16 Popular Gardening Trends That Could Get You In Legal Trouble
Gardening feels peaceful and wholesome—but even the best intentions can clash with local rules. From height limits on hedges to banned plant species, some trends …
Zoe Merritt
19 Common Front Yard Features That Secretly Give Garden Designers The “Ick”
Ever wonder what makes garden designers wince as they pass certain homes? It’s not always obvious—what seems charming to homeowners might be unintentionally clashing or …
17 Tall Perennials That Bring Height And Texture To Your Garden (And 3 To Avoid)
Want to add height and elegance to your garden beds? Tall perennials are your go-to for creating structure, drama, and layered beauty. They make stunning …
What It Means When Your Tomato Leaves Start Curling (8 Causes And 8 Ways To Fix Them)
Leaf curl on tomato plants can feel like a red flag waving in your garden—but it’s often a sign your plants just need a little …
19 Common Garden Plants That Love A Sprinkle Of Baking Soda (And How To Use It Right)
Baking soda might live in your kitchen, but it’s got serious skills in the garden too. This unassuming powder can fight fungal diseases, tame pests, …
17 Reasons You Should Grow Butterfly Bush By Your Entrance (And 3 Spots Where It Struggles)
Want your entryway to buzz with life and beauty? Butterfly bush (Buddleia) might be the answer. Its vibrant, nectar-rich blooms are magnets for butterflies, hummingbirds, …
Don’t Prune These 17 Shrubs Without Checking The Timing First (And When It’s Actually Safe)
Timing is everything when it comes to pruning shrubs. Cut too early or too late, and you might be sacrificing a season’s worth of blooms. …
15 Best Fruit Peels You Can Use As Fertilizers (And How To Prep Them For Maximum Impact)
Stop trashing those fruit peels—they’re garden gold in disguise. Packed with nutrients like potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium, these scraps can strengthen soil, feed your plants, …
18 Must-Know Tips To Successfully Grow Lemon Balm From Seed
Growing lemon balm from seed is one of those garden wins that’s simple, satisfying, and surprisingly fragrant. With its fresh citrus scent and mellow flavor, …
15 Easy DIY Raised Garden Beds You Can Build For Under $50 (And Still Make Them Last)
Raised garden beds can totally transform your veggie-growing game—less bending, fewer weeds, and better soil control. But when you see those price tags on custom …
17 Dried Plants That Still Look Stunning (Even Without Water Or Care)
Dried plants are a design dream—low-maintenance yet full of character. They bring lasting texture, muted color, and a touch of the outdoors into your home. …
18 Things You Must Do For Healthier Container Annuals All Season Long
Want to turn your patio, porch, or balcony into a blooming paradise? Container-grown annuals can do just that—but they need a little extra care to …
18 Must-Know Gardening Tips Before Growing Your Own Bamboo (Or You’ll Regret It Later)
Bamboo was my dream plant for creating privacy and that peaceful, Zen-like vibe in the yard. I loved the idea of fast growth and rustling …
Do Marigolds Really Keep Mosquitoes Away? 17 Facts Every Gardener Should Know
I used to plant marigolds just for their cheerful color, but a neighbor once told me they helped keep mosquitoes away—and I’ve been curious ever …
13 Climbing Vines That Flower All Summer (And 5 That Fizzle Out Too Early)
Want to bring bold vertical color to your garden all summer long? Climbing vines are a beautiful way to dress up fences, arbors, and trellises …
16 Reasons Why You Should Think Twice Before Kicking Possums Out Of Your Yard
They may look a little eerie with their beady eyes and bare tails, but possums are secret allies in your garden. Instead of chasing them …
16 Warning Signs A Tree On Your Property Might Be Unsafe (And When To Call An Expert)
Trees are a beautiful addition to any yard, adding shade, character, and even boosting property value. But when they’re damaged or diseased, they can quickly …
15 Easy Steps To Grow Roses From Cuttings Successfully (Even If You’ve Failed Before)
Want more roses without splurging on new plants? Growing them from cuttings is a smart and sentimental way to expand your garden. It’s like giving …
17 Clever Ideas For Creating A Capsule Garden In Small Spaces
Living in a small space doesn’t mean you have to give up on your garden dreams. I used to think I needed a yard to …
16 Reasons To Plant Tomatoes And Zucchini Together This Summer
Garden planning season always gets me excited—it’s like sketching out a dream that’ll grow all summer long. If you’re like me and want to make …
17 Flowering Trees That Stay In Bloom Longer Than You’d Expect (Even In Hot Weather)
When summer heat turns everything crispy and dull, it’s easy to feel like your garden has hit a wall. I’ve watched so many trees drop …
17 Surprising Reasons Your Planters Attract Pests (And How To Fix Each One)
Finding pests in your planters can be really frustrating—especially when you’ve been putting in the effort to care for your plants. It’s one of those …
20 Red, White & Blue Plants That Look Incredible Together (Perfect For Your 4th Of July Garden Display)
Who says you need sparklers to show your patriotic spirit? With just a few thoughtful plant choices, your garden can wave the red, white, and …
16 Backyard Decorating Ideas That Turn Your Garden Into A 4th Of July Party Spot
The 4th of July is the perfect excuse to gather friends and family for a backyard bash. There’s just something special about celebrating under the …
These 20 Butterfly Plants Will Instantly Transform Your Garden (And Support Pollinators)
There’s something magical about seeing a butterfly flutter through the garden on a sunny afternoon. I used to think you just had to get lucky …
15 Simple Tips For Growing A Dazzling Petunia Garden That Blooms All Summer
Petunias are one of those go-to flowers I plant every summer without even thinking twice. They’re reliable, cheerful, and fill up containers like they were …
15 Places You Shouldn’t Plant Coneflowers (And 5 Where They’ll Actually Thrive)
I’ve made my share of mistakes with coneflowers—planting them in spots that looked fine at first but ended up being totally wrong. These tough-looking perennials …
15 Evergreen Trees You Should Never Grow (And 4 To Plant Instead)
Choosing evergreen trees used to feel simple—just pick the prettiest one and plant. But after dealing with cracked pavement and nonstop pruning, I’ve learned that …
Growing Cucumbers With A Sponge? 15 Surprising Benefits (And How To Do It Right)
I never imagined a kitchen sponge could have a place in my garden, but growing cucumbers this way changed my mind. It’s such a clever …
15 Reasons To Put Ice Cubes On Your Lettuce Seeds (And How It Actually Helps Germination)
Gardening always teaches me something new, and recently, I stumbled on a surprisingly simple trick—ice cubes on lettuce seeds. It sounded odd at first, but …
18 Ways To Stop Ground Ivy From Taking Over Your Lawn Before It Spreads Too Far
That creeping green menace with the little purple flowers might look harmless at first, but ground ivy can quickly transform your neat lawn into a …
17 Yard Features That Instantly Attract Happy Birds
There’s nothing like sipping your morning coffee while listening to birds singing just outside your window. But I quickly learned that if you want birds …
17 Tomato Fertilizing Tips For July That Experts Swear By
July’s heat really kicks your tomato plants into high gear, and they need the right nutrients to keep up. This is when your tomatoes are …
18 Plants To Sow Now For A Blooming July Garden Next Year
Want a garden bursting with color next July? I used to think summer blooms started in spring, but the real magic begins way earlier. Fall …
19 Late-Summer Veggies You Can Still Plant Now (And Harvest Before Fall Frost)
Think it’s too late in the season to plant veggies? I used to think the same—until I discovered how many crops grow fast enough to …
11 Spots You Should Never Hang A Hummingbird Feeder (And 6 That Work Perfectly Instead)
Hanging a hummingbird feeder in your yard feels like an easy way to invite these tiny wonders, but where you put it really matters. The …
15 Countries With The Strangest Animals You’ve Never Heard Of (And How They Compare To Garden Pests At Home)
Ever wonder what bizarre creatures are hiding out in far-off corners of the world? I’ve always been fascinated by the strange and wonderful animals that …
16 Common Backyard Birds (And What Their Presence Means In Your Garden)
Birds add so much life and color to our gardens, making every outdoor moment more enjoyable. These feathered visitors aren’t just pretty to watch—they also …
18 Things You Can’t Legally Keep In Your Yard Without A Permit (And Safer Alternatives)
Your yard might feel like your own little kingdom, a personal space where you can create whatever you want. But local laws and regulations often …
15 Easygoing Perennial Bushes That Practically Care For Themselves (And 3 That Need Constant Attention)
Gardening shouldn’t feel like a second job. After years of trial and error in my backyard, I’ve discovered that some perennial bushes practically take care …