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Herbs

How to Read a Seed Packet: What You Need to Know

January 10, 2010
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Growing things from seed is incredibly rewarding and fascinating, not to mention fun. But there are a few things you need to know before you get started. And if you buy good quality seeds, you’ll find everything you need to know on the seed packet itself. But you still need to understand what the info [...]

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Hot Plants for Gardening Hipsters: Edibles

January 5, 2010
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Yesterday, I trotted out some of the coolest up-and-coming ornamental plants for the gardening hipsters out there, and also for the rest of us that aren’t as cool, but still like beautiful plants that no one else has yet. Today, I have a few vegetables that will surely turn heads as people spy you tending [...]

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Join the Innaugural Life on the Balcony Container Gardening Blog Carnival!

January 1, 2010
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Have you ever heard of a blog carnival? It’s when one blogger requests that other bloggers publish posts on a certain topic and then the carnival host(ess) publishes a post on their blog with links to everyone’s submissions. For example, Keeper of the Home hosts a blog carnival about organic gardening. I thought I would [...]

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Basil Mashed Potatoes Recipe

December 10, 2009
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This is a Basil variety called ‘Pistou.’ It worked really well in my strawberry pot. The plant stays nice and compact, perfect for tight spaces. If you have a really bright window, or you live in a mild climate like mine, basil can be grown almost year round. Though there are limits. December-February in Southern [...]

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Grow Rose Scented Geraniums Inside This Winter

November 29, 2009
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It’s not really possible to grow roses indoors. I had a client that insisted on having a white tree rose indoors and even with bright light from a south-facing window, the rose was always stretched out and weak. Even worse, it was impossible to control the aphids, who loved the warm indoor air and lack [...]

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A Couple of Things I Forgot to Mention

November 20, 2009
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I think I forgot to mention a couple of things that I think LOTB readers will be interested in. First, if you’ve held off on trying out the Soil Scoop for yourself, aHa Modern Living has provided a discount code (balcony) so that Life on the Balcony readers can receive 10% off. More details in [...]

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Asian Vegetables for your Cool Season Container Garden

October 9, 2009

As I’ve become more adventurous as a cook, I’ve discovered a whole new world of vegetables, leafy greens and herbs common in the various Asian cuisines. Finding those veggies in my local supermarket, however, is usually a challenge. And when I am able to find them, they cost an arm and a leg. Of course, [...]

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An Updated List of Herbs and Vegetables That You Can Grow on Shadier Balconies

September 9, 2009

Over the past year I have been collecting edible plants that will thrive with less than shade and partial shade. That is, they will flourish with four hours or less of direct sun, and sometimes with only filtered sun. Here is an updated list with all the previous lists combined, and also some new plants. [...]

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Sow These Seeds Now for Fall Harvesting

August 27, 2009

I know you’re dragging your heels, not wanting to admit that Fall and that dreaded last season of the year are just around the corner. But if you don’t sow seeds now, you won’t be able to reap the benefit of harvesting them later. Photo by Vilseskogen Here are some good seeds to grow in [...]

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Calendula Herbal Salve-ation Recipe

August 3, 2009

Earlier I mentioned that I had rediscovered a great article in an old issue of Vegetarian Times about herbs that have healing properties. This salve couldn’t bea easier to make. And you’ll be glad you made it when winter brings chapped lips and dry skin… Photo by Gertrude K. Here’s How to Make the Salve: [...]

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