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Gardening is a great hobby for all ages, and the younger kids start gardening, the better the chance they will develop a lifelong love of outdoor activities and fresh, healthy food. Even the youngest children can join in gardening activities, and older children can enjoy their own planting-to-harvest gardening adventure. What Kids Can Learn From Gardening Gardening teaches kids a lot more than just how to plant seeds or pull weeds. Every step of gardening can be a fun, hands-on lesson, with topics such as… How plants grow and what they need to be healthy What bugs are beneficial and...

Victory gardens have often been popular in times of adversity, whether it is wartime, economic depressions, or other strenuous periods. Most common during World War I and World War II, these at-home plots have served many purposes, and they can be just as helpful now. What Is a Victory Garden? There are no hard-and-fast rules about the size or style of a victory garden, or what it must grow. Different gardens may yield different harvests of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Initially, wartime victory gardens were promoted to help supplement rations, promote patriotism, and boost morale with feelings of self-sufficiency...

Wild birds have a rich and varied diet in spring, summer, and autumn when different foods are abundant, from buds, blossoms, and nectar to seeds, fruits, insects, nuts, and grain. But what do wild birds eat in winter when snow and ice hide many foods, and what foods can you offer at your feeders to provide superior nutrition to your feathered friends? Natural Foods for Wild Birds in Winter There are more natural foods available for wild birds in winter than many people realize. Before the ground freezes in late fall or early winter, bluebirds and other thrushes will dig...

Houseplants can be an amazing accent to your home, but the right houseplants are more than just living decorations or a way to bring a love of gardening indoors in all seasons. These popular plants can help clean the air in your home and create a fresher, healthier atmosphere for you and your family. How Houseplants Clean the Air All plants take in carbon dioxide and emit oxygen, but some plants do much more to scrub the air. Depending on the plant, its size and its overall health, a houseplant can… Remove odors from pets, cooking, exhaust and other sources...

The start of a new year is a great time to start new gardening tasks, and savvy gardeners know there is plenty to keep busy with in January, even if the garden may be buried under ice and snow. Whether you are just starting out with a first garden or have years of experience, there is always more to do to improve a garden and be sure it is its beautiful, blooming, bountiful best. In January, gardening means… Recycling the Christmas Tree If you used a cut Christmas tree, add it to a brush pile or chop it up for...