How-To-Garden
Learn how to garden with The Old Farmer’s Almanac. Find practical guides to soil preparation, planting, pruning, harvesting, and seasonal garden care.
Why Overwintering Plants Matters Before Fall Frost
Expert tips for picking your garden’s fruits and vegetables at their tastiest.
Are Pine Needles Good Mulch? The Answer is YES!
Gleaning in Gardening and in Life: Making the Most of What Remains
Discover your garden’s ideal soil pH, test methods, natural adjustments, and pH preferences for common plants and vegetables.
Choose the Best Pumpkin for Carving this Halloween!
Best vegetable pairings for your garden—rooted in research and experience
How to Prepare Your Soil in Fall for Next Year’s Garden
Learn Why Fall is the Best Time to Move and Divide Peonies
Signs Your Sweet Potatoes Are Ready to Harvest in Your Garden
Learn how to grow a vibrant, low-maintenance wildflower garden from seed, attract pollinators, and enjoy blooms all season long.
Use Our Lookup Tool to Find the Right Time to Prune—By Plant, Bloom Type, and Season
Perennials: Low-Maintenance Plants That Keep Coming Back
From vine to oven—rescue imperfect tomatoes, encourage ripening, and savor every juicy bite
Choosing the Right Autoflower Seeds for Your Garden
Collect, dry, and store seeds from your favorite blooms—like zinnias, sunflowers, and cosmos—to replant next season.
Keep your garden’s glory going strong—well into the snowy season.
Preserve Your Garden’s Harvest With a Root Cellar That Keeps Crops Fresh All Winter
Agave: The Star of Low-Maintenance Gardening
How Much Water Do Flowers Need?
You Can Kill the Grass and Turn Your Lawn Into a Garden!
What Is Direct Sowing? And Why It’s Simpler Than You Think.
How and When to Apply Bone Meal
How do you know if your soil is well-draining?
What's the Best Fertilizer for Your Plants?
Ancient Gardening Wisdom for a Sustainable Garden
Does Epsom Salt Benefit Tomatoes, Roses, and Garden Plants?
What to Plant with Peppers for Bigger Harvests, Better Pollination, and Fewer Pests
What to Plant with Onions for Better Growth, Fewer Pests, and Healthier Bulbs
What to Plant with Basil for Better Growth, Flavor, and Fewer Pests
A simple guide to growing and enjoying homegrown popcorn
What Is a Three Sisters Garden? Planting Guide + Layout
What to Plant with Carrots for Higher Yields, Better Flavor, and Healthier Crops
What to Plant with Cucumbers for Better Growth, Higher Yields, and Fewer Pests
Easter Lily Care Guide: After Bloom, Planting, and Pet Safety
Learn to Start Your Vegetables From Seed Whenever Possible
The Best Herbs to Plant in the Garden . . . and Why!
Testing Soil pH and Soil Health (Right at Home!)
Good soil makes good gardens. Here's how to get it ready for planting.
How to Germinate Seeds: Vegetable Seed Germination Temperature Chart
Why Bottom Heat Works—and How to Use a Seed-Starting Heat Mat Safely
Expert Advice for Choosing, Designing, and Growing a Beautiful Flower Garden
From Seed Inventory to Indoor Seed Starting: Everything You Need for a Successful Garden
These cold-tolerant vegetables thrive when started in late winter—no greenhouse required.