Gardenig in India. Tips & Guides

Ugh. And also: Wow, that’s some smell. With the smell of dead meat, it’s intended for attracting flies, its desired pollinators.The voodoo lily is Sauromatum venosum (also Typhonium venosum), originally from Southern India, and I stash pots of them and other not-quite-hardy bulb-like things in the cellar, where they spend the winter dry and cool and dark. This one might make it outside; it’s rated Zone 6A and I am a 5B, but I love these oddballs best shown off in containers.Normally, the voodoo lily and the rest are only just stirring around now, but their long winter’s nap wasn’t as long as usual.

In 2008, when I was shifting my life from city-dwelling corporate executive to rural dweller, I met Alana Chernila. We aren’t close in age—she’s was at that time a mother to two young girls—but I recognized in her right away some common essential elements.The natural world was the anchor we were both intentionally gravitating back to—and we each were obsessed with having a well-stocked freezer and pantry (or else!). We were also both brewing books. Alana’s “The Homemade Pantry: 101 Foods You Can

The house was full of squash, in fact, that year–from my desk, where they sit, expectant, beside my laptop (below) to the entire mudroom (bottom of page), where horse-collar-shaped oddities like ‘Tromboncino’ join the smaller ‘Butternut’ types.I made up this recipe at freezer-emptying time in early summer, when I found two containers of roasted, mashed winter squash in my deep-freeze, and needed the room for incoming garden-fresh goodies. It is based on a soup with a coconut undertone and I

John (with cultivated shiitake, above) is a self-described “mushroom guy” and has studied fungi with some of the country’s top mycologists. On his family farm in Big Indian, New York, he cultivates indoor and outdoor mushrooms, and provides guided mushroom classes, cultivation courses, private consultations, and even creates mushroom health extracts. John is also part of the Amazon Mycorenewal Project (CoRenewal), researching the utilization of fungi to remediate oil spills in the Amazon Rain Forest.Read along as you listen to the April 1, 2019 edition of my public-radio show and podcast using the player below. You can subscribe to all future editions on iTunes or Spotify or Stitcher (and browse my archive of podcasts here).how mushrooms grow, with john michelottiQ. I’m just going to ask you: I know it’s like a po-tay-toe, po-tah-toe thing, but I always worry when I say fungi. Is it supp

Before Laura Parker founded High Desert Seed, she had many other seed adventures, including working in India with activist and seed saver Vandana Shiva, and later back in the U.S., becoming Executive Director of the Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association. We talked about the importance of regionally adapted seed, and she showcased some goodies she’s working on—and also dropped some names of other companies whose catalogs we ought to be browsing.Read along as you listen to the January 25, 2021 edition of my public-radio show and podcast using the player below. You can subscribe to all future editions on Apple Podcasts (iTunes) or Spotify or Stitcher (and browse my archive of podcasts here).a q&a with laura parker of high desert seedMargaret: Hi, Laura. So I have to say, I love that quote on your homepage, the Mexican proverb. It says, “They tried to bury us. They didn’t know we were seeds.”Laura: [Laughter.]

Toshi is in his third year as director of horticulture at the former estate called Wethersfield garden in Dutchess County, New York, with its 3-acre formal gardens plus 7 acres of wilderness garden and commanding views of the Catskills and Berkshire Mountains.Toshi and his team are bringing the gardens back to life, and he told me about the place, and specifically about the tasks of editing and dividing that every perennial gardener needs to do, whatever their garden scale. (Above, a tangle in one of the Wethersfleid cutting garden’s annual beds, with Gladiolus ‘Wine and Roses,’ Zinnia ‘Benary’s Giant Lime,’ Rudbeckia hirta ‘Indian Summer,’

On our lists, still: collecting some seeds of natives to sow later and cleaning and preparing tools for storage; lifting tender bulbs and tubers to stash; where to overwinter the nursery pots of things we bought that never found their permanent home in the ground (oops).Ken Druse, author of 20 garden books and an old friend, is back today to help with the countdown, and especially to remind himself and me and all of us not to get lulled into procrastination, even if it has been in the 60s some days here the last we

Hoya Krimson Queen is a variegated variant of Hoya Carnosa with pink, white, or creamy edges around the leaf. It looks beautiful in hanging baskets and makes for a great indoor plant. Let’s learn all about Hoya Krimson Queen Care Indoors!

Air pollution is at its all-time high, and indoor air is also taking quite a hit because of it. If you want to minimize its ill effect, you can do it naturally by growing these Best Air Purifying Indoor Plants, According to an Indian Study.

Renowned for its distinctive aroma and warm, earthy flavor,Cumin Plant has become a staple spice in various cuisines, adding depth and complexity to a wide range of dishes. The best part- you can grow it at home! Here’s how!

Growing ginger at home can be a rewarding experience, and with this amazing trick, you can grow unlimitedGinger Plants without spending much this growing season.

Popular as one of the most versatile houseplants, sansevieria can also bloom fragrant blossoms! Here are the most stunning Snake Plants that Flower!

With awesome large and lush green leaves, the monstera looks simply fabulous in any type of decor. If you want to maintain it without a fuss, then learn everything about Split-leaf Philodendron Care here.

The cool time of the season after the summer is perfect for growing many herbs and vegetables. Keeping that in mind, we bring you the best Herbs You Can Grow in Fall or Autumn!

Star Fruit comes from the Carambola tree and can be found in most places throughout the world. While it thrives in humid subtropical climates, the Star Fruit can also be grown in cold climates in pots, where they survive winters indoors or in greenhouses.

Today we’re headed to Kerala, India, to enjoy some beautiful blooms from Sreeja Sarathkumar’s rose garden.

Looking for a new, versatile crop to enjoy? Why not try your hand at growing fenugreek?Not only does this herb make an attractive addition to

Unlike commercial pesticides, neem oil is entirely safe and natural, absolutely free from harmful chemicals. Also, it’s more effective than any other organic pest repellent available. Here are the best Neem Oil Uses for the garden!

Cumin, Cuminum cyminum, is probably my all time favorite culinary spice.Since I use it in just about everything that I cook, I am

These quick growers beautify the perennial flower border or stand as a naturally stunning backdrop to other plants. Daylilies can be also an excellent choice for ground cover on slopes! Pick your favorite one from these Best Daylily Varieties.

English ivy is popular because of its evergreen trailing vines and low-demanding nature. Here’s a detailed list of some interesting facts and amazing English Ivy Benefits that will tempt you into growing this plant!

Crepe Jasmine is a small wonder when it comes to glossy foliage and matching clusters of white flowers. If you too want it in your plant collection, then read on to learn all about How to Grow Pinwheel Flowers!

In terms of culinary influence, it’s tough to find an ingredient used in as many cultural cuisines as sesame seeds—they’re found in Asian, Latin, Middle Eastern, and Indian culinary traditions, to name a few. Many of us automatically think of white sesame seeds when we think of this seed, but black sesame seeds have just as much (and maybe even a little more) to offer. Here’s what to know about this sibling of the traditional white sesame seed.

Also popular as Watermelon Dischidia, this plant can be an exotic houseplant to add to your collection. This tropical plant is closely related to the Hoyas and can provide an uncommon touch to your home. Here is an ultimate guide for you to learn all about How to Grow Dischidia opvata. 

Common Names: Solanum melongena, Aubergine, Brinjal, Baingan, Vankaya, Berengena, Berinjela

Any plant that enjoys a bit of shade in your garden can be grown inside your home too! Have a look at some of the best Outdoor Plants that Can be Grown Indoors

Coir is the fibrous husk and pithy dust that makes up the outer layer of a ripe coconut. Most of us don’t see this part because it’s removed before the fruits arrive in grocery stores, but it is widely available – as a soilless growing medium.Per the Cambridge Dictionary, the

Lychee (Litchi chinensis) is native to Southern China and grown extensively in China, India, and other Southeast Asian countries. The tall evergreen plant can attain height up to 49-92 feet (15-28 meters). It has evergreen leaves that resist water. Small whitish or yellow-green flowers bloom in clusters usually in spring and early summer in warm climates.

Cashew nuts are a popular snack that is enjoyed all around the world. However, not many people know how these nuts grow. In this article, we will have a look at Where Do Cashews Grow and also learn about their planting and harvesting!

Looking for an easy-to-grow, low-maintenance houseplant? Look no further than Dischidia Imbricata! In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to grow this beautiful and unique plant, from propagation to care tips.

If you know aboutBlack Pepper Plant Growing Zone, then it will be really easy for you to grow it in the region your live in. Let’s dive deep into the details.

Lotus is a jewel of the aquatic world. This exotic flower gets rooted in the soil or mud and emerges above the water’s surface, making it look like it’s floating. Isn’t this amazing? If you too want to experience this, learn How to Grow Lotus in a pot in this post.

If it ever crossed in your mind to grow spices at home in pots or in your garden, this post is for you. Even if you live in a small condo, you can plant any of these spices and create a Container Spice Garden.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Cucumbers are a s

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Looking for

Asian greens are leafy vegetables, popularly cooked or used in salads in Asian countries, like China and India. For the fresh, homegrown taste, Growing Asian Greens in your garden is a great idea. Let’s have a look at the best ones!