Monica Mansfield is passionate about gardening, sustainable living, and holistic health. After owning an indoor garden store for 5 1/2 years, Monica sold the business and started a 6.5-acre homestead with her husband, Owen. She writes about gardening and health, as well as her homestead adventures on her blog at thenaturelifeproject.com.
Build raised garden beds and enjoy a host of benefits from pest control to fewer weeds. Monica Mansfield explains the pros and cons of these versatile planters
Growing organic vegetables isn’t hard. In fact, if you stick to Mother Nature’s recipe, she’ll do most of the work for you.
If you want to use the medicinal power of cannabis to help treat what ails you, Monica Mansfield explores some of the strains you might want to grow at home.
With a little help, your tomato plants can produce larger, healthier, pest- and disease-free fruits.
Considering growing indoors for the first time? There are several different grow mediums and hydro methods to consider.
Knowing how to care for your cannabis plants at each of the four distinctive stages of their life cycle will provide a healthy, productive garden.
Germinating seeds for hydroponics is simple and can result in stronger, happier plants in your garden.
Super soil first gained recognition when famous cannabis breeder Subcool released his recipe in 2009. Here's how to make your own super soil.
What used to be unwanted weeds are now considered for eating, assisting pollinators, and attracting beneficial bugs.
Fungus gnats are a common pest, especially in indoor gardens. Fortunately,they are fairly easy to eradicate from your growroom.
Live in a tiny space but want to grow some of your own food? No problem.
If we implement eco-friendly gardening techniques, and avoid harmful practices, we can make a positive impact on our environment.
Monica Mansfield details five of the best strains to grow at home.
Monica Mansfield breaks down what we know about CBD oils so far and why they continue to grow in popularity.
With a stash of cannabis-infused coconut oil nearby, you’ll be ready to take on the world.
Customize your cannabis experience by choosing strains containing the terpenes that best suit us individually.
If we put in a little extra work later in the summer, it is possible to enjoy goodies from our gardens all winter long.
Among the crucial nutrients for plant growth and health, phosphorus is vital in all stages of plant cultivation.
Pollinators are on the decline, but by planting the right plants and providing shelter and water, you can help them make a comeback.
Monica Mansfield shares her secrets for growing these increasingly popular plants.
Beneficial microbes, including the all-powerful mycorrhizal fungi, are essential to the soil food web, and the most successful indoor growers make them a mainstay in...
The vegetative stage is complete and your plants are ready to flower. What you do now could result in large, flavorful, and aromatic buds or small, harsh, skunky nugs.
There is an entire world living in the soil, with a complete cast of characters eating, reproducing, and providing food for the plants we grow. In fact, there are more...
Permaculture utilizes connections between plants, insects, animals, and soil biology to create a thriving ecosystem with minimal input from the gardener.
Not all traditional companion planting recommendations hold up to modern day science, but some do. Monica Mansfield pored through numerous studies to shed light on what...
We scoured the dispensaries and found 10 of the coolest cannabis strain names out there.
New to extracts and concentrates? Don’t stress. Monica Mansfield explains the many ways to consume these products depending on the experience you’re looking for.
With proper planning and design, a greenhouse can add a whole new dimension to your garden.
Of the gardening styles, one of the lowest maintenance ways to garden is to use rich, organic soil for your medium. If you build your soil properly, your plants will be...
Nematodes are among the oldest organisms on the planet and can either destroy a garden or help it thrive. Monica Mansfield gives us some inside information on these good...
It’s never a good thing when you’ve consumed too much cannabis and begin greening out. It can be downright scary, but there are ways to prevent overindulging and steps...
Though it isn’t quite time to get back into the garden, it’s a good time to get ready for the outdoor growing season by starting your seeds indoors.
When dialing in the climate in your greenhouse, think about Goldilocks. The temperature shouldn’t be too hot or too cold, the air shouldn’t be too moist or too dry, and...
When you choose to grow hydroponically, it becomes your responsibility to ensure your plants are receiving what they need to be healthy and productive. Follow Monica...
Manure is known to be an effective fertilizer in the garden, but there is considerable science behind effective application.
While it might seem daunting at first, it’s fairly easy to create a wonderful vertical garden in your yard or home.
Indoor gardens look and taste great, but don’t forget they can also smell amazing. So, why not treat your nose to some sweet-smelling flowers?
More and more, gardeners are turning to essential oils to help combat fungal disease and nasty pests like spider mites. Monica Mansfield explains.
Supermarket produce has a reputation for being bland, but your backyard bounty could share the same boring fate if you’re not careful. Here are a few tips and tricks to...
Volcanic basalt powder can help bring life back to your plate by boosting your soil’s mineral content.
There is soil and then there is dirt. They look alike to the untrained eye, however, there is a huge difference between the two.
Neem oil is a natural way to help control garden pests and diseases. Here’s how you can incorporate it into your garden.
Cobalt, copper, and chromium don’t get much attention when it comes to nutrient discussions, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t important.
Whether growing indoors or outdoors, color temperature can have a major impact on your plants’ height, leaf size, and harvest.
If gardening feels like an overwhelming and back-breaking task, you might want to consider hügelkultur.
Beekeeping is all the buzz. However, if you aren’t convinced to give it a go yet, here are five reasons you should consider starting a bee colony.
Fertilizer, water, and digging are cornerstones of any garden. So, how is it that Paul Gautschi breaks these conventions and still manages to produce bountiful, healthy...
More research is needed, but early indications suggest cannabis can help reduce epileptic seizures in people. Monica Mansfield explores some case studies and the...
Next time you’re browsing through nutrients at the local hydro shop, reach for a bottle of silicon supplements. Though not essential, it’s probably worth spending that...
The power of pH in your garden is mighty. It can contribute to thriving, vibrant plants with high yields, or kill all your plants in one blow by locking out nutrients.
There are many types of greenhouses to choose from, but geodesic dome-shaped structures offer many benefits over other styles. Geodesic domes are created by connecting...
A hydro shop owner discusses all of the ways she helps her customers turn their basic growrooms into super growrooms.
In pain, numb and depressed, Joanna Clifton spent years feeling unfulfilled and emotionless. She eventually turned to cannabis oil to ease her migraines,
Growing food is good. Growing food full of nutrition and flavor is better. Often overlooked by gardeners, high brix levels are important to get the most out of your...
Have you ever grown a plant that produced better-tasting fruits, nicer aromas and higher yields than your other plants? If you clone that plant, you can enjoy its...
There has been a resurgence in gardening lately, as more Millennials decide to pick up the spade and get planting.
Ceramic metal halide grow lights are an up-and-coming technology in the indoor gardening industry that come with many advantages. Here’s your guide to understanding...
The short answer is that either method will work, but tilling does harm your soil over time and will require more inputs over the years to...
The ideal relative humidity for growing leafy greens is 50-70 percent. To prevent mold and mildew from becoming an issue in your basement,...
You already touched on the importance of your fertilizer program, so first and foremost, be sure you have that dialed in. Choose...
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