Gardening Advice

What is the Chelsea chop? A new hairdo, dance craze, or fancy cut of meat? Nope, it’s just a pruning technique. By cutting back perennials in early summer, you can get better blooms, over a longer period, and stop your plants becoming leggy! Find out how to do the Chelsea hop.The Chelsea ChopThe name “Chelsea chop” comes from the Brits because they do it around the time of the…

Grow a garden that looks—and tastes—great by mixing flowers with herbs and vegetables! It’s only in recent times that we have this urge to separate ornamentals from edibles. Discover what we call “edible landscaping” to make your yard more of a livable retreat.What is Edible Landscaping?Edible landscaping incorporates fruit-bearing plants, culinary herbs, vegetables, and flowers…

One unwelcome visitor to my garden at this time of year is powdery mildew. Here’s how to control this plant disease with natural remedies, including a homemade baking soda spray treatment.Signs of Powdery MildewIt starts as white patches on the leaves of squash, lilacs, phlox, bee balm, and other plants, making them look like they have been dusted with baby powder. Early on,…

We can never get enough garden tomatoes—or tips—on growing the ultimate backyard crop! While tomatoes aren’t necessarily hard to grow, some knowledge is required in order to avoid common pitfalls. Toward that end, here are our top 10 tricks for growing tons of trouble-free tomatoes, including a few secrets for boosting your tomato nutrition for a bigger harvest.1. Did You Choose…

Every year, I face the same dilemma: how to tell if a watermelon is ripe. Muskmelons are easy—they will slip right off the vine at the peak of perfection. However, watermelons remain firmly attached even when they are overripe.I am no good at the “thump” test. Old-timers swear that they know when a watermelon is ripe just by rapping it with a knuckle. It is ready if the sound is low-pitched…

There is no magic bullet for keeping your garden and indoor plants free from insect pests. Some tricks I have learned over the years are ways to cope with bugs without resorting to nasty chemicals. Here are my tips, including homemade insecticidal sprays (soap sprays). Pay Attention to Your Plants Before resorting to using pesticides (even organic ones), consider the following techniques…

Which perennial flowers bloom all summer? Whether you live in the South, Northeast, Midwest, or West, see our list of perennials to plant for colorful flowers from summer to fall. Perennials That Bloom All SummerNonstop bloom is easy to create just by planting the right varieties for your location. Try some of these regional favorites and enjoy season-long brilliant color. Most of these…

Think you don’t have room to grow your own crispy cucumbers for summer salads? Think again! They will grow just fine in a big pot and, in some cases, will do even better than if planted in the garden. Container growing gives you more control over the conditions. You can place the pot where it will get the most sun and where it will be convenient for you to water and keep an eye on, such as…

As spring and summer flourish, so do the biting bugs! Can plants alone really repel mosquitoes and other nuisance insects in the garden? Here’s what the science says, as well as a list of plants with actual insect-repelling properties.Mosquitoes are more than a nuisance, as there are many mosquito-borne diseases out there, including viruses such as West Nile, Eastern Equine…

Get ready for summertime fun and relaxation! Here are 10 ideas in creating a backyard oasis that is cozy and inviting so that your outdoor space is your happy place!1. Define the space you wish to improve. Think of it as an outdoor room. Are you going to add a deck or terrace or patio? It can be constructed with wood, composite lumber, brick, stone, or concrete pavers. A simple modular…

Bothered by bugs? Here are 4 homemade bug repellents for your skin—and they take seconds to mix up for an effective everyday spray. Using witch hazel or other simple ingredients, these DIY bug sprays kick those pesky mosquitos and insects to the curb and keep you bite-free. If you prefer not to spray chemicals on your skin, check out these natural recipes using simple pantry ingredients…

All “bees” are not created equal. Bees, wasps, and hornets may look alike and belong to the same order of insects called Hymenoptera, but they are different insects. How can you tell the difference between a bee, a wasp, and a hornet? Let’s take a look!Bees and wasps took separate evolutionary paths over 100,000,000 years ago. Bees are vegetarians, collecting pollen to feed their young…