As the summer approaches, many beneficial insects start to buzz around the garden, carrying pollen from one flower to another. While bees are getting busy, fruit flies, mosquitoes and other annoying insects also start flying around. Just as primroses are signs of spring, it seems as though mosquitoes are signs of summer – they are…
It’s that time of year when we’re all looking forward to spending a couple of weeks by an unpopulated beach. But that also means finding a way to care for your garden while you’re away. And what if this summer is particularly dry? Try olla! It’s an ancient technique of delivering moisture right to the…
Have you ever wondered what orioles eat? Unlike other birds, orioles are vibrant and cheery and have specific food requirements. If you want to attract them into your garden and enjoy their delightful melodious songs every day, it is important to meet their needs and give them the exact food they want! Here, we are…
Take a walk around any garden center and you’ll notice tools and supplies for every malady, from pest and weed control to planting. But did you know that you can make most of those gadgets and gizmos in your own home? And the best part is that these fixes are nearly free and they really…
If you don’t already have rosemary in your backyard, its numerous health, cooking, and garden uses will make you change your mind. This magical herb can do so much for you, from infusing your oils and making every dish taste as if it were made in a five-star restaurant to keeping you healthy and deterring…
If you want to fill your backyard with the delightful melodies of song birds, and at the same time promote a harmonious ecosystem, then planting certain trees can make all the difference! Bird-friendly trees can attract songbirds with their delicious fruits, seeds, and suitable space for them to create their lovely nests. With melodious bird…
Recently, I stumbled upon a very good video on Tiktok. This eco-friendly Tiktoker has started a new challenge called #nolawn – sounds crazy, am I right? However, it is not as crazy as it seems! She created a sustainable landscape filled with colorful flowers that are also great for attracting pollinators and other beneficial insects….
We’re well into gardening season, but it’s never too late to learn something new that can improve your harvest and flower beauty when planting in your native soil. Jessica McCollum, a Master gardener from Indiana, shares a simple trick that works for clay soils. If you need to till or aerate your garden, avoid doing…
Lately I’ve been dreaming of a new landscape design, imagining pools, winding pathways, pergolas, and fire pits decorating my backyard. Then I opened my eyes and found myself in the real world with a tight budget! But that doesn’t mean I can’t give my outdoors the makeover it desperately needs. If that’s something you can…
Weeds are every gardener’s nightmare. They can quickly take over our gardens, stealing nutrients and choking out our beloved plants. And getting rid of them can be rather difficult! Instead of buying expensive commercial weed killers, many gardeners went the other way and started using vinegar to kill weeds. But, can this common household ingredient…
Do you want to make your garden look luxurious and unique? Nothing will do a better job than a bay tree! This Mediterranean plant has ensured a spot in gardens worldwide due to its alluring appearance. But beauty isn’t the only thing the bay tree has to offer. Its fragrance, taste, and medicinal properties make…
Did you know that you can encourage biodiversity and promote a “greener” lawn by replacing traditional grasses with wildflowers? Maintaining classic lawns is a century-old custom in most Western countries. They’re great for sports, but they do not create healthy ecosystems. Additionally, tending to traditional lawns is expensive, time-consuming, and much worse than letting nature…
It’s that time of the year where the warm nights become irresistible and you look for any excuse to spend them on your patio. There’s just one problem – mosquitoes! Of course, store-bought candles, repellents, and even a light mosquito net will work, but why not try and save some money by making your own?…
A Smith’s Gardentown nursery shared a simple hack on TikTok for uprooting weeds and unwanted plants from your garden with a simple household tool. The profile they have on TikTok shares all the ins and outs of gardening, from plant care and tree recommendations to beneficial bugs and pest control. The Pliers The video explains…
Going back to nature can be a wonderful thing because it can help renew your garden and restore it to its former glory. This method will also give you more time to relax as you won’t have to spend so much time pruning, mowing, and tending to your plants. I understand that this can be…
Are you tired of spending hours and hours watering your plants and dragging hoses around? What if I told you that there’s one simple solution to it? Automatic watering has some great DIY options, and will help you keep your plants well hydrated and save you loads of hassle. Don’t worry, it’s not complicated as…
No one can say that gardening is simple. It does have many benefits but there’s definitely more to it than it meets the eye. Once you enter this world, you’ll see there are so many tasks to do, such as soil treatment, de-weeding, fertilization… the list is really long. But there’s one growing practice that…
Let’s face it, we all love butterflies. They are the prettiest insects and have a very important job – they pollinate our plants and flowers. Recently there has been a significant decrease in the number of Monarch butterflies, which is directly related to the loss of milkweed. Milkweed, the monarch butterfly’s primary host plant, plays…
Peonies are definitely one of the prettiest flowers and can make your garden look like a fairy tale! However, their beauty comes with a price. These flowering plants are susceptible to various pests and diseases, and they might often have a hard time blooming if not fertilized properly. Luckily, we are here to help you!…
Every gardener’s dream is to have a plot filled with nightcrawlers and red wigglers because these beneficial worms improve soil texture and fertility. But not all worms have good intentions! Asian jumping worms have slowly found their way into North America, first in the Midwest and Northeast, but now as far south and west as…
If you want to have the best tomato harvest ever, the solution is simple: fertilize them. The right nutrition will ensure a high yield of plump, juicy tomatoes. Don’t worry, I’ll show you everything about fertilizing tomato plants, including their nutrient requirements, the best time to feed them, the type of fertilizer to use, and…
Asparagus, a slow-growing vegetable prized for its tender shoots, is not only a culinary delight but also a beneficial addition to any garden. This perennial veggie requires some patience and careful planning, but it’s totally worth the trouble! The process of planting and growing asparagus is pretty straightforward, and yet it can provide you with…
Looking for some new methods to spruce up your garden? If so, then you should definitely check out what these redditors did. Just take a look at these amazing before and after photos! Garden No.1 Taken January 10th Taken May 2nd The difference after only 4 months is astounding! From dull and dry patches of…
Are you ready to add something unique to your garden? Say goodbye to unattractive metal constructions and hello to a great eco-friendly option – wattle fences! They have been used since ancient times, are an excellent choice for enclosing gardens, and will add a rustic touch to your landscape. I’ll tell you everything about wattle…
Last month I bought a pineapple so sweet and savory that I simply had to try and grow my own! I knew you could do it by placing the top (aka the crown) in water and letting it take root, but I had my reservations. What if it rotted before it set roots? Luckily, it…
Xeriscaping has infiltrated almost every gardening sphere in recent times, and for good reason! This method allows you to create a sustainable landscape that saves water by using drought-tolerant plants and mulching. It also moves towards creating a space that doesn’t need many chemicals and fertilizers to flourish. But preserving water isn’t the only reason…
With summer approaching and nighttime temperatures rising, it can be harder and harder to get refreshing sleep. But did you know that herbs can be of great use in this situation? They won’t cool you down, but they’ll lift your bedroom decor and put you in the perfect frame of mind for relaxation. There are…
Having ants in your backyard isn’t always a bad thing. They create tunnels which will aerate soil, scatter seeds, and help decompose organic matter. However, if they burrow for too long, they can make the soil way too loose and cause your plants to lose anchor and not have enough medium to attach to. And…
Following a plant spacing guide to a T can be exhausting! Measuring everything, thinning out plants, and so on gets old quickly. However, leaving little-to-no room in between plants may be the reason you have a poor harvest. You can easily solve this problem and get a large yield the next season by leaving some…
Are you ready to paint your garden in the most dramatic color? Then you’ll definitely need red flowering shrubs to transform your landscape into a splendid visual symphony! From the elegance of red azaleas to the fiery radiance of roses, we will reveal secrets to landscaping that will make your neighbors green with envy. I’ll…
A patio definitely adds a special touch of beauty to landscapes. But over time, environmental conditions, foot traffic, and other elements can make it discolored and more sensitive to damage. The best way to prevent this is by properly sealing your backyard patio pavers. I’ll show you 5 easy steps to do it and ensure…
Did you know that you’re missing out on an enormous harvest just because you’re not fiddling with your cucumber flowers or touching the innermost parts of tomato blooms? It’s called hand pollination and it’s one of the best things you can do to ensure a large yield, together with the natural process and bees’ help….
Attracting birds to your backyard will be simple once you learn the ins and outs of their diet. When it comes to bluebirds, adding some mealworms to your feeders instead of seeds should do the trick. This means that finding the right feeder for these little fellas involves getting one that can fit mealworms inside….
Citrus fruit has many uses in our daily lives, from making refreshing lemonade to squeezing some juice into a chocolate cake. But did you know that their rinds are just as useful as their juice? Lime, lemon, orange, and grapefruit rinds have a fantastic fragrance and pest-repellent, antibacterial, and savory properties that go to waste…
Many gardeners dread pruning, which is after flowering in rosemary’s case. That’s why I decided to help you out and let you know that it isn’t that scary, and actually carries a lot of benefits. All you need is some simple tools and to trim it down to the desired length to control its growth….
The biggest issue with the coffee industry is the waste it leaves us with. Once the process of separating coffee beans from berries ends, approximately 45% of the biomass is disposed of. People everywhere consume coffee on a daily basis, so imagine all the pulp that ends up in landfills throughout the world. Nearly 10…
Gardening styles are changing, and the new trendy thing is container-growing plants. This technique saves space, doesn’t require you to have ideal garden soil, and provides an excellent base for growing all sorts of herbs, fruits, and veggies. Container gardening will also let you achieve amazing results and give you high yields with minimum effort….
If you don’t have a lot of garden space but dream of your own homegrown potatoes, there’s still a way to start potatoes with container gardening. All you need is a couple of tips from a seasoned gardener and you’ll have some tatties on your table in no time! I have 6 tried-and-true techniques on…
Cucumbers are a go-to veggie for beginners as they’re so undemanding and easy to grow. However, they can crowd your garden and their vines crawl all over the place, preventing you from filling it with more delicious vegetables. Luckily, you can train cucumbers to grow on trellises, and you can find 12 ideas to get…
Summer is just around the corner, so now is the perfect time to fill our gardens with plants that can survive the summer heat. Luckily, there are various plants that can not only survive, but thrive in hot climates! Whether you are looking for colorful flowers, lush foliage, or delicious edible plants, there are plenty…
If you have limited space in your vegetable garden, container gardening might be the perfect solution for you! Growing veggies in containers comes with many benefits, including flexibility, easy maintenance, and the ability to control the growing environment. Whether you have a small patio, balcony, or even just a sunny windowsill, you can grow a…
Have you ever wondered how best to use the space under and around your trees? The large roots of mature trees may have made you question if that’s even possible. Luckily, there are many things you can do with this space. I’ll show you 14 landscaping ideas for around trees so you can transform your…
I’m constantly looking for new ways to improve my garden and find more space for my numerous projects, so when ground space became scarce, I decided to climb instead! Trellising has changed the way everyone looks at my garden because it creates more visual interest and also benefits plants. It gives them more airflow, protects…
If you’re looking for a way to escape the prying eyes of neighbors and passersby, fences aren’t always the best choice, so it’s better to go with a more natural way of screening. Nature takes care of everything and has gifted us with some exquisite plants for privacy. Planting fast-growing trees and shrubs will give…
If you’re craving the taste of sun-ripened strawberries but don’t have a large garden, I have great news for you; you can get perfectly juicy strawberries by growing them in pots! Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just entering this wonderful world, this complete guide on how to grow strawberries in pots will definitely help…
If you’re tired of constantly buying garlic and feeling like you always run out when you need it most, I know exactly how you feel! To stop this happening, I’ve decided to show you proven methods for how to grow an endless supply of garlic right at home! Before we start, let’s see what makes…
Growing tomato plants is quite easy. All you have to do is make sure that they receive a lot of sunlight and nutrients during the growing season. However, tomatoes can quickly become unwieldy, with sprawling branches and an abundance of foliage that can make it difficult to pick ripe fruit. Pruning your tomato plants is…
If you are looking for an easy-to-grow plant that will add more color to your garden, you have come to the right place! Meet the beautyberry, otherwise known as Callicarpa. This North American native plant is known for its stunning purple berries that grow in clusters along its branches in the fall. It is a…
Are you looking for a new grass for your garden? Look no further, I have a perfect variety for you, even if you live in a colder climate! I’m talking about the Lemongrass, a versatile plant that definitely deserves a spot in every garden. Why? Is it because of its appearance, fragrance, simple growing requirements,…
What are the first things that come to your mind when I say “Black and white?” Uptight, bland, ordinary. But that doesn’t have to be the case when it comes to plants. Black and white flowers will make your landscape or home design unique and charming, and also allow those other colors to really pop!…
Onions are one of the easiest vegetables to grow. The onion growing stages begin with planting, and you can either plant seeds, onion sets, or the bottom part of the mature onion. I usually prefer planting onion sets or bulbs just because they are easier to grow. Compared to growing onions from seeds, growing onions…
The topic of removing the tips of tomato plants, aka tomato topping, often sparks a lively debate among gardeners. Some claim that it’s highly beneficial while others question its necessity. So, to top or not to top? Even though it isn’t a must, there are some good reasons to top your tomato plants. I’ll go…
If you want to start off your vegetable garden well this year, it helps to be prepared for everything that may come. Yet with all the careful planning and seedling tending, we still come up short sometimes. But not this spring! I’ll take you through some common planting mistakes so you can get your veggie…
If you’re worried about your tomato yield this season, I understand your concern. You put in a lot of time and effort, and many things can go wrong. Well, I’m here to help you! I’ll show you 8 easy methods to get more tomatoes than you ever thought possible. Let’s unleash your tomato growing potential!…
Walking down the aisles in any garden center will eventually lead you to a terracotta section. And you may wonder, “What’s up with these things?” They look like something gardeners in the Middle Ages used, and there will be so many prettier ones lying around. And yet, many gardeners advise you to get precisely these…
With summer just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about fruit to fill our orchards. And one popular choice is lemons. These trees don’t require too much attention, so they’re perfect for beginners. And the best thing about them is that you can start them from seeds and save some money along the…
What if I told you that you can have a veggie garden without spending a dime? It may sound like an impossible dream since this type of gardening requires seeds, soil, plant food, and many other things that can be pretty pricey. Luckily, you can get fresh and completely organic vegetables, and it only requires…