Rosemary is one of the easiest herbs to grow, but without occasional pruning, it can become woody, leggy, and overgrown. Knowing how to prune rosemary, when to do this, and how much to cut back, helps keep plants compact, vibrant, and producing fresh growth. Whether you are shaping a mature rosemary bush, trimming a container …
Gardening Tips
Looking for a soft ground cover that provides a striking contrast to traditional garden plants? This lamb’s ear care guide will show you how easy it is to grow, how fast it spreads, and how to prune, deadhead, and manage it through the seasons. Lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina) is a hardy perennial loved for its …
If you bite into a cucumber and it tastes bitter, the first question most gardeners ask is, “Are bitter cucumbers safe to eat?” In most cases, a bitter cucumber is not dangerous; however, the bitterness can be a sign that the fruit contains higher levels of natural compounds called cucurbitacins, which are influenced by plant …
If you grow squash or other cucurbit plants in your vegetable garden, it’s important to understand how to prevent squash bugs from becoming a recurring problem. Because adult squash bugs can overwinter in garden soil and plant debris, they are notoriously difficult to manage once established. The key to a healthy squash crop is proactive …
Using plants that repel squash bugs can be a useful addition to your pest management strategy. While no companion plant will eliminate squash bugs on its own, certain herbs, flowers, and trap crops can help create an environment less favorable for these pests and support a healthier squash crop. Squash bugs are a common garden …
If you find that lirope is taking over parts of your garden, these practical tips for controlling monkey grass will help. Monkey grass (liriope) is often planted as a low-maintenance ground cover, but it can quickly become a problem when it spreads beyond the area where it was originally planted. Runners can creep into flower …
Looking for the correct hummingbird nectar recipe? The correct hummingbird nectar recipe uses a ratio of 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water, creating a simple food source that closely mimics the natural nectar hummingbirds feed on. This homemade nectar is inexpensive, easy to prepare, and provides hummingbirds with the energy they need throughout …
Are your cucumbers turning yellow and growing round and fat on the vine? The most common cause for this is that they were left on the plant too long. However, overwatering, poor pollination, nutrient issues, and viral diseases can also cause yellow cucumbers. This guide examines the reasons your cucumbers grow yellow instead of green, …
Rosemary is a great herb to grow in containers. If you have a sunny patio, deck, or indoor windowsill, it’s easy to grow rosemary in pots with the right soil, sunlight, and watering routine. This popular kitchen herb thrives in containers and adapts well to patios, balconies, and small-space gardens. It is also a good …
Dieffenbachia poisoning is a significant concern for pet owners and parents, as this popular houseplant is toxic to humans, cats, and dogs. In most cases, exposure causes painful mouth irritation, swelling, drooling, or skin irritation rather than life-threatening poisoning, but symptoms can still be serious and should not be ignored. Also known as dumb cane, …
Yellow leaves on tomato plants are a common problem with tomatoes that usually signals an issue with the plant’s growing conditions. In most cases, yellowing is caused by one of a few key issues: watering problems, nutrient deficiencies, pest damage, or disease. Because these problems can look very similar in the early stages, careful observation …
Would you like to create a cottage garden in your yard, and are wondering what to plant in it? Check out the list of cottage garden flowers and pictures below for inspiration. You can use it to identify flowers and plants you have seen and liked, or to discover new types of cottage garden flowers …
Learning how to regrow spring onions in water is one of the simplest kitchen hacks for turning scraps into fresh greens. By placing the white base of spring onions (also called green onions or scallions) in a glass of water, you can quickly trigger new shoot growth within days. This easy onion growing method works …
Do squirrels keep digging up bulbs, stealing from bird feeders, or wreaking havoc in your vegetable garden? The good news is that you don’t need harsh chemicals to solve these problems. There are several natural squirrel repellent options featuring simple, everyday ingredients that keep squirrels away. In this guide, you’ll discover smells squirrels hate, the …
Do you have a problem with soil-borne diseases, crooked cucumbers, or pests on your cucumber plants? Learning how to trellis cucumbers will solve these common problems. Cucumbers grow best when supported on a trellis, lattice, or stake. Training them upward improves air circulation, saves space in the vegetable garden, and makes harvesting easier. You can …
Your chainlink fence doesn’t have to be just a boundary – it can become a part of your landscape with the right plants and design. These ideas for landscaping along a chain link fence will help you add privacy, color, and curb appeal to your yard. From fast-growing vines and flowering shrubs to evergreens and …
Do you enjoy a garden that blooms in spring? Check out the list of early spring flowers and pictures below for inspiration. Use it to identify flowers you’ve seen and liked, or to discover new types of spring flowers to plant in your garden this year. Of the 55+ spring flower types in this list, …
Start seeds indoors to get a head start on spring gardening. You’ll get healthy, strong plants without spending extra on store-bought seedlings or plants from garden centers. Whether you plan to grow flower or vegetable seeds, knowing when to start seeds indoors is critical. Sow them too early, and they may be ready to plant outdoors …
Recycling common household items into seed starter pots is an easy way to save money and reduce waste in the garden. Below, you’ll find 17 items from around your home that can be turned into seed-starting pots for free. Now is the time to start seeds indoors to prepare your garden for spring. The good …
Spring is here! Let’s get ready by going through some tasks to prepare your garden for spring. Winter is hard on your garden, and spring brings a host of things that need attention. The good news? After a winter of no gardening, they don’t seem like chores at all! Whether you’re getting your vegetable garden …
Have you ever tried using baking soda in the garden? Baking soda can be used to remove rust from garden tools, clean containers, absorb odors from garden bins, and test your soil pH! When used properly, it can also be effective as a fungal spray and weed killer for concrete cracks and gravel driveways. While …
Organic gardeners have long used homemade plant fertilizers in their gardens, and many home gardeners use compost as a form of enriching the soil to add nutrients. Over the years, a variety of DIY Miracle-Gro-style recipes have circulated online, often using ingredients such as baking soda, Epsom salts, or household ammonia. While these mixes may …
Growing sweet potatoes from store-bought tubers is a fun and easy vegetable gardening project the whole family can enjoy. Even beginners can successfully start sweet potato slips and watch them grow. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to make slips from store-bought tubers, grow them in water or soil, and figure out which end to …
Are you looking for a way to get new forsythia plants inexpensively? Forsythia propagation is one of the easiest ways to get new shrubs from plants you already love! Buying plants from garden centers is quick, but it’s also the most expensive option. Learning how to propagate forsythia by rooting healthy branches is far more …
Forsythia is one of the first shrubs to bloom in spring. Following the right steps for planting forsythia ensures a healthy, long-lasting shrub with gorgeous yellow flowers to enjoy every year after year. Because of its spreading growth habit, choosing the right spot is key when deciding where to plant forsythia. You can start with …
Forcing forsythia indoors, sometimes called getting branches to bloom early inside, is a simple way to enjoy these yellow spring flowers weeks before your forsythia shrubs bloom outdoors. By cutting healthy stems at the right time and following a few careful steps, you can force forsythia branches to enjoy blooms that last for days in …