Heather Buckner 
Wondering why your asparagus plants consistently produce weak, thin spears? A number of factors such as lack of water, nutrient deficiency, and overharvesting can result in skinny spears. Fortunately these problems aren’t too hard to fix. Read on to learn about the causes and solutions for thin asparagus.
Straw is a byproduct of growing grain crops that happens to be a highly beneficial material for mulching vegetable gardens. It is light and easy to work with, fairly inexpensive, and can drastically reduce time spent weeding and watering. Learn more about using straw as mulch for vegetables in this guide. Read more now.
Astilbe is a genus of hardy, easy-to-grow perennials that thrive in shade. With colorful, frilly flower plumes and attractive fernlike foliage, they can be planted in containers to brighten up a dreary back porch or gloomy balcony. Continue reading to learn all about growing astilbe plants in pots.
Growing a garden large enough to feed your family all year is an incredibly rewarding feat. You can enjoy daily homegrown meals while helping the environment and fostering a connection to your food source. And in case of an emergency, you will be prepared. Read on to learn how to plan and grow a survival garden.
Wondering when it’s the right time to plant tomatoes? If you start too soon you risk harming or even killing the plants, but wait too long and they may not have enough time to fully mature and produce a harvest. Read on to learn how to determine the optimal time to start tomato seeds and plants in your climate.
Parsley may be known for slow and sporadic germination, but this certainly doesn’t have to be the case. With a bit of patience and adherence to a few simple instructions, this popular garden herb is easy to start from seed. Learn how to successfully propagate parsley plants from seed in this guide. Read more now.
Hydrangeas are low maintenance flowering shrubs popular for their dramatic colorful blooms and bold green foliage. But can you grow them from seed? Depending on the variety, it may be possible. In this guide, we cover how to collect and save the seeds of your favorite hydrangeas for planting. Read more now.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia, or ZZ plant for short, is incredibly easy to grow, propagate, and share, making an ideal houseplant for beginner gardeners. With just a little bit of patience, you can create many new plants from a single parent. Continue reading to learn how to start ZZ plants from leaf cuttings.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia is an incredibly resilient houseplant that requires very little water, light, or maintenance. If you are new to houseplants or simply too busy to devote a lot of time to gardening, this is the plant for you. Continue reading for an in-depth guide to growing and caring for ZZ plants indoors.
Are catnip and catmint different plants? Though these herbaceous perennials in the mint family have many similarities, Nepeta cataria is a distinct species that serves a different purpose in the garden than other types of Nepeta. Learn how to differentiate between these commonly mixed up herbs in this guide. Read more now.
Is it really possible to regrow parsnips and other root vegetables from scraps, or is it just a bunch of internet hype? While you may be able to grow fresh foliage from leftover tops, don’t expect the plant to produce new roots. Continue reading to learn more about growing parsnips from kitchen scraps.
Catnip is an easy-to-grow herbaceous perennial in the mint family that is useful for humans and kittens alike. This plant is famous both for use as a soothing medicinal tea as well as an intoxicating herb to entice our feline friends. Continue reading for a detailed guide to growing and using catnip
Cold weather doesn’t have to put an end to the gardening season. There are plenty of frost-tolerant leafy greens that can be grown easily, well into the winter months. Continue reading for a list of yummy salad greens to grow in cold conditions, as well as some important factors to consider when growing winter greens.
Should you tie up cabbage leaves? While it’s not a mandatory step in growing cabbage, tying the outer leaves may be beneficial in certain situations. It can help protect heads from pests and sun, saves space, and could potentially result in tighter heads. Continue reading to learn how and when to tie up cabbage leaves.
How can you stop cabbage heads from splitting? While certain factors that can lead to cracking are sometimes unavoidable, such as heavy rain following a drought, there are easy steps you can take to reduce the risk. Keep reading to learn why cabbage heads crack open and what you can do to help prevent it.
Fruit tree guilds involve a technique of planting trees along with supporting species in a way that resembles natural ecosystems. They are an excellent way to create healthier, more productive, and more resilient gardens. Read on to learn about the components of a guild and for information on how to design your own.
Kohlrabi is a unique cole family plant with stems that swell into juicy, round bulbs that taste a bit like a cross between broccoli and cabbage. Delicious both raw and cooked, this easy-to-grow vegetable makes an exciting addition to the garden. Continue reading to learn how to harvest, store, and prepare kohlrabi.
Frustrated by cabbage plants that won’t form heads? Numerous factors, such as extreme temperature, lack of water, and unsuitable nutrient levels may inhibit head formation in cabbages. In this guide, we explore possible reasons why this may happen and learn what you can do to help mitigate problems in the future.
Did you know that kohlrabi greens are edible and delicious? The flavorful leaves are easy to harvest and prepare, with a similar taste and texture to collard greens. You can enjoy them sauteed, steamed, or even raw in a salad. Learn all about harvesting and cooking kohlrabi leaves in this guide. Read more now.
What to do with all those extra garden cucumbers? Pickles are just the beginning! Try using them to make salsa, jelly, or even sorbet. If you have more cucumbers than you can eat, read on for suggestions on creative ways to preserve them, as well as tips for keeping them fresh for longer in storage.
Looking for a new leafy green vegetable to grow this season? Chinese broccoli is a quick-growing crop similar to broccoli, but with tender shoots and a more distinct bittersweet flavor. All parts of this plant are edible, including the stalks, leaves, and florets. Read on to learn more about growing Chinese broccoli.
Would you like to expand your rose garden without spending tons of money on nursery plants? As luck would have it, you can easily collect and save your own rose seeds to propagate new plants on the cheap. To learn all about gathering and storing seeds from a rose bush, check out this step-by-step guide.
Morning glory vines can grow over 10 feet tall with colorful displays of flowers through the summer. Left unmanaged, they can quickly grow out of control. Plants should be pruned throughout the season to keep the aggressively growing vines in check and encourage blooming. Read on to learn how to trim morning glories.
Morning glories are rapidly growing vines with attractive foliage and showy flowers that open each morning through the summer. Learn to grow them in containers and enjoy these colorful blooms without worry about the vines taking over your garden. Read on for more about growing and caring for potted morning glory vines.
Rosemary is a delightfully aromatic herb that is most commonly propagated from stem cuttings or by layering. Armed with the right information and just one established plant, you can easily grow countless more. Learn about the various methods of propagating rosemary in this step-by-step guide. Read more now.
Learning how to correctly prune blackberry bushes will result in stronger, healthier plants with annual harvests of large and juicy fruit. It is also an important step to keeping brambles from becoming tangled and unmanageable. Read more for detailed information on how and when to trim blackberries.
Nepeta species are aromatic flowering perennials in the mint family including catnip, catmint, and others. These hardy and easy to grow plants attract bees and butterflies while also repelling unwanted pests. And don’t forget their long history of medicinal use! Read on to learn all about growing Nepeta plants.
Greek oregano is one of the most popular culinary herbs to grow for a reason. A common seasoning in pizza and pasta sauce, this spicy and flavorful perennial is also amazingly hardy and very easy to grow in the home garden. Continue reading for more information on how to grow and use Greek oregano.
Asparagus is one of few truly perennial vegetables. An established patch can produce bountiful harvests of crisp and flavorful green spears each season. By following a few key tips, you are certain to have a healthy asparagus crop that continues for many years. Learn how and when to harvest asparagus in this guide.
Often considered to be the perfect sandwich tomato, Brandywines produce large, sweet, beefsteak style fruits that can grow up to two pounds in size. It’s no wonder these are one of the most popular heirloom tomatoes to grow in the garden. Continue on to learn how to grow delicious and flavorful ‘Brandywine’ tomatoes.
Widely considered by herbalists to be a natural remedy for headaches, feverfew also happens to be an attractive landscaping plant. With white and yellow daisy-like flowers atop green feathery stems, this colorful herb is a fantastic addition to the garden. Learn how to plant and grow feverfew in this guide. Read more now.
With hundreds of unique cultivars and hybrids available, how should you choose which zinnia flowers to plant in your garden? Learn how to navigate the multitude of species and bloom types to select the perfect zinnias for your space. Read our guide for information about the different types of zinnias.
With pretty bell-shaped flowers, compact growth that turns red in autumn, and smaller, sweeter berries than their highbush counterparts, lowbush blueberries make a great addition to any garden. Growing and caring for this hardy shrub is easy if you know what to do. Discover our tip tips for growing lowbush blueberries.
Want eye-popping color all season long? Grow zinnias. These impressive annuals feature large colorful flowers that continue blooming throughout the summer, attracting hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies to the garden. Continue reading for information on how to grow and care for zinnia flowers.
Make the most of your blueberry harvest this season. With a little bit of patience and by following a few simple guidelines, you can obtain a productive harvest of delicious berries to eat fresh or preserve for later. Learn how and when to harvest blueberries for the sweetest, juiciest fruits. Read more now.
If you’re growing blueberries and your bushes are outgrowing their current location or appear to be slow growing, or underperforming, it may be a good time to transplant. Transplanting blueberries to a fresh location in the garden can be an easy way to revitalize them. Learn how to transplant blueberries in this guide.
Comfrey is an easy to grow perennial herb with many benefits. It can be used to improve soil health and to attract pollinators to the garden. It can even be made into a topical herbal remedy to soothe inflammation and support healing of injuries. Learn how to grow and use comfrey in this guide. Read more now.
Mountain laurel is a low maintenance shrub with spectacular clusters of blooms each spring and attractive evergreen foliage. It can be incorporated into any landscape and is a perfect choice for woodland gardens, hedges, or foundation plantings. Learn how to grow and care for mountain laurel in this guide. Read more now.
Are you sick and tired of always having to mow the lawn? Instead, save time, money, and water by converting your grass yard to low-growing chamomile. Chamomile lawns improve the soil and attract pollinators while greatly reducing maintenance. Continue on to learn how to grow chamomile as a lawn alternative.
With elegant drooping branches, appealing blue-green foliage, and spectacular fuzzy blooms that continue all summer long, bottlebrush shrubs are the perfect plants to attract pollinators while adding dazzling color to the garden landscape. Continue on to learn how to grow and care for bottlebrush shrubs.
Hydrangeas are perennial flowering shrubs that make a bold statement in the summer garden. If you can’t get enough of these beauties why not try propagating them yourself, instead of buying expensive potted shrubs? Learn how easy it is to propagate hydrangea cuttings in this step-by-step guide. Read more now.
Ideal for indoor gardening, Dracaena is a genus of low maintenance tropical plants that come in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and colors. Many species are distinguished by narrow, spectacularly striped foliage growing from a sturdy central cane. Continue on to learn all about growing these whimsical plants indoors.
Have you always dreamed of turning your home into a tropical paradise? Try growing areca palm. This low maintenance palm that features bamboo-like stems and soft feathery fronds is a perfect choice for bringing warmth and sunshine to your living room. Learn how to grow and care for areca palm indoors. Read more now.
Feeling stumped on what to do when a spider plant wilts? Imprecise levels of water and sunlight, insufficient nutrients, and cramped pots can all lead to unhappy withered plants. Continue on for the information you need to identify common causes of wilting in spider plants, and learn how to revive drooping foliage.
Are you short on backyard space, or simply looking to add some zest to your patio display? Try growing shrubs in containers! Versatile and fun, your options for potted bushes are virtually endless. Learn all about growing and caring for shrubs in containers, and add a whole new dimension to your garden. Read more now.
If you love amaryllis, did you know that you can grow these dramatic flowers from seed? The process requires a few years of patience but allows you to create your own hybrids for spectacular results. Learn how to pollinate, harvest, and sow amaryllis seeds for years of glorious blooms with this guide. Read more now.
Amaryllis bulbs produce stunningly colorful flowers that are often grown indoors during the winter holiday season. Easily propagated from offsets and by divisions, just one mature bulb has the potential to produce several new plants. Learn how to propagate amaryllis from bulb offsets and sectioning. Read more now.
Protecting fruit trees from harsh winter weather only takes a few minutes, and it’s absolutely worth the effort. Don’t ignore this important step to ensuring healthy growth and production the following season. Read more to learn how to winterize fruit trees in the garden, as well as those planted in containers.
Did you know you can grow collard greens in the winter months? Collard greens are very cold hardy and a touch of frost improves their flavor and texture. With just a few simple tips, you can enjoy fresh homegrown greens long after other crops have withered. Learn how to grow collards in cold weather in this guide.
Did you know that you can regrow bok choy from kitchen scraps? With just a bowl full of water, a leftover stalk, and a few days to spare, you can easily regrow this plant from leavings that you might have thrown away otherwise. Read more to learn a quick and easy technique for growing bok choy from a stalk.
Did you know that in mild climates calendula can thrive in the garden all winter long and may even survive a light frost? The spectacular orange and yellow flowers can bring warmth and light to the winter garden, even on the chilliest of days. Learn how to keep calendula plants blooming well into the winter months.
Milkweed is wonderful for attracting monarch butterflies and other pollinators to the garden, and with minimal winter care, this attractive perennial herb will reemerge from its impressive root system year after year. Ready to learn how to winterize your milkweed plants for a bounty of blooms next season? Read more.
Are you looking to spice up your Halloween display this year? Why not grow your own? Try decorating your home and yard with a collection of mysterious and scary plants just spooky enough to make your skin crawl. Read on to learn about 13 of our favorite creepy and bizarre plants to grow in your garden this October.
Living in a cold climate doesn’t have to mean you can’t enjoy vivid colors in your garden. Learn how to select the best flowering annuals suitable for colder growing zones, and with minimal effort you can dazzle your neighbors with vibrant displays of color throughout the growing season. Read more now.
Looking for an easy way to get an early start to the spring season? Why not try planting next year’s seeds in the fall? With minimal effort this autumn, you can get a head start on next season with a healthier, heartier crop. Read on to learn how to pre-seed the vegetable garden this fall for an early spring harvest.
Looking to learn a new gardening skill? Collecting and replanting flower seeds is a fun and economical way to enjoy your favorite flowers year after year. Though collecting seeds for saving only takes a few minutes, it can also become something of a hobby all on its own. Learn how and when to harvest flower seeds.
There is nothing better than filling your kitchen with the nutty scent of roasting hazelnuts that were picked at the peak of ripeness from the trees in your yard. Fortunately, harvesting your own hazelnuts is so much easier than you might think. Read more now for the best tips on how to pick and preserve your own crop.
Hazelnuts, also known as filberts, are easy-to-grow compact trees that begin producing buttery sweet nuts in just a few years. Since they can be pruned to a shrub or tree shape, they are a great choice if you don’t have a lot of space but want to grow and harvest your own nuts. Read on to learn how to grow hazelnuts.
Unsure of what to do with that growing heap of ashes by the fireplace? Why not try composting them. Composting wood ash is an easy and effective way to increase the pH of acidic soil and add nutrients such as calcium and potassium. Read on to learn how and when to use wood ashes in the compost and in your garden.
Whether or not to compost tomatoes is a controversial topic in the gardening world. Fears that composting tomatoes will encourage pathogens, create messes, and cause trouble the following season lead many gardeners to trash their plants. Read on to examine these concerns and learn how to safely compost tomato plants.
If you are growing angelica in your garden, you may not know that all parts of the plant are edible. With a rich history of use in food and medicine, this fragrant herb has a variety of culinary and medicinal uses. Discover how to harvest and use the leaves, stems, and roots of your angelica plant. Read more now.
Angelica is a beautiful biennial herb that has been grown for centuries for its aromatic edible stems, medicinal roots, and large bold foliage. This majestic plant can be propagated in a number of different ways and is easy to grow once you know how to get it started. Read on to learn how to propagate angelica.
Did you know that kale is a biennial that produces tender edible shoots and buds in the second season? Napini, or kale rabe, is delicious, tender, and sweet, a treat you won’t want to miss out on. What’s more, growing kale for napini is easy. Learn how to grow and harvest your own napini kale. Read more now.
Have you ever thought of growing motherwort? Or do you already have an abundance growing wild in your garden, and you’re unsure of what to do with it? This hardy perennial herb has a reputation for reducing anxiety and supporting women’s health. Read more to learn how to grow, harvest, and utilize this powerful plant.
You may be familiar with the beneficial properties of nettle leaves, but did you know that the roots of this hardy perennial herb are also medicinal, and have some very special attributes of their own? Discover how to harvest, process, store, and use nettle root. Read more now.
Though often overlooked as an undesirable weed, stinging nettle is an astonishing plant with an abundance of uses, many dating back for thousands of years. Learn to appreciate this forager’s favorite and discover tips for growing, harvesting, and using nettle greens, with some bonus cooking tips too. Read more now.
Looking to add some depth to your garden this season? Try angelica. This long-cultivated biennial herb has a history of medicinal use, with edible roots, leaves, and stalks. Growing to a towering eight feet tall, these plants have an aromatic scent and impressive stature. Discover how to add angelica to your garden now.
Broccoli is one of those veggies that offers so much more than we often give it credit for. This staple crop can be harvested for its large heads, as well as its young tender leaves and side shoots. Read more now to learn how to harvest and store broccoli, and pick up some delicious recipe ideas too.
Yarrow is a perennial flowering herb with a long history of medicinal use, from treating wounds on the battlefield to modern herbal remedies. With feathery leaves and delicate flowers, it repels pests and provides ornamental interest in the garden. Read on to learn all about the history of yarrow and its many uses.
You may think of common plantain as an irksome weed, but did you know that this underappreciated herb is actually edible and nutritious, highly medicinal, and restorative to compacted soil? Plus, it’s abundant and easy to grow! Read more now to get our tips for cultivating and enjoying this useful plant at home.
If you enjoy aromatic cumin in your kitchen, why not try growing your own? These easy to care for plants will attract beneficial insects to your garden and provide you with a harvest of fresh seeds. With a few handy tips you can grow cumin at home and add some excitement to your meals with this versatile spice.
If you don’t like the idea of pouring expensive and harmful chemical fertilizers all over your garden then try making a homemade liquid fertilizer using comfrey. Homemade comfrey tea fertilizer is an organic, easy, and completely free way to feed your plants and recycle nutrients back into your soil. Read more now.
Are you growing brussels sprouts in your garden and wondering how best to harvest them? There’s nothing better than a homegrown sprout, fresh off the stalk. Learn when to pick them for the sweetest flavor and the different ways to go about it – plus some maintenance tips to ensure you get the best crop. Read more now.
Tender, crunchy, and sweet with a mildly peppery flavor, broccolini is a hybrid broccoli that is praised for its thin edible flowering shoots which can be harvested multiple times a season. Learn how to grow broccolini in your garden, the best varieties to choose, and enjoy this tasty vegetable all season long.
Do you dream of growing your own tropical citrus fruits? Did you know that with just a little bit of love and care, you can grow your own lemons, limes, kumquats, and other types of citrus trees indoors, even in the northernmost climates? We share our top tips for growing citrus trees in containers. Read more now.
Feverfew, with its long history of use as a medicinal herb, has recently made a comeback in modern gardens. You’ll enjoy its therapeutic properties, particularly as a remedy for migraines, as well as its attractive daisy-like flowers. To learn how to harvest and use this powerful plant, read more now.
Think it might be time to harvest your turnip crop, but you’re not quite sure of how to proceed? Luckily, harvesting turnips is easy with a little gardening know-how. Read more now to learn how and when to harvest homegrown turnip roots and greens, plus the best storage practices and some bonus recipe ideas.
Did you know that you can grow ginger indoors all year long? In fact, growing ginger in containers alongside your other houseplants is surprisingly easy, and will reward you with a consistent supply of fresh juicy roots. Learn tips and tricks for growing this tropical herb in containers indoors in any climate.
Add some flavor to your spice rack this season with fenugreek. One of the oldest cultivated herbs, it has been used for thousands of years as a culinary spice, food, and medicine. Want to learn how to grow, harvest, and utilize this beautiful legume in your own garden and kitchen? Read the full growing guide now.
Juicy, vibrant, and packed with nutrients, beets are one crop that’s worth growing in abundance in your garden. Luckily, harvesting this delicious root is easy and options for preservation are almost endless. Read more now for tips and tricks on how to harvest and store beets, plus some fun recipe ideas to try.
Uniquely beautiful, edible, and medicinal, bee balm makes a spectacular addition to any perennial garden. Just ask the butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds when they come flocking to your garden en masse. Learn how to grow, harvest, and use this herbaceous perennial now.
Looking to add some life to your herb garden this year? Try growing lemon balm. This lovely perennial member of the mint family is a vigorous grower with a pleasant lemon-like flavor and a long list of medicinal, culinary, and other uses. Read more to learn how to grow and utilize this spirited herb.
Elderberry is truly an incredible plant, with a rich, complex history and a multitude of fascinating uses. It can be consumed in many forms including as a syrup, pie filling, or jam. Learn how to harvest and preserve the fruit of this shrub for medicine, food, or wine. Read more now.
Want to help your garden rest well this winter? Winter mulching is a great way to prolong harvests, improve soil quality, and protect overwintering plants by insulating soil with organic materials. Learn how to use mulch to better support perennials and annual crops this winter. Read more now.
What is a bunching onion? Also known as green onions or scallions, these non-bulbing perennial alliums will add a punch of flavor to all of your favorite dishes. We provide expert guidance for planting, growing, and harvesting this deliciously flavorful crop, plus our favorite cooking tips! Read more now.
Did you know that like the berries, elderflowers are both edible and medicinal? These tiny aromatic blossoms have a myriad of interesting uses. Head to Gardener’s Path for harvesting tips, as well as suggestions on ways to prepare and use elderflowers. Read more now.
Zesty, nutritious, and delicious, Arugula is a “don’t miss” crop for the garden. This straightforward salad green is easy to grow, takes very little space, and is ready to eat in just a few short weeks! Learn all about growing and harvesting arugula now.
Cabbage has been grown around the world for centuries for good reason. With so many different ways to cook, preserve, and eat cabbage, this nutrient rich crop is a must for every garden. Read more to learn how to grow and maintain cabbage plants.
Want to increase your garden harvest? Succession planting, which involves staggering plantings of crops to produce a continual harvest, is an efficient way to increase yields and extend the gardening season. Read our in-depth guide to find out what you need to know now!
Looking for a versatile, nutritious, and easy to grow cole crop to plant in your garden this season? There is a reason that the turnip has been a staple of the human diet for centuries! Learn more about how to grow and care for this historic crop right here on Gardener’s Path.
Can’t understand why your turnip crop keeps bolting? Bolting is caused by stress on plants and can be easily addressed with a few simple tricks. Learn what factors can cause bolting in turnips and explore some ways that you can prevent your turnip crop from bolting. Read more now.
Not quite ready to put your garden to bed for the season? Learn how to keep your garden growing strong all through the fall, and enjoy the benefit of fresh garden produce for longer than ever this year. Use our guide to check out some fun and easy ways to extend the harvest season. Read more now.
Are you itching to extend your growing season? Luckily, many crops are well suited for fall gardens and in fact, tend to be more productive and flavorful with cool temperatures. These 15 cold tolerant crops will keep your garden producing all throughout the fall season. Learn more now!
How do you know when it’s time to harvest rutabaga? And what should you do with it once you’ve picked it? Head over to Gardener’s Path to learn how and when to harvest and proper storage techniques, plus we share our favorite cooking tips and recipe ideas. You’ll be astonished at how many ways rutabaga can be enjoyed.
Do you love potatoes and carrots? Want to try growing something new in your garden this year? It’s time to add rutabaga to your list. This under-represented root vegetable is nutritious, delicious, and an excellent choice for long term storage. Best of all, it’s easy to grow your own. Read more now!