Skip to content
The words The Gardening Cook in green bubble letters on a transparent background.
  • Home
  • GardensExpand
    • Browse All Garden Topics
    • Cacti
    • Container Gardening
    • Creative Gardening IdeasExpand
      • DIY Garden Projects
    • FlowersExpand
      • Biennials
      • Bulbs
      • Roses
    • Gardening TipsExpand
      • Composting Guide
      • Landscaping
    • Herbs
    • Indoor Plants
    • Outdoor PlantsExpand
      • Botanical Gardens
      • Garden Tours
      • Perennials
    • Succulents
    • Vegetable Gardening
    • WildlifeExpand
      • Birds
      • Bugs
      • Butterflies
  • Recipes
  • Home Ideas
  • Holidays
  • Travel
  • Quotes
  • PrintablesExpand
    • Puzzles
    • Coloring Pages
The words The Gardening Cook in green bubble letters on a transparent background.
  • Yellow squash on a white plate stuffed with beef and cheese.

    Stuffed Yellow Squash Boats – Healthy Recipe for Summer Squash

    Looking for a recipe to use extra summer squash from your garden? This stuffed yellow squash boats recipe features a tasty beef and marinara sauce grilled to cheesy perfection. Panko bread crumbs give the stuffed squash boats a nice texture, and the blistered tomatoes had a fresh topping that also looks great. The recipe is…

    Read More Stuffed Yellow Squash Boats – Healthy Recipe for Summer SquashContinue

  • Pictures of leaf curling in tomato plants with words Why are my tomato leaves curling?

    Tomato Leaf Curl: Why Are My Tomato Leaves Curling?

    Tomato leaf curl can show up in several ways. The leaves may curl upward, downward, inward, or become twisted, and each pattern can point to a different problem. In many cases, curled tomato leaves are caused by environmental stress such as heat, watering issues, transplant shock, or excess fertilizer. Sometimes pests or diseases are involved….

    Read More Tomato Leaf Curl: Why Are My Tomato Leaves Curling?Continue

  • Pruning fresh rosemary

    How to Prune Rosemary – When and How to Cut Back Rosemary Plants

    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…

    Read More How to Prune Rosemary – When and How to Cut Back Rosemary PlantsContinue

  • Pole beans vs bush beans - Which ones should you grow?

    Pole Beans vs Bush Beans – Which Type of Green Bean Should You Grow?

    When comparing pole beans vs bush beans, the biggest differences are primarily due to growing style, space requirements, harvest timing, and maintenance. Both produce green beans, but they grow in very different ways, and each works better for different types of vegetable gardens. Pole beans and bush beans describe how the plant grows, not the…

    Read More Pole Beans vs Bush Beans – Which Type of Green Bean Should You Grow?Continue

  • Lamb's Ear - Stachys byzantina

    Lamb’s Ear Care Guide (Spread, Pruning & Maintenance 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…

    Read More Lamb’s Ear Care Guide (Spread, Pruning & Maintenance Tips)Continue

  • Cucumbers on a cutting board with words why are some cucumbers bitter?

    Are Bitter Cucumbers Safe to Eat? Why Cucumbers Taste Bitter

     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…

    Read More Are Bitter Cucumbers Safe to Eat? Why Cucumbers Taste BitterContinue

  • Squash bugs, monitoring eggs, row covers and squash plant with words how to prevent squash bugs.

    How to Prevent Squash Bugs: Learn Ways to Stop Infestations Before They Start

    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…

    Read More How to Prevent Squash Bugs: Learn Ways to Stop Infestations Before They StartContinue

  • Three flower word search puzzles fanned out on top of each other on a teal blue background.

    Free Printable Flower Word Search Puzzle (PDF & JPG)

    Looking for a fun flower-themed activity? Try solving this free printable flower word search puzzle. This word search printable has 20 words in it. Each is the name of a popular flower you’re likely to see during the year. The names in this free flower printable are hidden vertically and horizontally, both forwards and backwards….

    Read More Free Printable Flower Word Search Puzzle (PDF & JPG)Continue

  • 2 jars of homemade spaghetti sauce with spoons on a tray.

    Roasted Beefsteak Tomato Sauce (Easy Homemade Recipe)

    If you’re wondering whether you can make pasta sauce with beefsteak tomatoes, the answer is yes. You can make a rich, flavorful beefsteak tomato sauce by roasting the tomatoes and combining them with onions, garlic, beef stock, and fresh herbs. I have been making this roasted beefsteak tomato pasta sauce for years. It is rich,…

    Read More Roasted Beefsteak Tomato Sauce (Easy Homemade Recipe)Continue

  • Cuban Breeze Cocktail Recipe (Amaretto, Vodka & Pineapple Drink)

    Cuban Breeze Cocktail Recipe (Amaretto, Vodka & Pineapple Drink)

    The Cuban Breeze cocktail is a simple tropical drink made with amaretto, vodka, and pineapple juice. If you’re searching for drinks with amaretto and vodka or pineapple juice cocktails, this recipe shows exactly how these ingredients come together in a smooth, sweet, and refreshing mix. This easy 3-ingredient-style cocktail has become popular as a modern…

    Read More Cuban Breeze Cocktail Recipe (Amaretto, Vodka & Pineapple Drink)Continue

  • Pictures of a DIY concrete block garden bed DIY.

    Concrete Block Garden Bed – Easy DIY Raised Bed Using Concrete Blocks

    A concrete block garden bed is an inexpensive and durable way to create a raised garden without any complicated construction. Using standard concrete blocks, you can build a sturdy planting bed in just a few hours and customize the size to fit your garden space. These raised beds are often called concrete block or cinder…

    Read More Concrete Block Garden Bed – Easy DIY Raised Bed Using Concrete BlocksContinue

  • Squash in a garden planted with garlic and nasturtiums to help with squash bug control.

    Plants That Repel Squash Bugs: Best Herbs, Flowers, and Trap Crops

    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…

    Read More Plants That Repel Squash Bugs: Best Herbs, Flowers, and Trap CropsContinue

  • Shasta daisy plant in full bloom.

    Shasta Daisy Care: How to Grow Healthy, Long-Blooming Plants

    Shasta daisy care is simple, making these cheerful perennials a favorite in flower beds, cottage gardens, and sunny borders. Their bright white petals and golden yellow centers add weeks of summer color while requiring relatively little maintenance. To grow Shasta daisies successfully, provide full sun, well-draining soil, and consistent moisture during their first growing season….

    Read More Shasta Daisy Care: How to Grow Healthy, Long-Blooming PlantsContinue

  • A man digging up monkey grass with a shovel. Green text reads How to remove monkey grass.

    Controlling Monkey Grass: How to Stop Liriope From Spreading

    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…

    Read More Controlling Monkey Grass: How to Stop Liriope From SpreadingContinue

  • Types of watermelon in a square plastic bin in a field.

    Types of Watermelon: Seeded, Seedless, Icebox, Picnic & Mini Varieties

    There are many types of watermelon to choose from, each with its own characteristics. Some ripen early, others need more space, and some stand out for their color, size, or flavor. Watermelons are commonly grouped into six main categories: seeded, seedless, icebox, picnic, mini, and yellow or orange-fleshed varieties. Each type differs in size, appearance,…

    Read More Types of Watermelon: Seeded, Seedless, Icebox, Picnic & Mini VarietiesContinue

  • A text overlay that says flower coloring pages on top of a pink flower that's in the center of a collage of twelve flower coloring sheets.

    35+ Free Printable Flower Coloring Sheets (PDF & JPG)

    Do you like bright and colorful flowers? Then you’ll love these 35+ free printable flower coloring sheets. Some of the designs you will see featured in these free coloring pages are single flowers, while others are bouquets or fields of flowers.  These flowers coloring pages are great for all ages. Some have designs with larger…

    Read More 35+ Free Printable Flower Coloring Sheets (PDF & JPG)Continue

  • Pictures of squash bugs from eggs, to nymphs, adults, and the damage they do to squash.

    What are squash bugs? Identification, eggs, damage, and lifecycle

    Squash bugs are one of the most destructive pests for zucchini, pumpkins, and other squash plants, but they are often mistaken for stink bugs and other similar insects. Since treatment methods vary depending on the pest, it’s important to identify them correctly before trying to control an infestation. This guide explains how to identify squash…

    Read More What are squash bugs? Identification, eggs, damage, and lifecycleContinue

  • Hummingbird on green background. Text reads homemade hummingbird nectar recipe.

    Homemade Hummingbird Nectar Recipe – Correct Sugar Water Ratio

    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…

    Read More Homemade Hummingbird Nectar Recipe – Correct Sugar Water RatioContinue

  • Yellow and green cucumbers on the vine.

    Cucumbers Turning Yellow: Causes and Whether They’re Safe to Eat

    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,…

    Read More Cucumbers Turning Yellow: Causes and Whether They’re Safe to EatContinue

  • Pink mandevilla plant

    Mandevilla Care: How to Grow and Care for a Mandevilla Vine

    Mandevilla is a tropical flowering vine known for its large trumpet-shaped blooms and vigorous climbing habit. If you’re wondering how much sun it needs, whether it comes back each year, or how to keep it blooming, this guide covers the essentials of mandevilla care. This plant thrives in warm, humid summer conditions and is commonly…

    Read More Mandevilla Care: How to Grow and Care for a Mandevilla VineContinue

  • Rosemary plant in a large brown pot.

    How to Grow Rosemary in Pots (Container Care Guide)

    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…

    Read More How to Grow Rosemary in Pots (Container Care Guide)Continue

  • Four types of Phalaenopsis orchids in different colors in a collage. Pink text box reads care of moth orchids.

    Orchid Care for Beginners – How to Grow Phalaenopsis Orchids

    Orchid care for beginners is much easier than most people think, especially when growing Phalaenopsis orchids, also known as moth orchids. If you are learning how to care for orchids indoors, these long-blooming houseplants are one of the best varieties to start with because they are low-maintenance and reliable rebloomers. With the right balance of…

    Read More Orchid Care for Beginners – How to Grow Phalaenopsis OrchidsContinue

  • Cajun style andouille sausage kebabs

    Grilled Andouille Sausage Kebabs

    These grilled andouille sausage kebabs combine spicy Cajun sausage with peppers and pearl onions for an easy summer dinner or cookout recipe. They’re quick to prep, easy to grill, and perfect when you need a simple way to cook andouille sausage. A light marinade of red currant jelly, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and a bit of…

    Read More Grilled Andouille Sausage KebabsContinue

  • Borax weed killer

    Does Borax Kill Creeping Charlie? (What You Need to Know)

    Using Borax for Creeping Charlie has long been suggested as a DIY remedy for this weed, especially as part of older homemade weed killer formulas. However, later testing and extension guidance have raised concerns about inconsistent results and potential damage to grass when it is not applied carefully. In this article, we’ll look at how…

    Read More Does Borax Kill Creeping Charlie? (What You Need to Know)Continue

  • Grapefruit drink with lime and rosemary

    Easy Grapefruit Cranberry Sea Breeze Cocktail Recipe (Light & Refreshing Vodka Drink)

    This Grapefruit Cranberry Sea Breeze cocktail is a refreshing vodka-based twist on the classic Sea Breeze. Made with tart grapefruit juice and sweet-tangy cranberry juice, it’s a light, citrus-forward drink that’s perfect for warm-weather sipping. This cocktail comes together in minutes with just a few simple ingredients – vodka, grapefruit juice, and cranberry juice –…

    Read More Easy Grapefruit Cranberry Sea Breeze Cocktail Recipe (Light & Refreshing Vodka Drink)Continue

  • Dieffenbachia plant

    Dieffenbachia Poisoning – Is it Toxic to Humans, Cats and Dogs?

    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,…

    Read More Dieffenbachia Poisoning – Is it Toxic to Humans, Cats and Dogs?Continue

Page navigation

Previous PagePrevious 1 2 3 4 … 49 Next PageNext
Beautiful woman with short brown hair and glasses smiling.

HI, I'M CAROL!

I love to garden, cook, and make DIY projects.

I come from a long line of gardeners, and have always loved to experiment with food and recipes.

Join me as I cook and garden my way through life.

After all, I am the Gardening Cook!

Some of the links on The Gardening Cook are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

© 2026 The Gardening Cook. All rights reserved.

View the about me page.

Click to see our privacy policy.

  • Home
  • Gardens
    • Browse All Garden Topics
    • Cacti
    • Container Gardening
    • Creative Gardening Ideas
      • DIY Garden Projects
    • Flowers
      • Biennials
      • Bulbs
      • Roses
    • Gardening Tips
      • Composting Guide
      • Landscaping
    • Herbs
    • Indoor Plants
    • Outdoor Plants
      • Botanical Gardens
      • Garden Tours
      • Perennials
    • Succulents
    • Vegetable Gardening
    • Wildlife
      • Birds
      • Bugs
      • Butterflies
  • Recipes
  • Home Ideas
  • Holidays
  • Travel
  • Quotes
  • Printables
    • Puzzles
    • Coloring Pages
Search