Alan Ray

Alan Ray has written five books and is a New York Times best-selling author. Additionally, he is an award-winning songwriter with awards from BMI and ASCAP respectively. He lives in rural Tennessee with his wife, teenage son, and two dogs: a South African Boerboel (Bore-Bull) and a Pomeranian/Frankenstein mix.

Articles by Alan Ray

Three Difficult & Three Easy Cannabis Strains to Grow Three Difficult & Three Easy Cannabis Strains to Grow Three Difficult & Three Easy Cannabis Strains to Grow Three Difficult & Three Easy Cannabis Strains to Grow


You might have the greenest of thumbs, but that doesn’t mean you can simply grow a good crop of cannabis. Some strains are just tougher...

Pot Plant Anatomy Pot Plant Anatomy Pot Plant Anatomy Pot Plant Anatomy


Alan Ray provides a brief biology lesson on the cannabis plant to keep you in the loop.

Ray_Cannabis-Pets Ray_Cannabis-Pets Ray_Cannabis-Pets Ray_Cannabis-Pets


While it has become popular to give dogs cannabis to ease a variety of ailments, there is little research to back up how Fido might react....

Purple Weed Purple Weed Purple Weed Purple Weed


Purple: the most powerful wavelength of the rainbow and historically the most significant and interesting color. It’s rarity in nature has...

Personal Food Computers: The Ultimate Community Garden? Personal Food Computers: The Ultimate Community Garden? Personal Food Computers: The Ultimate Community Garden? Personal Food Computers: The Ultimate Community Garden?


The Personal Food Computer (PFC) could have us creating our foods like a Star Trek replicator. Learn more about it here.

Tips for Starting a Windowsill Garden Tips for Starting a Windowsill Garden Tips for Starting a Windowsill Garden Tips for Starting a Windowsill Garden


Though limited in size and variety, windowsill gardens still provide the satisfaction of growing your own food during the cold winter...

Hydroponics vs. Aquaponics: Which One is Right For You? Hydroponics vs. Aquaponics: Which One is Right For You? Hydroponics vs. Aquaponics: Which One is Right For You? Hydroponics vs. Aquaponics: Which One is Right For You?


It can be difficult to get consensus on whether aquaponics or hydroponics is better. Let’s look at the two systems and learn what some...

Do Your Plants Need Pinching or Pruning? Do Your Plants Need Pinching or Pruning? Do Your Plants Need Pinching or Pruning? Do Your Plants Need Pinching or Pruning?


While trimming, pruning, and pinching sound like painful procedures, they are exactly what your plants need to grow big and strong.

How to Select the Right Soil for Your Bonsai Tree How to Select the Right Soil for Your Bonsai Tree How to Select the Right Soil for Your Bonsai Tree How to Select the Right Soil for Your Bonsai Tree


After the tragic death of his bonsai tree, Alan Ray did some research on which soil he should have used.

Gardening and the Internet of Things Gardening and the Internet of Things Gardening and the Internet of Things Gardening and the Internet of Things


For many, growing food is an opportunity to escape technology and pursue a simple and natural pastime. But what happens when technology...

Setting Up Your First Grow Tent Setting Up Your First Grow Tent Setting Up Your First Grow Tent Setting Up Your First Grow Tent


Ok, while perhaps not the most intense form of gardening, housing plants in tents is fast becoming one of the more popular ways to grow....

FarmScrapers: Vertical Gardening that Combines the Past and Future of Agriculture FarmScrapers: Vertical Gardening that Combines the Past and Future of Agriculture FarmScrapers: Vertical Gardening that Combines the Past and Future of Agriculture FarmScrapers: Vertical Gardening that Combines the Past and Future of Agriculture


Enter farmscrapers: skyscrapers with veggies on the inside and even some with trees on the outside. This revolutionary approach takes its...

Make Room for Mint Make Room for Mint Make Room for Mint Make Room for Mint


Forget any preconceived notions you may have about mint, and get to know this versatile, fragrant plant.

The Facts on Fogponics The Facts on Fogponics The Facts on Fogponics The Facts on Fogponics


Many growers are already well-acquainted with the various ways in which to set up a growing system. While hydroponics, aquaponics and...

5 Reasons to Bring Your Garden Indoors 5 Reasons to Bring Your Garden Indoors 5 Reasons to Bring Your Garden Indoors 5 Reasons to Bring Your Garden Indoors


With indoor gardening, the possibilities are endless when the elements play no role in deciding the type of garden you choose to grow.

The Beauty of Soil Cubes The Beauty of Soil Cubes The Beauty of Soil Cubes The Beauty of Soil Cubes


A step-by-step guide to making your own soil cubes from scratch.

How to Get Rid of Aphids, Brown Fungus, and Early Blight How to Get Rid of Aphids, Brown Fungus, and Early Blight How to Get Rid of Aphids, Brown Fungus, and Early Blight How to Get Rid of Aphids, Brown Fungus, and Early Blight


People are looking more and more for chemical-free options to control pests and diseases. Alan Ray has some ideas on how to combat aphids,...

Introducing Aquaponics: Grow Your Own Fish Sandwich Introducing Aquaponics: Grow Your Own Fish Sandwich Introducing Aquaponics: Grow Your Own Fish Sandwich Introducing Aquaponics: Grow Your Own Fish Sandwich


With the popularity of aquaponics, you can create your own self-sustaining ecosystem on a mini scale. Alan Ray reveals what aquaponics is...

GREEN THUMB GARDENING GREEN THUMB GARDENING GREEN THUMB GARDENING GREEN THUMB GARDENING


How to Create a Bag Garden How to Create a Bag Garden How to Create a Bag Garden How to Create a Bag Garden


Whether you’d like to grow a few vegetables, herbs, spices or maybe just some pretty flowers, a bag garden is a simple, yet brilliant way...

Composting...Where a Breakdown is a Good Thing Composting...Where a Breakdown is a Good Thing Composting...Where a Breakdown is a Good Thing Composting...Where a Breakdown is a Good Thing


Composting is not only satisfying for gardeners and beneficial for your garden, it helps take the pressure off your local landfill. Alan...

Reap What You Sow: Beginning Your Crop from Seeds Reap What You Sow: Beginning Your Crop from Seeds Reap What You Sow: Beginning Your Crop from Seeds Reap What You Sow: Beginning Your Crop from Seeds


Unless you plan to clone your garden or buy young plants, you’re going to be growing your plants from seeds. Here are some reasons why...

Beekeeping 101 Beekeeping 101 Beekeeping 101 Beekeeping 101


Will this be the year you resolve to help protect bee populations in your community?

Growing Basil Indoors Growing Basil Indoors Growing Basil Indoors Growing Basil Indoors


Most herbs can be grown indoors in a small area that is easy to maintain. No rakes, no hoes, no weeding, no weather—it’s a beautiful thing.

Seasonal Greenhouse Maintenance Seasonal Greenhouse Maintenance Seasonal Greenhouse Maintenance Seasonal Greenhouse Maintenance


Greenhouses are an effective way to control the environment of your plants and protect them from a host of ill fates. The downside is that...

Q&A by Alan Ray

What is required for plants to breathe? What is required for plants to breathe? What is required for plants to breathe? What is required for plants to breathe?


Much goes on in a single breath. When we humans breathe, the body inhales oxygen through the lungs. The oxygen is then circulated to cells...

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