Cover crops are an effective way to improve soil health, suppress weeds, and provide other benefits to a raised bed food garden.

At Deep Roots Project, our “Transformational Gardening” approach, based on cultivating thriving soil microbial communities, is about more than just growing plants—it’s about creating a thriving ecosystem within the soil itself.

Transformational Gardening is an innovative method used by Deep Roots Project to grow food in organic kitchen gardens with limited space and raised beds. We provide our gardeners with the best products for success – like cedar raised beds, microbe-rich compost and microbe-rich worm castings. Check our many tips and details in our blog posts from the links scattered throughout this post.

Understanding which plants are prone to powdery mildew and why others are resistant can help you make informed decisions about what to plant in your garden and how to manage those that are susceptible. By choosing resistant varieties and maintaining good cultural practices, you can minimize the impact of powdery mildew in your garden.

By following these instructions, you can effectively protect your squash plants from the squash vine borer moth and its caterpillar, ensuring a healthy and bountiful harvest. Trombocino squash is an Italian heirloom that provides it own natural protection against this pest because of it very hard lower stem.

Pruning tomato plants has been a topic of debate among gardeners. Some claim that it increases yield, while others believe it's unnecessary. Scientific evidence does suggest that pruning can have specific benefits, but the extent of its impact on yield can vary based on factors like tomato variety, growing conditions, soil nutrients/microbes and pruning techniques.

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) has been used for centuries in herbal medicine, but its use comes with significant safety concerns. The primary concern is the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which can cause severe liver damage and are potentially carcinogenic. (Searched 4 sites)

Suburban organic gardeners in Illinois usually protect their Brassica crops (kale, collards, cabbage, etc.) from cabbage moths and their caterpillars. But, brace yourselves for a new Brassica family pest challenge. The swede midge fly (Contarinia nasturtii), an invasive pest from Europe ,has begun wreaking havoc on brassica crops including also radish, horseradish, rutabaga, turnip, rapeseed (canola), arugula, bok choy and Chinese cabbage. Crops that are most damaged include common favorites such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, collards and Brussels sprouts.

Welcome to the Deep Root Project world “Regenerative Gardening” where we transform even the tiniest of spaces into bountiful food feasts. Forget about your grandma's traditional garden—Deep Roots Project is here to revolutionize the way we grow food, one harvest at a time.

In a world where fast-food chains are temples, and soda flows like water, the path to a healthier brain and body is through the kitchen and exercise, not the pharmacy. It's about understanding your body, questioning mainstream medicine's reliance on drugs, and embracing the power of food to heal and protect.

Embark on a journey to cultivate fresh, delicious produce straight from the comfort of your backyard. The Deep Roots Project (DRP) champions a harmonious blend of gardening that nourishes both the soul and the ecosystem. Revel in the tranquility and health benefits derived from gardening amidst nature, knowing the origins of your food, and contributing positively to your community.

Environmental Pest Management (EPM) for organic food gardening is responsible environmental stewardship. Although EPM is modeled after the older Integrated Pest Management (IPM) it doesn’t allow use of toxic chemicals that are banned under the USDA organic standards. Contact your local botanic garden information service OR state university agricultural extension for help to identify treating pests. But only use the organic safe sprays we recommend in this post. Learn more about our growing method in two recently revised blog posts.

DRP is dedicated to teaching how to grow food in organic kitchen gardens with limited space. We are building on the strength of the organic gardening movement with our innovative method called “transformative gardening” which was inspired by raised beds and “regenerative gardening” science. We are taking organic to the next level by emphasizing healthy soil and huge diverse populations of soil microbes.

Children are often fascinated by the process of growing their own food and can learn valuable lessons about the environment, healthy eating, and responsibility. It provides them with the opportunity to engage with nature and learn important life skills in a fun and educational way. Not only does gardening promote physical activity and encourage healthy eating habits, but it also teaches children about science, the environment, and the process of growth and development.

It’s important to understand how average temperatures shift through the seasons and the preferred temperature range for specific crops in your climate zone.This post is mostly about the Chicago area (climate zones 5b and 6a). Use a planting calendar for your climate zone.

Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower and cabbage

Many nutrition experts say that broccoli and kale are the most healthy of all veggies and worth their weight in gold. But, in our area Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cauliflower and Cabbage are more heavily damaged by pests like the cabbage looper and cabbage worm than other plants in the Cabbage Family. Plus, broccoli can be heavily damaged by “clubroot,” making it the most difficult of the cabbage family veggies to grow in our area. These growing tips will give you the knowledge to grow all the cabbage family veggies successfully. But as you will see the extra time and energy may not be worth the return.

Biodiversity planting methods harness the forces of nature to help protect your garden as well as individual plants from pests and disease. Think of the plant populations as a team with complimentary skills all cooperating together. Balance and a strong ecosystem are achieved for the whole community of plants.

We are taking the organic gardening movement to the next level by emphasizing the importance of microbe-rich soil. Generating robust microbial communities is our primary goal. Our soil and worm castings are teeming with healthy micro-organisms that feed and support our plants.

Why is it worth making the investment to purchase more expensive organic products? Organic food is becoming increasingly popular as people are becoming more aware of the benefits of consuming food that is grown without harmful chemicals and pesticides. While there are still debates about whether organic food is truly more nutritious than conventional food, there is ample evidence to support the claim that organic food is healthier and safer for human consumption.

Know which crops are cold tolerant and which need warmth to thrive. Know how to protect your seeds and seedlings from unexpected temperatures. How early you can plant in spring depends on the hardiness (cold tolerance) of the vegetables and your climate.

Succession planting is a popular farming and gardening method which gets maximum harvest from limited space by immediately filling empty spaces with new seedlings or seeds. Succession planting Increases your harvest and is part of our biodiversity planting method.

Garden tools play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy and beautiful garden. They help us till the soil, plant seeds, trim the plants and keep the garden in pristine condition. However, if not properly maintained and sterilized, garden tools can spread diseases and pests from one plant to another, leading to significant damage and loss. In this blog post, we'll discuss the best ways to sterilize garden tools to keep your garden free of any harmful organisms.

Food garden partnering and bartering is a great way for people to come together, build community, save money on groceries, and share the fruits of their labor. Whether you are working with family members, neighbors, schools, churches, or community gardens, there are many ways to get involved and start sharing your produce, skills and time. Here are some of the ways that food garden partnering and bartering works.

Pulling a plant out by its roots interferes with bacterial colonies and fungal networks. Think of soil structures as invisible towns and cities that the microflora live in. Only pull out the roots of root veggies. The “No Till” rule comes from regenerative gardening and farming practices.

Although deep watering is usually best, over watering can also stress your plants. Of course, there will be a lot of variables to take into consideration – such as the amount of rain and other weather conditions. Do a simple moisture test with your finger on the top 2 to 4 inches of soil before you water. Be careful about the watering tips you see circulating on the internet or in Youtube videos!

Of course, if you don’t have the space - you won’t be able to grow your food in a raised bed. But, we have yet to find any disadvantages to this growing method that guarantees you will provide the best soil for your plants to thrive.

This post gives beginner gardeners tips and tricks for planting a successful garden from the first year. We want to help you avoid common beginner mistakes.

“Americans are sicker than ever, and it’s not only resulting in poor physical and mental health; it’s impacting our economy, our environment, our children’s future, and our national security. Although new science tells us that nutrition is the most important part of wellness, ultra-processed foods dominate the American diet which drives our obesity, chronic disease, and mental health crises.” – Dr. Mark Hyman