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Gardening Advice
While tomatoes aren’t necessarily hard to grow, some knowledge is required to avoid common pitfalls. You’ll soon notice that tomatoes aren’t a plant you can leave to grow on their own; it does best with a bit of intervention! We’ll run through 10 tips and tricks for growing trouble-free tomatoes.1. Choose the Right VarietyIt may seem obvious, but the varieties you grow need to be suited…
Why are you seeing a container of oil in my garden? Unfortunately, it has been a banner year for earwigs in the vegetable garden. I tested five earwig trap ideas to figure out which worked best! See my results and learn to make your own earwig trap!You know, those crawly critters with the pinchers on their tail end. If their looks aren’t enough to creep you out, then the old wives’ tale…
Usually, we think of spring as the time when wildlife is conducting their courtship rituals. Not so with grasshoppers and crickets! As the summer winds down, you will hear the mating calls of the males trying to attract a female get louder! And if you are finding ragged holes chewed in the leaves of your plants, it is probably grasshoppers. To lessen the population next year, now is the…
The smell of Bengay and Icy Hot mixed with bug spray is a sure sign that the gardening season is in full swing. Yes, cases of “gardener’s back” or “weeder’s wrist” or “pruner’s neck” are going around. Here’s how to avoid the hazards of gardening!I’m not exaggerating. Repetitive motions like pruning and weeding can injure muscles, tendons, and nerves, turning what is supposed to be…
Potatoes can take up a lot of space in the garden, but growing potatoes in containers is a simple solution. From trash cans to grow bags, learning how to grow potatoes in pots lets you enjoy a big harvest in a small space.When to Grow Potatoes in ContainersYou can start growing potatoes in pots in early spring! Wait at least 2 weeks after the last spring frost in your area. See the…
The Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum) is one of the most recognizable symbols of spring and the Easter holiday. With its elegant white trumpet-shaped flowers and sweet fragrance, it’s a popular seasonal gift. But many people wonder what to do with the plant once the blooms fade. Can Easter lilies be planted outside? Will they bloom again? And are they safe around pets? Here’s everything you need…
For years, gardeners have used peat-based soilless mixes to get those seeds off to a good start, but as with many aspects of gardening that are proving to not be sustainable or good for the planet, we need to give peat a second look. Many of us are trying out alternatives with good success. Learn more about peat and peat alternatives.What Is Peat Moss?Peat moss or “peat” is made of…
In the past several years, victory gardening has seen a dramatic resurgence as more people discovered the practical benefits of growing food and self-reliance! Find out why we call it a victory garden, what’s planted in a victory garden, and how to start a victory garden in modern times!What is a Victory Garden?The name comes from the Victory Gardens that were planted across the…
There are so many interesting new and notable garden plants available for 2025 that it is hard to narrow down the choices. How about a tomato that doesn’t crack? Or the ‘Firefly’ petunia that glows in the dark! Here are a dozen veggies and flowers that I found tempting. 1. ‘Purple Magic’ Broccoli An AAS winner, this purple broccoli also won the National Garden Bureau People’s…
Does wildfire smoke harm garden plants? Are exposed vegetables and fruit safe to eat? How do you make your landscape less vulnerable to fire, especially if you live in a high-risk area? Learn more.Wildfires have often been a challenge out West, though recent wildfires from Canada have brought this reality to the East Coast and other U.S. regions.Western wildfires have been at historic…
Neem oil is a nontoxic pesticide that many gardeners say is their magic bullet to getting rid of bad bugs on plants. Known for its eco-friendly properties, you can make your own neem oil solutions at home or use commercial products. Homemade solutions tend to be more effective at protecting plants from harmful insects and diseases and are also cheaper. Read on to find out how…
If you are blessed with a garden that gets full sun, rejoice! Your place is perfect for perennial flowers that thrive in sunny spots. I’ve narrowed my list down to 20 favorites, with an eye toward American natives, which are perfect for supporting pollinators. Take a look and tell me what you think. What is a “Full Sun Perennial”?Let’s start with the definition of “perennials.”…
