Gardening And More

  How Homesteaders Can Turn Hobby Farms Into Income-Generating Ecosystems Image via Freepik For many homesteaders, a small farm begins as a labor of love — a space for self-sufficiency, sustainability, and connection with the land. But what starts as a passion project can evolve into a rewarding business when paired with structure, planning, and a clear understanding of market dynamics. In this guide, we’ll explore diverse strategies for monetizing a hobby farm — from direct-to-consumer sales to agri-tourism — with a focus on systems thinking, diversification, and digital visibility.   Monetizing a hobby farm requires blending traditional farm practices with modern business skills. Focus on: ●       Diversified revenue streams (produce, livestock, experiences) ●       Online visibility and storytelling ●       Efficient farm operations ●       Education ...

Proposal for Website Upgrade Funding Dear Bloggers, I hope this proposal finds you well. I am reaching out to request funding to support crucial upgrades to my website, Hibiscus And More. Here is a link to the website that will be redesigned, https://hibiscusandmore.com/   These upgrades are essential to enhance user experience, improve performance, and drive business growth. The primary objective of this proposal is to secure funding to cover the costs of upgrading my website. The total amount required is $35,000. However, I want to emphasize that any amount you are willing to support will be greatly appreciated and accepted. Your contribution will play a significant role in helping me achieve my goals. The proposed upgrades include: 1. Website redesign: A modern, responsive design to improve user experience and increase engagement. 2. Infrastructure upgrade: Enhanced server capacity and security measures to ensure faster loading times and protection against cyber thr...

Image via Unsplash Tips for Winter Gardening in Your Garage Gardeners in colder climates often despair when the gardening season ends and the long winter moves in. If you have a garage, with the right equipment and knowledge, you can extend your gardening season through the winter . Here are some tips to help you out f rom Hibiscus and More . Weatherproofing Your Garage to Regulate Temperatures Garage doors and windows are not made to be weatherproof, and let in too much cold air for successful winter gardening. If you have a single garage, covering the door with heavy plastic sheeting is effective at keeping out cold air. If windows are in good shape, they can also be covered with plastic sheeting, but this is a good time to assess the need for window repair or replacement. Garage windows are usually smaller, so repair and replacement costs average around $300 per window. Costs vary based on your locality and whether you need simple window repair or a total window replacemen...

  November Gardening Calendar Blow or rake fallen leaves from lawn areas. The leaves left on the lawn block the sunlight to your grass and will create bare spots. Don’t forget to compost the leaves. Spray each layer with water. Need a composter? There are several composters on the market today, but deciding which one to buy may be confusing to some. Composters are designed for gardeners and homeowners  with several designs to choose  from. Some are designed to be mobile and when the compost is ready the gardener can take the composter to the area where it is going to be used. Other composters are deigned to be stationary. When deciding on a composter think about what you want the composter to do for you. For my information on composting Click Here. Plant spring-flowering bulbs now and add bone meal to the planting hole. Depending on how south you garden in some spring bulbs can be planted in December. The key to planting spring flowering bulbs is the ground needs to b...

  September Gardening Calendar Beets Let’s get ready for September in preparation to cooler temperatures by fertilizing annuals, perennials, and roses one last time for winter preparation. Check flowerbeds for pooped-out perennials such as Purple Coneflower, Black-Eyed Susan, and Shasta Daisy. Trim dead flower heads and brown leaves for fall. Fertilize Chrysanthemums and Salvia with a liquid plant food. You will be rewarded with blooms later in the fall. Chrysanthemums, Pansy, Viola, alyssum, and Snapdragons provide winter color through the spring and should be available by mid-September at garden centers. For a complete list of Fall Color Annuals Click Here For More Information. For spring blooms plant Bluebonnet and Poppy seeds now. September is a good time to divide and cut back perennials. Check your daylilies, irises, and monkey grass while the weather is still warm. Are you planning to bring your Tropical Hibiscus in this winter? Place in a sunny window. Preserve e...

           Cheryl Ann Meola Tropical Botanicals and Nature Stock Photography   An avid horticulturist and gardener, Cheryl Ann Meola gained invaluable experience in the eighteen years she worked within the plant nursery industry. Her career began with Cornelius nursery in Houston, Texas where she took classes to become a Texas Certified Nursery Professional. Upon completion of the courses, she was promoted to bedding plant supervisor. In 1989, she received her Associate in Arts degree in Landscape Architecture from Miami-Dade Community College (MDCC). During this time, she worked for five years at MDCC in their Landscape Technology Nursery, a teaching nursery. While at the nursery, she photographed the plants, and her plant photography was later used as an instructional tool for Plant Identification students. The photo guide of native and tropical flora inspired the idea to write Southeast Style Gardening. While writing Southeast Style Gardening...