Gardening Advice
May 17, 2021
Time to replace that boring patch of lawn with a bright and beautiful flower garden! Let's talk about how to start your first flower garden from scratch. We're going to start small with some expert flower design tips to consider—plus advice for choosing, planting, and growing your flowers.
We all dream of a lush, lovely flower bed full of colorful blooms all season long. What we…
May 12, 2021
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 the Right…
May 11, 2021
Once plants are up and growing, some of them need a little support. Encouraging sprawling plants to grow up will keep the fruit cleaner and make it easier to harvest, along with giving the whole plant better exposure to the sun. A trellised plant can provide shade for a crop like lettuce that would appreciate a little break from the hot sun.
Also, using vertical space gives you more room for…
May 10, 2021
One of the most magnificent mainstays of the garden is the common herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora). See six reasons why peonies should be in your garden—plus excellent tips on planting and caring for these beauties. (Don't forget to support their heads!)
6 Reasons Why Peonies Should Be in Your Garden
Peony plants are so long-lived that it is commonly said that peonies…
May 4, 2021
If you're like me and can never have too many flowers, now is the time to start a cutting garden so you can have your flowers and cut them, too! Here are my tips—plus, the best flowers to grow for cutting.
Not far from The Old Farmer's Almanac is a beautiful U-pick flower farm called Rosaly's Garden (pictured above). Look at all those zinnias! It's absolutely heavenly to stroll…
May 4, 2021
Some bugs are good for the garden. We call these good guys "beneficial insects" and they can really help your garden by eating pest insects that would otherwise eat your plants. Here's a list of common beneficial insects and how to attract them to your garden.
What Are Beneficial Insects?
The average backyard is home to thousands of insects, and you may be surprised to learn that…
May 3, 2021
"Brood X"—the 17-year periodical cicadas—are emerging in May 2021. We expect the bugs to show up in big numbers in the next couple of weeks. Learn all about these fascinating bugs: where they'll emerge, how long they'll be here, telltale signs in your yard, and how to prevent any tree damage.
Cicadas are truly a fascinating phenomenon. This brood has spent 17 years waiting underground, will…
April 29, 2021
Here are tips on how to plant a bare-root tree the right way—from digging the hole to watering the tree properly once it's planted.
What Is a Bare-Root Tree?
"Bare-root" means that the trees are not grown in a container. They are shipped to nurseries dormant, and they do not have any soil around their roots (hence, they are "bare").
Why a bare-root tree?
They are usually less…
April 28, 2021
Which plants repel mosquitoes and other insects in the backyard and garden? Here's a list of the best insect-repelling plants to use in your garden.
It's not just mosquitoes; gnats, biting flies, ants, and other pests can take the fun right out of any outdoor activity.
Mosquitoes are more than a nuisance, too, as there are many mosquito-borne diseases out there, including viruses such as West…
April 28, 2021
Who doesn't love hummingbirds? Hummingbird nectar is simple to make at home, but you do need to use the right ingredients. Learn how to make homemade hummingbird food and attract hummingbirds to your garden!
How to Make Hummingbird Nectar
Help these hard workers get a proper meal: nectar! Make your own "nectar" in just a few steps; it's far less expensive than buying pre-made…
April 27, 2021
Mulch has been called the gardener's friend—and for good reason. In winter, mulch protects bare soil, prevents erosion, and protects plants. In spring, mulch locks in moisture, suppresses weeds, and feeds the soil. Learn how to mulch, when to mulch, and about the many different types of mulch to use in your garden.
Mulching is a fundamental part of gardening to plants…
April 21, 2021
Native plants are the best choice for both a low-maintenance and sustainable landscape. Learn more about why native plants are so important for your garden, get a list of common plants that are native to the United States and Canada, and 10 tips on landscaping with native plants.
Benefits of Native Plants to Your Garden
It may seem insignificant, but as gardeners, we can make good choices…