Organic vegetables are not only healthy and delicious but also free from synthetic chemicals and pesticides. If the cost of buying organic produce is prohibitive, consider starting your own organic vegetable garden—even if you have just one square foot of space to spare. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a novice, these tips will help … Read more
Everyone knows how quickly mosquitoes can ruin a warm summer evening outdoors. These pests are not just annoying; they also spread diseases. Anything you can do to deter them from your yard will protect you and your family. There are many ways to control mosquitoes in the garden, including natural solutions that avoid chemicals. Choosing … Read more
Growing heirloom seeds in your garden connects you to history, allowing you to cultivate plants that have been preserved for decades or even centuries. These seeds offer the opportunity to grow varieties that might have been cultivated by historical figures like Thomas Jefferson over 200 years ago. While heirloom tomatoes are well-known, heirloom seeds also … Read more
Hydrangeas are beloved for their abundant blooms, diverse species, and varying colors and sizes, offering endless possibilities for enhancing your yard or balcony. To ensure you choose the right hydrangea variety that thrives in your specific light, soil, and climate conditions, Linda Vater, a plant expert from Southern Living® Plant Collection, advises researching your yard’s … Read more
Growing a vertical vegetable garden is a fantastic space-saving solution that optimizes vining crops like tomatoes, beans, peas, squashes, and cucumbers, as well as some fruit trees. Various trellis types are available to support plants, but the best vegetable trellis ideas also add an attractive feature, making the garden feel more three-dimensional. Training crops to … Read more
Coleus stands out among foliage plants with its intricate and vibrant leaf patterns. While commonly grown in containers, it thrives just as well, often larger, when planted in garden beds. In its native range, coleus is an herbaceous perennial, but it is typically treated as an annual in most gardens. Recent breeding efforts have produced … Read more
Embrace the Ruth Stout Method: A Lazy Gardener’s Dream If you are a lazy gardener like me, you might benefit from the Ruth Stout method of no-till gardening. Ruth Stout was a savvy gardener who decided she wasn’t going to till her land before growing her garden. She pioneered the perpetual mulch concept, which enriched … Read more
The warm, humid environment typical of bathrooms is precisely what many tropical plants crave. If your houseplants are struggling elsewhere, consider relocating them to your bathroom. However, note that not all species can thrive in low-light conditions typical of windowless bathrooms, so you may need to supplement with additional lighting. Brighten a shelf or corner … Read more
You’ve planted your tomatoes with anticipation, imagining the delicious dishes they’ll enhance. But then, disappointment strikes as you notice a problem: your tomatoes are splitting. This common issue, where the skin around the stem end of ripening tomatoes cracks open, is known as fruit splitting or side splits. It’s particularly problematic during hot, humid weather, … Read more
If you’re a cherry lover, you’ve probably spit your share of cherry pits…or maybe that’s just me. At any rate, if you’ve ever wondered how to grow cherry trees from seed, you’ve come to the right place. Planting pits from store-bought cherries is possible, but it’s not quite as easy as you may hope. Thankfully, … Read more