The Savvy Sage

When thinking about health, many of us think first about our bodies. We understand a healthy diet, physical activity, and quality sleep to be main pillars of health. But another kind of health is foundational to our own well-being, and it so often goes unnoticed: soil health!Soil health is defined by the…

 Summer is the travel season for many, and as gardeners, we often see plants as we travel that we would like to add to our garden or indoor plant collection. Although it would be tempting to pinch off a piece or leaf to propagate when returning home, it is an urge we should resist. Much of the spread of…

 June heat can be unpredictable. If you have recent transplants and temperatures soar, shade the transplants from the intense heat. As summer heat sets in, adjust irrigation as needed to deliver deep soakings to the vegetables at regular intervals. Mulch vegetables to conserve water, cool plant roots,…

 In the early 1900s a subtle way of warning a naive young person to avoid being misled or put in a “compromising position” was “Don’t be led down the garden path!” Oh my! Prim matrons knew that gardens are a sensual experience (and the perfect place for romance). If you enjoy being quiet and observant…

Plants make their own food through photosynthesis (converting water and carbon dioxide into sugar and oxygen using solar energy). When we fertilize a plant, we are adding specific nutrients to the plant’s environment to support growth or maintenance. Many of the fertilizers we buy include some combination of…