Compost tea is a liquid fertilizer made from garden compost that can feed your plants and help to ward off some pathogens. The microbes in the solution can improve your soil while making your plants grow big and healthy. Learn more about compost tea and how to brew your own batch in this guide. Read more now.
If you live in eastern North America, you’ve probably encountered Japanese beetles. They appear in summer and skeletonize the foliage of dozens of favorite garden species. They can be hard to deal with but control is possible. Learn how to identify and manage these common pests in this guide. Read more now.
Vermiculture is a smart and easy solution for turning daily kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich compost to feed your house and garden plants with. A small space for a bin setup, some shredded paper, food scraps, and a few select worms can get you started. Learn how to start a worm farm for rich vermicompost in this guide.
A vibrant, green carpet of grass undoubtedly enhances your landscape. But how do you properly cultivate a healthy and visually aesthetic lawn? Our guide provides simple tips for growing a luscious lawn, from seeding and watering to fertilizing and mowing, so your grass will look its best. Read more now.
Raised bed gardening is an efficient way of growing an abundant vegetable harvest, reducing the need for back-breaking labor and the use of synthetic fertilizers. Learn more about this simple but elegant growing practice and discover 9 top benefits of raised bed gardening in this guide. Read more now.
Spring-blooming perennials add much-needed color to the landscape after the cold winter months. These plants will require careful pruning at the proper time and in the correct way to avoid interfering with the floral display. Learn how to prune plants when accentuating their flowers is the top priority. Read more now.
Designing a garden suited to a small balcony, patio, or miniature yard is easy and affordable using repurposed containers, square foot gardening methods, and vertical arrangements. Make the most of every square foot with creative ideas and advice for growing flora in small spaces in this guide. Read more now.
Do you enjoy fresh bouquets and floral arrangements? Do you want to grow your own flowers for cutting? In this guide we share how to establish a cutting garden, explore the best species to choose for your needs, and provide tips for making the most of your blooms. Learn how to start a cut flower garden now. Read more.
If you are facing challenges like road salt destroying plants and more shade than you would like, read on for 21 of the best salt-tolerant shade perennials to grow in these areas. From foliage like coleus and hosta to bulbs like iris and daylily, you will find specific varieties to meet your unique gardening needs.
Well-placed boulders can add structure, texture, and earthy aesthetics to your landscape. But choosing the right boulders and placing them correctly is essential. In this guide we discuss everything you need to know about boulders, how to select the right ones, and ideas for how to place them to provide maximum impact.
A cold frame is a powerful addition to your gardening toolkit, allowing you to extend the growing season. Smaller and cheaper than a greenhouse, a cold frame has multiple uses including starting seeds, hardening off plants, and overwintering perennials. Learn how to use a cold frame in this guide. Read more now.
Tilling garden soil for planting is time consuming, labor intensive, and harmful to the beneficial bacteria, fungi, and insects in your local microbiome. An easier way to prepare rich, humusy soil, and reduce weeding and watering chores, is with a no-dig garden system. Learn how to get started with no-till gardening now.
Starting seeds early in a greenhouse is the ideal way to get a jump on the growing season and up your propagation game. With their warmth, light, and humidity, greenhouses help to extend the growing season and so you can enjoy a productive summer. Learn how to use a greenhouse to start seeds in this guide. Read more now.
Root rot is all too common in houseplants and can kill your plant quickly. It can cause yellowing and wilting foliage while underneath the roots are rotting away. Taking swift action to address this condition is vital if you want to save your plants. Learn how to identify and treat root rot in houseplants in this guide.
Bees are critical pollinators in our food systems and key members of our ecosystems. Yet these flying insects are in danger due to habitat loss and climate change. To help them, you can create a wildlife oasis in your backyard to offer food and shelter. Learn 19 ways to help bees in your landscape in this guide. Read more.
Do you look at your manicured lawn, dread mowing it, and dream of being surrounded by lush, flouncy blossoms? Consider converting your greenspace to a less formal cottage garden. Read on to design and execute a plan, including removing lawn, prepping the soil, selecting and installing plants, accessorizing, and more.
Imagine being able to grow oranges in the winter. Or having a ready supply of greens and herbs no matter what time of year. Or maybe you want to start heaps of flowers in the winter for spring planting. If you dream of using a greenhouse to extend your gardening capabilities, this guide will help you get started.
Pit greenhouses have some distinct advantages for growers over conventional types that make them worth the effort of constructing. They also have some noteworthy disadvantages that you need to be aware of. Learn more about the three types of sunken greenhouses: Chinese, pit, and walipini, in this guide. Read more now.
Installing your new greenhouse is just the first step in achieving your gardening goals. You’re going to need some tools and equipment for successful growing. This guide explains all the essential greenhouse supplies that you’ll need to start and nurture your plants, from lights and pots to flooring and tools. Read more.
Want to grow a winter feast for wild birds? Pick shrubs and trees that fit your growing conditions and available space, but also select those with the most benefits for wildlife, providing cover and habitat as well as food. Learn about 21 of the best trees and shrubs with winter berries for wildlife in this guide.
With suitable temperature, light, and spacing, many succulent varieties grow well in a home greenhouse. Growing in a greenhouse offers more room for an expanding succulent collection or a dedicated spot for winterizing outdoor specimens. Find tips for growing succulents in a greenhouse in this guide. Read more now.
Is it okay to use diseased leaves in compost? Composting can provide beneficial microbial life that greatly reduces certain plant pathogens while others may persist. Pathogenic species are numerous and diverse, and this guide discusses how different species are affected by different kinds of compost. Read more now.
Ever picked a delicious piece of fruit from a tree and wished you could grow it in your own backyard? With a greenhouse you can grow fruit trees right at home. This starter guide explains why you should grow fruit trees in a greenhouse, what to consider before starting, which varieties to choose, and greenhouse setup.
Cauliflower is a cool-season crop that can be challenging to cultivate. Did you know that some varieties require your intervention to be able to produce unblemished heads? The technique is called blanching, and it protects the developing heads from sun damage. Learn when and how to do it. Read on for easy instructions.
If you love the aromatic flavor of garlic in your cooking, why not try growing it at home in containers? Planting in pots saves space in your garden and gives you a head start on the long growing season. With our tips, you’ll be enjoying your own homegrown harvest of deliciousness. Learn how to grow garlic in containers now.
Beet pests can completely derail your harvest. From maggots that chew up the roots to miners that tunnel through leaves, there are plenty of bugs to watch out for that can quickly destroy a healthy plant. This article will arm you with the knowledge you need to identify and eradicate the most common beet foes.
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.
Pecan nuts that start to turn black and fall off the tree may be suffering from stem end blight. This fungal disease is spread by insects feeding on your trees and can cause severe damage to your crop. Fungicide treatment may be necessary if your trees are infected. Learn how to identify and treat this serious disease.
If you love the vibrant, evergreen bird of paradise plants, did you know that you can grow them as houseplants? Whether you are bringing your outdoor plants in for the winter, or want to add some tropical flair to your decor, learn how to grow and care for bird of paradise indoors in this guide. Read more now.
A tidy garden is a healthy garden, and cutting back perennials helps to achieve both of these things. But confusion comes into play when deciding which perennials to cut back when. Relax! We’ll teach you how biannual pruning can become an act of meditation for the gardener. Read our handy guide, and you’ll look forward to a tidy cleanup.
If you love the taste of homegrown carrots but haven’t had much success with them in your garden, why not try growing them indoors? An indoor garden can provide you with a year-round harvest of fresh, sweet, and tasty roots – and it’s easy when you know how to grow them successfully. Read more now to get our tips.
Many common plants in our gardens have the potential to harm. But sometimes, the risk is overblown. Should you avoid things like yew and datura altogether? Only if you have little kids or curious puppies? Or just exercise caution? Learn which plants to watch for, especially if you have kids or pets, in this guide.
If you want to light up your garden at night, then you should figure out your wants and needs beforehand. Our guide to outdoor garden lighting covers some critical factors to consider before you begin illuminating your landscape. Whether you set up lights yourself or hire outside help, this guide will help you prepare.
Create a cozy, inviting autumn oasis in your own yard by choosing the right plants and design elements. For a fall garden that delights the senses and warms the spirit, make sure to plan your design with attention to color, texture, shape, and light. To learn more about creating your own fall garden design, read on.
You’ve nourished and cared for your pumpkin seedlings, and they’ve grown vines and leaves. Flowers should’ve appeared by now, but you don’t see any blooms – and no flowers means no fruit. Did something go wrong? Read more now to learn the top 5 reasons why your pumpkin vine isn’t blooming, and what to do about it.
Kale has healthy nutrients, a delicious taste, striking beauty, and is easy to grow – making it a beloved staple in the vegetable garden. Why not increase your enjoyment of this super-veggie with plants grown from your own seed collection? Smart, organic, and economical, here’s how to harvest and store kale seeds.
Fungi, bacteria, and water molds cause multiple types of diseases on the leaves or roots of turnips and rutabagas. In addition, turnip mosaic virus is a debilitating disease. You can prevent many diseases by using clean or heat-treated seeds. Read on to find out what symptoms to look for on your crops.
There’s no reason to settle for a drab, gray garden during the winter. Here are 25 suggestions, plants that can transform your cold weather landscape with color whether you need a shrub or a ground cover, to bring some delight when your garden needs it most. From hellebores to mahonia, we have every garden covered.
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.
Flowering vines have long strands of blossoms to train over arbors, fences, and trellises, adding color and movement, and forming living privacy screens. From soft and herbaceous to woody and evergreen, there are options for all to enjoy. Read on and get ready to beautify your outdoor living space with flowering vines.
Carrots, and cabbage, and collards, oh my! Fall is here and it’s time to head back to the garden to plant your autumn vegetable crops. For a bountiful harvest from your fall veggie patch, there are a few tips and tricks you’ll need before you sow your seeds and transplant your seedlings. Ready to learn more? Read on!
White rust infects cruciferous plants, including turnips, around the world. It produces white pustules on the leaves and can distort the flower heads. However, this organism does not kill the plants. Read on to learn how to prevent white rust using cultural control methods.
Vertical gardening has lots of benefits, including saving you a ton of space. On top of that, it saves you time weeding, helps you avoid some pests, and can increase air circulation for healthier plants. There’s also the benefit of not having to crouch down or crawl around to harvest your goods. It’s time to grow up!
Want to try your hand at growing your own crop of mushrooms indoors? There’s a wealth of grow kits available, offering a variety of different types of delicious, edible fungi, with options for budding mycologists as well as experienced growers. Learn more about 17 of the best mushroom growing kits now. Read more.
Have an elderberry bush you love? Or are there wild elderberries nearby that you’d love to grow in your garden? Reproduce that lovely bush through cuttings. Whether hardwood or softwood, in water or soil, elderberries are simple and straightforward to propagate by cuttings. This guide shows you all you need to know.
You’ve filled your yard with fescue, miscanthus, and fakahatchee for multi-season interest that’s beloved by the residents of your home as well as the wildlife. Wondering how to prune your ornamental grasses? Get tips on the how, the when, and the why of cutting back these artistic and pretty landscape plants now.
Sure, you can buy a tree form hydrangea plant at a nursery, but this is often a pricey option. Why not create your own? All you need is a little patience, since it can take a few years to get results, plus some know-how, which we’ll provide in this guide, and a pair of pruning shears to clip your plant into shape.
Although slugs can be highly serious pests of cabbage and other cruciferous veggies, there are a variety of techniques that you can use to control these land mollusks. Read on to learn a number of ways to banish slugs from your garden. You have options ranging from barriers to traps to predatory slugs and bait.
Welcome autumn in brilliant style with late-season flora that showcases vivid flowers, foliage, and berries. Enhance an existing landscape or dedicate new areas of your outdoor living space to energizing pinks, purples, oranges, reds, and yellows. Choose your favorites from our list and prepare for a spectacular fall.
If you love garlic and want to grow your own, you’ll need to know how to propagate it. Learn about the three different methods of propagating garlic – from cloves, bulbils, or from seed. Discover the pros and cons of each method and you’ll be on your way to an aromatic garlic garden in no time. Read more now.
Looking for a cool-season veggie that you can grow in a container? Swiss chard lends itself nicely to potting since it doesn’t mind crowded roots and isn’t too demanding. This guide will walk you through selecting a container, planting seeds or transplants, taking care of your crop, and troubleshooting pesky problems.
Now on Gardener’s Path, learn how to propagate the lovely native American shrub beautyberry. You’ll want as multitutes of these graceful plants with their large, light-green leaves, arching branches, and eye-catching purple berries, and it’s easy to get more plants from seeds or softwood cuttings. Find out more now.
Growing beets in containers both indoors and out can be a fun, delicious project for you and the kids to do year-round. Planting beets in pots allows you to provide exactly the right growing conditions this tasty root needs for a healthy, hearty harvest. You don’t want to miss our step-by-step guide! Read more now.
If you’re wondering how and when to prune your pear trees to keep them healthy and productive, you might not know how or where to begin. Should you train them to take on a certain shape? Or can you leave them to grow naturally? We’ll answer these questions and more. Find out how and when to prune pears in this guide.
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.
Turnip mosaic virus affects cabbage and a broad range of cole crops along with many other types of plants. Weeds serve as reservoirs for the disease, which is spread by aphids. Read on to learn how to control this potentially devastating disease.
If your apples have green dimples on them, they do not have a fungal disorder. Your fruit lack calcium and have apple cork spot. You can prevent this from happening in the future by liming your soil or spraying your trees with calcium. Read on to find out how to diagnose and prevent this physiological disorder.
Cabbage butterflies live throughout the US and southern Canada. While you can handpick the cabbage worms if there are just a few, large numbers can kill your cabbage plants and many other cole crops and crucifers. Read on to learn how to control these voracious caterpillars.
If you love the big, colorful blossoms of hydrangeas but don’t have room in your garden, why not try growing them in containers instead? You can even bring the luxurious bursts of color to your porch, patio, or deck. Learn how to grow hydrangeas in pots in this guide, plus we’ll share our top container-friendly cultivars.
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.
Many common factors can cause pumpkin plants to wilt, ranging from soil that is too dry or wet to a number of potentially devastating disease pathogens and insects. Purging infected plants from your garden and controlling pests can help to save your pumpkins. Read more now to learn how to troubleshoot in your garden.
A scourge that can kill homegrown tomato plants in days, southern blight is caused by a fungus that multiplies in hot, humid weather. It can survive for years in garden soil. In our guide we cover preventive measures that include keeping the garden debris-free, properly spacing plants, and rotating crops. Read more now.
Advancing age makes it challenging to bend and dig in a garden. Learn about the benefits of gardening for seniors and discover 7 top tips for making it easier. By raising beds, working from a seated position, and using ergonomic equipment, it’s possible to enjoy cultivating plants for years to come. Read more now.
Native perennial asters, such as the New England species, spread vigorously via roots and self-sowing. At season’s end, they form copious quantities of cottony seed heads that you can collect, to save and sow in a new location next year, or share with friends. Learn when and how to gather native aster seeds now.
In gardening, understanding the difference between annuals and perennials is one of the most important things you can know. Most of us use a combination of both to make our gardens stand out, but do you know what the benefits are? Or why plants have different lifespans? Is one better for your garden than the other?
When it comes to weeds, things aren’t always black and white. Some, like kudzu and giant hogweed, should definitely be controlled. But others, like dandelions, can be left to enjoy. Let’s discuss when weeds can safely be left in place and how to incorporate them into your garden scheme if you decide to let them be.
Interested in learning how to grow plants? It’s essential to learn the fundamentals before diving into this fun new hobby. This introduction to growing plants covers the basics of gardening and touches on what plants need to live. After reading it, you’ll be ready to begin your gardening journey. Let’s begin!
Is your garden bugged by stink bugs? Learn how to banish these malodorous, produce-eating pests from your garden once and for all with tips and hints from the experts at Gardener’s Path.
Starting an organic garden might seem like a daunting task, but with a little planning it’s much simpler than you may think. Nature provides everything from pest control to natural fertilizers, but it’s up to the gardener to employ green systems and discard synthetic ones. Get started with organic gardening now.
Vines tough enough to thrive in Zones 3-6 are sometimes prone to becoming invasive. And others might not necessarily be invasive, but they don’t put on a very impressive floral display. If you’re looking for the Goldilocks of flowering vines, learn about 11 that will thrive in northern climates without taking over.
Catfacing of tomatoes is a physiological disorder that causes deformities in the developing fruit, caused by stressful cultural conditions. Steps you can take to prevent this condition include planting resistant varieties and ensuring your plants are not subjected to cold weather. Read on to learn more about catface.
Have you heard of xeriscaping? Often associated with desert climates, it’s much more than succulents and cacti. This sensible landscape style conserves water, reduces garden maintenance, and provides habitat for endemic species. Learn all about its aesthetics and efficiency here on Gardener’s Path.
Are you wondering what to do with your end-of-season surplus of green and ripe red tomatoes? Some can be kept in boxed storage to continue to ripen and enjoy fresh. But for a bumper harvest, long-term preservation is often needed. Find all the details on how to store your homegrown tomatoes right here. Read more now.
If you grow plants in a greenhouse rather than out in the garden, there’s a chance you’ll make some mistakes. Luckily, most greenhouse mistakes are entirely avoidable. In this guide, we cover some of the most common blunders you can make when growing plants in a greenhouse and how to avoid them. Read more now.
Floating row covers are a must for every gardener. From extending the season to keeping out pests, this multipurpose fabric can transform the way you garden. Keep reading to learn how to use floating row covers to make the most of every season.
When picking out a home for your containerized plant specimens, it’s important to consider what the container will be made of. Different materials come with different pros and cons, and knowing them makes all the difference. In our guide, we’ll go in-depth on some common materials that gardeners should be aware of.
Cover crops offer a smart and sustainable way to produce healthy, vibrant soil for robust, happy plants without using synthetic fertilizers. They also control erosion, suppress weeds, bust pest cycles, and improve water retention. Learn all about the art and science of beneficial cover cropping right here.
With garden beds prepped and planted in spring and crops harvested in summer, you might think that the late season garden doesn’t need a lot of attention. But to keep things colorful, productive, and vibrant, you’ll want to stay on top of certain tasks. Here are 17 tips to keep the late summer garden going strong.
If you’re growing your pumpkins indoors or in a greenhouse, or simply don’t have many bees around, you might be wondering how you’ll get any fruit. Pumpkin pollination requires bees, after all. But here’s a secret: you can hand pollinate your own gourds. Learn everything you need to know in our guide. Read more now.
Fleas are a nightmare for your cats and dogs and not much fun for you, either. Not only do they leave behind itchy, irritating bites, but they can also spread diseases and tapeworms. These pests can jump long distances and have multiple hosts. Find out how to identify and treat an infestation in this guide. Read more now.
When your herb garden produces more than you can use fresh, freezing is a great way to preserve their flavor, fragrance, and nutrition. It’s fast, easy, and there’s no specialized equipment needed. Plus, it’s a smart way to reduce food waste. Learn about five of the best ways to freeze herbs in this guide. Read more now.
Sure, they’re cute, but bunnies can wreak havoc on your flowers and vegetable harvest. To discourage garden damage by rabbits without making like Elmer Fudd, follow these tips. Savvy plant selection, fences, and yard maintenance can all help keep Peter Rabbit out of your space. Quit growing rabbit food, already!
Ripening tomatoes sometimes develop a dark, sunken spot at the blossom end, known as blossom-end rot. But this damage to your crop is not a sign of disease – it’s due to a lack of calcium in the fruit. Read on to learn about the measures you can take to keep your tomatoes safe from this physiological disorder.
It’s a nasty surprise to discover your seedlings are dead thanks to cutworm damage, with all the hard work of getting your plants started undone in just one night. Don’t let them destroy your garden. Our guide will show you how to identify these pests and get rid of them so you can enjoy the harvest. Read more now.
When it comes to pruning, knowing the difference between new and old wood is crucial. If you prune either one at the wrong time, it’s entirely possible that you’ll destroy that year’s fruit or floral display. Learn about the difference between the two types of growth so you can prune for the best health and display.
Oh no. It’s one of the worst weeds imaginable, and it’s in your garden. Morning glory, also known as bindweed, is a nightmare. It’s extremely difficult to get rid of, and it can turn into a serious problem over just one growing season, killing plants and reducing crops. But don’t feel hopeless. You can get rid of it.
Many gardeners would agree that you can never have too much bee balm, a classic mid-border garden favorite. Luckily, it’s easy to propagate this long-blooming flowering herb via division, seeds, or cuttings. With proper care, you’ll have tons to sprinkle throughout the garden beds or give away to friends and family.
It’s so sad when tomatoes won’t ripen on the vine. Stay one step ahead of the coming frost with these tips to make homegrown tomatoes turn red. Temperature, cultivar selection, and stress all come into play. And sometimes you can bring green fruit inside to ripen. Our motto: No tomato left behind. Read more now.
Do you have a backyard garden that has a great shady spot but you’re not sure what to fill it with? Meet the astilbe. Take a single plant, and with a little patience, you can propagate that parent into a family of transplants that will transform your shaded location into a colorful perennial oasis. Read more now.
Bacillus subtilis can control a range of fungal and bacterial pathogens in the soil and on leaves. It directly inhibits other microbes and also stimulates the plants to control pathogens using their own natural resistance mechanisms. Read on to learn more about these versatile bacteria.
Fresh cut flowers from the garden or florist are a pleasure. With nourishment, they may last a week or more. Purchased blooms may come with a packet that contains enough for the first day, but then what? Read on for easy instructions on how to replicate the contents of a flower food packet with household ingredients.
Hellebore is one of the earliest plants to bloom, often popping up right through the snow. If you love it, why not learn how to propagate your own? By dividing your plants and replanting the divisions, you can have more wherever you like, and save money in the process. Read more now to learn how easy it is.
Do you have a white powdery coating on the leaves of your apple trees? Are trying to figure out what it might be? It’s likely powdery mildew and it needs to be managed. This disease is found in every region of the world that grows apples and damages leaves, limbs, fruit, and may even make an apple harvest impossible. Read on to learn how to recognize this pernicious disease and how to treat it.
Garlic’s pungent smell repels many pests, but there are a few bugs out there that love to prey on garlic. If you want to know what they are and how to fight them, this article will reveal the top five bugs that plague garlic. Plus, you’ll learn what you need to know to keep your garlic healthy. 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.
When life gives you a bumper crop of tomatoes, you’re in luck if you have room in the freezer. But you need to be savvy. Make the most of a tomato glut without wasting time or energy, and try our tips for making sauce or concasse, freezer jam, and salsa, as well as freezing plain, unpeeled tomatoes. Read more now.
A bountiful harvest of tasty homegrown tomatoes is a treat that shouldn’t be missed. But sometimes plants need a helping hand. Don’t let bad weather or a lack of pollinators thwart your green thumb. Learn four easy ways to hand pollinate tomatoes and you’ll always enjoy an abundant crop. Read more now.
Dehydrating is an excellent way to preserve your garden or orchard harvests for later use. And once you learn how to dry fruits and vegetables, it will be one of the easiest means of food preservation you can use. Read more now to learn everything you need to know about dehydrating fruits and veggies from the garden.
Your cucumbers and other cucurbit crops are at risk of infestation via cucumber beetles, which can defoliate them, reduce their yield aesthetics, transmit diseases, or even kill the plants entirely. In this guide, you’ll learn how to identify these pests, and how to prevent and control them in your garden. Read more now.
Aster yellows can infect more than 300 species of plants and produce symptoms such as leaves growing out of flowers and other deformities. Read on to learn how to spot the various symptoms of this disease and manage the aster leafhoppers that transmit it.