Container Gardening

If you are a garden lover, but have no space for gardening don’t worry you have options.

One is to try container gardening. This way of gardening comes with the benefit of being cost effective and mobile. I have seen videos where people have used 5 gallon buckets and storage totes and even though they have plenty of space for a garden this method works well and is very cost effective kind of like raised bed gardening. Two things to try is herbs and mushrooms. 

• Most plants that grow in the ground can grow just as well or maybe better in a container. 
• Container gardening requires a smaller budget in the initial stage.
• It can be done on a balcony, patio or deck, even a window.
• Low maintenance.
• Versatile because it is easy to move from place to place. 

 Just like with any gardening you will have to plan out your garden containers, making sure to plant the flowers, shrubs, or vegetables in the right soil and adding drainage. If you have doubts buy a few plant you want to grow, a good bag of potting soil (does not have to be the most expensive),and a container and like I mentioned earlier you can grow some vegetables in 5 gal. buckets, just make sure they are the food safe variety. You will also have to decide if you want to grow organically (no chemicals) when you are choosing your soil. 

You can set up a small compost bin by filling a 5 gallon bucket with dirt, add holes to the top and sides. When you have scraps (no meat or dairy) drop it in the bucket mix around the dirt and cover with the top ( and don't forget to add a few red wigglers to help digest those scraps.

So, are you ready to start container gardening yourself…

 

Sun Joe Garden Tiller Review

 This was a purchase that I made for my garden that has more than paid for itself. It is very strong and will till up the ground pretty good. We had to use it one time to go a few layers down it worked very well on hard clay and rocks. It is listed as 16 inch 12 Amp garden tiller/cultivator. 

They are costing right around $150 at this time.

This is my second SunJoe item and I must say I am impressed with the brand.

Sun Joe TJ603E Electric Garden Tiller/Cultivator , 16-Inch - 12 Amp

Product details from the manufacturer's website

THE DIRTY LITTLE SECRET OF GREAT GARDENS. Experience the one tiller that’s truly up to the task! Introducing a greener, cleaner way to get dirty with the Sun Joe® TJ604E Electric Tiller Cultivator. A powerful 13.5-amp motor quickly pulverizes dirt, effortlessly slicing through the soil at 370 RPM, ensuring maximum aeration and perfectly preparing the seedbed for planting. Cultivate an area 16-inches wide and up to 8-inches deep in seconds. Control weeds where needed - Sun Joe® tames the toughest yard and garden tasks with more comfort and less strain. 3-position, height-adjustable rear wheels make it easy to maneuver wherever it’s needed - and its collapsible handle makes it a cinch to store when it’s not. The TJ604E comes with a full two-year warranty.

So many products look good in the manufacturer ads but do not work as described. Not this.

Burdock

 

Burdock is a plant that is related to the daisy family. It is also closely related to Echinacea, Dandelion, and Feverfew, which could account for the anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties.

Today, Burdock is still used for such things as easing liver problems and digestive disorders. It was also found to be very effective for cleansing the skin for problems such as acne and also to assist in digestive problems. To this day throughout Europe the stalk and the greens are still eaten because they hold such nutritional value.

As more and more research is being done on Burdock many new and interesting discoveries are cropping up. A relationship is being examined between Burdock and its anti fungal and anti bacterial properties, and even more important it is showing signs of possibly being able to fight against tumors and could be a cancer fighting agent as well. 

Research has shown that since many of the cancer causing compounds are in almost all foods which are then eaten and stored in the human fat tissues that Burdock might very well be of help in fighting cancer because of the role that it can play in depleting these mutagens.

Burdock is also very helpful in strengthening the immune system when it has become weakened by environmental factors. When mixed with other herbs such as Dandelion and Ginger it can be a very powerful blood purifier. The most unique fact about Burdock is that it has a very high amount of inulin which is a natural occurring chemical within the body that mimics actions of insulin. Because of this, Burdock has been successful in helping combat hypoglycemia and pre diabetes conditions.

If you look for Burdock in the market you may find it called gobo instead as that is what some refer to it as. It is often combined with other vegetables or added to Tofu. Some boil Burdock while others sauté or deep fry it. Many have said it might not be such a good idea to look at Burdock before you eat it because you might change your mind about taking a bite.

It looks thick, dark, and woody but indeed the opposite is true when it comes to the taste. Burdock is well recognized as a health food because it has low calorie content and a high fiber intake. It is also loaded with potassium, iron, and calcium. People claim that Burdock tastes like nothing else. In other words it has a taste all of its own.

The best description that people can agree on when it comes to the flavor of Burdock is that it is sweet yet earthy, with a tender and crisp texture. It is often added to stews, soups, and stir fries. In the form of food, Burdock is highly nutritional and full of vitamins but in retrospect Burdock is also an effective herb for bringing the body back into balance.