The word ‘organic’ has become a buzz word when referring to eating healthier. We want organic fruits and vegetables but what exactly does this mean and how do we achieve this in our home gardens? WHAT IS ORGANIC GARDENING? Simply put, organic gardeners don't use synthetic fertilizers or pesticides on their plants. Ideally, organic gardening seeks to work with nature through replenishing resources as it makes use of them like using waste for compost or rotating crops to replenish nutrients in the soil, organic gardening. HOW DO YOU CONTROL PESTS AND DISEASE ORGANICALLY? While having an organic garden doesn’t mean that you have to live with worms in your produce, it does dictate that your garden may not be 100% pest free or look magazine ready. ORGANIC GARDENING TAKES THOUGHTFULLNESS, PLANNING, AND PATIENCE To keep your garden organic start with following the following steps. 1.      Be Observant - Check your garden often and get to know y...

There are many ways to practice mindfulness, one which seems to be growing is gardening  (pun intended) . Mindfulness refers to the mental state of being calmly and consciously aware of what is happening not just in our mind and body but in our surrounding area without judgment. The practice of mindfulness stems from ancient Buddhist traditions and practices which purported that mindfulness can help to improve mental clarity, concentration, emotional flexibility, empathy, and tolerance whilst also reducing stress. MINDFULNESS IN THE GARDEN Being fully present and engaged in the garden allows the same relaxing effects to occur. If you are a regular gardener you may have experienced a time where you felt a level of pure peace and tranquility that is associated with being present in nature in the process of gardening. At these mindful moments you really feel the dirt and the potential it has in the palm of your hands, you feel the renewing warmth of the sun and the c...

When I started killing flowers and having flowers kill themselves in my backyard I never for one moment thought that I’d learn so much about myself during the process and actually fall in love with gardening. Over the years I have learned so much, apart from now having something in common with my mom, these are my top five life lessons from the garden:   Visions, no matter how crazy, can become a reality I wanted lots of butterflies and pretty flowers. I wanted fruit trees and a potting bench with outdoor seating and a hammock for relaxing. Heck, I want a reading nook too! As the years progressed, I was able to check things I thought were impossible in my tiny yard off the list and it makes me feel accomplished because it’s my vision that’s becoming a reality. I am more than enough Through killing countless seedlings and plants, which is part of being a Rogue Gardener, I have learned I have the skill and the patience to make great things happen, after all, the bes...