Gardening Advice

I always say: fall can be a second spring, and with fewer pests and more rain, it’s often a whole lot easier. Whether you’re brand new to fall planting or just ready to try a little more, it comes down to three things: when to plant, what to grow, and where to put it all.The heat has eased, the weeds have slowed, and the soil’s still warm—perfect for sowing cool-weather crops like spinach,…

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…

When summer brings hot, dry weather without enough rainfall, we need to water our gardens wisely. It is possible to conserve water and also have a beautiful, lush garden. Just follow these 12 steps.First, understand that plants drink their food. If your soil dries out, your plants will starve. We often hear that vegetables and flowers need “an inch of water” per week. This doesn’t seem…

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…

I am always amazed when I see known invasives being sold at garden centers, online, and in catalogs. Here are 10 silent invaders you should never bring home to grow in your yard—plus, some substitute plants to grow instead.10 Common Invasive PlantsAutumn OliveAutumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) is often sold in wildlife packages or for erosion control. Birds do love their berries,…

As gardeners, we are connected to all people who have come before us, caring for the earth and learning how to best grow crops. Ready for the best gardening techniques? Let’s have a look at some age-old gardening wisdom that’s still relevant today.A Long History of GardeningGourds, beans, and peppers were being cultivated in Mexico by 5,500 BC, and by 5,000 BC, maize was being…

Read your weeds! They are an indicator of your soil’s health. If you have large patches of one kind of weed, your garden is trying to tell you something. Here are common weeds and what they say about your soil, plus photos. Let us know what you learn!When weeds arrive, it’s often an index of what is wrong (though sometimes what is right) with the soil. For example, weeds with…

If, like me, you resort to using containers to grow some of your plants, try using a grow bag this year. They have some advantages over plastic pots or terra cotta. I was especially interested to learn about “air pruning.” Here’s why and when to use a grow bag and some different types of grow bags.Grow bags aren’t a new idea. In ancient times, plants were grown in woven baskets and bags.…

Monarch butterflies are officially a threatened species, which means that they’re at a real risk of extinction if we don’t take action. One thing we can do is to plant colorful, compact milkweed, a monarch’s favorite food. However, it’s important to choose the right variety.Not only does milkweed provide nectar for the adult butterflies, but it is also the only plant on…

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…

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…