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Gardening Advice
Hello, “gourd-geous”! You can find all sorts of funky gourds … so what’s with these bumpy, weird-looking squash? See different types of gourds—from bottle gourds to snake gourds to luffas—and learn how to grow, harvest, and cure them yourself!What Are Gourds? Gourds (Cucurbitaceae) are among the oldest cultivated plants. They were the early water bottles of the Egyptians (2200…
Feed your plants—with other plants! It may sound strange, but you can use your own weeds and grass to make homemade fertilizer tea that’s 100% organic. It’s a great boost for your plants in midsummer when soil fertility is running low. Here’s how to make fertilizer tea at home.Yes, garden plants appreciate a spot of tea now and then, too—just like I do—as a pick-me-up. No expensive Earl…
We all know that trees and plants help offset pollution and clean toxins in the air. So, would indoor plants do the same with indoor air? Let’s explore how plants purify the air—and we’ll list the 10 best air-purifying houseplants for your homeAbout Indoor AirToday, Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors, often in places with little or no ventilation. The air inside our super-…
If you’re going to grow and eat healthy vegetables, why not consider which ones are nutrient-dense? So, which veggies are the nutritional stars? Here are the top 10 healthiest vegetables and fruits that you can grow at home—plus advice for growing a healthier garden.We all want to provide our families with the freshest, most nutritious meals we can, and if you are growing your own…
Happily, we’re seeing more biodegradable planting pots. They make growing seeds easy, and the pots can go right in the ground! Here are 10 types of biodegradable pots—plus, see how to make your own!As much as we would like to see plastic plant pots being recycled, tons of them end up in landfills and incinerators every year. That leads many of us to look for alternative containers in which…
It can be confusing to determine whether a plant is an annual, a perennial, or a biennial. The answer mainly depends on the plant’s life cycle. However, other factors, such as climate, can also play a role. Learn the differences—and which plants come back every year.What Is the Difference Between Annual, Perennial, and Biennial Plants?Annual Plants are a type of plant that live for just…
With Fall just around the corner, the sun is riding lower in the sky, casting longer shadows on the garden. One plant that welcomes the extra coolness and shade is the hosta.Hostas is the unsung hero of the shady garden. There are 70 species of hostas and over 3,000 registered varieties, so you have lots to choose from. Though they do bloom, they are grown primarily for their beautiful…
By this time of year, the spring crop of radishes has likely all been picked; it’s too hot for snap peas, and the cilantro is blooming. Here are a few speedy vegetables to plant in the summer!As you harvest any spring crops, do not let those gaps in the garden sit empty; they’ll only fill up with weeds! To get the most from your garden, break out the seeds and pop in a few wherever you…
Why are you seeing a container of oil in my garden? Unfortunately, it has been a banner year for earwigs in the vegetable garden. I tested five earwig trap ideas to figure out which worked best! See my results and learn to make your own earwig trap!You know, those crawly critters with the pinchers on their tail end. If their looks aren’t enough to creep you out, then the old wives’ tale…
One way to protect your plants from insect attacks is to use trap crops. What are trap crops? We’ll explain how they work, give examples of trap crops (such as nasturtium, marigolds, and dill), and tell you which beetles and other insect pests they control.What is a Trap Crop?Basically, a trap crop consists of sacrificial plants that draw the harmful bugs away from the plants you want…
Garlic is an unexpectedly easy crop to grow at home if you get the timing right. Let’s talk about when to harvest garlic—and what to look for before harvesting. Plus, I’ll show you how to cure your garlic for long-term storage.To grow the best garlic bulbs, you want rain early in the season. Unfortunately, where I live, it has been hot and dry almost all summer. With garlic, as harvest…
You may be surprised to learn that our favorite native plant, coneflower (Echinacea), comes in many colors, shapes, and sizes. Here are seven varieties of this rugged pollinator magnet that we have planted over the years with success.I have been feeling under the weather lately, and echinacea seems to be the only thing that seems to quiet my cough. This got me thinking about how much I love…
