Throughout the centuries, plants have developed many defense mechanisms to protect themselves from foraging animals. Some of them prove to be a skin irritant when touched, as in the case of nettles and poison ivy. Others cause severe reactions and ...
Read More »Articles Written By Susan Patterson
7 ‘Miraculous’ Medicinal Uses For Marijuana
Marijuana is, of course, a hot topic in American culture today. Controversy and disinformation are abound. As of July 2015, 23 states had enacted laws to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes. But America is not the first country to discover ...
Read More »How To Grow A Garden In A Drought
Gardening in drought-prone areas is always a challenge, for one obvious reason: Plants, like people, can’t survive without water. But the good news is we can manage to grow a productive dry weather garden with a bit of planning and ...
Read More »No-Till Gardening: 5 Reasons You Should Never Use A Tiller Again
Tilling the land has always been a part of traditional gardening, despite the testimony of lush natural vegetation in wild areas unspoiled by man’s hands. Even within the cultivated garden, seeds that accidentally fall among brambles and rocks often present ...
Read More »10 Amazing Ways Lemon Oil Can Replace (Almost All) Your Medicine
Lemon oil is one of the most versatile essential oils, besides being safe for use in infants and during pregnancy and lactation. Lemon oil is cold pressed from the rind of lemons, and a pound of the oil requires about ...
Read More »Garlic Mustard: The Super-Nutritious Edible ‘Weed’ You Probably Mow Over
Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is a member of the mustard family and has a noticeable garlic aroma — hence its name. In Europe, this plant is loved and used by many rural people, but in North America it is often ...
Read More »6 Toxins Hiding In Your Well Water
About 15 percent of people in the US meet their water requirements through private wells. If you’re one of them, it feels good to be independent with regard to water. But, do you worry about the quality of the water ...
Read More »8 Inexpensive DIY Greenhouse Ideas Anyone Can Build
Greenhouses can help overwinter tender plants, grow food all year, or just extend the growing season by several weeks to a few months. You can buy them ready-made, but it is cheaper to build your own with readily available materials ...
Read More »Cassava: The Drought-Resistant ‘Super Survival’ Plant That Can Feed Everyone
Cassava, or Manihot esculenta, is a root crop grown mainly in the tropical areas of the world. Originating in South America, it is now a staple for many people in African and Asian countries. Florida, with its relatively warm climate, ...
Read More »8 Incredible Off-Grid Ways Peppermint Oil Can Heal
The aroma and flavor of peppermint is familiar to us because of its common use in breath fresheners. Extracted from Mentha piperita, a natural hybrid of spearmint and water mint, peppermint essential oil has been in use in Europe for ...
Read More »