Contributed by Info Guru Terri Wallace
The air may still be brisk and chilly, but it is never too early to pull out the seed catalogs and start planning your spring garden.
No matter how big (or small) your garden, these gardening blogs offer some of the most innovative and informative posts to help you show off your green thumb…without working your fingers to the bone.
10. Lawns
Whether your lawn is covered in turf, ground cover, or another low or no-mow option, Safe Lawns will provide you with tips and tricks to turn your yard into a lush oasis without the need for dangerous chemicals.
9. Vegetable Garden
Perhaps you experienced “sticker shock” at the grocery store, or maybe you just wanted to know where your food came from and how it was grown, either way, a vegetable garden is an investment in your nutrition, your environment, and your palate. The blog also provides flavorful recipes that use the vegetables that you grow in your garden.
8. “General” Gardening
For the beginning gardener, A Way to Garden offers plenty of general and practical advice to get your garden growing. It also provides information on both edible and ornamental plants, recipes, and seed saving.
7. Gardening in the Suburbs
Not all gardeners are fortunate enough to have several acres to garden. In fact, some gardeners are lucky to have a few feet of space and some containers in which to indulge their green thumb. But, A Suburban Farmer provides guidance on how to get the most from your smaller garden in the ‘burbs. The modern homesteader doesn’t own forty acres and a mule—he lives in the suburbs!
6. Herbal Gardening
As gardeners return to their roots (pun intended!), herbs are quickly making a resurgence as a garden staple. Roots and Flowers provides plenty of practical information about growing and using herbs. Here you will find herbal recipes, native remedies, as well as information on herbal teas and essential oils.
5. Thrifty Gardening
Gardening can be expensive. But the Cheap Vegetable Gardener provides links, tips, resources, and inspiration for gardening on the cheap. With links to free gardening books available online, and suggestions for collecting seeds for free, the time you spend on this blog may be one of the best investments you can make for your garden!
4. Shade Gardens
Many gardeners become flummoxed by that shady area of the garden where nothing seems to grow. Some even relent and chop down age-old trees to try to welcome some light into their shade-spackled space, but Carolyn’s Shade Gardens can offer insight into plant species that thrive in the shade—allowing even the darkest corners of a garden to provide a lush landscape.
3. Cut-flower Garden
For some, the best part of the garden is that which you can cut and place in a vase. American Meadows caters to the cut-flower enthusiast, and offers suggestions for plantings that will provide color and beauty to your home. You can track down rare and resplendent varieties of cultivated flowers and wildflowers to bring new life to your garden.
2. Organic Gardening
Put away those chemicals and grab your Gourmet Seed catalogs, Organic Gardening will help teach you how to compost, choose plants, nourish the plants you grow, and keep your garden green and lush. Both the novice and the seasoned gardener can learn from the wealth of information available on this blog, including information on micro-farms, eating and local, and test garden results.
1. Victory Garden Blog
Victory gardens, also known as “war gardens,” are gardens used to supplement commercially grown produce in order to reduce pressure on the food supply. Modern Victory Garden provides tips for reducing dependence on commercially grown produce and provides gardeners with discussion forums to share their experiences and to ask more seasoned gardeners for input.