organic

The agave plant ranges from the southwestern United States down through Central America to the northern regions of South America. It is the same plant that is used to make tequila. For centuries, the native peoples gathered the plants and removed the leaves to extract the sap from the core. They boiled the sap to form a thick nectar. Agave nectar did not find its way into modern America until the 1990’s when the process of hydrolysis could be applied to the agave. This process heats the extracted agave juice in a mass production, making it a viable commercial product.

Knowing how to save seeds will help you garden more effectively and sustainably. Seeds that have been stored appropriately not only germinate better, they also last longer, too. Whether you are saving your seeds for short- or long-term use, it is always a good idea to know a few things about storing and maximizing your seed storage life. With this in mind, I’ve provided 7 tips that will help you store seeds effectively. 

Mushrooms are a delicious superfood fungi used to serve many purposes. They contain a low amount of calories and are often packed with protein, nutrients, and fiber. Growing your own can be better, safer, and cheaper. So, why not try and grow your own organic edible mushrooms? They are actually a lot easier to grow than you think. Follow these 8 steps and learn how to grow your own organic edible mushrooms.

Things you will need:

Did you know that your flower bed may contain medicine? That’s right -- Mother Earth provides us with medicine of many sorts.

Houseleeks, Daffodils, Heart’s Ease, Lily of The Valley… the list really could go on, but I’m guessing out of those 4 flowers you recognized at least 3 of them. Think of how beautiful a medicinal flower garden could be…the possibilities are endless! Today I would like to share with you 7 garden flowers that contain healing powers.

Planting a vegetable garden that remains free of aphids and bothersome bugs may seem difficult, but not with an age-old trick: companion planting. By planting certain vegetables with their companion plants, herbs or flowers, some form of cultural benefit is created. Planting cucumbers underneath sunflowers, for example, helps both plants; the cucumbers take up the otherwise unused space underneath the sunflowers, while the sunflowers provide shade for the cucumbers.

Cover cropping is a mainstream, sustainable practice that is good for the earth and good for your garden. Essentially, cover crops are planted in a certain area as place holders for another type of plant to be grown in the very same spot. There are many positive functions of cover cropping that are worth exploring. If you would like to learn a little more about this method and why it’s so great, read on for six reasons to cover crop your garden.

Reason 1:  Soil Erosion Prevention

Drinking juice is a pleasant way to keep your diet packed with nutrients. If you use organic ingredients, you can also avoid absorbing pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals that are unfortunately often found in many contemporary food products. A juicer processes the fruits and vegetables you need into an easily digestible and tasty form.

While perusing the fruit and vegetable department of my local grocery store several years ago, I came upon an interesting looking fruit. I had never had it in my life at that point and was looking for something new to add to my diet that was healthy.

I had read about the kiwifruit and knew that it “packed a punch” of vitamin C. There was one sliced open, and I was intrigued by its beauty as well. What an interesting looking fruit it truly is. Of course, it went into my grocery cart along with the rest of my items. I had to try it.

Driving through Dateland, Arizona, we had to stop at the travel center and get a date shake. With soaring summer temperatures and a long day’s drive, it was a much needed break from the road. The creamy, sweet shake got me thinking about the origin of dates and why an area would be so inclined to pride itself on a single crop. After investigating, I began to understand what makes this fruit so sought after and how its nutritional benefits have been enjoyed for thousands of year.

Wheat germ is the reproductive part of a grain of wheat -- thus the term germ, meaning to germinate, which left to grow becomes wheat grass. It contains the most fat of the grain and is also the most nutrient rich. It has valuable health benefits, including preventing several major diseases, as well as aiding many other physical and mental functions.