The Urban Gardener Premium http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/theurbangardenerpremium RSS Feed for The Urban Gardener Premium en-us Mon, 06 May 2013 11:30:00 GMT Children themselves thrive by growing things in nature http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/theurbangardenerpremium/20130506__Children_themselves_thrive_by_growing_things_in_nature.html Gardening with children is an activity that engages keiki and adults alike. Parents, relatives, neighbors, educators and group-activity coordinators all have the potential to ignite a child's lifelong appreciation for our Earth's natural systems and gain valuable life skills. Herbs, native plants attract pollinators to urban gardens http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/theurbangardenerpremium/20130304__Herbs_native_plants_attract__pollinators_to_urban_gardens.html Home gardens, whether a collection of potted plants on a lanai or a backyard with fruit trees, reflect an owner's personality and interests. Urban gardens, with their splashes of color and scent, are also a source of nutrition for insect pollinators. Planting leaf cuttings propagates succulents http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/theurbangardenerpremium/20130203_Planting_leaf_cuttings_propagates_succulents.html It was more than 5 million years ago when a fern spore drifted on tradewinds to settle upon these islands. Fern spores were some of the first plant parts to inhabit these large volcanic rocks in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Transplanting potted prize requires wise site selection http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/theurbangardenerpremium/20130107_Transplanting_potted_prize_requires_wise_site_selection.html Potted plants are a popular holiday gift, especially poinsettia, Christmas cactus and Norfolk Island pine, or perhaps something more exotic or trendy. Eventually you may want to transplant that prize into your yard or garden. Swap store-bought fertilizer for your own 'green' manure http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/theurbangardenerpremium/20121203_Swap_storebought_fertilizer_for_your_own_green_manure.html Fertilizers for home gardens can be expensive, heavy, require large storage areas and contribute to nutrient pollution in Hawaii's streams and groundwater. Cooler temperatures fine for propagating vegetables http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/theurbangardenerpremium/20121105_Cooler_temperatures_fine_for_propagating_vegetables.html With cooler weather upon us, now is a good time to begin planting some heat-intolerant vegetables. For those who like to propagate their own plants, it's also a good time to begin germinating seeds. Pumpkins, winter squashes signal arrival of autumn http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/theurbangardenerpremium/20121001__Pumpkins_winter_squashes_signal_arrival_of_autumn.html The autumn season in temperate regions like the mainland is a time for the trees to shed their leaves before the coming winter. Autumn is the last growing season for most plants before chilling frost prevents further plant growth. Home gardeners can help curb invasive plants' spread http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/theurbangardenerpremium/20120903_Home_gardeners_can_help_curb_invasive_plants_spread.html Native plants are plants that were not introduced by humans, and by definition they can't be invasive. Only a small percentage of non-native plants are invasive, but those that are can cause a great deal of damage. Chives, scallions grow easily in home container gardens http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/theurbangardenerpremium/20120806_chives_scallions_grow_easily_in_home_container_gardens.html Chives and scallions are herbs grown for their onion-flavored leaves and stems. Like the common garden onion, they are members of the genus Allium, in the lily family. Vertical gardens are easier to assemble than they look http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/theurbangardenerpremium/20120709_Vertical_gardens_are_easier_to_assemble_than_they_look.html Vertical gardens, also known as green walls or living walls, are gaining in popularity.