Looking for the best shallot substitute? Red onions, yellow onions, scallions, and leeks are all reliable replacements for shallots, depending on the recipe and how the ingredient is being used. Because shallots are often used in recipes for dressings, sauces, sautés, and soups, it helps to know what to reach for when you don’t have…
If ants are invading your home, borax ant killer recipes are one of the most common homemade solutions people try before turning to store-bought products like Terro. In this test, I compared four borax ant bait recipes – sugar (wet), sugar (dry), honey, and peanut butter – against a commercial Terro liquid ant bait. Each…
Are you looking for natural ways to get rid of ants in and around your home? You don’t need harsh chemicals to deal with them. There are simple home remedies and natural ant repellents that disrupt their scent trails and discourage them from returning. Ants are one of the most common household and garden pests,…
This easy raised garden bed is a simple DIY project built with a wood frame supported by concrete planter wall blocks at the corners. Once your materials are ready, the raised bed can be assembled in an afternoon. Most of the work is in cutting and preparing the boards. After that, the bed comes together…
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…
Want to test you knowledge of flower anatomy? Try solving this free flower parts crossword puzzle printable! There are two versions of this free printable crossword puzzle. The easier version comes with a word bank, and a harder version doesn’t have one. This botanical crossword puzzle has 12 words in it. Solve the clues, and write…
Many beginning vegetable gardeners make the common mistake of starting too large. If you don’t have a large yard with room for a traditional garden, growing a vegetable garden on a deck is a simple and surprisingly productive alternative. You don’t need acres of space to grow your own food. Choose the right containers, add…
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…
Chinese five-spice powder is a traditional Chinese seasoning made from five spices: star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Szechuan peppercorns, and fennel seeds. Its flavor is warm and sweet with a subtle spicy kick. I often use it in stir-fries, in marinades for skewers, and with roasted meats. If you’ve ever wondered what’s in Chinese five-spice powder…
Want to add new flowers to your garden this year? Check out the list of pink flower names and pictures below for inspiration. You can use it to identify flowers you have seen and liked, or to discover new types of pink flowers! Of the 70+ pink flower varieties in this list, some are uncommon, while others are…
This Gaelic steak features a pan-seared sirloin, topped with rich Irish whiskey cream sauce and finished with a splash of Baileys Irish cream for extra depth and flavor. You can make the savory steak recipe in just 30 minutes on the stovetop, and the alcohol adds a richness that you simply don’t get with traditional…
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…
Roses aren’t just beautiful—they carry messages with every color. Learning about rose colors and meanings helps you express exactly what you feel, whether you are buying a bouquet or simply curious about their symbolism. From classic red and white roses to sunny yellow, and even rare blues and blacks, every shade tells a story. In…