Frank Rauscher
Writer, Owner of Garden Galaxy
There is an increasing focus on organic farming methods, but does that mean synthetic nutrients are off the table?
When it comes to viruses that cause the leaves of tomato plants (and others) to roll or curl, affecting the productivity of plants, the old saying an ounce of prevention...
Just because you’re giving your plants nutrients doesn’t always mean they’re getting the full benefit—that’s where chelation comes in.
Interveinal chlorosis is a disease that can be easily spotted and, with the right information, easily treated.
What you see in a plant’s foliage is almost always the result of what is going on in the soil. When there are issues with soil quality, there will most certainly be...
Two aspects of the water supply—pH and total dissolved solids (TDS)—affect many aspects of plant growth and vigor.
There are many meters and test kits available to help growers keep track of what is going on in their gardens.
When you actually look forward to the next time you can get at your crop and provide some much-needed TLC, it won’t be long until you are doing just that—painlessly and...
Many indoor gardens aren’t set up to take advantage of natural sunlight, but doing so is practical, effective and leads to huge savings on electric bills.
Want some new cultivars for your garden, but also want a way to guarantee their quality? Well, this is a perfect opportunity for some DIY cuttings.
Plants need to receive a number of nutrients to thrive. An important step is keeping the bad bacteria at bay, along with establishing and maintaining the prese
In the garden, mildew is often confused with mold. However, they are very different problems and it is important not to mix the two up when it comes down to controlling...
Unlike a young child who is acting out, plants in need often have a time tough communicating exactly what it is that they want. You can bet, though, that a lot of the...
Microorganisms are routinely introduced and cultivated in our hydroponic set-ups and gardens, but one such organism you don’t want to see is Pythium. It’s difficult to...
You might be wondering why your plants are losing their leaves and hardly forming any buds. There’s a good chance your garden soil is not healthy enough for producing...
Cold weather is a situation where controlled environment gardening, whether in your home or in a greenhouse, has an unbeatable advantage.
Combining chemicals in the garden is tricky business. Mix the right ones together, and you’ll be rewarded with a synergistic result. Mix incompatible chemicals together,...
Should you be watering your plants once a day? Different plants and different soils need different watering regimens. Here’s a general guide.
When it comes to feeding, indoor and outdoor plants generally need the same nutrients. There are, however, differences in techniques needed for each situation.
One of most important things to do in hydroponic growing is make sure you’re getting the most out of the nutrients you put in.
Leaf area index can be a little complex to understand, but it can be a useful tool once grasped.
The best way to protect our indoor crops is to understand how they protect themselves from threats like pests and diseases.
We all want to keep our plants healthy. However, when we see leaves that don’t look quite right, many of us overlook some of the more common potential sources of the...
Most growers have a handle on primary nutrients and macronutrients, but how is your understanding of the lesser known secondary and micronutrients?
The distance between nodes can tell us quite a bit about how a plant is doing. Here’s how to decipher it.
After learning about grow media choices, finding the correct water source and the planting process, you’ll see that the art of hydroponics doesn’t have to feel like...
One of the most crucial elements in deciding how good your crops will taste is sulfur—but only if it is delivered to your plants in a form they can use.
Understanding your plants’ photosynthesis requirements and matching them to proper lighting affects taste and nutrition in your hydroponic garden.
Your plants give you signs when they’re not well. All you have to do is pay attention!
To survive extremely wet conditions, some plants evolved special roots that act as snorkels. There is also a man-made version, but how well does it work?
When looking over the nutrient aisle there are a vast number of products to choose from and just as varied are the directions for feeding. Be sure to find the feeding...
As more of our food and herbs are grown through various hydroponic techniques, the question of which is better: soil vs. hydroponics, comes up a lot.
For plants to take up nutrients, the nutrient must be in the form of ionic salt. But organic and synthetic nutrients feed plants at a much different rate.
When it comes to phosphorus products, even the correct spelling can be tricky, never mind understanding what the related products do.
When plants aren’t healthy, diagnosing the problem can be a challenge. Gardeners often look for obvious signs, like a biological infestation, in an attempt to...
Frank Rauscher explains the benefits of introducing wind to your indoor crops.
Though tiny, a grain of perlite can be mighty. Frank Rauscher digs deep to outline the benefits and drawbacks that lightweight perlite can play in aerating your growroom...
The tiny fungus gnat can cause big problems in your garden. If you see one, chances are you have an entire civilization of them ready to hatch in your grow media. Frank...
Water culture hydroponics is one of the fastest growing segments of hydroponics, but there are a number of factors to consider when choosing a system.
Most growers already have interest in providing more CO2 for their crops but may not quite understand what’s going on inside the plant. Knowing this can make a world of...
People talk about going green all the time, but they aren’t always sure where to start, Frank Rauscher has a few suggestions how you can actually make some significant...
Having a better understanding of plant biology will help you improve the vigor of your crops.
Hydroponics relies on water flow. Here’s a look at how two of the main irrigation systems—drain-to-waste and recirculating—keep plants healthy and waste to a minimum in...
Is organic the only wise choice left out there? Let's start by deciding what it means to be truly organic in the first place, and then apply the concept of organics to a...
The two popular types of watering systems compared in this article are ebb and flow and drip irrigation.
There are two main reasons to flush a hydro system. You’re either flushing to clean out the system, or to rid your plants of excess nutrients.
Worried about what’s in the water you’re supplying your plants? Chances are it’s not so bad! Municipal water treatment systems regularly conduct a number of tests for...
Nothing sparks a controversy in the gardening world like the best method for feeding your plants. Foliar feeding is often looked upon as a poor alternative to good soil...
A greenhouse can provide growers of all skill levels with some fantastic, additional growing space. With the proper design, greenhouses can give green thumbs extended...
Many fans of hydroponics regard this method of growing as a form of weed-free gardening, but that doesn’t mean hydro growers are in the clear where weeds are...
Companion planting is an important strategy in keeping gardens healthy without a lot of pesticides or labor. Knowing what plants are good neighbors is important, and the...
The rolling or curling of leaves on tomato and other plants can be a symptom of environmental stress—like too much fertilizer and over or under watering—and herbicide...
A properly designed and well-maintained living wall is a beautiful thing to behold and gathers many a compliment for the grower willing to put in the time and effort to...
Frank Rauscher gives us the basics on greenhouse construction and the materials involved. He says the most important step in building your greenhouse is first figuring...
When root systems become discolored or darkened this generally indicates disease. A common culprit is Phytophthora species, the genus of a...
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