For daily wit & wisdom, sign up for the Almanac Daily newsletter.
Gardening Advice
If you can’t visit the tropics, try growing your own citrus trees in containers! Dwarf citrus varieties will grow year-round if kept in the right conditions. They all bear edible fruit, have glossy, evergreen leaves, and feature delicious-smelling flowers. (The scent is heavenly!) Learn how to care for your indoor citrus trees.Many kinds of citrus work well as container plants. Even northern…
If you are itching to get your hands dirty but have few gardening supplies on hand, take a look around the house and yard. You may find many items that can be repurposed into exactly what you need. Here are some cheap tips and tricks!Collect plastic and waxed containers to start seeds in. Plastic clamshells that greens come in make great community pots for starting seeds. Mushroom boxes,…
Are any of these badly behaving trees or shrubs near your home? Here are the worst (and best) trees to plant close to your house. Plus, we’ll explain why you don’t want trees and shrubs closing in on your home and offer general guidelines on how far away a tree needs to be.Planting Trees and Shrubs Near the HouseWe all enjoy landscaping around our home. And it’s not just about …
If you don’t have enough garden space, you can always create more by growing crops in pots! For example, tomatoes make an ideal container plant when grown in five-gallon buckets. Here are some ideas, plus our list of the best vegetables to grow in buckets, bags, and baskets.After I have planted every square inch of my garden I always find that there is something I have forgotten. Wait a…
Our grandparents grew “organic” without even using the word. What does it mean to be an organic gardener? Here are eight steps to help you ditch the chemicals and be rewarded with better-tasting, more nutritious, less toxic food—that’s also better for the natural world around you.Yes, organic produce not only has a superior taste but is more nutritious. Plus, it’s environmentally friendly,…
As gardeners, we are connected to all people who have come before us, caring for the Earth and learning how to best grow crops. Ready for the best gardening techniques? Let’s have a look at some age-old gardening wisdom that’s still relevant today.A Long History of GardeningGourds, beans, and peppers were being cultivated in Mexico by 5,500 BC, and by 5,000 BC, maize was being…
Are you looking for ways to add a touch of happiness and compassion to your garden? Look no further than pink flowers! Pink blooms come in a wide variety of shades, from soft and calming to bright and bold. This article explores 20 beautiful pink flowering plants to add a pop of color to your garden.Why We Love Pink Flowers in the GardenPink flowers are a beloved addition to any…
Primroses are hearty, rugged little perennial flowers that come in a rainbow of colors! These shade-lovers bloom from early spring through summer—for color all season long. Here are 9 types of pretty primroses.About PrimrosesThere is nothing demure about primroses; they light up the landscape with carnival bright colors like egg yolk yellow, royal blue, magenta, and bright crimson.…
Garter snakes are a gardener’s friend! Harmless to humans, they eat the pests that wreak havoc in your garden. Learn more about the shy but helpful gardening helper who just wants to live peacefully in harmony with you—and eat your slugs!I found a snake skin in my garden a few weeks ago. While other people might have been freaked out, it made me happy to know…
One unwelcome visitor to my garden at this time of year is powdery mildew. Here’s how to control this plant disease with natural remedies, including a homemade baking soda spray treatment.Signs of Powdery MildewIt starts as white patches on the leaves of squash, lilacs, phlox, bee balm, and other plants, making them look like they have been dusted with baby powder. Early on, it…
Every year, I face the same dilemma: how to tell if a watermelon is ripe. Muskmelons are easy—they will slip right off the vine at the peak of perfection. However, watermelons remain firmly attached even when they are overripe.I am no good at the “thump” test. Old-timers swear they know when a watermelon is ripe just by rapping it with a knuckle. It is ready if the sound is low-pitched…
How do you start a flower garden from scratch? Start small with our expert flower design tips—plus advice for choosing, planting, and growing your flowers.We all dream of a lush, lovely flower bed full of colorful blooms all season. What we end up with is usually a different story. Does your color run out when the heat hits? Do the plants clash and give the impression of clown pants? Do…
