Black plastic mulch can kill grass and weeds to make space for a vegetable garden. It's an eco-friendly way to clear land without having to use herbicides. Once the excitement of starting a new garden wears off, the questions begin. One of the most common is 'How do I convert a piece of lawn, or overgrown allotment, into a productive garden?' The best way to begin is to remove any unwanted features and vegetation, especially perennial weeds. If your goal is to grow organically, there's an easy ... Read More about How to use black plastic to kill weeds and clear land
Ideas from Lovely Greens
Make Natural Purple Soap with Alkanet Root
Learn how to make natural purple soap with alkanet root, scented essential oil, and organic rose petals for decoration Although there are dyes and even minerals that you can use to make purple soap, alkanet root helps you to make natural purple soap. One of them being alkanet root. Some people in Britain are familiar with green alkanet Pentaglottis sempervirens, and it's the bane of many a gardener. It too is a dye plant but is not the same as the plant we're going to use. Alkanna tinctoria is ... Read More about Make Natural Purple Soap with Alkanet Root
Classic Apple Pie with a Homegrown Twist
Make classic apple pie with a rich buttery crust and red-fleshed apples. The vibrant crimson color of the apples takes traditional apple pie to a whole other level I've made dozens of apple pies but this one has them all beat. The crust is light and crispy, the flavor is rich with autumn spices, and the filling is a deep crimson red. YES! Completely natural and with no additives, this is one red apple pie. Make this for your friends and family and they'll be blown away by how delicious it is as ... Read More about Classic Apple Pie with a Homegrown Twist
How to plant Bare Root Roses
Tips on how to plant bare roses including what they are, what to expect when the roses arrive from the grower, and when and how to plant them Two years ago we moved into a new house with a small lawned area to the rear. It had a few fruit trees and a greenhouse but the plan was to fully develop it into an English cottage garden style vegetable garden complete with raised beds and colorful flower beds. My first addition was a pretty garden arch and on either side, I planted bare root roses. Two ... Read More about How to plant Bare Root Roses
The Best Pumpkins to grow for Eating
Ten of the best pumpkins to grow for eating including the type used to make Libby's pumpkin puree. Also, tips on the best eating pumpkins to grow in cooler climates and small gardens. There's a pumpkin for every garden but not all of them are for eating. As anyone who has cooked up a standard supermarket type knows, some of them can be watery, stringy, and flavorless. Choose the wrong type for your garden and you could be just as disappointed. If you're planning on growing pumpkins for the ... Read More about The Best Pumpkins to grow for Eating
