Your garden is full of pests waiting to chomp on your Swiss chard. Before you can nab your harvest to use it in the kitchen, bugs like aphids, blister beetles, and cutworms are creeping around, just waiting for the opportunity to strike. A little knowledge and the right tools are all you need to prevail. Read more.
Considering dipping your toe into the world of bonsai, or maybe you just picked up your first one at the store? You probably know there’s lots to do to keep your plant healthy, but growing your first bonsai doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You’ll be well on your way to creating a stunning display with these basics.
Homegrown Swiss chard does double duty with its beautiful stems and incredible flavor. But disease can ruin its appealing appearance and its fantastic flavor, denying you the harvest you’ve worked so hard for. A little prevention goes a long way, but if disease still takes hold, there are things you can do. Read more.
Parsnip seeds have a reputation for being hard to germinate. Lots of gardeners complain that they’re a challenge to tease out of the ground. The truth is, you just need to know the right steps for making it happen and you can find reliable success. Fresh seeds, a good soak, and some patience will have you on your way.
Coneflowers are pretty darn tough. They can withstand a lot, including drought and most pests and diseases. But when problems impact your echinacea, you want to take swift action to protect your precious plants. This guide shows you what to watch out for, how to prevent these issues, and what to do if they turn up.
Growing brussels sprouts is a challenge, and understanding when and how to prune is part of the puzzle. Should you cut the tops off, and when? Is pruning the lower leaves necessary? Plus, studies have shown pruning at the wrong time can ruin your harvest. This guide has all the details you need to do it right.
Most of us toss our petunias at the end of the growing season because they can’t survive freezing weather. But there’s another option. You can overwinter petunias in a protected spot so you can enjoy their vibrant color again next season. There are two ways to do it, and this guide will show you how. Read more.
Bonsai is where horticulture meets art, and practitioners strive to capture nature in a miniature display. If you’re new to bonsai, you might be curious about where it came from and what it takes to create your own. This guide will fill you in on everything a beginner needs to know to get started. Read more.
Do you have a hardy fuchsia that’s in the wrong spot entirely? If you need to move your plant but aren’t sure how or when to do it, this guide has you covered. With some handy tips on how to transplant the right way, you can move your fuchsia without causing any harm so you can get back to enjoying those blossoms.
If you’ve ever wanted to peek at some of the most fabulous private gardens in Washington and Oregon, there’s a book that you’ll want to check out. Private Gardens of the Pacific Northwest lets the reader look at 20 different private gardens, ranging from tiny half-acre urban lots to massive island escapes.
Your brussels sprout heads were starting to form and you were already dreaming of roasting those tasty nuggets in butter when things went south. The heads started to open, or they became loose and poorly formed. What went wrong? What can you do to fix it? We’ll help you to troubleshoot and fix the problem in this guide.
No one wants to lose their harvest to pathogens. Brussels sprout diseases can range from cosmetic to deadly, and knowing which is which and how to deal with them is key to a successful harvest. This guide helps you handle the most common diseases, and includes tips on how to avoid them in the first place. Read more.
As any adult knows, brussels sprouts are absolutely marvelous. Sadly, pests seem to agree. They won’t hesitate to take a nibble out of your plants. Not only can they threaten your harvest by harming your sprouts, they can spread diseases too. Don’t let it happen to you. We’ll show you how to identify and stop them.
The roots get most of the attention, but let’s take some time to talk turnip tops. These easy-to-grow greens are perfect for cool weather gardening, so you can have your veggies even when the traditional growing season is ending. They’re versatile in the kitchen, too. Eat them braised, raw in salads, or cooked in soup.
Hostas grow well in containers, so why not grow them in compact places where you might not be able to otherwise? A potted plant makes a statement in the garden or on a patio. There are just a few tips you need to know in order to make these popular plants thrive in pots. Read our guide to learn more.
Broccoli is delicious and nutritious, which is no doubt why it’s so popular in home gardens. The trouble is that pathogens seem to love broccoli as much as we do. Whether it’s fungi that will ruin the foliage or bacteria that can wipe your plant out, there are lots of problems to watch for. These are the most common.
Looking for a crop that can feed your animals, makes a tasty sweetener, and can be used in salads and side dishes for dinner? Meet sugar beets. This close relative of the familiar table beet has so much to offer the home gardener that it deserves a chance in the spotlight. Learn how to grow your own in this guide.
Caterpillars, beetles, aphids, and more are all waiting for a chance to chomp on your broccoli plants. While some pests are just a nuisance, others can kill your broccoli before you get a chance to harvest and enjoy it. We’ll help you to identify, manage, and prevent infestation by the most common broccoli pests.
Lots of plants can be propagated by saving the seeds and planting them the following year, and fuchsias are no exception. Did you know that those little berries that stay behind when the flowers fall contain the seeds of the plant? This guide will show you how to harvest and store them for planting later. Read more.
There are many reasons why your fuchsia may start to wilt and droop, like too much or too little water, hot temperatures, or various pests and diseases. Our guide will help you figure out which problem is causing your wilting woes and how to address it, so that your fuchsia can perk back up to its usual beautiful self.
Wriggly masses of tent caterpillars on a tree can be a pretty scary sight. Not only can they completely defoliate a tree, but they look like something out of a horror film. This guide will help you learn how to identify and get rid of these common pests, but it also explains why you might want to leave them be instead.
Scented geraniums are a feast for the eyes, nose, and taste buds with their fragrant, beautiful flowers and leaves. There is a seemingly endless variety of pelargoniums out there, including ones that smell like cedar, apple, roses, and peppermint. This guide will give you 15 excellent options to grow at home.
Have you ever looked at a pretty fuchsia plant and wondered if you could eat it? Well, you can! Our guide walks you through the ins and outs of the incredible, edible fuchsia. From the flowers and leaves to the flavorful berries, we’ll tell you when to harvest, which ones taste best, and how to use them in the kitchen.
Thai basil has a unique flavor that stands out in comparison to other types. With a spicier taste and just a hint of licorice, it’s the perfect herb to use in a huge range of dishes. Plus, you can eat the flowers, stems, and seeds! If you’re ready to plant and use this herb, our guide will help you on your way.
Anise is versatile in the kitchen, and you can use both the leaves and the seeds in a variety of recipes. It’s also valuable in the garden, attracting beneficial insects and driving away the bad ones. This guide has all the details you need to succeed at growing this uncommon, unfussy, totally wonderful herb.
Mexican tarragon is a marvelously multi-purpose herb that works as both a beautiful ornamental and a tasty ingredient for your kitchen toolkit. Plus it can keep bugs away, attracts beneficial insects, and has a long history of medicinal uses. And it’s not fussy about soil! Check out this guide for more info.
Don’t let a little thing like a lack of garden space prevent you from growing nutritious, delicious caraway plants. Carum carvi grows incredibly well in containers, so you don’t have to go without, even if you only have a little corner of a balcony available for your gardening. Read our guide to learn more.
Tired of buying galangal at the grocery store? It’s expensive and not always as fresh as it could be. The good news is that it’s not hard to grow. Plus, the plants are beautiful in their own right. This guide helps you figure out how to plant the rhizomes, keep them healthy, and harvest and use them when they’re ready.
Colorful, beautiful, sweet-smelling, and incredibly flavorful, scented geraniums are a delight for the senses. These multi-purpose plants don’t enjoy the same popularity as their garden cousins, but they’re more than worthy of a spot in the yard. With so many varieties to choose from, they’re sure to please. Read more.
A garden full of bachelor’s buttons is a dazzling sight, but not if those bold blossom heads are falling over. Why does this happen? And are you doomed to deal with droopy blossoms or can something be done to make your flowers stand proud? Learn why your cornflowers are falling over and how you can fix the problem.
Horehound attracts the good bugs like bees, wasps, and flies, while driving away the bad ones like aphids and grasshoppers. Plus, growing it is about as easy as it comes. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, including a simple recipe for horehound candy that everyone will love.
Not sure when to water your plants? For serious gardeners, moisture meters are a must-have tool. But there are a lot of different options out there, from digital to analog, and Bluetooth enabled to simpler, basic meters. Check out 9 of the best soil moisture meters and choose your favorite in this guide.
Curry leaf tree is a tropical bush that has incredibly delicious leaves with a bright citrus flavor that kicks up dishes from all kinds of cuisines. It happily grows in containers, indoors or out, so there’s no reason not to give it a go. In this guide, we’ll teach you everything you need to know to grow your own.
If you admire the beautiful blossoms of fuchsia, did you know they make fabulous houseplants? With the right care, they will provide you with radiant blossoms for months on end. Learn all about growing and caring for these beauties indoors, plus our top recommended cultivars in this guide. Read more now.
Mitsuba is an herb, vegetable, and ornamental all wrapped up in one easy-to-grow wonder. It isn’t troubled by many pests or diseases and thrives in a variety of growing conditions. Along with its striking flavor, it’s destined to become a garden staple. Learn how to plant and grow mitsuba in this guide. Read more now.
Love roses? Even though you’ve probably heard all about the diseases, pests, and other problems that gardeners face, growing roses doesn’t have to be complicated. We’ll provide the foundation you need to care for your flowers like a pro. Read more to learn the basics of growing these stunning blossoms in your garden.
Belgian endive offers a bit of fresh, crunchy brightness in the middle of the winter. It takes a bit of patience, as a two-step process is required to grow the creamy, torpedo-shaped heads. In this guide, you’ll learn how to plant and grow Belgian endive, including how to force and blanch the tasty heads. Read more now.
Endive is a crispy, delicious, and slightly bitter leafy green that can either be eaten raw or cooked into a variety of dishes. There are two types available, curly frisee and broad-leafed escarole. In this guide, learn how to plant and grow endive in your garden, plus we share some recipes and cooking tips as well.
Brussels sprouts are a cool weather crop suitable for cultivation in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9 and their flavor is improved by a light frost. But what about if a heavy freeze is in the forecast? Learn how to protect your brussels sprouts and enjoy a fresh winter harvest in this guide. Read more now.
Do you love the long-lasting vibrancy of fuchsia flowers but hate to see them go when Old Man Winter ambles into town? There’s no reason to give up on your plants just because it’s cold. Learn how to protect your plant, whether it’s in the ground or in a container, so you can enjoy it year after year. Read more now.
You’ve enjoyed their vibrant autumn color and now winter is creeping in. But what if you’re not ready to say goodbye to your mums? Rather than tossing them out, our helpful guide will show you how to overwinter your plants so you can enjoy them year after year, from fall prep to spring care. Read more now.
Dealing with beet diseases is frustrating, and some of them can destroy your harvest. From bacteria to viruses, there are lots of potential pathogens you may face. With the right knowledge, you can tackle most problems before they get out of hand. Read more now to learn how to identify and tackle your garden woes.
Ever wondered if you can grow bay in a container? Yes, you can! It isn’t fussy if you miss a watering or let it get root-bound. Plus, growing it in your kitchen garden or indoors means you will have a ready supply of this pungent herb at hand. Bay leaf is ideal for growing in pots, and we’ll show you how. Read more.
Looking to grow chives from seed? You’re in luck! They’re easy to propagate and before you know it, you’ll be cooking with your own homegrown herbs. This article will give you everything you need to know, from seed saving tips to advice for getting seedlings started, whether you’re growing them indoors or out.
Ramps are an incredibly delicious treat in the kitchen, but they’re overharvested in the wild. The solution? Grow your own. Ramps are a fuss-free plant once they’re established, with a flavor that can’t be imitated. Our guide to growing Allium tricoccum includes everything you need to get started. Read more now.
Did you know you can turn lettuce scraps into more delicious, leafy greens with nothing but a container, some water, and a little bit of time? We’ll show you how to grow your own hyper-local greens for free, with minimal effort. It’s also a fun project to do with the kids. Learn more now.