Today I added Stevia to the tea garden and added Bergarten Sage to the sage collection. What are you up to in your herb gardens?

Just because herbs are useful doesn’t mean they have to be grown in a designated herb garden or orderly straight rows. Deadnettle and lambs ear are two examples of herbs that work well in landscaping and ornamental gardens.

Once upon a time, I thought nothing would grow in the shade. I was wrong! I grow a lot of things in shade or partial shade, such as: Lemon balm Chives French Tarragon Thyme Various mints Anise Hyssop Tulsi Pineapple Sage What about you?

I’m looking to plant alot of various perennial stuff (cold weather hardy… I’m in Michigan) that will contribute to warding off insects. (Bonus points if it will look nice too 😜) Anyone have any favorites to recommend??

We have been getting rain- lots of rain. When it isn't raining it is still above 80% humidity. Fungal diseases are a huge challenge when it is this kind of wet, humid, and warm. Regardless of where you garden, fungal diseases can be a challenge. Here is an in depth look at common fungal problems and how to avoid the fungus getting a hold of your garden. Fungal Diseases: 1. Powdery Mildew: White or grayish powdery spots on leaves and stems, often caused by fungi like Erysiphe or Sphaerotheca. Thrives in warm, humid conditions but doesn’t require standing water. 2. Downy Mildew: Yellow or white patches on leaf undersides, caused by pathogens like Peronospora or Plasmopara. Favors wet, warm weather and can spread rapidly. 3. Leaf Spot Diseases: Small, dark spots with yellow halos on leaves, caused by fungi like Alternaria, Cercospora, or Septoria. Warm, moist conditions accelerate spread. 4. Root Rot: Caused by fungi like Phytophthora or Rhizoctonia, leading to wilting, yellowing, and root decay. Overly wet soil and warm temperatures are key triggers. 5. Anthracnose: Dark, sunken lesions on leaves, stems, or fruit, caused by Colletotrichum or Gloeosporium. Warm, rainy weather promotes its spread. 6. Rust: Orange or yellow pustules on leaves, caused by fungi like Puccinia or Uromyces. Warm, humid conditions with prolonged leaf wetness encourage outbreaks. 7. Botrytis Blight (Gray Mold): Fuzzy gray growth on flowers, fruits, or stems, caused by Botrytis cinerea. Thrives in cool to warm, wet environments. These diseases often spread through water splashes, high humidity, or poor air circulation. Proper plant spacing, drainage, and avoiding overhead watering can help prevent them. Keep Your Plants Happy: Battling Fungal Diseases the Organic Way Warm, wet weather is like a party invite for fungal diseases that can wreck your garden. Powdery mildew, downy mildew, leaf spots, root rot, anthracnose, rust, and botrytis blight love these conditions. But don’t worry—you can fight back with organic treatments and smart prevention. Here’s the lowdown on keeping your plants healthy without harsh chemicals.