A holiday cactus is a short-day plant which produces flower buds when daylight hours decrease. Fortunately for gardeners, this happens when much of the garden is not blooming, just in time for the major holidays – Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter. There are three different types of holiday cactus plants, Christmas cactus – Schlumbergera x buckleyi, …
Learn How To Garden Like a Pro With These Gardening Tips and Tutorials
If you like exploring on cold autumn mornings, you may have encountered frost flowers. These short-lived ice formations, also known as “ice flowers”, “ice fringes”, “rabbit ice” and “ice filaments”, are a special oddity of nature. In spite of the name, these formations are not actually flowers. When the air is very dry and there …
Learn how to grow irises with our handy guide. This popular flowering plant is an early spring bloomer, which is easy to care for. Irises have showy flowers and are popular in cottage gardens. They come in many colors, shapes, and sizes. They are deer-resistant and attractive to both birds and butterflies. With more than …
Sedum rubrotinctum is a showy and colorful succulent plant that looks great in rock gardens. Also called “jelly bean plant”, and “pork and beans plant”, this succulent is easy to care for and makes a great addition to any succulent collection. This low-growing plant has plump, bean-shaped leaves with red tips that intensify under sunlight …
Direct composting, also known as trench composting, on-the-spot composting, or in-situ composting, is an effective way to recycle organic waste by using it directly in your garden. Traditional composting requires you to collect organic material in a compost bin or pile and then wait for it to decompose before using it in your garden. On …
Growing butternut pumpkins in a home vegetable garden is easy to do. This versatile vegetable is delicious and packed with nutrients. Butternut pumpkin is a type of winter squash, which means that the skin is hard and the fruit can be stored for several months after harvest. It is planted in spring and harvested in …
Green beans are a popular vegetable garden plant, second only to tomatoes in popularity. However, before you decide to grow them, it’s important to understand the differences between pole beans vs. bush beans. There are many varieties of green beans, but all can be categorized into one of two ways: bush beans or pole beans. …
What are portobello mushrooms? This question may pop up for people new to gourmet cooking, or those seeking healthy diet options. Portobello mushrooms belong to a family of mushrooms known as Agaricus bisporus, which includes portobello, cremini, and white button mushrooms. When left to grow, white button mushrooms will spread out and develop a large …
Do you want to make your backyard both eco-friendly and enchanting? These solar outdoor lighting ideas can turn a plain space into a wonderland at night and don’t need electricity to work. Solar lighting is energy-efficient, easy to install, and adds a magical touch to your outdoor space. It’s the perfect way to light up …
Hydrangeas are the rockstars of summer gardens, but with uncontrolled growth, these perennials can become unruly. Knowing when to prune hydrangeas is important if you wish to maximize your blooms each season. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer for when to prune this summer shrub. However, if you know what type of hydrangea you are …
This DIY seed starting mix is a cost-effective way to provide your spring garden seeds with the ideal environment for germination and early growth, and ensure they develop into healthy, thriving plants. Starting seeds indoors is a rewarding way to get a head start with plants that will be ready to transplant later this spring …
As the heat of summer approaches, many vegetable gardeners face a familiar problem – tomato sunscald. This phenomenon, caused by too much sunlight and made worse by improper pruning practices, can pose a significant threat to your tomato yields. Tomato plants love sunlight, but sometimes it can be a case of “too much of a …
Let’s have a look at cooking with bay leaves. These little green leaves pack quite a punch when it comes to adding flavor and aroma to your recipes. Bay leaves are commonly used in soups and stews, sauces, and marinades, where they simmer alongside other ingredients. Whole bay leaves are most commonly used due to …
Welcome to our guide for how to dry bay leaves from your own backyard bay laurel plant. It is so much easier than you might think! Dried bay leaves are sold at most supermarkets, but if you have your own plant, you can easily dry the leaves to use in your recipes (and the flavor …
Growing zucchini (AKA summer squash) involves selecting the right variety, spacing plants correctly and being effective with pest control. Otherwise, most gardeners will tell you that zucchini almost grows itself! Be careful though! Your neighbors might have to lock their door when they see you coming over with armfuls of zucchini! Growing summer squash will …
Growing tomatoes in pots can be a space-saving way to enjoy fresh homegrown tomatoes, especially if you have a small space for gardening. Tomato container gardening is perfect for apartment dwellers or those without access to a traditional garden. This method will let you to grow delicious tomatoes on patios, balconies, rooftops, or even windowsills. …
When to plant peas depends on your local climate and the type of peas that you plan to grow. However, as a general rule, peas are cool-season crops that like cooler temperatures for germination and to start growing. There is even a gardening saying “plant peas when daffodils or forsythia bloom.” This tells us clearly …
Leggy succulents are those that have elongated stems or a stretched out appearance. This typically happens when succulents don’t receive enough light. In their natural habitat, succulents grow in sunny, dry conditions. If they don’t receive enough light, they may stretch out as they try to reach the sunlight. Many succulents, such as echeveria, hens …
It’s time to learn the secrets of watermelon peperomia care! This tropical plant is a perfect indoor plant for beginners. Watermelon peperomia grows naturally in the rainforest, but adapts exceptionally well to indoor growing. It is a charming, compact houseplant known for its eye-catching foliage, which resembles the pattern of a watermelon rind. Keep reading …
The lipstick plant, also known as Aeschynanthus radicans, is a popular houseplant known for its attractive, tubular flowers that resemble lipstick tubes. The plant is quite easy to grow, and perfect for those who love the look of trailing indoor basket plants with pretty flowers. Keep reading to get some tips for successfully growing a …
Snake plant care is simple and easy. If you are looking for a plant that will thrive even with neglect, this indoor plant is for you! Also known as mother in law’s tongue, this tough plant has stiff, sword-like leaves with stripes and creamy yellow borders. The plant grows slowly indoors, and is comfortable even …
Mulching leaves is a great way to prevent cold-tolerant weed seeds from sprouting over the winter, and will help your soil hold moisture next year. Best of all – as long as you have trees in your yard – it’s free! Don’t let autumn’s natural treasure go to waste; it’s time to recycle those fallen …
With October comes the cooler temperatures, falling leaves, and, of course, pumpkin carving time. For the perfect carved Jack O Lantern, be sure to familiarize yourself with this list of the best pumpkins for carving. When it comes to choosing pumpkins for carving projects, not all pumpkins are equal. As a matter of fact, there …
It is coming to the end of the herb growing season for many of us. Did you know that you can freeze herbs to make them last longer? When summer turns to fall, the thought of losing those fresh herb flavors in your recipes because of the cold can be disheartening. Fortunately for us, there …
Creative gardening ideas really appeal to the whimsical side of me. I love to recycle existing items from around the house for my garden decor ideas. Not only will you save money, but you’ll help to save the earth, too. I must admit that I am not a normal gardener. I don’t enjoy conventional landscape …
Transform your garden with these creative wheelbarrow planters ideas. Are you looking to add a unique decorative touch to your garden? Do you have an old wheelbarrow that’s been gathering dust in your shed that you would like to repurpose? Well, look no further! I’ll be sharing a group of inspiring and whimsical wheelbarrow planter …