When we decide to grow a certain outdoor or houseplant, it can often turn out to be more beneficial than we first thought! For instance, some flowering plants attract beneficial insects, such as bees, ladybugs, and wasps, which pollinate your other plants while acting as a natural form of pest control at the same time….
A garden full of wildlife is always such a joy, and hummingbird moths are some of the coolest visitors. They go quickly from flower to flower just like their bird namesakes. Most are helpful pollinators, but some might cause trouble because they love to munch on plants. What amazes me the most is that there…
I’ve heard about snakes and their importance to the ecosystem so many times that I should be less scared of them by now. Well, that’s not the case! One thing is for certain; I don’t want these animals in my yard! The very thought of snake bites makes me dizzy and uncomfortable. Luckily, there are…
The basil plant is one of those herbs that goes well with almost any dish; pizza, pasta, seafood, veggies, chicken… you name it! In addition to pairing it with food, you can also grow it with veggies and fruits. Basil companion plants benefit from its strong fragrance, which deters garden pests and invites pollinators. This…
Many dream of having a lovely and blooming garden, but when exploding mushrooms and yellow slimes appear on their mulch, the dream is tainted. Thankfully, we have seven methods and techniques that will help you learn how to get rid of fungus in mulch and may even inspire you to think of other ways yourself….
Winter is coming and it’s time to bring our precious little plants indoors – you don’t want to leave them out there in the cold! But, before you just put them inside and call it a day, there are some common mistakes that can cause chaos… not only for those outdoor plants but also for…
In the garden, we’re no strangers to the constant buzz of insects. Some of us love them, while others? Not so much. Most gardeners are not fond of ground bees because of their nesting habits. Though they’re usually not aggressive, these little guys love to build underground nests, and sometimes that can mess with the…
I know that the end of summer usually means it’s time to harvest and wrap up gardening, but why should we let the season for enjoying fresh produce come to an end? Believe it or not, some resilient plants thrive in the cold, allowing you to enjoy a winter garden brimming with fresh veggies. Who…
When I first tasted arugula, I was completely blown away – the bitterness, the sweetness, that unusual flavor… it all blends perfectly together! I decided that I must grow it in my own garden. I mean, you can use it to make delicious Italian meals, salads, sandwiches, or use it just for snacking (it’s that…
Watermelons looking less than perfect? Wondering what’s causing the problem? I’ve been there too! I started growing watermelons a couple of years ago, and last year they just started wilting out of nowhere. I was wondering what the issue could be when I found out about watermelon pests. They can be really nasty and spread…
All I ever heard about lavender was how easy it is to grow and how many benefits it brings. So, when I started growing it, I thought, “How hard can trimming be?“ I had no clue what I was doing and just snipped away at random, thinking I was helping the plant. And of course,…
Is there anything worse than cockroaches? I had a bad run with them in my last apartment, and they were so disgusting, I had to pack up and move! If you’ve got a big yard, these creepy critters can take up residence there too. And once they find their way inside your home, getting rid…
If you are looking for a tree that is beautiful, useful, and full of surprises, then the chestnut tree is the perfect choice for you! When I planted mine, I expected some shade and charm – but I also got happy birds, buzzing bees, and a delicious nut harvest (homegrown chestnuts always taste better). These…
Wasps in the garden? No thanks! I’ve had my share of problems with wasps in the garden – they were literally everywhere. While they’re important for nature, I’d rather they stay far away from my yard. Luckily, I managed to get rid of them before they nested, and it’s all thanks to this wonder herb:…
When you have limited garden space, it’s not easy to fit in all the plants you want. Before I moved to Florida, my garden could barely fit me in it, let alone all kinds of veggies, herbs, and flowers I wanted to grow! That’s when I turned to container gardening. My goal was to have…
The first time I tasted juicy cherries plucked fresh from my grandma’s garden tree, I swore to myself that I would grow them in my own garden someday. I don’t know, there’s just something about biting into a sun-warmed cherry right off the branch – it’s like a healthy candy, only better because you grew…
If you’ve ever tried growing petunias then you know how beautiful these plants are! But have you ever thought about bringing them some companions? With the right companion flowers, your petunias will be able to thrive better than if they were planted alone! I’ve always been into companion planting and that’s the reason why my…
Fungus gnats are pesky critters that can damage your houseplants significantly. They reproduce like crazy and overtake your entire plant collection in no time! It’s important to spot gnat infestations and act quickly in order to prevent spreading. In this article, we are going to cover how to identify gnat infestations and some of the…
When I first got into gardening, I knew very little about mulching. I knew it helped with soil retention and weed prevention, but beyond that, I was clueless. How much should I apply? How often should I change it? These were all mysteries to me. I laid down my first mulch a couple of seasons…
When space is tight but your craving for homegrown tomatoes is strong, container gardening seems like the perfect solution. Yet, growing them in containers introduces its own set of challenges (or as I like to call them, ‘tomato tragedies’). I remember the first time I tried to grow a mini tomato factory on my patio…
Imagine stepping out onto your balcony or patio and being greeted by mesmerizing trees and their vibrant foliage dancing in the sunlight. With potted trees, your imagination can become reality. As someone who loves gardening but has limited outdoor space, I’ve found joy in cultivating trees in pots. And guess what? I didn’t realize you…
Want to grow delicious leafy veggies but don’t know where? Well, no garden, no problem because today you can just grab some pots, plant the seeds, and put them anywhere nice and sunny! That’s right, I am talking about having your own mini kale jungle right on your balcony or patio! This is the perfect…
We can all agree on one thing – midges are the worst! I’ve had my fair share of encounters with these tiny pests, and trust me, they’re no picnic. Imagine trying to relax in your garden, only to be bombarded by swarms of these annoying bugs that just won’t give you any space. It’s enough…
Are you tired of fighting those relentless weeds in your garden? Believe me, I’ve been there too (as has every gardener out there). It feels like no matter how hard you try, they just keep popping up everywhere! No matter how meticulously you tend to your garden beds, those stubborn weeds always find a way…
Growing pumpkins has been a tradition in my family for generations, and there’s something truly magical about watching those tiny seeds transform into plump, Jack-o’-lantern-worthy beauties (yep, I carve my own pumpkins!). I would like to tell you that growing pumpkins is all smooth sailing, but that’s not entirely true – you have to consider…
Last summer, I put up a hummingbird feeder to attract those delightful birds to my garden. Little did I know that I would end up attracting more wasps than hummingbirds! What’s up with those insects? I mean, they have plenty of nectar-filled flowers just waiting to be pollinated, but they choose to go for the…
If you don’t have enough garden space for your squash, opt for container gardening! I was once a city dweller with limited outdoor space, but that didn’t stop me from growing veggies that I like. You would be surprised by how many different types of veggies can actually be grown in containers. Squash, with its…
If you’ve ever walked across your yard and noticed patches of dead grass, or felt like your lawn just wasn’t as lush as it used to be, you might be dealing with annoying leatherjackets. I had the same problem last summer. At first, I wasn’t sure what was causing the damage to my lawn. I…
Last summer, I decided to plant strawberries for the first time. Little did I know that growing these juicy berries would be a bit more complicated than just sticking them in the dirt and hoping for the best! After a lot of trial and error (and a few disasters I’d rather not talk about), I…
With the holiday season just around the corner, now is the time to bring out your Christmas decorations. What better way to jazz up your home for Christmas than with some fantastic greenery? In fact, these plants are often added to gardens for year-round structure and function. Thanks to their lush foliage and compact growth,…
Hydrangeas produce lush, colorful blooms that catch everyone’s attention. In some cases, they may receive unwanted attention from pesky critters that like munching on their leaves and flowers. Once these intruders get in, all you have left is wilting and half-eaten hydrangeas with no blooms! Dealing with pests can be frustrating, especially if the infestation…
The best thing about gardening (besides fresh air, sunshine, and beautiful flowers) is perennial veggies! Unlike the usual annuals that need replanting every year, perennials are delicious crops that just keep coming back on their own. I still remember the excitement of growing asparagus – the waiting and wondering if it is ever going to…
We all know that a thriving veggie garden results from hard work, and that sunlight, water, and drainage are all essential for healthy plant growth. Another thing that vegetables can’t grow without are nutrients. Gardeners typically fertilize their veggies before and during the growing season, but many stop fertilizing after the harvest. In this article,…
Fragrant and captivating mint plants adorn gardens worldwide. Some use it in the kitchen and some grow it to fight insects, such as mosquitoes. No matter the reason you grow this spectacular plant, the essential thing is to meet its requirements. This is especially important during the winter months because your mint may not survive…
Hello, fellow gardeners! In the spirit of the holiday season, we sat down with my good friend Emma, a passionate gardener who loves festive decorations. Emma has been working on incorporating plants into her holiday decorations and creating a cozy, botanical atmosphere. And today, she will share some useful tips that you can use to…
When selecting a plant for their garden, many growers decide on low-growing flowering species, and shrubs aren’t typically the first choice. Well, they do deserve our attention, and Forsythia plants are the best example. They display gorgeous golden blossoms in late winter and early spring, brightening up this pretty dull period. But beauty isn’t the…
We’ve all witnessed dramatic shifts in weather patterns. Gardeners are extremely worried because these changes affect their plants severely. Cultivating plants during summer is pretty challenging because of the long periods of drought. But high winds during winter make things even harder. Luckily, there are various measures that offer a level of protection to gardens,…
November is the perfect month for some fall cleaning. This fall season you can trim your deciduous trees, fruit bushes, most shrubs, and some perennials that thrive during summer but are now waning. Of course, you can’t just prune any plant and hope for the best because some should be left alone in fall and…
Tired of dealing with pesky voles wreaking havoc in your garden? If so, then you’ve come to the right place! These small creatures can ruin grass lawns in no time, chew away the tree bark, and completely demolish plant roots. It’s best to act quickly and get rid of voles before they destroy your entire…
Looking for herbs that not only elevate your cooking but also attract helpful insects to your garden? If so, then you’ve come to the right place! Natural pest control is free and effective. The trick is to plant specific herbs that will help you attract beneficial insects to the garden. These herbs have unique fragrances…
When I first added mulch to my garden, I was thrilled. It made everything look neat and tidy, and I thought I’d found the secret to the perfect garden. But, oh boy, things took a turn! After a few weeks, I started running into some unexpected issues. For starters, my once beautiful mulch began to…
When someone mentions banana plants, I’m sure many of you think of hot temperatures and beaches in tropical parts of the world. Interestingly, bananas are frequently cultivated in gardens for their spectacular massive foliage rather than their fruits. These plants do love warmer temperatures but the good news is that there are some cold hardy…
With the spring craze already here and summer just around the corner, we all want as many annuals and perennials splashing color all over our gardens as possible. And what better way to achieve this than by growing gorgeous wildflower plants?! I’ll explore some of my favorite sun and shade-loving wildings, and give you a…
Pokeweed police here! Do you have any pokeweed in your garden to report? If so, do you know how to get rid of pokeweed? Well don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! The Pokeweed plant is an invasive, toxic plant that can be found in every other garden (similar to moss growing on the tarmac). It…
This article brings you a list of ten plants with spiky leaves that every plant lover needs to have in their home. They can add liveliness to every home and will only accentuate the beauty of your living room or personal library. You will see the world with new eyes once you get one of…
Trees with purple flowers are one of the best things about spring. Their relaxing color can only make your day better. Strolling down the street and admiring these flowering trees or reading a book in their protective embrace, is something we cannot give up. In this article, you will find ten different trees with purple…
Mint is an absolute must-have in many refreshing drinks! As well as its irresistible minty taste, it has a beautiful smell. You can smell it even if you’re miles away! Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting your gardening journey, growing mint will be as easy as pie! It’s perfect for containers too. This…
Let’s talk about a pesky problem that’s been bugging me (and probably you too): ticks in the yard! Yuck, ticks!! Picture this: you’re enjoying a sunny day in your garden when, suddenly, you feel that dreaded itch. Yup, you’ve got a tick hitching a ride (talk about a buzzkill!). And they are the absolute worst…
As the weather gets warmer, the time for transplanting seedlings outdoors approaches. Hardening off is a crucial step when transitioning young plants from indoors to the outdoors. It helps them adjust gradually to external conditions, ensuring successful and robust growth. The trick is to know when and how to harden off plants in order to…
Starting a garden isn’t easy, but you can make it simpler with a few adaptations. Using containers instead of a traditional in-ground plot is one way to do it. Potted vegetables ensure you get plenty of produce with as little fuss as possible. You won’t have to weed them, you can move them around and…
If you’re not familiar with rain chains, they are decorative rainwater collectors. And it’s not surprising that they’ve gained popularity in the last year. They promote sustainability, keep your plants nourished and moisturized, provide plenty of visual interest, and aren’t that difficult to maintain. But these are just a few of the reasons why setting…
I’m the type who never tosses anything that might come in handy someday, so I’ve got quite the collection of old terracotta saucers piling up in my garden. Finally, I figured it was time to put them to good use! So, I started a fun little project I call “Terracotta Chia Gardens”, where I use…
Storing green onions (also known as scallions) properly can make a significant difference in how long they stay fresh and flavorful! Whether you have just harvested an abundance of green onions from your garden or bought a bunch from the store, knowing how to store them correctly is essential to prevent wilting and maintain their…
Fall is every gardeners’ favorite season because everything they’ve been doing for the past summer finally pays off. Those who live in cooler climates are probably preparing to put their garden beds to sleep because nothing grows during this period. Technically, you can’t harvest anything during winter but there’s one thing you can do: plant…
Using rock salt to melt the ice is nothing strange, especially if you live in colder climates. This is an easy and budget-friendly way to get rid of slippery ice, which is why it is widely popular. However, most folks don’t take into account the possible damage to shrubs, trees, and flowering plants. Excessive amounts…
November may feel like a slow time for gardening, but it’s actually a great month to plant some veggies for an early harvest next year! Planting now lets crops settle in before winter so they’ll be ready to grow even stronger when the spring arrives. I love planting in November, especially on my birthday, when…
Being a homeowner means you’re bound to cross paths with critters from time to time. But let’s be honest, when it comes to sharing our space, mice are the last ones on the invite list! Sure, they’re cute little creatures, but the germs and diseases they carry have us reaching for every trick in the…