Oralia Redmon

As I ventured into the store for my monthly grocery haul, a peculiar experience unfolded. Ordinarily, I shop once a month (or every other month during gardening season), as we primarily produce our own meat and vegetables. My usual list is short, comprising mainly dry goods and dairy products. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic dominating … Read more

Growing melons can be a challenge, especially when the climate is unpredictable. However, with determination and a bit of good fortune, it’s possible to cultivate delicious and refreshing melons in your own backyard. To achieve success, it’s essential to provide the necessary TLC to these heat-loving plants. If you live in an area with cooler … Read more

Grafting is an artful process of uniting two compatible plants, aiming to create a new hybrid with the most desirable traits from its parents. While commonly associated with fruit trees, this technique can be applied to various shrubs, vegetables, and trees. The advantages of grafting become apparent when faced with limited options for propagation. For … Read more

When it comes to gardening, having the right recipe is crucial for a bountiful harvest. Soil testing plays a vital role in this process by ensuring the soil is fertile and conducive to plant growth. Understanding what a soil test entails, how to conduct one, and how to interpret the results can make all the … Read more

As I delved into the world of organic gardening, I noticed a recurring theme: choosing disease-resistant plants is touted as a key strategy for maintaining healthy crops. While this advice is generally sound, many gardeners remain unclear about what disease resistance entails, how it’s cultivated, and how to leverage this trait in their own gardens. … Read more

While often overshadowed by more popular root vegetables like potatoes and carrots, turnips deserve our appreciation and recognition. Their unique earthy flavor, slightly sweeter than a potato’s, is a result of proper cooking methods. Moreover, turnips are low-maintenance, easy to grow, nutritious, and can be stored for an extended period. They’re ideal for small gardens … Read more

While it’s true that raising sheep is often associated with harvesting wool, the reality is that there’s more to it than just that. In fact, when I first started raising sheep, people were surprised by my response when they asked what I planned on doing with the wool – ‘I don’t know. Would you like … Read more

The age-old debate about whether the chicken or the egg came first may seem irrelevant to our discussion. However, for backyard chicken owners, it’s a crucial consideration. Imagine being a newcomer to raising chickens, where you’ve purchased your feathered friends and are now eagerly awaiting your first batch of eggs. In this scenario, it’s clear … Read more

Container gardening has become an increasingly popular way for people to start and maintain a garden, regardless of the space they have available. While it’s often seen as a necessity for those living in apartments or with poor soil quality, its benefits extend far beyond these limitations. In fact, container gardening can be a great … Read more

As I embarked on my gardening journey, it was initially driven by a desire to enhance the aesthetic appeal of my landscape. However, as time passed, concerns about the quality of store-bought produce led me to shift gears and focus on cultivating food on a larger scale. The transition wasn’t without its challenges – at … Read more