1. Law & Order: What The Heck Kind of Bug is That?

    It’s no secret that certain people at SproutRobot like their Law & Order and CSI. So of course we’re gonna LOVE a blog that uncovers the identity of mystery bugs. That’s right. If you can stomach it, take a picture of a mystery bug dude in your life, and buggirl is on the case.

    But buggirl is more than an insect detective. She’s a full on bug scientist who just loves bugs and writing about bugs and you should follow her on tumblr or do whatever you need to do keep her blog in your life.

    (And doy, she made gross/adorable bug Valentines that we loved.)

    buggirl:

    “I’m stumped. Any idea what kind of spider this might be? There is a whole pack of them in the backyard of my Florida condo.”-ladybutternut

    Hi!  I at first thought a Nephila orb Weaver, aka Golden Silk Spider but I actually think this is a Long Jawed Orb Weaver in the genusTetragnatha.  I read that they are common in Florida in shrubs surrounding water.  This is a photo of the underside of the spider- maybe you can send more photos to be sure?  Either species is harmless.  Perhaps, someone can confirm my suspicions.

    1 week ago  /  14 notes

  2. Heirloom Gardener Ryan Gosling

    Being super sensitive and thoughtful, Heirloom Gardener Ryan Gosling would get organic vegetable seeds for you from SproutRobot.

    Image via Pinterest.

    (BTW family: SproutRobot is on Pinterest now, too. Are you?)

    3 weeks ago  /  16 notes

  3. Anonymous asked: where are you located?

    We’re split between Oakland, CA and Portland, OR right now!

    1 month ago  /  1 note

  4. Anonymous asked: Hi there, what zone do you send emails for? Thanks

    We send emails for whatever zip code you sign up with. In some cases it is based on your zone, but we have more specific data for many parts of the U.S. We break down Florida into four separate gardening zones, with custom calendars specific to Florida’s unique climate, for example!

    1 month ago  /  0 notes

  5. Anonymous asked: I don't see broccoli or cauliflower anywhere on your site. Seems like it should be planted late winter, early spring. Or is it planted in the fall?

    Everything depends on your climate, but broccoli and cauliflower are typically planted in the summer, so that they get the full fall season to mature. They like the cool weather!

    Update from an anonymous Texan:

    Re: the broccoli question. In Texas, you can plant broccoli any time from August until February - depending on when summer ends that year and when you want your harvest. This probably works in other Southern states too, but not so much up north during the harder winters.

    Thanks Anonymous Texan!

    1 month ago  /  0 notes

  6. How to make your outdoor herbs into indoor herbs

    Extreme Makeover: Your herb garden edition.

    You know how we’ve been bummed about summer being over, right?

    Start with something small. Herbs. (Those lil’ guys!)

    Bring ‘em indoors people. 

    mothernaturenetwork:

    How to grow herbs indoors this winter
    The abundant growing season may be over, but you can still exercise your green thumb and save on your grocery bill with an indoor herb garden…

    4 months ago  /  160 notes

  7. Solar power, right guys?  Who’s against it? Not us. People who like gardening tend be a fan of solar power. And yet, outer-space moon ricochet set-ups, not unlike underground garden-parks, seem a little 28 Days Later. Can we just try out all the above-ground, earth-based ideas first, exhaust them, before getting all freaky? yewknee: utnereader: Engineers at Japanese construction firm Shimizu have dreamed up a plan for harnessing solar energy from the moon. It’s a large-scaled, seemingly inconceivable plan that involves remote-controlled robots building thousands of photovoltaic panels out of moon dirt, assembling the panels into a gigantic lunar girdle belt, and laser-beaming 220 terawatts of annually collected voltage toward Earth. You seem skeptical … Keep reading … whaaaaaaaaa?!?

    Solar power, right guys?  Who’s against it? Not us. People who like gardening tend be a fan of solar power. And yet, outer-space moon ricochet set-ups, not unlike underground garden-parks, seem a little 28 Days Later.

    Can we just try out all the above-ground, earth-based ideas first, exhaust them, before getting all freaky?

    yewknee:

    utnereader:

    Engineers at Japanese construction firm Shimizu have dreamed up a plan for harnessing solar energy from the moon. It’s a large-scaled, seemingly inconceivable plan that involves remote-controlled robots building thousands of photovoltaic panels out of moon dirt, assembling the panels into a gigantic lunar girdle belt, and laser-beaming 220 terawatts of annually collected voltage toward Earth.

    You seem skeptical … Keep reading …

    whaaaaaaaaa?!?

    5 months ago  /  104 notes  / /Source: utnereader

  8. Lego garden greenhouse

    We’re sure the greenhouse in your garden is super cool, too.

    London industrial designer Sebastian Bergne has built what’s being billed as the world’s first greenhouse made entirely out of Legos—an 11.5-foot-tall translucent shed that nourishes edible plants, like tomatoes, peppers, and sunflowers.

    /via fastcompany

    (via fastcompany)

    5 months ago  /  78 notes

  9. How to protect furry pets from poisonous plants

    When cats aren’t busy involving themselves in your garden birdhouses, they’re adorable and worthy of our love. Those of you who don’t have a cat watching you type might even say dogs are cute and worthy of love.

    Nobody wants their plants hurting their pets. The MNN link below covers some common problem plants, as well as a checklist plan that assumes a when, not a if, a pet emergency scenario. Real talk people.

    mothernaturenetwork:

    Familiarize yourself with dangerous plants and keep your vet’s number handy.

    5 months ago  /  30 notes

  10. Attention gardeners. There have been reports of door-to-door salescats offering extremely attractive prices on garden birdhouses that they insist on installing themselves. Buyer beware.

    Attention gardeners. There have been reports of door-to-door salescats offering extremely attractive prices on garden birdhouses that they insist on installing themselves.

    Buyer beware.

    (via laughingsquid)

    5 months ago  /  441 notes  / /Source: glennz