I’ve started a new hobby recently which involves trying unusual hacks related to gardening. Some are pretty interesting and others, to put it mildly, don’t make sense. But that didn’t stop me from searching for more. And imagine my surprise when I came across a weird name for a soil test: the underwear test. My…
Alright, picture this: you’re in your garden, nurturing your plants with love and care, when suddenly disaster strikes! One of your precious plant stems snaps, leaving you feeling like you’ve failed as a plant parent, (trust me, we’ve all been there). In that case, you’ve probably heard the buzz about using cinnamon to mend broken…
You know what the second thing that comes to my mind is when someone says June? June bugs! Yes, the first one is summer and the beauty of lush and thriving gardens. But I simply can’t forget about these nuisances. My garden from two years ago would never forgive me if I weren’t constantly paying…
I bet we can all agree on one thing: mealybugs are the absolute worst. Ugh, I had the worst time with mealybugs! I was just minding my own business, taking good care of my plants, when all of the sudden I noticed these pesky critters creeping in. I didn’t want to use pesticides as they…
I have some berry exciting news – you can now plant fruits in May! May isn’t just for flowers – it’s the perfect time to sow the seeds of delicious fruits like strawberries, watermelons, and cantaloupes. Even if you missed the initial planting window, don’t fret! I remember this one time I didn’t manage to…
You might think you are already too late to the gardening game once May arrives, but you couldn’t be more wrong. In fact, this is the perfect time to sow those seeds and watch your garden grow. Trust me, I’ve had my fair share of mishaps and surprises in the garden, but those veggies sown…
Considering growing your own sweet potatoes, huh? Trust me, I’ve been there – dreaming of those delicious, homegrown tubers coming straight from the garden. But before you dive headfirst into sweet potato cultivation, let’s talk about the not-so-sweet side of things. Picture this: you’re out in your garden, tending to your plants with love and…
Peace lilies have been stealing hearts with their stunning foliage and bold blooms for ages. Besides, they are super easy to satisfy (some sun and watering will do the trick). But the secret to keeping those flowers blooming and flourishing like never before is giving them a little nutrient boost. I’m gonna be completely honest…
If you’re dreaming of a blooming paradise in your garden, nailing down the right fertilizer is essential. Trust me, I’ve spent countless hours sifting through options, feeling just as overwhelmed as you might be right now. After experimenting with various fertilizers, I’ve discovered some standouts that I just have to share. I don’t mean to…
Everyone loves gardens filled with sweetly scented blossoms. And I can’t deny that I’m a huge fan of them myself, but the absolute winners for me are citrus trees. Their scent is incomparable, not to mention the tropical vibe they bring to my garden. No wonder I spend so much time fulfilling their needs and…
I don’t even remember how many times my fellow gardeners warned me about tree pests. I knew these tiny creatures were dangerous but, obviously, I didn’t know enough. This was until my maple got seriously infected by a super small yet very destructive cankerworm! This is actually a type of caterpillar and there’s a huge…
Have you ever seen people using kitchen scraps in their gardens and asked yourself why? Well, this happened to me when I first saw orange peels in my neighbor’s yard. I was pretty inexperienced in gardening back then and wasn’t into any unusual methods. But my curiosity made me ask my neighbor, why orange peels?…
Everyone enjoys seeing little birdies in their yards. Unless you’ve just sown your grass seeds and birds threaten to eat them all! I had this problem in the past and when I researched how to deter birds, I saw people using aluminum foil. Honestly, it didn’t make any sense to me. Of course, the only…
Are you ready for the summer symphony of cicadas? Or maybe not so much? If you’re anything like me, you love the warm weather vibes but could go without the cicada melody that comes along with it. As much as I appreciate nature’s chorus, sometimes a little peace and quiet in the garden is all…
As April rolls around with sunny days and warmer temperatures, it’s time to roll up those sleeves, grab your trusty trowel, and get ready for some springtime gardening! Just imagine standing in your backyard, the sun warming your face and the scent of freshly turned soil tickling your senses. You’re surrounded by rows of vibrant…
I remember when I first started gardening, I was excited to see what I could grow in my own backyard. However, I made a rookie mistake – I chose to grow cauliflower because it’s my favorite veggie, but little did I know that it’s one of the toughest to grow (and my cauliflower, you guessed…
Have you ever wondered if cinnamon, that sweet-smelling spice in your kitchen cabinet, can actually save your plants from moldy soil? Me neither. But it’s totally true! Did you know that cinnamon isn’t just for adding flavor to your morning oatmeal? It’s also a superhero in the garden, fighting off mold like a boss! Picture…
You can never start too early when it comes to gardening! Of course, this doesn’t refer to planting but rather to planning. And that’s exactly what we can do for our tomatoes in early spring. Now I’m looking at tomato seedlings on my windowsill that are just a few inches tall and I know there’s…
The very thought of summer always lifts my mood and almost everything sounds great about this season. You know why I said almost? Because summer is also when mosquitoes rear their ugly heads! These nuisances seem to appear out of nowhere and make coffee time on my patio a pure nightmare. Well, I’m kinda accustomed…
One of the first things I did in my yard was install a few birdfeeders. Yes, I enjoy watching these little creatures flying around and eating the snacks I leave for them! But I also know the benefits of having little birdies in my garden, so it was a win-win situation. The only thing left…
Looking for a way to boost your peppers? Here’s a little-known secret: mulching might be just the solution you are looking for! I don’t know why no one talks about mulching pepper plants. I’ve been growing them for years, and let me tell you, mulch has been a game-changer in my garden. No matter if…
Most of us have birdfeeders in our yards and nothing feels better than seeing cute birds using them. But there’s one bird you shouldn’t be happy seeing in your yard: the blue jay! Everyone knows about blue jays, and I’m not talking about Toronto’s baseball team. These birds are very common in the US and…
Ahh, aphids, every gardener’s nightmare! Growing roses in my garden has always been a joy, but dealing with pesky aphids can be a real headache. These tiny bugs love to munch on my roses, ruining their remarkable beauty and elegance. When I first started growing flowers, I immediately went for roses; little did I know…
Skunks are super cute little creatures… until they’re not. Once they wreak havoc in your yard, they’ll be anything but cute to you. I learned it the hard way, and these little charmers aren’t welcome in my yard anymore. I believe you already know that the damage they can cause in a yard isn’t the…
Tired of those pesky flea beetles wreaking havoc in your garden? I know the feeling! Dealing with tiny pests can be frustrating, especially when they munch on your favorite plants. I’ve faced my fair share of troubles with them – one season they completely ruined my leafy greens, leaving me with nothing to harvest. Believe…
I recently stumbled upon a neat little trick that has been a game-changer for me in the world of gardening. And it’s about those tiny seedlings that can sometimes be difficult to nurture and maintain. You see, I’ve always had a soft spot for watching my plants grow from tiny seeds into flourishing greenery. But…
I used to admire those cute plant pots in stores, and they inspired me to dip my toes in indoor gardening. So, I decided to start cultivating plants indoors. Little did I know that not all pots work the same! When I saw my plants weren’t doing so well, I wanted to know why. That’s…
I have to admit that the lush lawns of my neighbors make me green with envy sometimes. It takes years to understand what it takes for healthy grass and a beautiful lawn. If there’s one thing I wish I knew when I started my lawn, it would be this: planning and taking all the steps…
“Well, this is surprising!” I’ve been saying this sentence often since the beginning of my gardening journey. But the thing that surprised me most was when I learned the way a peanut plant grows. As soon as my fellow gardener told me that we call peanuts ground nuts, I knew something was strange about these…
I read online that you can cultivate only one type of blueberries, even though I’ve successfully grown multiple blueberries. So I thought “hmmm, this can’t be right”. I’ve been helping my family for ages, and we’ve successfully grown a bunch of blueberries, which is why I know quite a bit about them. That got me…
We already know how beneficial green giants are for our yards and why we should have more of them. But some trees stand out and have more superpowers than others. In this article, I’ll show you the fast-growing tree you’ll want to add to your yard because of all the amazing benefits it brings. Let’s…
The world is full of weird things, and the American South won the contest for me a few years ago. I was on a casual Sunday walk and the one thing that caught my eye was a tree adorned with numerous glass bottles. Maybe that served as some sort of protection for the tree branches,…I…
Beginner growers typically focus on planting and maintaining their new plants. This is, of course, necessary, but what many forget is the importance of soil quality for each plant species. And when it comes to the topic of soil, many gardeners typically discuss nutrients. My long gardening experience has taught me that even the color…
A fellow plant grower once told me: if you have a garden, you’ll deal with pests, sooner or later. And that’s true. I’m not talking about a few pests here and there but rather about an infestation that can wreak havoc on your garden plants. These little suckers feed on plant parts, weaken the plant,…
Baking soda isn’t just for baking – it’s also a gardener’s best friend! Not only can this kitchen staple improve your plant’s look and taste, but it can also tackle pests, fungi, and weeds. So, instead of using chemicals that could potentially harm your garden, consider using baking soda as a natural alternative. But there’s…
Looking to maximize your cucumber harvest without sacrificing garden space? Look no further than bamboo trellises! These versatile structures not only provide sturdy support for your cucumber vines but also add a visual interest to your garden. You can set up a bamboo trellis anywhere in the garden, as long as it is warm and…
As the spring comes, many gardening tasks come with it, and pruning is one of them. Pruning plants is necessary to keep them neat and healthy, especially if they grow vigorously. Knowing which plants need pruning in the spring is important if you want to have a fantastic flower display over the coming season. Not…
Vertical gardening is a super exciting and highly beneficial way of growing plants. The good news is that a lot of plants love the conditions found in these gardens. This means that the upcoming summer will bring you lots of homegrown, delicious crops. If you have trouble deciding on the species, I’ll show you the…
March is here, which means soil temperatures are warmer and we can start planting our gardens. At this point, we plant species that need somewhat cooler temperatures to start growing, or we plant those that need a long growing season. You can sow the seeds directly in the ground or start them indoors and transplant…
Lavender, with its mesmerizing fragrance and quite easy-to-follow plant care guide, is a staple of every Mediterranean-inspired garden! These sun-loving plants can grow and thrive in different conditions, attracting pollinators and adorning your garden with lovely blue-purple leaves. But, what happens when your lavender starts to look woody and dry? Well, there are some mistakes…
Learning new ways of growing plants is always fun, especially if it’s for free and we have scraps we can use. Growing carrots from carrot tops is one of my recent experiments, and I have to say that this awesome technique yielded great results. The thing is that you don’t get carrots but rather carrot…
Spring is a magical time when your garden comes to life. But along with the good plants, there are also ones we don’t want, like weeds in your driveway cracks. Weed seeds tend to thrive in all the wrong places, and if they keep growing in your driveway, they might cause even more cracking! Simply…
It’s that time of the year when everything is about seeds and the beginning of the growing season, at least for gardening enthusiasts. Many of us rush to garden centers to buy seeds, and we check our storage to see what we already have. I’m sure many of you have looked at your seed packages…
There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing new growth in freshly planted seeds. But that’s a long process and many things can go wrong that cause the seeds to not survive. Finding ways of protecting seeds may be tricky because they’re barely visible and you need to be careful when weeding or doing anything near them….
Many gardeners start their plants from store-bought transplants, but nothing beats that feeling when you grow your plants from seeds. Watching the entire process is simply incomparable, plus seeds cost less than transplants. However, this technique comes with challenges, and the only way to get your seeds to germinate is by ensuring the best possible…
Tomatoes are one of the most popular veggies in summer gardens, and with the right care, these plants can grow and produce bountiful fruits! In some scenarios, tomato plants grow quite large and heavy, so it can be pretty hard to support them. Luckily, the newest trend, known as “Florida weave,” comes to the rescue! …
Ready to grow your own Swiss chard? If so, then you’ve come to the right place! This leafy green veggie is super easy to grow in the garden; even if you don’t have enough space, you can always try and grow swiss chard in containers. Swiss chard is beginner friendly and will continue to grow…
Adding trellises to support your cucumbers’ growth is necessary when growing these veggies – they will keep your garden nice and tidy while still keeping your climbing plants off the ground, thus reducing soil-borne diseases and pest infestation. However, some silly mistakes can happen even if you added trellises and did everything right. For instance,…
Want to grow BB trees in your yard? If so, then you’ve come to the right place! BB trees, otherwise known as ball and burlap trees, are all about proper planting – once you’ve done that right, the tree will grow happily and healthily. The trick is to get the timing right and to plant…
Whether you live in a small apartment or simply don’t have enough garden space, portable gardening is the way to go! A portable garden refers to container grown plants that can be easily managed, relocated, and transitioned. In them, you can grow ornamental plants, delicious fruits and veggies, or unusual herbs to spice things up. …
Before I embarked on my gardening journey, I thought the soil found in our gardens was all our plants needed. I’ve heard of compost, topsoil, and mulch but didn’t realize their differences and importance. I didn’t have much info on soil back then, so all I know right now is the result of trial and…
An incredible flavor and low care requirements make basil one of the most versatile herbs out there. If you don’t have an outdoor garden, or there’s no space in the one you have, don’t give up on growing basil. This herb performs well when grown in containers or on a sunny windowsill, and that’s almost…
The shelves of supermarkets and nurseries are filled with bulbs, seedlings, herbs, and flowers, which means only one: spring is coming! I’m sure every gardener wishes to purchase all of these things at once and add them to their garden. Well, gardening without patience won’t give good results and we should focus on planning more…
Fertilization is an essential part of plant care because micro and macronutrients found in the soil are responsible for healthy plant development. Even if your plants seem entirely healthy, you shouldn’t skip feeding because it will help them reach their full potential. However, knowing when to fertilize is crucial because if applied at the wrong…
Bare patches on the lawn can truly ruin your day, especially if you spent a lot of time and energy on lawn maintenance! All of your hard work can be lost if this disease finds its way to your lawn. We are talking about pythium blight, a lawn disease that transforms beautiful green areas into…
Peas are one of my favorite side dishes, and they taste even better when you grow them yourself. In Florida, we generally plant them between September and March, which makes February the perfect time for one of the last batches. If you don’t plant them now, you’ll have to wait for more than half a…
Once you are finished eating a banana, you usually throw away the peel. But did you know that banana peel has a lot of nutrients that can boost plant growth? That’s right, banana peel contains nutrients crucial for plant development, such as potassium, calcium, and phosphorus. If you are already familiar with these, then you…