Composting brown materials and kitchen scraps is an environmentally friendly way of producing organic material for your plants and saving some money you would otherwise spend on fertilizers. However, it isn’t as simple as piling up all your garden waste and calling it a day. You have to turn it frequently, add a compost starter,…
Green beans are definitely must-have veggies in the vegetable garden because they are highly nutritious, have numerous health benefits, and they are also relatively easy to grow. Although there are many varieties of beans, they can all be grouped into two types of beans, including bush beans and pole beans. You will grow either pole…
Trailing rosemary is an edible fragrant herb that you can use as a ground cover in your garden. You can also control its bushy appearance by planting it in a pot. It is a perfect addition to many dishes, repels pests, and attracts pollinators and natural predators to keep infestations at bay. Another benefit of…
If you like spearmint and watermint, then you’ll definitely like peppermint. It’s a hybrid between these two species, although it was considered a separate species in the past. Gardeners love growing mint plants due to their low care requirements and, of course, their irresistible aroma. If you are a beginner grower, you may come upon…
When adding plants to our landscape, we must pay attention to certain things like the hardiness zones of the areas we live in, which actually determine the type of plant we should cultivate. Luckily, zone 7 is suitable for the cultivation of many annuals and perennials. If you want to add a tree to your…
Companion planting is an old gardening method that is still commonly used today. It involves growing certain plants close together to improve their growth and yield better crops. Celery is one of the best plants for companion planting. Not only is it easy to grow, but this plant comes with numerous benefits when grown near…
I think we can all agree that having flies flying around your home is really annoying! However, it gets much worse when you have a compost pile or compost bin in the garden. These little annoyances are the reasons many gardeners don’t want to start making their own compost, even though it is an effective…
No one likes to see changes to the structure and color of their precious veggies. Delicious cucumbers are undoubtedly one of the easiest veggies to grow in a home garden, but they aren’t problem-free, especially if the conditions you provide are incorrect. What does this mean? Enough light, proper temperatures, and adequate watering and feeding…
When it comes to plant cultivation, growers are mainly concerned with light, soil, temperature, and so on. But there are other ways we can help our plants to grow healthier. Companion planting is an excellent way to enhance plant growth, repel pests, protect plants from diseases, and attract pollinators and beneficial insects. In this article,…
Did you know that growing certain plants close to one another can have mutual benefits for both plants, thus ensuring proper growth and better yield? That’s right, companion planting is an old gardening hack that is still being used today. Although some gardeners say that this practice doesn’t work, I personally believe that it does…
Decorating your outdoor garden is one of the best parts of gardening. Combining your artistic side with decorating your outdoor area is so much fun! When searching for plants for our gardens, we have our filters no matter the species. For instance, many people search for low-maintenance, pretty, and hardy plants. If you are looking…
Positive Bloom is an Amazon Associate and we earn from qualifying purchases through these links at no extra cost to you. Quality compost is the favorite soil amendment of many gardeners, whether they make one themselves or buy it in their local garden store. This material improves soil structure and can help with drainage and…
Peat moss is a common soil amendment frequently used for houseplants. It is even an essential ingredient in ready-made soils. But why is it so important? Peat moss enriches the growing medium with organic matter, improves drainage and aeration, and retains moisture and nutrients. However, it also lowers the soil pH and makes it acidic,…
Positive Bloom is an Amazon Associate and we earn from qualifying purchases through these links at no extra cost to you. A Japanese beetle infestation is something all gardeners will have to face at some point, whether they make holes in lawns or nibble on trees and veggies. This invasive species can quickly overcome your…
Palm trees are one of the best ways to give your home a tropical vibe, but how do you decide which one to get? There are so many varieties that it’s nearly impossible to settle upon a single one. And to top it all off, people complicate things with their coconut tree vs palm tree…
Just as it seemed like your lemon tree was going to finally bear some lemons, you noticed your lemon tree leaves curling. What might be the cause? Well, citrus trees are generally sensitive to low humidity, temperature, drought, and excess wind. These might be the reasons the citrus leaves started to curl up, in addition…
Growing your own fruits and vegetables is an excellent way to save some money and have delicious and organic products whenever you want. There are many varieties to choose from, although raspberries drive a hard bargain. They’re sweet and perfect in cakes, jams, juices, dehydrated decorations, and more! Growing this fruit vine on its own…
The truth is that sometimes it can be really hard to differentiate between certain plant types. For example, some plants may resemble palms or ferns, but are actually neither of them. In this article, I’ll tell you more about such a plant. Meet the coontie palm, the plant which isn’t a palm nor a fern,…
If you want to add more color to your landscape, you should definitely check out the allamanda bush! This impressive tropical plant with golden-yellow flowers can perfectly decorate any area. In addition to a beautiful yellow color, you can also choose other allamanda varieties that produce red or purple flowers. What’s amazing about this plant…
Whether you like them sweet or hot, peppers are perfect summer veggies. You can use them in salads, fry or cook them, fill them with meat or potatoes, and much more; the options are endless! And the best part is that there’s a pepper variety for everyone! For instance, banana peppers can be sweet and…
If you live in a desert climate, you don’t have to say goodbye to having an amazing and unique landscape. There are many ideas you can implement to improve the looks of both your back and front yards. And you can do it with very little money! Below, you will find 21 awesome and inexpensive…
Companion planting is an old gardening method that is still regularly practiced, mainly because there are a lot of benefits that come with it! This means that your veggies work together to protect each other from all the bad insects and pests, and also make sure that they both grow perfectly and produce delicious crops….
Dill is such a famous plant because this herb has low care requirements. Dill also smells amazing and has many culinary uses. I mean, is there anything better than the taste of tartar sauce or lemon dill salmon? Growing dill isn’t a hard task once you learn its requirements, but it’s also important to know…
If you have ever been to the beach, then you have probably spotted tall palms all around the coast. In that case, it is likely that you have already met the King palm trees! King palms, also known as Archontophoenix cunninghamiana, are beautiful, cold-hardy tropical plants that can be seen all over Southern California, San…
There aren’t many children who love broccoli, but as we grow up, all that changes, and this veg becomes almost everyone’s favorite! We add it to soups, use it as a side dish, and incorporate it in pasta recipes. You don’t always have to go to the grocery store to get yourself a couple of…
Companion planting has many benefits, including attracting pollinators and other beneficial insects, repelling pests, improving flavor and growth, etc. And the good news is that you can grow almost all veggies this way! This article will primarily focus on the best pumpkin companion plants and their benefits, such as certain herbs, marigolds, sunflowers, radishes, etc….
We all understand the importance of using fertilizers in our vegetable and flower gardens. They increase the speed of plant growth, keep them healthy, and enable larger yields. But this substance isn’t the only thing that encourages your plants to develop; your green buddies also produce their own food to sustain themselves! This leads to…
I love the springtime, especially when the tiny, white or rosy pink flowers and heart-shaped leaves of the redbud trees adorn the landscapes of North America! Many choose to grow redbud trees as they’re easy to maintain. Well, that shouldn’t be the only criteria when choosing the right type of tree for your garden. Nothing…
Maintaining a healthy lawn can sometimes be troublesome. You will often have to deal with all sorts of weeds ruining your beautiful green lawn. The most common weeds include Dallisgrass and Crabgrass (also called Digitaria). The trickiest part is differentiating between the two — and you must be able to do that because both grassy…
Have you ever noticed a bright yellow fungus on mulch after rain? It’s not a pleasant sight to see. This mulch fungus won’t hurt your plants or animals, but your garden is definitely better off without it tainting its looks. To that end, we will discuss an effective way to remove this mold from your…
Tomatoes are one of the most common plants you’ll find in home gardens, which is no surprise as they’re so delicious and nutritious! Honestly, I have never found a tomato variety that tasted bad, but there are some varieties that taste better than others. Interestingly, we can actually measure the sweetness of tomato plants. Tomatoes…
Kale is definitely a veggie worth growing in your vegetable garden if you enjoy delicious salads, casseroles, and smoothies. Another reason you should eat kale regularly is that it is considered to be a superfood. Superfood kale is good for bones, eyes, and the immune system. It supports weight loss, decreases cholesterol, and prevents heart…
We are always looking for natural remedies whenever we can’t sleep, have a headache, stomachache, or even back pain. But what’s that got to do with this article? Well, both feverfew and chamomile plants have proven medical benefits for some of the issues mentioned above, but it’s important to know that these plants aren’t the…
The Chitalpa tree, otherwise known as Chitalpa Tashkentensis, has gorgeous, vivid pink blossoms. It is a low-maintenance tree that grows quickly and produces long, pointed green leaves that mix beautifully with their blossoms. These trees are hybrids, which means they are made by crossing two beautiful American natives, the Desert Willow and Southern Catalpa. These…
The mint plant is definitely on the list of the best and most famous herbs ever! Is it because of its smell or taste? Probably both. It’s a low-maintenance plant, so you shouldn’t have trouble growing it, but there’s one thing you should pay close attention to: properly watering mint. If you grow any other…
Garlic is one of the most common vegetables used in cooking, and if you don’t want to go to the grocery store every time a recipe requires a clove or two, you can grow your own! This veggie is fairly undemanding, but there are a few things beginners need to learn about it. For instance,…
You can’t deny the fact that raccoons look pretty dainty. But as soon as they enter your yard, you’ll end up with trash and droppings all over your property! Another issue is that these mischievous creatures can transmit diseases, so we should do anything we can to get rid of them. Although different chemicals can…
Corn is one of my favorite veggies — it brings me so many fun memories from my childhood. Back in the summer days, we used to eat grilled corn almost every day! I wanted to keep that tradition alive, which is why I started growing corn in my own garden. I hope that one day…
Mushrooms have many benefits; they decompose organic matter, are edible, etc. But not all of them are suitable for us and wildlife. For instance, orange mushrooms in yard might look amazing, but are they harmful? Well, certain varieties contain toxins that are better not ingested, and we’ll talk about this issue in the following sections….
Summer is the best time of the year, especially when it’s the right season for melons that come in all different shapes and sizes! My favorite type of melon is definitely cantaloupe. They have a sweet flavor and are rich in vitamins A and C, beta carotene, potassium, and folate, so not only are you…
If you’re looking for a way to make your flower beds and potted plants even more attractive, you might want to consider mulching them. We’re used to using different types of mulch to increase water retention, maintain the soil temperature, prevent weed growth, etc., but it can also be used to improve the overall look…
Cucumbers are an indispensable ingredient in many delicious salads, and they are also the most commonly grown plants in vegetable gardens. Although we may think of these fruits (yes, they’re fruits) as green and long, many cucumber varieties differ in shape, size, and color. In this article, I’ll tell you more about the cucumber plant…
No matter how much you love birds, you won’t be thrilled to see them in your yard and ruining your garden. Magpies are beautiful birds, for example, but they may cause damage if not controlled. If you were searching for effective methods on how to get rid of magpies, you have come to the right…
If you want your propagation to be successful, then you should definitely use the best root hormones on the market! As the name suggests, the rooting hormone improves root development — therefore, it can also be used for starting seeds, rhizomes, and bulbs. There are different forms of rooting hormones, so you can pick and…
The basil plant is primarily grown and used as a spice, and many chefs use the lovely basil leaves as a garnish! Otherwise known as Ocimum Basilicum, the Basil plant belongs to the Mint family, which consists of many delicious herbs frequently used for teas and meals. This plant is relatively easy to take care…
It’s common knowledge that trees generally grow much slower than plants. However, different types of trees also have different growth rates. You have fast-growing trees that can start producing fruit in a couple of years, like the Lemon Ball Sedum, and ones that grow relatively slowly, like the majority of Oak trees. We often look…
Is there anyone who doesn’t like bananas? I don’t think so! These amazing plants bring a touch of tropics into households or gardens. Dark green foliage and a fast-growing rate make these plants desirable in all plant collections. If you’ve ever grown banana plants or know someone who has, you’ve heard of their thirst. These…
Growing tomatoes in your summer greenhouse or garden is always an excellent idea, especially in an age where organic food is both hard to come by and rather expensive. However, cultivating this vegetable isn’t always easy because you’ll sometimes have to deal with certain pest infestations or diseases. Today, we’ll talk about the former and…
Deciding what type of grass to use for your lawn can be tiring, especially because there are endless possibilities! You have to consider the climate in your region, soil type, foot traffic tolerability, light conditions, and watering needs, and then consider the appearance and decoration. Some great candidates for your lawn are definitely Zoysia grass…
When it comes to the cabbage family, many people often confuse vegetables within the group. Brussels sprouts are delicious vegetables that shouldn’t be mistaken for any other because their shape and taste are truly unique. These veggies are easy to maintain. Still, some things may go wrong if you don’t ensure the right conditions. I’ll…
I’m sure all gardeners will agree when I say there’s nothing more exciting and impressive than watching your plant grow! Of course, some plants take longer to fully mature because their growth rate is slow. Each growth stage has its features and requires different conditions to complete. In this article, I’ll show you the entire…
If you’re planning to grow your own garden and cultivate vegetables from the seeds, then you have likely heard that one of the most stressful parts is seed germination. The soil temperature must be adequate, and you have to keep watering the seeds so that they have just enough moisture for germination. Keep in mind…
Coconut coir, otherwise known as coco coir, is a great growing medium that has become very popular in gardening over the past few seasons. Coconut coir is a natural, organic material formed of coco fiber that can be used as a potting medium in your garden. For example, you can use pure coconut husk to…
Snails in garden aren’t a welcome sight because these pests eat our leafy plants and wreak havoc in our vegetable gardens! The variety you’re most likely to meet is the brown garden snail, also known as Cornu aspersum (Helix aspersa previously). However, any gastropod (both snails and slugs) has the potential to eat your veggies,…
If you love to drink Mojitos, then you should definitely consider growing a Strawberry mint plant! This lovely plant produces green leaves that have a fruity fragrance and taste, and they are the reason Mojitos are so delicious and refreshing! However, this is not the only reason you should grow this plant — Strawberry mint…
Organic gardening can sometimes seem like an expensive investment, but there are loads of great tips and tricks to help cut expenses. For instance, you can make your own compost, use rainwater, invest in a solar-power grid to save money on your electricity bill, etc. The main point is to become as self-sustainable as possible!…
Knowing how and when you should plant certain vegetables, and how to care for your houseplants, is very important. Understanding different gardening terms can broaden your horizons and allow you to discover new branches of gardening. This article primarily deals with the differences between permaculture vs horticulture, two terms frequently used interchangeably but that don’t…