture to the surface. When seedlings are planted during the full moon and the new moon, they absorb more water and swell, resulting in more effective germination.

    Lunar Cycles for Moon Phase Gardening

    Now that you have a basic understanding of planting by the moon, you’ll need to follow two periods in the lunar cycle when planting.

    Waxing– The time between the new and full moon.

    Waning– The time between the full and the new moon.

    What to Plant and When

    The waxing and waning lunar cycles determine what you should plant. During the waxing moon, anything needing plentiful leaves and stems, such as annuals and above-ground fruits and veggies, should be planted. The moon’s light increases night by night from the new moon till it’s at it’s fullest. This helps upward stems grow healthy and strong.

    For tubers, bulbs, and any plant needing extra root growth, you should plant during the waning moon. The moonlight decreases nightly from the full moon until it’s new again, and this extra darkness encourages plants to focus on growth beneath the soil. Below-ground crops such as onions potatoes and carrots benefit when planted during a waning cycle.

    In addition to the moon cycle, your climate will determine when to plant tender seedlings. You can find dates for all the popular food crops in The Old Farmer’s Almanac Spring planting calendar.

    Gardening is already a dance with nature, but adding a sprinkle of the moon’s influence makes it even more exciting. Have you tried planting by the moon? Keep a garden journal, track your success, and let us know if the moon’s magic works for you.

     

    Source: Gardening by the Moon

     

  • The Orangery Greenhouse: Past and Present

    The Orangery Greenhouse: Past and Present

    For many plant lovers, an Orangerie or orangery greenhouse adds a new dimension to gardening and allows tender and exotic plants to be nurtured and grown. Long before modern orangeries began gracing the yards of gardening enthusiasts, the original Orangeries were mainly used for growing (you guessed it!) oranges.

    History of the Orangery Greenhouse

    Originating in England in the 17th century, these structures were first designed to cultivate fruit trees and became a symbol of wealth and prestige for the elite. Groundskeepers imported orange trees, banana plants, and pomegranates and nurtured the exotic fruits in Orangeries.

    Versailles, St. Petersburg, and Vienna were home to some of the most well-known examples of orangery architecture.  Some were completely freestanding, while others were attached to houses, where exotics could be grown and protected from harsh frosts.

    As the understanding of plant care evolved and the cost of glass diminished, Orangeries became prominent in more estates and served as an architectural feature of the garden. 

     

    citrus

    What Do People Grow in Orangeries Today?

    Today, Orangeries can be used to grow various fruits and plants, including figs, avocados, bananas, and citrus. They’re also suitable for cultivating herbs, tomatoes, and peppers. For those seeking a decorative space, an Orangerie can be an excellent solution for growing succulents and cacti. Unlike traditional Orangeries, which were mainly for citrus cultivation, modern Orangeries blend the aesthetics of a conservatory with greenhouse functionality, serving as a stylish space for both plants and relaxation.

    Discover Janssens Junior, Royal, and Antique Orangerie Greenhouses

    With their T-shaped design, the Janssens line of Orangeries captures the charm of English greenhouses. Despite their heirloom aesthetic, they are made with 4mm tempered glass and a 17-gauge aluminum frame. They’re not just attractive; they’re also designed to withstand strong winds and moderate hail.

    Janssens Orangeries Feature:

    • Glass panels secured with heavy-duty rubber seals provide superior insulation to other glass greenhouses. This results in lower energy costs and more consistent temperatures.
    • 4mm tempered glass, which is 1mm thicker than that offered by most competitors
    • Seamless vertical glass panels to enhance both appearance and ease of cleaning
    • Elegant roof edge and classic English design
    • Thicker and stronger aluminum profiles for added durability

    Consider your primary goals when choosing between a traditional greenhouse and an Orangerie. A traditional polycarbonate greenhouse may be more suitable if you seek optimal plant growth and functionality. However, an Orangerie can deliver if you desire an aesthetically pleasing space with lots of sunlight for gardening and relaxation.

    Need help finding your dream garden structure? Contact one of our partners for more information about our Janssens line of Orangeries, modern, antique, and Victorian greenhouses.

     

  • Why Every Family Needs a Kitchen Compost Pail

    Why Every Family Needs a Kitchen Compost Pail

    Whether you’re new to composting or what some may call a master of the science, a kitchen compost pail is a must-have product for collecting kitchen scraps for your compost pile, where they can begin the next step of decomposition.

    Few gems in gardening can compare to the benefits of compost. The organic material improves your soil and diverts organic waste from landfills, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and methane production, a major contributor to climate change. Composting is good for the planet and is a sustainable way to feed your garden and plants with homegrown goodness, which some call “Black Gold.”

    How can you incorporate composting into your gardening routine, and why is it so important for your garden? Together, we will discover the wonders of compost and how it can improve your growing experience.

    The Ancient Roots of Composting

    Composting is as old as time. Long before we knew the dangers of landfills and their environmental effects, our ancestors were practicing composting. The Greek, Roman, Chinese, Japanese, Scottish, and Native American cultures reused organic waste (since the Stone Age). Although they may not have relied on products like a kitchen compost pail to make scrap collection easier, they still took natural resources such as fish, manure, fish waste, and plant materials to fertilize their crops.

    What Is Compost? Nature’s Gift

    When organic materials, such as fallen leaves, grass clippings, and kitchen waste, break down over time, they become compost. Appropriately layered in a composting pile or a bin, the material slowly turns into a nutrient-rich addition that should be mixed into garden beds and potted plants to help grow healthy plants. While fertilizer adds nutrients to support plant growth, compost provides nutrients and improves soil structure and health.

    The Benefits of Composting

    Composting is a very basic process. You can put yard clippings into a pile and let nature do the rest in its own time. Compost will happen, yet it will happen very, very slowly. However, when you provide a balanced diet for the organisms that do the work of composting, you speed up the entire process. 

    Composting is a great way to deal with kitchen scraps and yard waste. It keeps that material out of the landfill, which is better for everyone. Not only that, it makes fantastic soil. Think of it as a vitamin boost for your garden. 

    Compost also helps the soil hold onto water, so you don’t have to water your plants as often. And it’s like a party for the soil’s helpful little bacteria and fungi. They munch on the organic matter and turn it into this super-rich food that plants love. 

    Why Use a Kitchen Compost Pail?

    Not all kitchen compost pails are created equal. While some gardeners opt for a regular lidded coffee can to store kitchen scraps, a kitchen compost pail with a lid and a filter reduces odors.

    A kitchen compost pail with a one-to-two-gallon capacity is a good size for the average household, making collecting kitchen scraps easy. By the time it is full of kitchen scraps, apple peelings, old lettuce leaves, tea bags, etc., it’s time for it to go into your outdoor compost bin, where it will mature. Too big of a container, and it’s likely to attract fruit flies.

    If you have children, add emptying the compost pail to one of their household chores to help foster sustainability. Being a good steward of the earth means living responsibly and protecting our valuable resources to minimize waste and ensure a healthy planet for future generations. Small steps like utilizing a kitchen compost bin to collect your scraps are just one thing you can do to make a difference.  

    What to Compost

    Compost may be made up of “brown waste,” such as leaves and branches, or “green waste,” such as fruit and vegetable scraps. The ideal mix is 2/3 “browns” and 1/3 “greens”.

    • Vegetables
    • Tea/coffee
    • Nutshells
    • Eggshells
    • Fruit
    • Houseplants
    • Paper napkins

    What Not to Compost

    • Sawdust from treated wood
    • Grease & oil
    • Meat
    • Fish
    • Bones
    • Dairy products
    • Pet droppings
    • Diseased or insect-infested plants
    • Weeds with seeds
    • Ashes

    Embrace the Power of a Kitchen Compost Pail

    Embracing composting in your gardening routine can connect you to ancient practices that promote sustainability and nurture both the plants and the planet. Composting is a tradition that has stood the test of time in gardening. Start composting today and watch your garden flourish! Take a look at our kitchen compost pails and outdoor composters and then shop one of our product retailers.

    Keep this age-old tradition alive, and watch your garden thrive and help the environment.