Gardening

Weeds are unsightly and spoil a neatly tended garden or yard. Fortunately there are lots of ways to deal with them, either with chemicals or in a natural, environmentally friendly way

Wisteria is a magnificent vining plant that boasts beautiful cascades of lavender, pink, or white flowers each spring. Find out how to successfully grow and care for a wisteria vine.

This article will break down my five favorite options to safely seal wood for raised beds and other container gardens. It also provides suggestions for natural and VOC-free products and recipes for homemade sealants.

Creeping juniper is an evergreen groundcover that is perfect for filling in gaps in hard places like along hills or sidewalks. It also makes a great accent when paired with flowering shrubs.

Many gardeners have discovered that plants love drip irrigation. This drip irrigation installation guide helps water-wise homeowners design and install a complete system.

Did you know that Hellebore, Oleander, and Periwinkle or Vinca are poisonous? Learn about poisonous plants, how to avoid them, and how to prevent an unpleasant accident.

Learn some easy ways you can turn your garden or yard into a bird-friendly habitat and design a beautiful backyard sanctuary for songbirds. Create an environment with the proper feeders, water sources, and vegetation that beautiful songbirds will visit often!

Don't you hate it when pests destroy your plants? Learn how to protect your seedlings from destructive snails and slugs.

Gardening ideas to make your plant borders stand out. Plants with silver leaves are a good contrast against green leaves and add interest to the garden. Most of the plant photographs were taken in my own suburban garden in the UK.

Wisterias are beautiful vines known for their vibrant, traffic-stopping colors. But they are also notorious for growing aggressively. This article will explain how to successively grow and care for one.

A guide to planting, growing and harvesting carrots from seeds in pots and containers in your garden. How long does it take for carrots to grow from seed? How long does it take for a carrot seed to germinate? Carrot Juice recipe

Did you ever want to grow your own garlic? This article explains how to grow garlic, when to grow garlic and how to cultivate and harvest it. Garlic has many health benefits too, so why not give it a go?

Looking for an easy garden project that anyone can do? Try building your own cedar raised garden bed. It's easy, cheap, and you'll reap the benefits for years to come.

I explain how long it takes to grow goji berries from seed and young plants. What are the health benefits of goji berries. How to grow a goji berry tree in your garden. Step-by-step instructions with videos and pictures

Although green peppers are self-pollinating plants, during times of stress, their blossoms sometimes do not produce fruit. Therefore, hand pollinating gives nature a helping hand.

The best fertilizer for your tomato plants can only be determined after testing your soil. But, not all of us can do this for our home gardens. My guide covers the best natural or chemical fertilizers that you need for your tomatoes at different stages of growth.

A detailed explanation of how to get rid of ground digger wasps, aka cicada or locust killers, and prevent them from returning.

If you're wondering how you'll know when bananas are ready to pick, here are photos to showing the various stages. An attentive eye and patience are required to pick your bananas at the perfect time.

This article includes directions for two methods of in-ground composting—the one-hole and the two-hole method.

Do you cringe at what might be sprayed on your lettuce and other vegetables? Why not grow it yourself using an easy hydroponic system? No dirt means no mess, just healthier and faster growing plants.

If you need a tall, spiked plant to fill a spot in your garden and create a vertical look, look no further than foxgloves. Their graceful, yet drooping flowers bloom in early summer in many different colors.

Follow this handy guide to learn how to set up your garden hose to an indoor or garden tap, as well as how to attach it to spray nozzles, sprinklers, pressure washers, and coiled hoses.

This article provides several aphid treatments, including organic methods, as well as which pesticide works best to kill aphids. Helpful videos included.

Find out how to make small succulent gardens that look amazing and take only a few minutes! Easy, affordable and delightful to look at, these plants require little maintenance.

As an organic farmer, I look for natural ways to solve any pest control problems. Neem is the ideal plant as it's a vigorous growing tree and both its leaves and seeds have repellent properties.

This article includes photos of my hosta plant in different stages of growth, from the beginning sprouts to full growth and blooming. Photos taken in Virginia.

Not sure what kind of composting worms you have? If you think it may be an African nightcrawler, here are some descriptions and tips to help you find out and start vermicomposting.

If you are new to houseplants, buy one that is inexpensive and does not require a lot of care. Here is what to look for in a new plant and how to take care of it when you get it home.

How to grow strawberries in pots and containers from seeds. Gardening tips for planting, growing and harvesting strawberry plants. You can grow new strawberry plants from runners for next year. Step-by-step instructions. I have included Jam recipes.

Kangaroo paw plants are a unique addition to any flower garden! Their blooms will amaze any passerby and also tempt the local hummingbirds to make a pit stop near your home. Learn the basics of caring for these lovely plants.

The Venus flytrap is a fascinating plant that is very popular in homes. The wild population grows in a limited area in the United States and is in trouble.

If you've put a hummingbird feeder up only to discover it full of ants the following morning, don't despair. Here is an easy and inexpensive way to keep those unwanted ants off your feeders.

You can invite an array of bees into your own backyard by simply planting their favorite flowers. By providing nectar and pollen as food and creating shelters in your garden space, you will create new habitats for bees—as their habits have become less and less abundant.

What bulbs bloom first in spring? Find the best, early blooming spring bulbs to pack a punch of color in the garden as the snow begins to melt.

Flowering crabapple trees are not only beautiful, but provide vital food for wildlife during the long winter and early spring. Here's how to find varieties that keep their fruit over winter.

Bougainvillea vines are rapid growers and climbers, and prolific bloomers, but watch out, because they will grow into the soffit and gutters of your home.

Here are five "weeds" that are beautiful, edible, and have medicinal qualities and uses that you never knew! All five of these weeds grow in my yard.

English Ivy is an attractive plant that may be invasive in North America. It's both helpful and harmful for humans, other living things, and the environment.

Hostas are hardy plants and a staple in northern shade gardens. Knowing how and when to divide them can add more healthy plants to your garden.

Easy vertical garden ideas for the beginner gardener. How to build a garden trellis with a piece of wood and some nails.

Brighten your garden with these plants that flower during winter.

No cottage or country garden would be complete without the showy stalks of hollyhock (Alcea rosea). From germination to storing seeds, this guide makes growing these old-fashioned favorites a little easier.

Learn how to build and maintain a plant terrarium in 7 easy steps. This article includes a list of appropriate terrarium plants, how to choose the container and environment, and how to plant and maintain your terrarium. Lots of tips!

Umbrella plants offer an unusual leaf shape to your houseplant collection.

How to grow and take care of tomato plants from seeds to harvest in the garden. How much space and sun do tomatoes need to grow successfully? How much water should you give a tomato plant? Step-by-step instructions for planting, growing and harvesting tomatoes from seed.

How to plant wild asparagus. First you have to find it in the hedgerows.

The edible Queen Anne's lace (wild carrot) should be properly identified to avoid confusion with the deadly hemlock plant. Knowing the differences between these two plants could literally save your life!

A garden consists of a variety of physical components, including softscape, hardscape, décor, and supporting features, that are combined together to form a "look" or style. This article describes each component and how to use them.

Mountain apple is a beautiful fruit tree that grows in many gardens and farms in Hawaii. It has a unique rose flavor, tastes sweet, and is extremely juicy. Mountain apples are usually eaten fresh or made into jams, pickles, and wines.

Did you know that plants can be cloned? You can make new plants for your garden using the technique of taking cuttings. For many plants, this process is simple and only takes minutes to do.

All plants need some light. Houseplants that will thrive in low light conditions still need some sunlight for photosynthesis. Here are 12 houseplants that will grow in low or indirect light.

Tomatoes are easy to grow and taste delicious picked fresh from the garden. Here is a guide to planting, growing, fertilizing and harvesting tomatoes.

Designing a simple landscape plan requires a careful assessment of the garden site prior to selecting plants: you must determine the sun exposure, soil pH, moisture level, and location. Sample garden plans for different situations are included in this article about how to create a simple garden.

It's enjoyable to have plants in a home, but some house plants are poisonous. These need to be treated carefully and kept away from children and pets. In this article, you will learn the scoop about these poisonous plants and get tips on safe alternatives to have in your home.

Numerous photos and videos showcase many of the flowering plants in our garden in the month of October. Learn how to grow and care for them.

Read more about what is required for proper cherry tree hole preparation in the desert, tree location, soil prep, insect and disease treatment and control, and fertilizer. Enjoy summer cherry dessert!

I offers tips for growing figs in northern climates. Where the winter cold can kill a fig tree, try growing the plant in containers. When it gets cold outside, move the fig inside for the winter.

The jade plant is a beautiful, lush, indoor succulent that stays green all year round. With a few simple tips, anyone can have a thriving jade plant for years to come.

Did you know that planting certain vegetables in your garden can actually save you money? This list will tell you about the seven vegetables that will save you money on your grocery bill.

How to grow cabbage from seeds in the garden. Gardening tips for planting, growing and harvesting cabbage successfully. It grows very well in cool weather. The seeds germinate quickly and are easy to transplant.

People use the words bine and vine as if they mean the same thing. But they each grow in a different way. Here's how to tell them apart.

Introduction to 10 common houseplants that can be poisonous to your children and pets. Houseplants are lovely, but please use them with caution!

Mass cane, more commonly referred to as corn plant, is one of the most widely used indoor dracaenas. This article shows you how to care for this plant, especially in situations when the leaves turn brown or yellow.

Gardening ideas to make your plant borders stand out. Plants with silver leaves are a good contrast against green leaves and add interest to the garden. All of the plant photographs were taken in my own suburban garden in the UK.

Powdery mildew, while not usually a fatal plant disease, will severely affect a garden plant's vitality. There are organic ways to kill powdery mildew that are safe and effective.

Also known as bugelweed, this hardy perennial groundcover grows and spreads easily. See my photos and other videos of this pretty plant.

This guide will show you how to plant, grow and harvest spring onions, also known as scallions or green onions. I also provide some recipes for coleslaw and potato salad, so that you can make some tasty side dishes with your own freshly grown vegetables.

Want a beautiful garden or at least a beautiful bouquet. It's helpful to know what flowers flourish in what month to know how to enjoy beautiful flowers all year long.

If you've ever thought about how to grow your own fruit tree in Arizona and what the best gardening ideas are for an apricot tree in particular, then look no further.

Do plants like music? It's a controversial topic: Studies have supported the claim that music can result in better growth, but many disagree with those findings. Hear both sides & decide for yourself.

I have been growing chia organically for the past ten years, and I have fine-tuned my growing and harvesting techniques. Chia is easy to grow, and chia seeds have lots of nutritional value.

Milkweed is critical to the suvival of monarch butterflies. Do your part to save them by planting this easy to grow native plant.

How and when to prune forsythias for the most blooms as well as the largest blooms, year after year.

The Worm Factory 360 vermicomposting system makes composting accessible, even to people with little space. Though initially setting up a worm bin may seem daunting, this system is easy to set up and maintain by following these simple guidelines.

Many first-time renters are uncomfortable with houseplants, although they long to have them. Using them for decor is one thing, but how do you water and care for them?

Aromatic plants, whether trees, shrubs, perennial flowers, or herbs add a distinctive touch to your home garden design. Here is a list of easy to find scented plants for a romantic garden.

Whether you lack a greenthumb, or just need hardy plants to suit your busy lifestyles, these hardy houseplants survive neglect and/or abuse.

Here’s how to keep these 10 houseplants healthy and happy.

Christmas or holiday plants are a wonderful addition to a home during the Christmas season. While some are harmless or have low toxicity, others are poisonous.

Moth orchids are easy-to-grow houseplants that are inexpensive and easy to find. Flowers are long-lived, lasting over a month. With proper care, get your flower to thrive and rebloom.

Beekeepers who need to start splitting hives to prevent them from swarming will want to know how to make their own nuc (nucleus colony) box. Here's how!

This is a how-to article on growing camellia flowers from cuttings. If you have a beautiful camellia plant, you can actually "clone" it!

See photos & videos of the Southern Magnolia trees and learn how to grow & care for them. The blossoms are spectacular and fragrant!

This guide gives you some ideas about colorful and easy to grow perennial and annual flowers for planters and flower beds in your garden. None of the plants are particularly fussy and many can be grown easily from seed

How to go from no garden to new garden using simple methods and only hand tools.

A symbol of good luck, lucky bamboo is a beautiful plant that is surprisingly easy to cultivate. Learn plant care tips as well as information about its significance for both feng shui and vastu shastra.

Our back yard is a NWF-certified wildlife habitat, providing the local wildlife with their four essential requirements: food, water, shelter, and places to raise their young.

This plant is called fire sticks because of its branching effect and red color. You will see it everywhere as gardeners switch to drought tolerant plants. It grows profusely. Here are some care tips.

The air inside your home can contain harmful pollutants that may cause many ailments. This article is all about indoor plants that can help clean the air inside your home and filter out pollutants.

Purple coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and Michaelmas daisies are colourful members of the Aster family. Each flower is associated with some interesting facts.

Ladybugs are your friends in the garden. They do no damage, yet eat most of the pesky pests that do! Release some ladybugs and keep your flowers and plants growing beautifully.

These exotic and unusual orchids look like monkeys, bees, babies, flying ducks, and doves. Read on for funny quirks, botanical names, and beautiful images of these flowers.

Pots and soil can be messy, but it's easy and cheap to grow houseplants in nothing more than a vase, water, and some liquid fertilizer!

Knowing the characteristics of your soil is something many novice gardeners fail to do before planting. Read about pH levels, N-P-K levels, and mulching.

Tree stumps up to 9 inches diameter can be removed with minimal tools and a little patience. This guide shows you what tools you need and the steps involved

Tips from my 10 years of experience growing and harvesting stevia: Which type to buy, how to grow, harvest, and dry it, and why some stevia has a bitter taste.

With a little effort, you can turn one coleus plant into a flowerbed of bright color with ease. Here's how to propagate these gorgeous ornamental plants in four easy steps.

When you are out in the yard and you don’t want to get bit by mosquitoes, this organic yard spray (which is safe for humans and plants) may be the solution for you.

The jade plant is a low maintenance succulent houseplant. Find out what are the different varieties, and how to care for and propagate it.

You can buy "ready made" plants in a store, but it can be much more fun to grow them yourself from seed. The magical phenomenon of seed germination is entertaining for both adults and children alike. This step by step guide shows you how to sow poppy seeds and grow them on into mature plants.