I cannot name a single gardener who has ever said: “I’m fine with weeds growing in my vegetable patch.” These plants are a plain nuisance, and the sooner you get rid of them, the better. But how exactly can you do that? They can pose a big issue once they spread. They’ll take up valuable…
Starting seeds indoors is highly rewarding. You gain more gardening experience, you get to see your plants going through all the growing stages, and you can jump start your season if you do it the right way. The thing that baffles most gardeners is deciding when to sow seeds indoors. Unfortunately, there isn’t just one…
If you’ve ever wondered about the secret of lush gardens filled with thriving plants, you might be surprised to learn the key to such success. Healthy soil is actually responsible for everything. Nutrient-rich soils with ideal drainage and moisture retention are all your green buddies need. No matter which plants you grow, you need to…
If you are at the beginning of your gardening journey, don’t fret! Growing your own fruits and vegetables is truly a rewarding experience.For beginners, choosing the right fruits and vegetables can make all the difference. And luckily, there are plenty of crops that are super easy to grow! In this article, we are going to…
In the first article of my new series, Ground-Up Garden, I’ll talk about the basics of building a strong foundation for your vegetable garden. I know what it takes to start your own plot from nothing, so here are the tips that I would have loved to hear back then. The thing is, you don’t…
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen residents removing large trees from their yard because they’re lifting up sidewalks and roads, entering their sewer pipes, etc. This should go without saying, but all plants grow after being put into the ground. The final height and width depend on the species, but we all…
Root veggies are definitely a must-have in the garden! They tolerate various growing conditions and are beginner-friendly. These veggies are also filled with beneficial nutrients that can boost your health in no time. Plus, they can be stored for a long period of time so you get to enjoy fresh veggies during the winter months,…
With the Easter holidays approaching, it’s time to turn your festive mode on! Bring out all the decorations, including holiday plants and flowers. And what’s a better plant for Easter than the infamous Easter cactus? This undemanding houseplant is perfect for beginner gardeners and those with busy schedules. It is a bit different from regular…
We mainly link chilli peppers to hot and spicy dishes, but there are various species to choose from and some aren’t spicy at all. They come in various colors, shapes, and sizes but one thing they all have in common is that they’re super easy to grow. You can start them directly in the ground…
Wet winter weather can be quite exhausting. But that’s something we should all welcome! Why? Because wet weather is ideal for plantings. You can put your fruits, vegetables, and natives in the ground without having to break the bank trying to irrigate it all. Yet, these aren’t the only chores you can do when precipitation…
If you live in Southern California and have a smaller yard, then your options to grow different tree varieties are limited. Still, there are some varieties that will fit into your backyard and create just the right amount of shade that you need. Most trees that you see in garden centers, such as California Pepper…
If you love the flavor of homegrown fruits but you don’t have enough space for trees in your yard, there is another way to grow these plants. Some tree species respond well to container cultivation and they can give you a pretty good harvest. Additionally, the blossoms of these fruit trees will elevate your outdoor…
If you have a smaller garden but still want to grow fresh and delicious fruits, consider planting a persimmon tree! These unusual trees can be grown in pots and containers, bringing sweet and flavorful harvests to your small space. Plus, their strange, orange fruit will add a pop of color and make your outdoors more…
New gardening methods are going viral, and one just popped up about growing the biggest onions you’ll ever see! Onions are beginner-friendly, making it easy to experiment with new methods and have fun in your garden. Don’t worry; you won’t run out of onions afterwards! In this article, we are going to share the secrets…
I’m always in search of new mulching materials! Wood chips are amazing, but what if you don’t have those at hand? You can use all sorts of other organic mulches in their stead, including pine needles. This inexpensive material will bring you all the benefits of other mulches. Here’s everything you need to know about…
The flavor of homegrown apricots is incomparable, so we should do anything to keep these fruit trees healthy. Pruning is an essential aspect of apricot care, so you should pay close attention to how and when you prune. Unsightly appearance, poor harvest, and increased susceptibility to diseases are just some of the issues that can…
Chitting is the term for potato sprouting. We’ve all seen those forgotten potatoes in our cupboards with sprouts the size of an earthworm! The good news is that you can eat these potatoes as long as you get rid of the skin and chits. The even better news is that you can plant them and…
Storing kale the right way will extend its shelf life. It will keep its crispiness and make for a delicious addition to your broths and salads for months. Unfortunately, you can’t just chuck it into the fridge or leave it on the counter or your north-facing balcony and hope for the best! There are steps…
Drift roses are a popular rose variety that is actually a cross between miniature and groundcover roses. They only grow two feet tall and provide a dramatic flower display, available in white, yellow, red, and pink. If you are already familiar with this type of rose, then you should know that pruning is a very…
February is the perfect time to plant your cool-season vegetables in USDA hardiness zones 9-10. Yet, not everything can grow well during this month. Some plants should have been in the ground long ago, while others still need to await their time. Brijette Peña, the owner of the San Diego Seed Company, brings a list…
February is here! For some, this may not be exciting news, but for gardeners it’s a completely different story. The temperatures are warming up and the lovely snowdrops and daffodils are about to pop out of the ground. This means that you can start your gardening chores for this growing season. Soil preparation, planting hardier…
Confused about the right timing for planting carrots? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Carrots are cool-season veggies that can grow and thrive in cool-weather gardens. They are super easy to grow in the ground or in containers. Discovering the ideal time to plant carrots in your growing zone is crucial for a successful harvest…
Fresh flowers are nice, but they don’t last long. An awesome alternative? Pinecone flowers! They’re easy to make, look amazing, and never wilt! People love getting them as gifts for special days like Valentine’s or Mother’s Day because it shows you put in effort. You can combine and make all sorts of flowers in different…
We’ve cozied ourselves in our homes, got that fire going, and have finished with all the garden work for the winter. Or have we? There’s one thing you need to do if you want to have your garden up and running come spring – protecting your outdoor faucets. If you live in northern climates, you…
When you enter the gardening world, some things may surprise you, and many of them are related to the strange behavior of your green buddies. One of the examples is an onion that has generated blossoms. Well, we definitely don’t cultivate this veggie for its beauty but rather for its distinctive flavor. This condition is…
The current trends in gardening offer us many different ways of starting plants, but you have to admit that some look too complicated, especially to beginners. This is a common thought about starting seeds in cell trays, and this way of cultivation is typically related to professional growers. Seed cells definitely deserve more attention from…
Asparagus is a popular crop known for its deliciousness and low-maintenance. However, to have healthy and happy asparagus, it’s crucial to prune them at the right time. While it’s recommended to trim asparagus plants during their dormant period, the precise timing is determined by various factors such as weather conditions, pest infestations, aesthetic preferences, and…
Harsh winters are truly a nightmare to any gardener – they can create havoc in your garden and damage the plants! As soon as the weather gets warmer, restoring the yard should be your top priority. And for the next season, you should try and storm-proof your yard to avoid all these troubles and protect…
The first time I heard of the Pink Lemonade blueberry, I didn’t know if it was a plant or some type of drink, not to mention my confusion about the word pink in it! I believe that I have to thank the name of the plant because that’s why I decided to research and eventually…
Garden diversity will benefit your plants in so many ways. It will attract wildlife and make for healthier soil. Yet, not all plant combinations are equal. Some work better than others, while some downright hamper the growth of their companions. This process – known as companion planting in the gardening community – can make or…
Ladybugs are tiny guardians that make your garden work. They do so much yard work, yet they go unnoticed. Encouraging these beneficial insects in your garden can increase biodiversity, boost the health of your landscape, and yield you a larger harvest. How? Find out below! The Role Of Ladybugs In Your Garden Did you know…
Almost every seed packet, nursery label, and growth guide include terms such as “full or part sun” and “shade”. But what do these words mean? How can they affect what you grow? In reality, sunlight varies based on the time of the day and year, your location, and shadows and shade. Here’s everything you need…
Companion planting is a great way to promote healthy growth, improve the flavor of certain plants, repel pests, and attract beneficial bugs. But if done incorrectly, it can land you with a lot more work than there should be. Some pairings attract pests, others lead to stunted growth, and some impact the overall taste of…
Growing garlic companion plants can save you from many issues. First of all, there are specific plants that you can grow nearby which ward off pests that would otherwise destroy your garlic. Other plants like peppers and lettuce might improve garlic’s growth and taste, thus rewarding you with a better and larger garlic harvest. Still,…
Although there’s not much fuss when it comes to growing pumpkins on your own, you should still keep an eye out for certain pests that might stunt pumpkin growth. Besides aphids and beetles, the most common intruder in pumpkin patches is the garden mouse. These adorable critters can cause serious harm to your pumpkins even…
Turfgrasses aren’t your only option to beautify your front yard. You can use ground covers to cover up bare patches, choke out weeds, reduce soil erosion, and give your landscape more style. What I love about ground covers is that they are usually easy to maintain. They create dense mats that look stunning. One such…
Keeping your strawberries safe from scavengers, exploiting every bit of space you have, creating unique designs – these things don’t have to be a dream. And the best part is that you can do all this on a budget. Reuse old things you don’t need anymore and grow strawberries at the same time. It’s that…
Achieving the perfect pH for blueberry soil is the key to a thriving berry harvest. Blueberries grow well in soil that is slightly acidic, with pH between 4.0 to 5.5, but most soils have neutral pH levels of around 6.0 to 7.0. If blueberries are grown in neutral soil, it might lead to several issues,…
Rosemary and lavender are two of the most commonly cultivated herbs. Their enchanting fragrance, distinct flavor, and breathtaking appearance make them stand out. But did you know that planting these herbs next to each other is a great way to use the potential of both species? Here’s why rosemary and lavender belong together in the…
Mosquitoes can be super annoying, especially in the summer. You can’t sit and enjoy your garden without these insects buzzing around and biting you. So, if you are looking for a natural way to get rid of mosquitoes, let me introduce you to some mosquito-eating birds! These winged wonders not only add beauty to our…
Fast and easy-to-grow crops such as beets are favored among gardeners. And while growing them is simple enough, there are things you can do to improve their flavor. One of those things is harvesting them at the right time and with the right technique. Here’s everything you need to know about harvesting beets, from the…
Strawberries are one of the most common fruiting plants grown in gardens. They can grow well if planted directly in the ground or added to container gardens. But sometimes, the weather can be too cold or hot and you won’t get a good harvest. Luckily, these perennial evergreens can perform well indoors and give you…
January may be a cold month in most of the world, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it. There are many things you can do with your children to have fun! Writing in the snow or turning a January harvest into a unique experience for your kids are just a few activities your children…
Strawberries are one of the most delicious fruits and have numerous health benefits. Growing them in your garden allows you to get fresh and organic crops and their taste is incomparable! If you have a few strawberries at hand, you should know that you can use them for propagation. Of course, the seeds are the…
The last time we saw an update in the USDA plant hardiness map was in 2012. That’s a long time, don’t you think? Well, the end of 2023 has brought a new USDA hardiness map with it, and it changes how, what, and when we grow our crops. It shows that nearly half the country…
When purchasing planters for your garden, you’ll notice they come in various shapes and sizes. Of course, the largest ones are used for shrubs or some smaller tree species. When planting your green buddies, you can fill the entire planter with a growing substrate. But in most cases, the upper two-thirds of the soil ensures…
Are you tired of constant mowing and lawn maintenance? If so, I have a simple solution – tapestry lawns. You may have heard of them under a different name – meadow lawns. They involve replacing your traditional lawn with wildflowers, and the benefits are enormous! Here’s a deeper insight into this new trend and how…
Homegrown strawberries taste heavenly, so it’s no wonder so many growers choose to add them to their gardens. But lots of things can go wrong when growing these fruits that prevent you from getting the juiciest red berries. Insects, diseases, and numerous critters can affect your strawberries severely. To avoid this, you should employ an…
I’m sure no one is delighted to see earthworms in their garden. Some dislike their appearance while others are worried that these critters will do some damage to their plants. Well, you should actually be happy to find these creatures in your soil. In this article, I’ll answer the question, “Why are earthworms so good…
Let’s go on a journey through the diverse landscapes of the United States, discovering the best national parks in each of the states! From the iconic Grand Canyon in Arizona to the lush beauty of Acadia in Maine and the historic grounds of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania, each park offers a unique and unforgettable experience. Whether…
While some might enjoy gardening tasks like mowing and watering, others find them dreadful. However, both sides agree that we should keep our gardens in top-notch condition! So, if you are someone who doesn’t like digging weeds out, I would suggest you gear up for a smarter and more efficient gardening experience! As we await…
Have you discovered some unwanted guests on your Christmas cactus? Pest problems can put a dampener on the festive spirit, especially if your special holiday plant is hurting. Although cactus plants are known to be tough and resilient, there are still some pesky pests that can find their way indoors and hurt your Christmas cactus….
When I see the word wasabi, I immediately think of sushi. Cooks and chefs use the plant’s rhizomes to make the signature thick paste. Yet, you can use the wasabi plant in other ways, too. The best part about it is that its leaves and stems are also edible. I have to warn you not…
Elevate your garden game by strategically planting herbs alongside the vibrant blooms of zinnias! Companion planting is a traditional gardening practice that involves growing specific plants close to one another so they can boost each other’s growth and development. Even though zinnias are low-maintenance plants, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t receive any additional help. This…
Sage is one of my favorite culinary herbs. It grows in shrubs and doesn’t need that much to thrive. It is evergreen, which means you can harvest it all year long without killing it. Its unique flavor makes it an amazing addition to soups, stews, pastas – everything! The good news is that you can…
The star of the holiday season is definitely a Christmas cactus in all its glory! To have a thriving and neat-looking Christmas cactus, it’s crucial to figure out what soil to provide for it. Although they are known for their low-maintenance, it’s always better to be picky when it comes to potting soil because it…
Potatoes are the favorite veggies of many growers because they are relatively easy to cultivate and you can have a bountiful harvest relatively simply. Weekly watering, a lot of sun, and high-quality soil are the most common pieces of advice you’ll get from experienced potato growers. However, there’s one gardening mistake everyone makes when growing…