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Gardening Advice
Want a healthier, more productive garden next year? The secret starts in the fall. Preparing your soil in autumn gives organic matter time to break down, improves soil structure, and ensures your garden is nutrient-rich come spring. These fall soil preparation tips will set the stage for strong, thriving plants—and bigger harvests.Why Prepare Soil in the Fall?Remember, soil is not dirt.…
If the idea of carnivorous plants makes you immediately think of the bloodthirsty man-eater in Little Shop of Horrors, you’re not alone! Carnivorous plants (such as the Venus flytrap) dine only on insects—not humans! Here are three fun carnivorous houseplants.Yes, they eat those pesky little bugs! The speed at which they can snap shut on their prey is amazing. No, they don’t eat people or…
When the garden starts to fade in fall, don’t be too quick to cut everything back. Many plants with seed heads provide valuable food for wild birds through the winter months, while also adding unique beauty and texture to your landscape. From bright winterberry to cheerful coneflowers and whimsical clematis, these plants turn into a natural bird feeder right in your backyard. By leaving seed…
Want more flowers without spending a dime? Dividing perennials is the easiest way to fill empty garden spaces and keep your plants healthy. When perennials get overcrowded, they produce fewer blooms, have weaker growth, and can even stop flowering altogether. By splitting them, you give roots more room, improve nutrient absorption, and multiply your plants for free! Learn when to divide…
Is your peony overcrowded, shaded, or just refusing to bloom? Fall is the perfect time to divide and transplant herbaceous peonies to give them a fresh start. With the right location, proper depth, and a little care, your peonies can thrive and reward you with stunning blooms for years to come. In this guide, we’ll walk you step by step through the best methods for moving, dividing, and planting…
Looking for a flower that’s part firework, part lollipop, and 100% fabulous? Meet the allium. These ornamental onions shoot sky-high in spring, exploding with pom-pom blooms that stop visitors (and pollinators) in their tracks. They’re bold, deer-proof, and ridiculously easy to grow—just tuck the bulbs into the ground in fall and wait for the magic show to begin.Add Alliums to Your…
Gourds come in an astonishing assortment of shapes, colors, and textures—from colorful ornamental gourds to birdhouse gourds and natural luffa sponges. Learn about the different types of gourds, how to grow and harvest them, and how to dry and cure hard-shell varieties for decorations and crafts.What Are Gourds? Gourds belong to the cucumber family, Cucurbitaceae, and are among the…
Got weeds? Great! Your next salad might be growing between the cracks in your walkway. From dandelions to purslane, many so-called “weeds” are actually nutrient-rich powerhouses just waiting to be harvested. Whether you’re an aspiring forager or just want to make weeding more fun, it’s time to see your backyard in a whole new (and delicious) way.From the first dandelion rosettes in the…
After watching my neighbor spray the weeds in his driveway with a cancer-causing herbicide, I thought I should look into some natural “weed killers” to rid my yard of unwanted plants. Here are a few homegrown ways to get rid of competing plants while still keeping people, pets, wildlife, and waterways safe.Get to the Root of the ProblemWithout a doubt, the best way to get rid…
Bees are usually fuzzy and collect pollen. Wasps are sleeker and hunt insects—and hornets are a type of wasp. They can all look similar as they fly around, and they all have useful work to do. So, how can you tell which one is visiting your garden?Color can fool you, so pay attention to the insect’s shape and what it’s doing. If you see a nest, that can provide another clue. Use the quick…
Have you ever struggled with keeping a plant happy? Maybe your soil is too heavy and suffocating its roots, or perhaps it drains too quickly and dries out before your plant can thrive. If so, then vermiculite might be the answer you’ve been looking for! So, grab your gardening tools and learn how this mineral can help your plants flourish. What is Vermiculite?Vermiculite is made…
Fall gardening might be the best-kept secret in the vegetable world. The weeds are slowing down, the air is cooler, and most bugs have packed up for the season. And yet—your soil is still warm, which means perfect conditions for sowing seeds. Whether you’re new to fall gardening or just want to do more with your space, it all comes down to three simple steps: 1. When to plant; 2. What to grow; 3.…
