Borage, otherwise known as Borago officinalis, is an annual flowering plant that produces star-like flowers and hairy leaves. This plant is native to the Mediterranean region, so it can adapt to growing in dry conditions. There are a lot of reasons to grow borage – it attracts pollinators, deters pests, can be used to make…
I always say that it’s worth every second you spend caring for your vegetables. Needless to say, homegrown veggies taste amazing and the fact that they don’t contain any chemicals only makes things better. However, growing these plants can be challenging for beginners, and watering may be one of the hardest aspects to figure out. …
We often associate winter with plants dying and fading away, but some are just getting started. And it’s usually the weeds! Many varieties that flower in spring, such as annual bluegrass, corn speedwell, and dandelions, start their growing process in winter and can easily pass by unnoticed until it’s too late. They can wreak havoc…
It’s normal for your yard to fall into disarray in winter. But it doesn’t have to be that way! There’s a lot we can do for our winter gardens. You can still keep the texture and structure with just a few amendments. And once the snowy season starts, it will only stress the features you…
Ever wonder what happens to all those potato skins after you make mashed potatoes or fries? I used to toss mine straight into the trash – until I realized they’re a total hidden gem! Not only can they be repurposed in your kitchen, but they can also work wonders in your garden. Yes, you read…
When the frost bites, so do the pests! While your garden might appear dormant, certain critters are working overtime to stake their claim. They say ‘one bad apple spoils the bunch,’ and that’s exactly what these winter pests aim to do. Don’t let them pull the rug out from under your garden – discover the…
A well-maintained lawn is like wearing a great outfit – it grabs attention and leaves a lasting impression. Here’s the thing: that polished look isn’t just about mowing regularly; it’s about knowing the right height to cut your grass. Trust me, I’ve seen what happens when it’s too tall (hello, jungle!) or too short (cue…
You can say goodbye to your winter garden’s bare bones. Add several architectural plants and you’ll enjoy your front yard even during the cold months. They add texture, structure, and a touch of drama. Choose the ones suitable for your growing zone, and you won’t have any issues. The best part about architectural plants is…
With a cool-down that has enveloped half the country over the last few weeks, it is important to prepare your outdoor garden equipment as best you can. These items don’t come cheap, which is why it’s crucial to store them the right way and make them last. The following list includes 7 garden items that…
Keeping your garden weed-free all year doesn’t have to be a constant battle. Picture a plant that not only keeps weeds at bay but also fills your garden with a burst of vibrant color. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, with just one simple addition, you can say goodbye to endless weeding and hello to…
Summertime sometimes comes with swarms of grasshoppers. You will often see them happily hopping around your garden. They might stay or continue on with their adventures, but it can sometimes lead to a full-blown invasion! That happened to my garden last year. When I went to check my plants, I was shocked. They were feeding…
Waste not, want not – that’s my motto when it comes to gardening. What I once saw as useless scraps have turned out to be the secret weapon for growing incredible tomato plants. It’s a simple, sustainable approach that has transformed my veggie garden. If you’re looking for an easy way to boost your tomato…
There are some outdoor tools I can’t imagine gardening without. A sprinkler system is definitely one of them. It helps us maintain a healthy and green lawn, which isn’t an easy task, especially for those with larger lawns. These systems aren’t really beneficial during the winter months, so fall is the perfect time to store…
When I look back on my younger days, I remember that my mom never bought herbs in stores, and certainly never the dried ones. She always grew her own, all year long. And now that I’m older and have a garden of my own, I went to her for a couple of tips and tricks….
For gardeners, cool weather is a signal that it’s time to complete a list of garden tasks for this year. Certain plants, soil, flower and veggie beds, garden tools, and supplies will all need to be protected during the winter months. In this article, I’ll show you some time-sensitive garden tasks you should complete before…
And the award for the most disgusting creature goes to earwigs! Contrary to popular belief, these nuisances have nothing to do with our ears (thankfully). Still, they love munching on plant foliage and decaying wood, posing a threat to your home. The main reason why you should get rid of earwigs is that they’ll find…
Do you want to transform your garden into a vibrant display of colorful flowers that lasts through November and December? If so, then try growing hardy fuchsias! Fuchsias are native to Central and South America, and most of the hardy varieties can even survive UK winters. These easy-to-grow flowers gracefully dangle from hanging baskets or…
Missing the taste of summer tomatoes? Good news! You can grow them right inside your home during winter. It only takes a couple of adjustments and you get to enjoy delicious tomatoes whenever you want. Now, we are going to share some tips on how to grow tomatoes indoors during the winter season. Stay tuned…
Everyone is sad once the festive season is over, except for gardeners who are looking forward to the new growing season! The great news is that you can start prepping for the season as soon as January arrives. Winter sowing is an excellent and cost-effective method with a high success rate. It doesn’t require any…
Once you enter the world of gardening, you find out about numerous secret ingredients and interesting ways to help your garden thrive. And that’s exactly what I like about this practice the most! Epsom salt is a hidden gem, at least for beginners. This powerful ingredient is widely available and doesn’t contain harmful chemicals like…
Potatoes are root vegetables that are generally easy to grow. However, a lot of things can go wrong and you might end up with a bad batch of potatoes or no batch at all! It is important to plant the right type of potatoes, prepare the soil adequately, and follow proper plant care. In this…
Choosing the best grass type for your yard will take you one step closer to your dream lawn. Not every variety is the same! Perhaps you need a drought- and heat-tolerant type that will finally allow you to have the thick green lawn you’ve always wanted. Or you want a variety that’s easier to maintain…
When it comes to designing your outdoor space, privacy and beauty often go hand in hand. Imagine being surrounded by beautiful flowering bushes while sipping coffee in your garden, shielded from the world outside. Don’t worry, there’s really not that much fuss when it comes to taking care of flowering bushes – it seems as…
Growing herbs indoors is an excellent way to utilize empty window sills and bring some life into your kitchen. And having your favorite condiments within reach is quite useful. However, growing herbs indoors isn’t the same as planting them outside and there are a couple of things we tend to get wrong. And to have…
If you’re tired of the never-ending cycle of mowing and want to make your garden more useful, you’re in the right place. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how to make my outdoor space more than just a patch of grass, and I can tell you: the answer lies in edible landscaping! Instead…
I’ve been spending hours battling weeds, trying to figure out how to stop them from taking over my garden. Then one day, I realized something shocking: the secret to preventing weeds was already growing in my garden. Yep, that’s right. No fancy sprays, no expensive tools – just using what I already had. The solution?…
Do you have compost? Well, congratulations – you’ve already unlocked the secret to a thriving garden. But what if I told you there’s a way to make it even better with one simple leftover ingredient? Crushed eggshells might seem like kitchen scraps, but they’re packed with nutrients and benefits that can take your compost and…
I’ll admit it: the first time I saw an opossum skulking through my yard, I was convinced my garden had hit rock bottom. They looked like trouble on four legs, ready to raid the bird feeders or spread some kind of backyard chaos. But I couldn’t have been more wrong. As I learned more about…
Spinach is one of those veggies that you either love or hate, there’s nothing in between! One thing is for certain, though, this is one of the healthiest veggies out there. It’s also a favorite of many gardeners because it matures really quickly. There’s one simple trick to thriving and healthy spinach: companion planting. The…
If you’ve ever felt like planting a garden is as intimidating as trying to assemble IKEA furniture without instructions, you’re not alone. Where do you even begin? How do you know what to plant, where to plant it, and most importantly – how do people make it look so effortless? Enter the soil bag method,…
Did you know that there are multiple ways to use onion skin instead of just tossing it away? That’s right, onion skin has numerous benefits – it can be used in the garden to repel pests and enrich the soil with essential nutrients, and also to improve our immune system and overall well-being. In this…
So, you’ve been eyeing those sleek, modern plant stands online, but let’s face it – who wants to drop big bucks on something you can totally make yourself? Trust me, I’ve been there, scrolling through endless online shops thinking, “I could totally do that!”. And guess what? I did. Not only did I save some…
Yes, trees are the backbone of any yard, but let’s face it – some stars never get their time in the spotlight. While maples and oaks steal the show, there’s a whole lineup of stunning, under-the-radar trees waiting to take center stage in your landscape. These unsung heroes add beauty, shade, and personality without demanding…
I used to think planting a dogwood tree was as simple as digging a hole and plopping it in. Nope! Timing is everything with these beauties. Planting at the right time gives the roots a chance to settle in and get cozy before the big show. Once I got the timing down, my yard became…
So, I was staring at my seed packets, thinking, “I really don’t have time to plant each one individually.” And then it hit me – DIY seed tape! I’ve tried it, and trust me, it’s a total game changer. Not only does it save time (and my sanity), but it’s also a fun, crafty way…
If you want hummingbirds to stick around your yard, trust me – a feeder alone isn’t enough. You need something that stops them in their tracks. That’s where this tree comes in. With its dazzling colors, it’s like rolling out a front-row seat at nature’s finest buffet, and hummingbirds just can’t say no. When I…
I’ll admit it – I used to think all blueberries were the same. Blueberries are blueberries, right? Wrong. The first time I tried growing them, I picked a random variety that clearly didn’t like me (or my garden). The plants barely grew, the berries were tiny, and I was left wondering what went wrong. Turns…
Eggplant is one of those veggies that isn’t so easy to grow – improper planting, bad watering habits, plant diseases, and pest infestations are just some of the things that can affect your eggplants. Luckily, we are here to save the day! In this article, we are going to cover the most common eggplant growing…
We all want our yards to look their absolute best, which is why we fill them with shrubs, decorations, and alluring plants. However, all of these things can create a welcoming environment for many unwanted guests, including slithering creatures. I believe that most gardeners don’t want to have snake-filled gardens (I know that I don’t),…
If you are looking for some plants that will grow quickly and cover up any unsightly fence, building, or wall in your outdoor space, then you have come to the right place! Today we’ll discuss some vigorous climbers that can cover walls, fences, trellises, and arbors, transforming any plain structure into a stunning vertical garden! …
Watering is a crucial part of gardening, yet so many of us make the same mistakes over and over again. Too much moisture can be equally as harmful to your plants as not enough. There are parts of the day when you shouldn’t irrigate your plants and different techniques to bear in mind. It can…
If you are looking for a plant that can grow as a ground cover to spruce up your garden, and at the same time be used to make delicious meals, then you should definitely consider growing thyme. Thyme is a herbaceous perennial plant that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. There are over 300 thyme varieties…
It seems that wood chips are everywhere around us at this time of year. Well, the winter is coming and everyone wants to finish their chores. It’s actually a great time to get wood chips for your yard because they have multiple benefits. In this article, I’ll show you why this material makes a perfect…
They say a sunny garden is the crown jewel of any landscape, but it takes the right shrubs to make it shine. If you’ve ever planted a shade-loving shrub under the blazing sun, you know the tale: wilted leaves and a garden that’s seen better days. But don’t let the sun steal the show! With…
There’s nothing like stepping outside and hearing the happy chirping of birds in your garden. A few years ago, I planted a mulberry tree, thinking I’d enjoy some fresh berries. Little did I know, it would become a magnet for robins, cardinals, and even blue jays. I barely got a handful of berries, but watching…
Impatient gardeners will be delighted to hear that some veggies don’t take long to mature. You can have delicious crops on your table in less than 2 months, and there are some you can harvest just 2 weeks after planting! Ready, set, go! Here are the 19 fastest growing veggies for your garden. 1. Sunflower…
Battling Johnsongrass is no joke. It’s stubborn, relentless, and feels like it’s mocking you with every new shoot that pops up. I was at my wit’s end after trying every trick in the book, until one day, I stumbled upon a solution in the most unexpected place: my kitchen pantry. It was a simple ingredient,…
The perfect little house with a herb garden below the kitchen window isn’t just a dream anymore! You can easily make a small, woody green patch regardless of your gardening skills or available space. The best thing about these plants is that they can thrive anywhere: in a traditional in-ground or container garden, on a…
One of the most gorgeous, and not to mention easiest, ways to get rid of pesky weeds is planting ground cover flowers in your garden. These will quickly spread and suffocate the weeds before they emerge, eliminating them before they become a problem you have to deal with. You’ll have a healthy and flourishing garden…
If you don’t have enough garden space to grow fruit trees outdoors, why not try growing them inside instead? Although it might sound far-fetched, with the right knowledge and care you can enjoy the taste of fresh homegrown fruit from the comfort of your own home! Indoor fruit trees not only add beauty and a…
As soon as the cool breeze of winter sets in, there’s nothing I find more enjoyable than spotting a bright red cardinal in the yard. With everything covered in snow, these striking birds have a way of adding a touch of color and vibrancy to an otherwise dull winter landscape. Even if you are not…
I don’t know about you, but I’m the type of person who gets way too invested in my lawn. The first sign of a weed, and I’m out there, armed with a shovel like I’m in a battle. But after spending too many hours trying to eradicate those little invaders, I found the one trick…
How many times have you heard that a chemical herbicide is the only way to remove weeds? I prefer to say it’s the faster way since it definitely isn’t the only one! There has been a lot of discussion on using salt to kill weeds so I decided to reveal the truth and tell you…
How many of us use wood as the main heating source? I’m sure there’s one thing we all have in common: we don’t know what to do with ash and simply throw it out. What else could you do? Well, believe it or not, there are so many different wood ash uses not only in…
On a scale from 1 to 10, how tired are you of trying to keep your plants well-hydrated all season long? This is definitely one of the most challenging gardening tasks for beginners. Drip irrigation is an excellent solution, but initial costs and maintenance make the system less desirable for many growers. What if I…
Starting your own vegetable garden can be an exhilarating experience, but let’s face it, it can also be a tad overwhelming. The thought of navigating through the labyrinth of space constraints, nutrition, and planting techniques can make even the most seasoned horticulturist shudder. But don’t worry! Master gardeners and authors have offered their advice on…
There are many benefits of growing trees in your backyard – we don’t say that they are the lungs of our planet for no reason! From providing shade and habitat for wildlife to improving air quality and reducing noise pollution, the benefits of having more trees in our surroundings are profound. In this article, we…