One of my favorite feelings in the world is picking tomatoes I grew myself and enjoying their sweet flavor. But these veggies that were supposed to be sweet have turned bitter in my mouth more than once! That’s why I set out to investigate why homegrown tomatoes may taste bitter and how to improve their…
Smoothies, pies, and muffins taste best when they’re made with blueberries. But flavor isn’t the only thing that makes these fruits so special. They’re packed with nutrients and have multiple health benefits, which is the reason why many growers add them to their gardens. If you’re one of them and want to know when to…
Preserving the beauty of your vibrant strawflowers for the long haul is a delightful way to enjoy their colorful blooms year-round. These everlasting blossoms can grace your home, floral arrangements, and crafts even long after they’ve been plucked from the garden. Now is the perfect time to use them and make autumnal wreaths and mantelpiece…
Did you know that you don’t have to depend on Mother Nature (or your local stores) to get fresh mushrooms whenever you want? Mushroom growing kits have become more and more popular in recent years and are selling like crazy on Amazon. Here are some of the best kits currently available on the market that…
If you have fruits and veggies in your garden, then you have definitely encountered sap-sucking aphids at some point on your gardening journey. These tiny insects may be small, but their ability to wreak havoc on your garden is not to be underestimated. Peach-potato aphids are one of the most frequent garden visitors; due to…
Rosemary is a remarkable herb that is super easy to grow. If you are a fan of its fragrant and flavorful leaves, you’ll be thrilled to learn that you can grow this herb right in the comfort of your own home, no matter the season. Since the colder months are approaching, it’s best to bring…
Trees are true heroes of our time! They can increase biomass and provide food and a perfect shelter for many different creatures we can’t live without. These green giants also make every space more visually appealing, so it’s no wonder every yard owner considers growing at least one. However, beginners are often concerned they are…
This October is the time for tree planting. Trees are crucial for the planet’s health, producing oxygen, and storing carbon dioxide – hence their nickname, the lungs of the earth. Trees are home to numerous birds, squirrels and chipmunks, bees, and other animals that are crucial for a healthy ecosystem. They live extremely long and…
Those who aren’t lucky enough to own a large yard may have a hard time looking for new plants to add, especially when it comes to trees. Adding vertical interest to smaller yards is possible with the help of smaller tree species. They’ll add an elegant touch of beauty and help you make the most…
Getting a bountiful harvest is the dream of every apple grower. However, it’s not always easy to get there. Generally speaking, apple trees aren’t hard to maintain, but there are some things to pay attention to. Fertilization is one of the main aspects of apple tree care and can help these trees develop healthily and…
If you are new to gardening, then you should definitely start with fruits and veggies that are easy to grow. Growing your own fruit is not only rewarding but also incredibly satisfying – it allows you to enjoy delicious and fresh fruits right from your garden. Don’t worry, many popular and delicious fruits are not…
When I first started growing crops from seeds, I was baffled by all the information that came on the back of the package and didn’t know much about them! I’m sure you’ve all seen the signs saying heirloom, organic, hybrid, etc. These are three out of the five main seed types. Each of them has…
Gardeners constantly battle with invasive plants – although they can be breathtaking, they can also take over your entire garden and smother other plants nearby. Understanding the growth habits of a plant is rule number one when deciding to grow it in your garden. Luckily, there’s a smart and eco-friendly solution to this issue. In…
The timeless beauty of an English garden is reflected in meticulous details and patterns. Plaid lawns are a sort of trademark of these gardens and add an exquisite touch to their allure. If you’re wondering how to get a plaid lawn, you’re in the right place. It’s not as hard to achieve as many believe…
The most annoying insects during summer are definitely mosquitoes and flies. They buzz around the garden all day, depriving you of peace and quiet. Unfortunately, they can also find their way to your precious little plants and make them weaker. However, there’s a perfect solution that not only keeps these winged nuisances at bay but…
Chickpeas are not just a nutritious addition to your diet; they can also be a rewarding crop to grow in your garden. Plus, it is quite easy to grow them! So, whether you’re a pro gardener or just a beginner, learning how to grow chickpeas can be an exciting journey. In this article, we are…
Are slimy slugs and slippery snails wreaking havoc in your garden? Do you keep finding unsightly holes in your leaves, flowers, and fruits? If so, then there’s a simple ingredient that can help you regain control and protect your plants. In this guide, we’ll uncover the natural secret to keeping these pests at bay and…
Did you have a bountiful herb harvest this season? There’s definitely nothing more rewarding but I know that it can be very hard to consume them all fresh. If you still have a ton of herbs and don’t know what to do with them, I have a perfect solution for you: dry them! Well, I…
As I see it, leeks are just larger green onions, but they do have their perks. One of them is that you can harvest them until the frost disables their growth, which is quite a long time. And the best part about them is that they are true perennials and can multiply on their own…
Strawberries are one of the easiest fruits that you can propagate. Today, we will be talking about propagating strawberries that have been grown in pots and containers as sort of a vertical garden. Here’s what they currently look like: As you can see, they are clearly loving their situation – they’ve produced a lot of…
Can Mexican marigolds, with their vibrant golden blooms and pungent fragrance, serve as more than just ornamental additions to your garden? Gardeners have long whispered about the potential pest-repelling powers of these marigolds. But do they truly deter unwanted insects from invading your cherished plants? In this article, we are going to discover if Mexican…
Hey, plant enthusiasts! I have something special for you: a plant species that enchants people worldwide because of its breathtaking appearance and rarity: the black diamond apple tree! But is this unique apple the unicorn of the plant world? Where can we find it? How to grow it? There are so many questions that need…
No one wants a small front yard, but if you have one, you’ve got to do what you can with what you have. And there are ways to trick anyone who looks at your garden and make them see a larger space than there actually is. You can plant climbers, incorporate a tree that perfectly…
Are you excited for the pumpkin harvest that’s just around the corner? Me too! These captivating and delicious veggies are the favorite of many growers but only a few of them know the magic trick I’m about to show you! There’s one adorable, scented flower that’s a perfect companion to pumpkins. It will help you…
As the vibrant blooms of spring tulips fade, you may be wondering if they’ll return next year or if it’s time to roll up your sleeves for some bulb replanting. Even though tulips are perennials, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they will come back year after year. You can plant fresh tulip bulbs in the…
If you want to surround yourself with flowers and vegetables on cold winter days, or you just want additional space to start your tomato and pepper seeds, consider getting one of these greenhouses. They have everything you need: space, cold protection, and a great appearance. And there’s something for everyone; a shed-sized greenhouse or a…
The Nutrient film technique (NFT) is a great method of growing flowers, fruits, and vegetables hydroponically all year round. This particular hydroponic system is quite popular because it is simple to set up and will increase your yield without too much work. And it doesn’t require that much maintenance! So why not work less and…
Replacing lawn grasses with an alternative has become more and more popular this year. That’s because traditional lawn aesthetics, although gorgeous, require a lot of work in terms of watering, fertilizing, and mowing. There are much simpler options, such as rock gardens, planting drought-tolerant plants and shrubs, clover lawns, walkable ground covers, etc. Let’s find…
Dealing with rats in your garden can be a real challenge, and one factor that can attract these unwelcome visitors is the presence of certain crops. If you keep seeing rats but don’t know where they are coming from, then you might need to rethink the plants you grow in your garden. Rats adore certain…
A lush and green lawn is the dream of every yard owner. But we all know that it takes time and patience to achieve. This is the main reason why many decide on clover lawns. These lawns need mowing about four times a year and you’ll rarely see any yellowing on them. If you like…
Radishes are the favorite veggie of many gardeners because they’re cold-hardy and don’t take a lot of time to be ready to harvest. Generally speaking, these plants aren’t hard to maintain once you get the gist, but there’s one method that can help you maximize their growth, deter pests, and boost flavor: companion planting. I’ll…
If you’ve always admired gorgeous hollyhock flowers in gardens, then you are in for a treat! With the right care and a little know-how, you can make your garden come alive with these stunning, colorful flowers. Not only can they grow quite large and create a wonderful flower display, but they are also edible and…
Planting grass seed on an already existing lawn might sound strange, but it is definitely an effective way to get rid of bare patches, thin areas, and improve the overall health of the lawn! This process is called “overseeding”, and it basically means sowing new grass seeds instead of starting a brand new lawn from…
Growing the perfect lawn is a suburban dream. But there are always things that prevent us from achieving it. I’m experiencing some grub troubles this year, and what they do is just mean! Imagine waking up one day just to find brown patches of grass, spongy areas, moths, and other creatures all over the place….
Whenever someone asks me to recommend the easiest-to-grow veggies, garlic is one of the first plants that comes to my mind. The best thing about these vegetables is their low susceptibility to pests and diseases. No matter if you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, you can have a bountiful garlic harvest with little…
Even though you might think that the end of the growing season is approaching, there’s still plenty of time to enjoy some veggies on your plate! Plant these in September when the temperatures are still quite high, provide them with good growing conditions, and they will be ready for harvesting in October. So, let’s see…
Starting a greenhouse seems like a natural progression from an outdoor garden, especially if you want to eat something delicious during winter. However, this process can be overwhelming, especially if you’re new to gardening as a whole. Here are some tips that might help you start your greenhouse and get a bountiful yield from your…
Having bare patches on the property is one of the worst things that can happen to a homeowner who puts a lot of time and effort into lawn maintenance. But don’t let this discourage you! In lawn care and gardening in general, some minor mistakes can lead to issues but it’s important to realize what…
Knowing that nothing comes overnight, yard owners put a lot of effort into maintenance. Watering and fertilization are just a few of their must-do chores. However, no matter how hard you try, problems can occur and pests are among the most common. One of the pest species that can wreak havoc on your garden and…
There’s nothing like taking that first bite of your homegrown tomato. But not every variety tastes the same, and I had to try quite a few mediocre ones until I found the best-tasting options. Of course, I can’t grow all of them, but Cherokee Purple and Brandywine are the staples of my garden that I…
No matter how cute deer, chipmunks, rabbits, and squirrels are, they can be really troublesome once they enter our gardens. They don’t have preferences regarding flavor and each and every veggie in your garden will be their target. Unfortunately, store-bought repellents contain chemicals that can harm these animals, so it would be better to use…
Being a beginner gardener and having a small backyard isn’t really a desirable combination. I’m sure you’re dreaming of a bountiful harvest of your own veggies but you have likely heard that it includes a lot of effort. If all this applies to you, I know exactly what you need: the Square Foot Gardening method!…
The number of gardening trends is increasing and I’m sure you would like to try each and every one of them, but it’s simply impossible. Some trends do stand out, especially those that are oriented toward plant health and make our gardens visually appealing at the same time. My favorite by far is growing tomatoes…
The end of the summer is reserved for preparing our gardens for the winter months. We cut down our flowering plants, and some have started harvesting veggies and fruits. Seasoned gardeners are aware of the benefits of mulching but many ask themselves when the best time to apply it is. Well, the best time is…
Believe it or not, disposing of vegetables that die off has an important role in keeping your garden healthy and thriving. It does contribute to the overall neat and tidy appearance, but removing tomato plants (and other veggies) after they die off will also prevent diseases and pests overtaking your yard. How? Find out below!…
How many of you dream of growing your own citrus trees but don’t have enough space outdoors? What if I told you that you can successfully grow these trees indoors? A living room and a tree may not seem like a perfect combination but, trust me, it can be with a few tricks. Of course,…
Starting a greenhouse is a big decision because you have to make all sorts of preparations. First is building it, then choosing what to plant in it. The first tip I’d give you about what to plant in your greenhouse is whether you like eating it or not. Just because something can grow in a…
The word Allium may sound confusing to many beginner growers because some gardeners use it to describe only one species. This is actually a genus that comprises hundreds of species, including the well-known garlic, onions, chives, shallots, and leeks. These plants make perfect companions in gardens because of their pungent scent that deters many pests. …
We usually grow pepper plants as annuals, but they are actually tender perennials that will continue growing if you don’t expose them to frost. That means tedious seed nursing and waiting months on end before you see any real growth and fruits slowly appearing. And just when you think the worst is behind you, frost…
Cucumber is the summer veg that seems to get along with pretty much every other vegetable you can think of. However, there are herbs that you shouldn’t grow near cucumbers for various reasons, and those include almost all aromatics. Companion planting is all about mutual benefit; herbs deter pests and improve flavor while other veggies…
Peppers are always a perfect choice for veggie gardens for two reasons. The first one is that these plants look amazing when in bloom or in their fruiting stage and the second, and everyone’s favorite, is their heavenly taste. No matter what types of peppers you prefer, from juicy bell peppers to spicy varieties, caring…
Spending time in nature has numerous benefits for the mind and body. It can help you stay fit and just an hour’s worth of work can be all the cardio you need. But the mental benefits are off the charts, especially with new research supporting this more and more. Even doctors are beginning to prescribe…
Exotic grasses are losing their popularity because of their invasive nature and native grasses stealing the show. While planting native grasses is an excellent idea, there’s no need to forget about exotic types completely. Feather reed grass is a captivating plant from the Calamagrostis genus and is a hybrid of two species – C. arundinacea…
While plants may not have vocal cords or make sounds that we can hear, they do have their own unique ways of communicating with the world. In a fascinating twist of nature, recent research has revealed that plants have their own form of “screaming” – these are clicking sounds in ultrasonic frequencies which humans can’t…
Nitrogen is one of the nutrients that gets most depleted out of soils, which is why gardeners want to know ways of adding it back. However, not every solution you find on the internet is helpful, which is what I discovered by sifting through them. In this article, I’ll introduce some useful ways to add…
Growing your own fruit trees is bound to give you healthy and delicious snacks throughout the growing season. And to get as much fruit as possible, you should fertilize them from time to time to ensure a high yield. Whether you have an orchard, a couple of potted fruit trees, or just a tree or…
Have you ever heard of bitter melon? This fruit has gained popularity in the last couple of years but it’s still pretty unknown compared to its sweet cousins. Well, if you haven’t tried it yet, you can guess what it tastes like. Yes, it’s a bitter fruit that makes an excellent addition to many dishes. …