GenAcres Homestead

   Epsom Salt in the Organic Garden The popularity of organic gardening is increasing day by day. Organic gardeners have a philosophy that supports the health of the whole system of gardening, especially when it comes to dealing with the soil. As organic gardeners look for alternatives to synthetic pesticides and fertilizers,  Epsom Salt  has risen in popularity as an effective organic soil amendment for garden use.

You know you're a serious gardener when...

No homesteading garden is complete without growing the foundation of your salad garden, lettuce!  Growing lettuce is easy, takes up little space so you can easily tuck it between and under taller vegetables and even flowers. Lettuce grows for many weeks in the mild weather of spring and fall, and it can be planted several times every season for a continual supply.  The Basics -- Lettuce Annual  Height:  9-12:      Width:  6" Lettuce comes in many different varieties including leaf lettuces, crispheads, summer crisps, icebergs, romaine, butterheads, and bibbs.  Here's a  short description of each. Leaf lettuce.  Forms a loose rosette of tender, sweet-tasting leaves in 4-6 weeks. Summer Crisps.  Loosehead of large, crisp leaves with good flavor. Crispheads.  A combination of romaine and iceberg types.  Crunchy texture. Romaines.  Oblong leaves that form fairly loose, upright heads. Butterhead and Bibb.  Broad rosettes of tender, wavy leaves wit

  Best Hosta Choices for Beginners One of the reasons that hostas have remained so popular in the perennial garden is the beauty of their leaves. For the first-time hosta grower, though, there are some hostas that are easier to grow and care for than others.

    Best Soil for Hosta Plants If you've heard that hostas can grow in any soil type, even poor soil, that's not exactly true. While established hostas tend to become comfortable in any soil over time, they certainly won't thrive and retain the beautiful leaves that you grow them for. Young hostas planted in poor soil will eventually succumb to disease and die. If you want your hostas to thrive, the key is soil that is rich. The ideal soil pH for hostas ranges from 6.5 to 7.5, which actually means it's slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. 

How to Clean Terracotta Pots A big advantage of terracotta is its ability to absorb water from the soil. But because it will also absorb chemical fertilizers and salts found in tap water, that buildup of a crusty residue needs to be removed for the pot to be safely reused the next garden season.  Although that aged terracotta look is pleasant to some, dirty pots can harbor fungus, mold, diseases, and pests. Regular maintenance of cleaning and disinfecting them is a good garden habit to get into.

Great Gifts for Bird Lovers! Whether it's a birthday gift, Mother's Day, Christmas, or just a thank you for that bird lover you know, here are some great gift ideas!