By Mindy McIntosh-Shetter

I am always looking for something unique or different to grow every year.

The seed catalogs call me with pictures of vegetables, fruits, and plants in general that have never graced my yard or local environment.

While looking through the catalogs, I am always careful not to grow something that is invasive or that I have heard has a negative impact on the environment.

This year’s unique plant came to me by pure chance. I chose the plant in the most scientific way. I just opened the catalog, closed my eyes and went there it is. To my surprise it was a plant I had heard of from a friend of mine. How lucky Read the rest of this entry »

By Mindy McIntosh-Shetter

Everyone that can go outside can grow fruit of some sort.

Strawberries are an easy fruit to start with if you are a beginning gardener and/or apartment dweller.

This project requires more planning then what is needed when using a strawberry container, but it is well worth the effort, especially if space is limited.

To begin the process, first decide if you want to start your strawberries from seed or just buy the plants. Growing strawberries from seed is not difficult to do but you will need Read the rest of this entry »

Looks like there is a trend of men and gardening simmering out there.

Read about the movement in this article by Emily Bond in EcoSalon – “Manscaping: These Guys Have Stems Attached.”

In addition to featuring Urban Garden Casual’s own Michael Nolan and Reggie Solomon, check out these other awesome manscapers out there.   We’re adding them to our blogroll, so definitely check them out.

• Jason DaPonte, I’m Growing Crazy

• Richard Reynolds, Guerrilla Gardener

• Mike Lieberman, Urban Organic Gardener

What do you think?  Is manscaping a trend you’ve observed?

By Mindy McIntosh-Shetter

The other day I had a friend call me and ask me if I had seen the new addition to the garden store.

I said no, but really did not have time to explore the new addition right at that moment.

A few days passed and my friend again inquired about the new addition at the Feed and Seed.

What could have you so excited, I asked. She replied, my prayers have been answered. Again, I was perplexed about the new addition to the local Feed and Seed so I went to see for myself.

It was not a chicken laying a golden egg nor was it a rabbit that pooped jelly beans, but instead a tomato tree. I thought to myself a Read the rest of this entry »

By Mindy McIntosh-Shetter

Everyone is familiar with dill as one of the sour components of dill pickles but dill also has a long history as an herb that provided protection for those who processed it.

The term “dill” comes from an Old Norse term, “dilla”, that means to soothe, calm and/or lull.

Dill was valued by the Romans, as a way of improving ones luck, while the Greeks viewed it as a way of encouraging wealth.

Many Romans and Greeks hung the seed heads of dill in homes, doorways, and above cradles to protect the inhabitance from evil. It was also believed that if evil approached you, protection could be acquired by Read the rest of this entry »