Shannon McKee

Shannon McKee lives in Ohio and has been a freelance writer for several years now, including on her blog, whyiwah.blogspot.com. Nicknamed by loved ones a garden hoarder over the past few years, she grows a wide variety of plants in her urban garden.

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Articles by Shannon McKee

leggy seedling leggy seedling leggy seedling leggy seedling


Many colder-climate gardeners like to get an early start by starting seeds indoors. However, an issue that can arise is having gangly,...

Cannabis seeds on a white table. Cannabis seeds on a white table. Cannabis seeds on a white table. Cannabis seeds on a white table.


A marijuana plant is only as good as its seed. Follow Shannon McKee’s advice on sourcing seeds, and you’ll be off to a strong start.

5 Health Conditions Alleviated by Cannabis Creams and Topicals 5 Health Conditions Alleviated by Cannabis Creams and Topicals 5 Health Conditions Alleviated by Cannabis Creams and Topicals 5 Health Conditions Alleviated by Cannabis Creams and Topicals


Cannabis creams and topicals are becoming popular, and there are good reasons for this trend.

Photo of aquaponic fish under water. Photo of aquaponic fish under water. Photo of aquaponic fish under water. Photo of aquaponic fish under water.


Your crop and fish may be getting by, but are they thriving? If not, you may want to ensure your system is circulating well and dissolved...

cbd oil cbd oil cbd oil cbd oil


As CBD oil undergoes ongoing clinical testing, anecdotal evidence of its benefits is increasingly backed by science. Shannon McKee explores...

Greenhouse Weeds Greenhouse Weeds Greenhouse Weeds Greenhouse Weeds


When it comes to greenhouse growing, weeds are still something horticulturists must deal with and eradicate. Shannon McKee shows indoor...

hydroponic equipment leaks hydroponic equipment leaks hydroponic equipment leaks hydroponic equipment leaks


When you work with water, pumps, and pressure, you’re eventually going to have leaks. The risk of springing a leak in your hydro system can...

Cannabis-Contaminants Cannabis-Contaminants Cannabis-Contaminants Cannabis-Contaminants


If you’ve watched the news in the past couple years, you may have heard about some store-bought cannabis containing contaminants like mold...

McKee_Growroom-Economics McKee_Growroom-Economics McKee_Growroom-Economics McKee_Growroom-Economics


So, you want to expand or update your indoor grow room but don’t have the cash to do it. One way to save up the dough is to make your...

Bloom Nutrients Bloom Nutrients Bloom Nutrients Bloom Nutrients


Wondering when to use nitrogen and when to use potassium and phosphorus in your plants’ growth cycle? Shannon McKee explains how and when...

UV in Hydroponics UV in Hydroponics UV in Hydroponics UV in Hydroponics


Ultraviolet sterilization is a disinfection method that uses ultraviolet light to kill microorganisms. Shannon McKee tells us more.

Calcium Carbonate Calcium Carbonate Calcium Carbonate Calcium Carbonate


Calcium carbonate is just as useful to your plants as it is for you. Here are a few of the ways you can integrate this natural product into...

Stomata Stomata Stomata Stomata


Evolutionary wonders, stomata are vital to plant health. Knowing how they work and what they do for the plant is important knowledge for...

Cucumber seedlings in cups with a thermometer. Cucumber seedlings in cups with a thermometer. Cucumber seedlings in cups with a thermometer. Cucumber seedlings in cups with a thermometer.


Heating your indoor grow can be a problem, but it's a problem with some practical solutions.

Improving Soil Quality with Crop Rotations Improving Soil Quality with Crop Rotations Improving Soil Quality with Crop Rotations Improving Soil Quality with Crop Rotations


You don’t have to be a commercial farmer to benefit from crop rotation. Some simple planning for your home garden will keep the soil...

Maintenance Tips for Drip Irrigation Systems Maintenance Tips for Drip Irrigation Systems Maintenance Tips for Drip Irrigation Systems Maintenance Tips for Drip Irrigation Systems


Caring for your drip irrigation system is probably on your to-do list somewhere, but it’s often not seen as something that’s vital to your...

How Office Workers Can Benefit from Having a Garden On Site How Office Workers Can Benefit from Having a Garden On Site How Office Workers Can Benefit from Having a Garden On Site How Office Workers Can Benefit from Having a Garden On Site


Aside from producing healthy grub, the act of growing offers some major health boons. So, why not bring your garden to the office and...

5 Eco-friendly Design Ideas For Your Home and Garden 5 Eco-friendly Design Ideas For Your Home and Garden 5 Eco-friendly Design Ideas For Your Home and Garden 5 Eco-friendly Design Ideas For Your Home and Garden


These eco-design elements in the home not only make the house more environmentally friendly, but they can help improve the indoor growing...

4 Major Cities Where Rooftop Bus Gardens Have Sprouted Up 4 Major Cities Where Rooftop Bus Gardens Have Sprouted Up 4 Major Cities Where Rooftop Bus Gardens Have Sprouted Up 4 Major Cities Where Rooftop Bus Gardens Have Sprouted Up


Originally scoffed at, rooftop bus gardens are mobile gardens that are beginning to gain traction worldwide.

How Hydrogels Can Benefit Your Hydroponic Garden How Hydrogels Can Benefit Your Hydroponic Garden How Hydrogels Can Benefit Your Hydroponic Garden How Hydrogels Can Benefit Your Hydroponic Garden


Hydrogels, strange products that act as a solid even though they absorb vast amounts of liquid, have a wide range of uses in the modern...

Hydroponic Seed Starting 101: A Primer for Beginners Hydroponic Seed Starting 101: A Primer for Beginners Hydroponic Seed Starting 101: A Primer for Beginners Hydroponic Seed Starting 101: A Primer for Beginners


Starting your seeds hydroponically has many benefits, but many people are unsure how to go about it.

Growing Fruit Trees Using Hydroponics Growing Fruit Trees Using Hydroponics Growing Fruit Trees Using Hydroponics Growing Fruit Trees Using Hydroponics


While not the most common choice, it is possible to grow fruit trees in a hydroponic garden.

Top 5 Apps for Gardening and Hydroponics Top 5 Apps for Gardening and Hydroponics Top 5 Apps for Gardening and Hydroponics Top 5 Apps for Gardening and Hydroponics


We love our gardens, but also have a lot of other things going on and don’t always have time to meticulously tend them. No problem. Shannon...

Kratky method growing using plastic container and net pots Kratky method growing using plastic container and net pots Kratky method growing using plastic container and net pots Kratky method growing using plastic container and net pots


The Kratky Method is a way of hydroponically growing your plants in a container without needing electricity, air stones, pumps, or anything...

How to Keep Pests from Staying Warm in Your Indoor Garden During Winter How to Keep Pests from Staying Warm in Your Indoor Garden During Winter How to Keep Pests from Staying Warm in Your Indoor Garden During Winter How to Keep Pests from Staying Warm in Your Indoor Garden During Winter


Pests don’t disappear during winter; they just try and come inside. Here’s a few tips on how to keep them out.

10 Ways to Save $$$ at the Grow Shop 10 Ways to Save $$$ at the Grow Shop 10 Ways to Save $$$ at the Grow Shop 10 Ways to Save $$$ at the Grow Shop


Visiting your favorite grow shop doesn't have to be expensive.

Air Stones Don’t Starve Your Roots Air Stones Don’t Starve Your Roots Air Stones Don’t Starve Your Roots Air Stones Don’t Starve Your Roots


Growing plants hydroponically is different from growing plants in the dirt, and one thing that some growers don’t think about is how to get...

Looking down on a dying houseplant on a grey table. Looking down on a dying houseplant on a grey table. Looking down on a dying houseplant on a grey table. Looking down on a dying houseplant on a grey table.


As long as there is still a hint of green, you can turn your struggling houseplant's fate around.

Your Indoor Garden Stinks. Now What? Your Indoor Garden Stinks. Now What? Your Indoor Garden Stinks. Now What? Your Indoor Garden Stinks. Now What?


So, you started growing plants indoors and now the place is starting to smell pretty strongly. Is there anything you can do? Yes! There are...

Gardening Up High: A Guide to Rooftop Growing Gardening Up High: A Guide to Rooftop Growing Gardening Up High: A Guide to Rooftop Growing Gardening Up High: A Guide to Rooftop Growing


Urban farming is increasing in popularity as people become more concerned with where their food comes from.

Accessible Gardening for All Accessible Gardening for All Accessible Gardening for All Accessible Gardening for All


The joy of gardening should be shared by all. Here are a few ways to make the hobby as accessible as possible.

Feelin’ Fresh with Fans Feelin’ Fresh with Fans Feelin’ Fresh with Fans Feelin’ Fresh with Fans


Regardless of what the weather is doing outside, having a few fans running in your growroom will go a long way in keeping your plants happy.

Care for a Cup of Compost Tea? Your Plants Will! Care for a Cup of Compost Tea? Your Plants Will! Care for a Cup of Compost Tea? Your Plants Will! Care for a Cup of Compost Tea? Your Plants Will!


So, you have created a compost pile or bin. Now it’s time to start thinking about what else can be done with your compost. How about...

Plant Your Own Herb Garden Plant Your Own Herb Garden Plant Your Own Herb Garden Plant Your Own Herb Garden


Fresh herbs provide an extra burst of flavor in your culinary creations, and many herb plants are easy to grow and can be moved inside when...

What are Self-Watering Planters and Containers? What are Self-Watering Planters and Containers? What are Self-Watering Planters and Containers? What are Self-Watering Planters and Containers?


Self-watering planters and containers are convenient and practical, but are they a cure-all for gardeners looking to save on labor?

Adventures In Vertical Gardening Adventures In Vertical Gardening Adventures In Vertical Gardening Adventures In Vertical Gardening


If you can’t grow across due to a lack of space, try growing up. Vertical gardens are easy to set up and maintain just by applying the...

Going Greener: Five Ways to Reduce your Growroom’s Environmental Impact Going Greener: Five Ways to Reduce your Growroom’s Environmental Impact Going Greener: Five Ways to Reduce your Growroom’s Environmental Impact Going Greener: Five Ways to Reduce your Growroom’s Environmental Impact


While growing your own food does wonders for the environment, hydroponic systems still use a lot of energy. Luckily, there are at least...

Safety First! Tips & Tricks For Safer Growing Safety First! Tips & Tricks For Safer Growing Safety First! Tips & Tricks For Safer Growing Safety First! Tips & Tricks For Safer Growing


A grower who is forced to sit on the sidelines because of an injury is also likely to suffer from poor yields. Don’t let this happen to...

Managing Molds & Mildews Managing Molds & Mildews Managing Molds & Mildews Managing Molds & Mildews


Noticing some furry, fuzzy materials growing on your plants or the soil below your plants?

What to Do at the End of the Summer Gardening Season What to Do at the End of the Summer Gardening Season What to Do at the End of the Summer Gardening Season What to Do at the End of the Summer Gardening Season


It’s easy to abandon the garden while you’re busy preserving your harvests, but do not forget to prepare your garden space for the next...

Planning a Container Garden Planning a Container Garden Planning a Container Garden Planning a Container Garden


A container garden can be placed just about anywhere and can grow just about anything you have an interest in growing. Better yet, it takes...

8 Crop Micronutrients Growers Can't Ignore 8 Crop Micronutrients Growers Can't Ignore 8 Crop Micronutrients Growers Can't Ignore 8 Crop Micronutrients Growers Can't Ignore


Understanding the small role each micronutrient plays in the garden will help prevent gardeners from overlooking their importance.

Disposing of Growroom Waste Disposing of Growroom Waste Disposing of Growroom Waste Disposing of Growroom Waste


Responsibly disposing of growroom waste isn’t always easy, especially with regulatory discrepancies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction....

Growing 101: Plant Biology Basics Growing 101: Plant Biology Basics Growing 101: Plant Biology Basics Growing 101: Plant Biology Basics


From the roots, leaves and stems to the flowers, a special knowledge of how plants work will help you achieve maximum yields from healthy...

What’s Old Is New: Heirloom Vegetables What’s Old Is New: Heirloom Vegetables What’s Old Is New: Heirloom Vegetables What’s Old Is New: Heirloom Vegetables


Heirloom vegetable varieties are those that have been treasured throughout the ages simply because they were at one time considered high...

Harvest Hoedown: How to Get the Most Out of Your Harvest Harvest Hoedown: How to Get the Most Out of Your Harvest Harvest Hoedown: How to Get the Most Out of Your Harvest Harvest Hoedown: How to Get the Most Out of Your Harvest


The best part about growing your own fruits and veggies is the part where you get to eat all of the food you labored to grow. Shannon McKee...

Moving On, Moving Out: Taking the Indoor Garden Outdoors Moving On, Moving Out: Taking the Indoor Garden Outdoors Moving On, Moving Out: Taking the Indoor Garden Outdoors Moving On, Moving Out: Taking the Indoor Garden Outdoors


Moving your indoor crops outdoors can be a daunting but worthwhile task. Here are some things to consider before you get started.

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