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Gardening Advice
Heaps of time are still left for a second harvest! Plant a second crop of lettuce, radishes, and spinach to harvest in the fall. Plus, here are cool-weather favorites that get better after a nip of frost.Albert Camus said that autumn is a second spring because every leaf is a flower. For me, fall in the garden is a second spring because we are harvesting spring veggies again! Many vegetables…
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Ferns are among the oldest living plants on Earth, having appeared over 350 million years ago, long before the dinosaurs. Despite their ancient age, they make gorgeous houseplants, adding elegance, rich green hues, and interesting texture to any indoor environment. Discover a few ferns for your indoor garden!Which Indoor Ferns Work Best as Houseplants?Certain indoor ferns work better as…
Coco coir sounds like a delicious new drink, but it’s actually an excellent amendment to your garden soil. A sustainable alternative to peat moss, coco coir provides increased water retention and aeration—AND it’s pest-resistant! It’s also a good-looking, tidier mulch that doesn’t require reapplying. Learn more about coconut coir and how to use it in your garden properly.What is Coco…
Most of us know that gardening benefits our bodies and makes us happy. Even so, it’s very cool to see how research backs up why gardening improves both your mental health and your immune system! If you’re resolved to live a healthier lifestyle, eat better, and exercise more, gardening can give you all of these. Many studies have shown that gardening improves people’s health and…
Wish you could do less mowing? Tired of suffering through the hassle of keeping your grass green? Hardy, low-growing ground covers are an increasingly popular alternative to grass. Before you throw down more grass seed, discover 12 lawn alternatives—from a carpet of moss to stepable ground covers.Grass has its place, but it’s also a resource-heavy plant, requiring constant irrigation, mowing…
There is no magic bullet for keeping your garden and indoor plants free from insect pests. Some tricks I have learned over the years provide ways to cope with bugs without resorting to nasty chemicals. Here are my tips for pest control, including homemade insecticidal sprays (soap sprays) and organic pesticides.Pest Control Starts With YouBefore resorting to using pesticides (even…
Animal manure has long been used as a fertilizer in gardens and on farm fields, creating nutrient-rich, moisture-retaining soil for your plants. See the best type of manure for your garden and the best time to apply—as well as a few things to consider first.All manure is not created equal. Depending on the kind of animal, its age and health, its food, what…
Gardeners are often given the advice to sprinkle diatomaceous earth (DE) around plants to deter pests. Unsurprisingly, we’re often asked, “What is diatomaceous earth, exactly?” Well, here’s your answer!What Is Diatomaceous Earth? Diatomaceous earth (DE) is the fossilized skeletons of microscopic single-celled aquatic organisms called diatoms. Their skeletons are made of a…
When we talk about beneficials for the garden, don’t forget about frogs and toads. Both are total carnivores, eating grasshoppers, beetles, cutworms, flies, slugs, and all kinds of insects. They will not eat your plants! See how to attract these “good guys” to the garden.All toads are frogs but not all frogs are toads. There are 3 types of frogs:Toads are frogs with dry thick skin…
A quintessential summer flower, the sunflower has so many amazing uses—from cooking to crafts! Not only are sunflowers pretty, they’re also entirely edible! See lots of great ways to make the most of sunflowers.Sunflowers: A Pretty Native American PlantHonored as the state flower in both Kansas and Nebraska, there are about 70 species of sunflowers. Most are native to the Great…
A few years ago, I was given a beautiful bonsai container and decided to try my hand at growing a compact plant that would fit. I had an old azalea growing in a pot that was too small, and I thought it would be perfect for my experiment. Here’s what I learned about bonsai—a living art form—and how to start and grow a bonsai tree.
I envisioned my pretty pink azalea looking something…
We always seem to have extra herbs on hand. Here’s an idea: Dry some of those leaves and use them for tea! We’ll show you how to dry herbs and make a full-bodied cup of tea.Grow Your Own Herbs for TeaI really enjoying grow herbs, especially what I call “calming herbs,” which help with stress and anxiety. So, it makes perfect sense to use these calming herbs in teas. Chamomile…
