When and How to Blanch Maturing Cauliflower Heads

A close up of a small developing cauliflower head, the white curds just visible beneath the small inner leaves. The outer leaves are large and flat with white veins and stems, covered in small droplets of water.

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.

19 Apple Tree Varieties That’ll Knock Your Socks Off

A close up horizontal image of three blush red and green apples growing on a branch with green leaves.

Selecting the best apple tree varieties can be disappointing and fruitless (pun intended) if you don’t pick the right trees. Cold hardiness, flowering groups, and chill hours can be overwhelming, and don’t get me started on the trouble with triploids. Read more to learn about picking the right ones for your yard.

27 of the Best Echeveria Varieties

A close up horizontal image of a variety of different types of echeveria succulents growing in small pots.

With unique rosettes ranging in colors from icy blue to dusty plum, echeveria succulents are easy-care, frost-tender perennials that thrive in lean soil and arid conditions, making them an excellent choice for containers, xeriscape gardens, and houseplants as well. Learn about 27 of the best echeveria varieties now.

How to Grow and Care for Oregon Grape Holly

A close up horizontal image of the bright red foliage and deep purple berries of Oregon grape holly (Mahonia) pictured on a soft focus background.

With gorgeous fall color, eye-catching berries, and bright yellow flowers, Oregon grapes are fantastic for landscaping. These shrubs come in various shapes and sizes, and can serve multiple purposes in your yard – plus their fruits are edible. Keep reading to learn more about growing and caring for Oregon grape.

Growing a Three Sisters Garden: Beans, Corn, and Squash

A horizontal close up of a yellow squash, a bunch of yellow pole beans, a small white squash and an ear of Indian corn grouped together on a rustic wooden table.

Discover the rich history of the three sisters garden, a sustainable planting method rooted in Native American traditions. Learn how to cultivate corn, beans, and squash together to harness their companion planting benefits for a bountiful harvest. Explore the synergy of this agricultural technique.

How to Transplant or Repot Aloe Vera in 3 Simple Steps

A close up horizontal image of aloe plants growing in a black plastic planter.

Are you noticing your aloe becoming too big for its current pot or space? No worries, we’ve got you covered! Discover the three simple steps to transplant or repot your aloe. Not only is it enjoyable, but you’ll also be providing aloe with a new home that will support its longevity.

Tips for Growing Garlic in Containers

A close up of Allium sativum softneck variety, recently harvested, with the roots removed and the scapes braided to be hung up to cure.

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.

13 Common Beet Pests: Identification, Control Tips, and Prevention

Image of a beet plant growing in the garden with leaves wilting in the sun and damage to the roots by soil-borne nematodes.

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.

How to Grow and Care for Lipstick Vines

A close up horizontal image of the red and purple flowers of a lipstick vine (Aeschynanthus) in full bloom pictured on a soft focus background.

A vining houseplant ideal for indoor hanging baskets, lipstick plant has flowers that look like little lipstick tubes. This quirky, showy epiphyte needs a few extras to thrive and bloom indoors, including indirect light, and ample warmth and ample humidity. Learn how to keep it happy with our tips. Read more now.

How to Grow Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) from Seed

A close up horizontal image of colorful amaryllis flowers growing outdoors.

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.

How to Grow and Care for American Persimmon Trees

American persimmons are the perfect fruit tree for the beginning gardener. They don’t need extensive pruning or pest control to produce a healthy harvest, and if you’ve ever tasted this unique fruit straight from the tree, you know they’re deliciously sweet with a hint of spice. Read the full growing guide now.

What Causes Turnips to Crack or Rot?

A close up horizontal image of gloved hands pulling a fresh turnip root out of the ground. In the background are other mature plants pictured in soft focus.

You fertilized, watered, and fussed over your turnips for weeks, and it’s time to pull them from the ground. But instead of perfectly-shaped roots, you find cracked, split, or rotten ones instead. What went wrong? What could you have done differently? Read on to learn what causes these issues and how to prevent them.

What Is the Difference Between Broccoli Rabe and Broccolini?

A close up of a floret and the foliage of broccoli rabe growing in the garden in light sunshine.

Is there a difference between broccolini and broccoli rabe? Or are they the same? These two veggies look a lot alike and have similar names. But they are different – in their origins, how they grow in the garden, and how you’ll want to use them in the kitchen! To learn what distinguishes these two veggies, keep reading.

How to Overwinter Begonias

A close up horizontal image of bright red wax begonias growing in the garden.

Instead of tossing begonias at the season’s end, help them survive the winter and grow the same plants next spring. Our guide will help you prepare wax begonias for winter survival and save begonia tubers to plant again. Those in Zones 6-9 can find tips for preparing cold-resistant hardy begonias for wintry weather.

Sun Recommendations for Planting Kale

A close up of Tuscan and purple kale plants growing together in the garden in bright sunshine with metal stakes in between them.

Choosing to grow kale in the home garden is an excellent choice. Who doesn’t want a fresh patch of healthy leafy greens to pick from, right in the backyard? But knowing how much sunshine per day this cruciferous vegetable requires? That’s another question. To find out how much sun to provide your kale, read more now.

When and How to Harvest Caraway Seed

Close up of a caraway flower head with mature seeds ready for harvest.

Caraway is an aromatic herb that is entirely edible. Usually grown as a biennial, flowers yield to fruit in the second year. We call this fruit seed, and use it to flavor foods like classic rye bread. Read on and learn when and how to harvest the pungent seed for recipes and future crops, right here on Gardener’s Path.

How to Plant and Grow Basil

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A beautiful, warm weather herb with large, aromatic leaves, sweetly spicy basil is widely used to flavor both savory and sweet foods and beverages. Easily cultivated and fast growing, it’s an excellent container plant and a natural in herb and kitchen gardens. Keep reading to learn how to grow basil.

How to Identify and Control 11 Cactus Pests

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Cacti are resilient desert survivors, but even they’re at risk of infestation and pest damage. Our guide walks you through a handful of significant threats, how to prevent them, and how to handle them if they’re already present. Arm yourself with this know-how, and your cacti will be much better off. Read more now.

How to Plant and Grow Asian Pear Trees

A close up horizontal image of an Asian pear tree (Pyrus pyrifolia) laden with ripe fruits ready for harvest, surrounded by foliage.

Asian pears are a treat for anyone who loves a crisp, crunchy pear. Deliciously firm when fully ripe, nashi pears can be difficult to find in the grocery store. Why not try growing your own? Discover how to plant and grow Asian pear trees in your garden now with this guide. Plus we’ll share our favorite recipe ideas!

Why Is My Cauliflower Fuzzy? Troubleshooting Tips for Ricing in Curds

A close up of a cauliflower head that has gone fuzzy around the edges, a condition known as ricing, pictured amongst dark green foliage.

Cauliflower is one of the more difficult cool-weather crops to grow. If climate, soil, and moisture conditions are not ideal, the curd may not mature as it should. Sometimes, instead of being smooth, it looks fuzzy. Learn what causes this, how to avoid it, and if the affected crop is edible. Read more now.

How to Identify and Treat Pecan Stem End Blight

A cluster of immature pecan nuts still in green casings growing on the tree surrounded by foliage in light sunshine on a soft focus background.

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.

How to Grow Plumcots and Pluots

A close up horizontal image of ripe plumcots growing on the tree in an orchard.

Plumcots and pluots are interspecific hybrid fruits achieved by crossing plum trees with apricot trees. Walk with us through the orchard as we explore these harmonious combos. Learn all the juicy secrets of these sensational fruit fusions like their history, how to grow and use them, and where to get your own plants.

How to Overwinter Foxgloves

A horizontal shot of beautiful purple foxglove flowers in a summer garden with a bokeh background.

Foxgloves offer charm, ease, and color that few other plants can match. If you’re eager to see your foxgloves thriving next spring, learn how to provide your plants with the winter care they need to grow bigger and stronger when the warm weather returns. We’ll talk about annual, biennial, and perennial foxgloves.

7 Reasons Why Garlic Leaves Fall Over

A horizontal photo showing a close-up of a bunch of freshly harvested garlic held by two hands in green garden gloves.

Are the leaves of your garlic plants falling over? Several things may cause the foliage to collapse when growing your own garlic, from wind and pests to watering issues and disease. If you want to be able to dig into the tasty bulbs once they mature, you need to figure out the cause of this problem and how to fix it.

How to Grow Bird of Paradise Indoors

A close up horizontal image of a bright bird of paradise (Strelizia reginae) flower growing in a large indoor garden.

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.

Health Benefits of Beets

A close up horizontal image of deep red beetroots freshly harvested and cleaned and set on a wooden surface.

Hunting for a root vegetable teeming with health benefits? Look no further than the beet. This earthy vegetable contains several key nutrients that are vital to our health. With a plethora of cultivars to choose from, you’ll be eager to add them to your garden. Read on to learn about what this veggie has to offer.

Your Guide to Fall and Spring Perennial Cutbacks and Pruning

A pair of red-handled pruning clippers lie open on top of a pile of clipped perennial leaves and stems in a black plastic bucket, next to white flowering daisies.

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.

Tips for Growing Carrots Indoors

A close up of freshly harvested carrots with soil still on the roots and tops still attached set on rich, dark garden soil.

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.

15 of the Best Asian Persimmon Varieties

A close up horizontal image of ripe, orange persimmons growing on the branch pictured on a soft focus background.

Asian persimmons are a hallmark of fall, featuring honey-sweet flesh. Non-astringent types are delicious while they’re still firm, and others need to be overripe to be palatable. With so many different kinds in cultivation, we’ve done the work of sorting through the options for you. Read about our favorites now.

How to Identify and Treat Common Camellia Diseases

A close up of a branch of a camellia shrub with pink rose-like blooms and buds pictured on a soft focus background.

While they’re generally tough and resilient, there are a few diseases that can attack camellias. Most aren’t a death sentence, but you need to be able to identify the issue to act appropriately and eliminate it. In this guide, we’ll discuss seven of the most common camellia diseases and what to do about them.

How to Make Your Own Cactus Potting Soil

A close up horizontal image of a selection of different cacti growing in a small planter indoors.

Attractive, colorful, and unique plants, cacti are fabulous in pots and containers, and require little care or maintenance. But these desert-dwellers do need special soil to really thrive – a potting mix with a sandy, porous texture that’s well-draining. Learn how to make your own cactus potting soil in this guide.

Health Benefits of Turnip Greens

Top down view of the greens of a turnip plant growing in a garden.

Turn up your diet quality with turnip greens! This leafy vegetable packs in a powerful nutritional punch. Turnips are best known for their roots, but don’t forget to keep the tops too! Adding the homegrown greens to salads or sauteing them with aromatics offers many robust health benefits. Read on to learn more.

How to Prevent and Manage Fireblight in Apples, Pears, and Plums

A close up horizontal image of the branch of an apple tree showing symptoms of fireblight.

Fireblight can quickly infect apples, pears, and plums, leaving them sickly, ugly, and unable to produce as many healthy fruits. Our guide discusses this serious bacterial disease, how to manage fireblight infections in your trees, and even how to prevent infections from happening in the first place. Read more.

Tips for Growing Collard Greens in Winter

Top down image of a collard green plant (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) growing under a light coat of snow.

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.

How to Store Your Apple Harvest

A close up of a wooden crate containing freshly harvested apples for long term fresh storage surrounded by straw.

If you find yourself with a bumper crop of apples, you’ll likely want to put some of your harvest up for winter storage, either fresh or as preserves. The fresh fruits will keep their delicious flavors and perfect textures for months when stored in the best conditions. Learn how to store your apple harvest in this guide.

How to Plant and Grow Swiss Chard

A row of swiss chard with orange, red, and green stalks.

Are you interested in expanding your repertoire of leafy green vegetables in the garden? Then colorful Swiss chard is for you. Cold and heat tolerant, it produces multiple harvests per season, and can be eaten cooked and raw in a variety of dishes. Learn how to cultivate it in your garden, here on Gardener’s Path.

What Month Should You Sow Kale?

A close up of little green kale seedlings, with beads of water on some of the leaves, the background is more of these seedlings, and the dark earth underneath them in soft focus.

If you want to grow kale, an important first step is figuring out when you should sow the seeds. Assessing various factors, including where you live and the time of year, can help you to figure this out. By planting at the right time, you will be rewarded with an abundant harvest of nutritious greens. Read more now.

Broccoli Buttoning: What Causes Multiple Tiny Heads?

A close up of two hands cupping a mature broccoli head, in between large, leafy green foliage on a white background.

Broccoli isn’t the easiest cruciferous vegetable to cultivate. It needs cool weather and a host of other favorable growing conditions. Sometimes, instead of one large, compact head, multiple small ones called buttons develop. Learn why this happens, and what measures you can take to avoid it, here on Gardener’s Path.

Poisonous Plants: 31 Varieties That Can Cause Harm

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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.

How to Propagate Pine Trees from Seed

A horizontal image of a single pine tree in a grassy location with a forest of Pinus species in the background with blue sky.

Have you ever eyeballed a pine cone and wondered to yourself if you could turn it into a tree? It’s not as hard as you might imagine. This comprehensive guide explains how to grow a pine tree from seed, starting with when and how to harvest the cones through to transplanting seedlings, and everything in between.

How to Grow Cauliflower in Containers

A close up horizontal image of a small cauliflower head developing on the plant surrounded by dark green foliage.

Craving homegrown cauliflower but you’re short on garden space? Struggling with soil-borne diseases in the veggie patch? Don’t worry! Growing your own cauliflower in a container is easier than you might expect. Our guide will arm you with the knowledge you need, from selection and planting to troubleshooting and more.

9 of the Best Asian Pear Varieties for the Home Garden

A close up horizontal image of Asian pears growing in the garden pictured in bright sunshine.

Distinct from European types, Asian pears are firm-fleshed, with mild to sweet flavors, and a refreshing, juicy crunch. The pretty fruit is round and apple-like, and ripens on the tree in colors ranging from pale green or yellow to bronze and russet. Read about nine of the best Asian pears for the home garden here.

The Ultimate Fall Berry Planting Guide

Two hands at the left of the frame holding compost to place around a berry plant, at the right of the frame.

Just because there’s a chill in the air doesn’t mean your gardening season has to be over. Autumn is the perfect time to plant berry bushes, trees, and canes for a generous crop of homegrown fruit next year. Read more to learn to plant a variety of berries this autumn for a luscious spring, summer, and fall harvest.

How and When to Harvest Beets

A wooden box containing harvested beets, the soil cleaned off them and the stems cut about two inches above the root. The roots are a deep purple, contrasting with a little of the green foliage still attached and the bright purple stems.

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.

How to Stop Turnips from Bolting and Going to Seed

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.

How to Divide Aloe Plants in 5 Simple Steps

A close up horizontal image of aloe plants growing in the garden ready for division.

To ensure the longevity of your aloe plants, it’s essential to divide them as soon as they begin to encroach upon each other and the space they are growing in. Read our guide to find straightforward steps on how to complete this process successfully, and you’ll also have extra plants to share with friends and family!

How to Grow and Care for Smooth Hydrangea Bushes

A close up horizontal image of the white flowers of Hydrangea arborescens growing in the garden pictured on a soft focus background.

With snow-white pom-pom inflorescence and exfoliating, textured bark, wild hydrangeas are sure to wow any garden aficionado. Hydrangea arborescens attracts pollinators, stabilizes slopes, and is a natural border plant with showy blooms that make for an elegant cut flower. Learn how to grow wild hydrangeas now.

What Are the Health Benefits of Homegrown Collard Greens?

A close up of freshly harvested and cleaned collard greens, with light droplets of water on the leaves set on a wooden surface.

You may know collard greens as a Southern side dish staple, but did you know they also offer a multitude of potential health benefits? With plenty of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, collards make a great addition to your diet. And they can be quite simple to grow – a no-brainer to add to your garden! Read more now.

Tips for Growing Impatiens Indoors

A close up horizontal image of light pink impatiens flowers growing in pots indoors.

If you want more impatiens beyond the confines of your garden, grow them indoors as houseplants. They can offer year-round color and cheerful flowers in bright colors like pink, yellow, orange, and red. And they lend themselves nicely to indoor life, since they tolerate lower light and warm temperatures. Read more now.

How to Overwinter Nemesia Flowers

A close up horizontal image of colorful nemesia flowers growing in the garden.

The colorful, cheerful flowers of nemesia are a charming addition to planters, hanging baskets, and window boxes. Easily cultivated, they’re typically grown as annuals, but these frost-tender perennials can be saved as dormant plants to flower again next season. Learn about nemesia winter care now in our guide.

Lemongrass Winter Care: How to Prepare for the Cold

A row of lemongrass plants growing in the garden with long, thin, upright, green leaves. In the background are trees and vegetation in soft focus.

Lemongrass brings a tropical touch to your garden, with its long leaves and citrusy scent. But it needs a bit of extra care and attention if it’s to survive the winter chill. To learn what steps to take to prepare your plants for the change of season, and the protection they need for overwintering, read more now.

The Best Companion Plants to Grow with Kale

A close up of a raised garden bed with mature, healthy Tuscan kale growing amongst bright nasturtium flowers, an other leafy vegetable plants in light sunshine.

Planting kale in your vegetable garden? You’ll want to know the best common companion plants for this garden veggie. If so, you have come to the right place. Learn which plants will attract beneficial insects, repel pests, provide ground cover, and act as nitrogen fixers for this garden staple. Read more now.

How to Divide and Transplant Yucca Offshoot Pups

A close up horizontal image of yucca plants growing in the garden in full bloom.

Yuccas are beautiful flowering succulents for the home and garden. Low maintenance perennials with excellent drought tolerance, they’re forgiving of neglect. A star in any waterwise garden, they’re easy to reproduce as well. To thin out clumps or start new plants, here’s how to separate and repot yucca offshoots.

How to Plant and Grow Winter Savory

A close up of a Satureja montana plant, with long thin bright green leaves against a dark background in soft focus.

Winter savory is the perennial cousin of the annual summer variety, and its evergreen leaves can be enjoyed in recipes year-round. This easy-to-grow herb adds a peppery umami flavor to bean dishes, game, meat, and stuffing, and makes a great companion plant in the garden. Read more now to learn how to grow your own.

5 Reasons Your Pumpkin Vine Isn’t Blooming

A large pumpkin patch with abundant, large leaves but no flowers.

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.

9 of the Best Chard Varieties to Grow at Home

A close up of a garden bed showing a row of chard plants, each with different colored stems contrasting with the large dark green leaves. Between the plants is rich soil and the garden is pictured in light sunshine.

Chard makes a nutritious and colorful addition to your vegetable patch. This leafy green is easy to grow and there are lots of varieties to choose from. With different flavors, textures, and colors you’re sure to find a variety perfect for your garden. Learn more about the different types of chard with our 9 top picks.

Plant Folklore: Myths, Magic, and Superstition

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Plants have long been a source of inspiration, magic, and awe. From the mighty oak to humble mint, herbs, shrubs, and trees have always played a huge part in our lives and legends. Learn more about the folkloric origins of your favorite garden residents with 23 tales of myth, magic, and superstition. Read more now.

How to Lift and Store Crocus Bulbs

A close up horizontal image of yellow crocuses growing in a sunny spring garden with snow on the ground.

One of the earliest of the spring bulbs, crocus flowers brighten winter-weary gardens in glorious colors of mauve, purple, and orange. Hardy and durable, the corms prefer to stay snuggled into their soil beds year round – but they can be lifted and saved until fall planting if needed. Here’s how to store crocus bulbs.

How to Harvest and Store Kale Seeds

Top down view of a large, healthy curly leaved kale plant.

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.

7 Top Elderberry Varieties to Grow in Your Backyard

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If you love elderberries, why not grow them at home? These tall shrubs make an incredible addition to the landscape, with beautiful flowers and tasty fruit. Learn which plants are best suited for your growing area as we take a look at 7 of the best varieties to grow at home in this guide. Read more now.

Troubleshooting Deformed Beets and Reasons Why Beets Are Too Small

A close up horizontal image of beets growing in the garden with the roots too close together potentially causing them to be deformed.

There’s nothing worse than nurturing your beets all season long, only to discover at harvest time that they’re too small or totally deformed. This article will help you understand why your beets aren’t picture-perfect, and what to do about it to avoid this devastating problem next time you try growing beets.

How to Grow and Care for Ruby Glow Peperomia

A close up horizontal image of the pink and green bicolored succulent foliage of a ruby glow peperomia plant, pictured in light sunshine.

Ruby glow peperomia is a funky green and burgundy succulent plant that’s a breeze to care for. With its chunky, fleshy leaves, this perky and colorful houseplant will be good as gold sitting on a sunny windowsill and requires very little maintenance. Keep reading to learn how to grow and care for ruby glow peperomia.

How to Lift and Store Canna Lilies for Winter

A close up horizontal image of a bright red canna lily flower growing in the garden pictured in light sunshine on a soft focus background.

Canna lilies have stunning, long-lasting flowers that add bright color and a tropical touch to the garden. As frost-tender plants, in Zone 7 and below, they benefit from having their rhizomes lifted for winter storage before replanting in spring. Learn how to lift and store cannas in this guide. Read more now.

13 of the Best Winter Pear Varieties to Grow at Home

A close up horizontal image of a cluster of 'Concorde' pears ripening on the tree pictured in light sunshine on a soft focus background.

Winter pears are a fabulous treat, with crisp skin and sweet, buttery flesh. Some of the most popular varieties out there are winter pears, like ‘Bosc’ and ‘D’Anjou.’ Then there are the lesser-known types like ‘Rescue’ and ‘Orcas,’ which deserve some time in the spotlight too. Here are 13 options worth checking out.

How to Propagate Amaryllis Bulbs

A close up horizontal image of bright red amaryllis flowers pictured on a soft focus background.

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.

How to Identify and Control 7 Garlic Diseases

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Don’t let terrible garlic diseases deprive you of your harvest. Whether it’s botrytis rot or a nasty case of downy mildew, pathogens can kill your plants and rot your bulbs. Learn what to look for, how to tell one disease from another, how to prevent problems, and what to do if diseases do show up. Read more now.

The Best Pine Trees: 41 Noteworthy Varieties

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Pine trees are gorgeous plantings to add to the landscape. But with so many different kinds available, how does one decide on a type to plant, or know how to tell them apart? In this guide to the best Pinus species we cover a bunch of different pine trees, their features, and what makes them unique. Read more now.

How to Grow Winter Cabbage for a Late-Season Harvest

A close up of a cabbage head with a light dusting of frost. The outer leaves have separated from the tight inner ones.

If you’re looking to pull a fresh, crisp vegetable from your winter garden, consider winter cabbage. Storage varieties can withstand cold temperatures and frosts without sustaining much damage. Learn about important factors such as planting dates and crop protection for a successful late-season harvest. Read more now.

How to Harvest and Save Basil Seed

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Building your own supply of top-performing garden seeds is fun and easy – an economical way to ensure constant access to your favorite flowers, herbs, and veggies. Curate your own heritage collection and avoid the disappointment of market whims and disappearing varieties. Here’s how to harvest and save basil seed.

How to Turn Green Pumpkins Orange After Vines Die

A close up horizontal image of a pile of green pumpkins freshly harvested.

If your pumpkin vine died just a few weeks before harvest time, you’re probably at a loss for what to do with your green pumpkins. But did you know there’s something you can do to help them turn orange? In this guide, learn our favorite trick, and discover a few reasons why vines may die early. Read more.

How to Identify and Control 5 Camellia Pests

A close up horizontal image of two pink camellia flowers growing in the garden pictured on a soft focus background.

Camellias are generally tough, but that doesn’t mean pests won’t visit them. In this guide, we’ll talk about sap-sucking pests like scale and aphids, as well as leaf eaters like beetles. We’ll also explain how to identify and get rid of them. If your camellias are experiencing issues, read more now.

How to Grow and Care for Hardy Fuchsia

A close up horizontal image of hardy fuchsia with bright red flowers growing in the garden.

Think you can’t grow fuchsia in your area? These elegant bloomers are reputed to be delicate tropical annuals that are tossed out at season’s end, but hardy perennial fuchsias can actually survive in surprisingly cold climates. Read on for all the info you need to be able to enjoy your fuchsias year after year.

Tips for Growing Flowering Vines

A close up horizontal image of pink and white clematis flowers growing over rocks.

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.

28 of the Best Yucca Varieties

A close up horizontal image of the flowers and foliage of a yucca plant pictured in bright sunshine on a blue sky background.

Happy inhabitants of the driest of soils, the resilient yucca tolerates drought, frost, and searing heat. With spiky foliage in shades of green, gray, and blue, yucca sports spikes of creamy flowers come summer. Learn about the most beautiful, floriferous, and toughest types of this native succulent for your garden.

How to Grow and Care for Pomegranate Trees

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Wild pomegranate trees originated in the Middle East, and came to be cultivated as a nutritious food source and medicine. Regarded once as status symbols, they’re more commonplace today, but no less delicious. And many varieties of this fruit are available to choose from. Read more now to learn how to grow your own.

How to Save Pumpkin Seeds from Your Garden to Roast and Eat

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Whether you grow field, pie, or hull-less pumpkin varieties, saving the seeds to eat is a bonus! Here’s how to pick the best varieties to grow if you want to roast the seeds, and how to spot the winter squash with the most seeds. Follow these selection and collection tips for a nutritious harvest ready to roast.

11 of the Best Fall Annuals for the South

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When summer ends, gardeners in the south can still grow pretty annuals for fall color. Discover the best choices for borders, cutting gardens, or containers with this list of 11 of the best autumn annuals for southern growers. Our top picks include cheery sunflowers, zinnias, and marigolds. Read more now.

Winter and Summer Pears: What’s the Difference?

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You’ve probably heard of winter and summer pears, and maybe you’re curious about the difference. There seems to be some misunderstanding about what defines each. It has to do with when the fruit matures on the tree rather than any unique characteristic, though winter and summer types tend to have similarities as well.

How to Plant an Autumn Vegetable Garden

A close up of a man's hand, planting a garlic bulb in a small furrow in the soil. His other hand is holding a wicker basket, containing more garlic bulbs. The background is soft focus soil and grass.

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!

How Nutritious Is Raw Cabbage?

A wooden surface with three different Brassica oleracea vegetables on it. From the left, a white one, chopped in half, in the center a red variety with a slice out of it, and to the right a savoy cabbage, whole.

While it may not be as trendy as cauliflower or kale, cabbage is a low calorie vegetable that packs a serious nutritional punch. A member of the Brassica genus, cabbage is rich in several important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Want to find out just how nutritious raw cabbage actually is? Read more now.

How and When to Harvest Arugula

A close up of arugula (Eruca vesicaria) growing in a row in the garden.

Are you growing arugula in your garden and wondering when and how to harvest it for crispy leaves with the tastiest flavor? Find out how to pick baby greens for a mild flavor or enjoy a peppery kick from more mature leaves. Get the best out of your greens and learn how and when to harvest arugula. Read more now.

How to Overwinter Hosta Plants

A close up horizontal image of a garden bed planted with green and variegated hostas.

As winter approaches, there are steps you can take to care for hostas so they’ll return in spring healthier than ever. Mulching, tidying up, and dividing plants, and burying, moving, or covering your container-bound hostas, will go a long way toward protecting your plants from pests, disease, and frost heave damage.

When and How to Harvest Apples

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If you’re growing apples in your orchard, you’ll harvest the best quality fruit if you know how to judge the maturity of your crop. There are a number of factors that will help you estimate when your apples will be ripe for picking. Learn when and how to harvest your apples in this guide. Read more now.

How to Grow and Care for Nemesia Flowers

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Nemesias are well known for their visually striking flowers, which come in a wide variety of colorful hues. The Nemesia genus offers many different species for gardeners to grow in all sorts of climates. Our guide teaches you everything a hopeful Nemesia grower needs to know – learn how to cultivate your own plants now.

How to Grow Ornamental Maiden Grass (Japanese Silver Grass)

A close up horizontal image of a clump of Japanese silver grass, aka maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis) growing in the garden.

Is something missing from your landscape design but you’re not exactly sure what it is? Ornamental maiden grass, aka Japanese silver grass, may be the answer. Tall, dense clumps of long, elegant leaves topped with attractive feathery plumes awaken all the senses and add depth, structure, and scale to the garden.

17 of the Top Mushroom Growing Kits for Home Gardeners

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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.

How to Harvest Aloe Vera Leaves

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Interested in learning how to harvest healing aloe vera leaves? You’ve come to the right place. Our guide provides helpful tips to ensure you get the most out of your aloe plant. Whether you’re looking to use the gel for skincare or to make aloe vera infused smoothies, we’ll provide you with simple instructions.

11 Reasons Why Your Cauliflower May Not Form Heads

A close up, top down picture of green cauliflower foliage, the white veins and stems clearly visible against the light green of the leaves.

Cauliflower is a cool-weather crop that is often challenging to grow. Sometimes it yields an abundance of snowy white, purple, green, or even orange heads. Other times, you’re rewarded with mounds of foliage, but there’s not a single head in sight. To discover 11 reasons why this may happen, read more now.

How and When to Take Elderberry Cuttings to Propagate New Plants

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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.

How and When to Harvest Pomegranates

Image of two hands from the left of the frame holding a pomegranate that has been split in half pictured on a soft focus background.

It can be challenging to tell when pomegranates are ripe and ready for harvest. While the exteriors may not appear to change much, there are some subtle hints. We’ll discuss the clues to look for, and cover best practices for handling the fruits to protect them from damage so they’re ready for fall and winter storage.

How to Grow and Care for Cotoneaster Shrubs

Image of the glossy green foliage and bright red berries of perennial cotoneaster shrubs growing in the garden.

Cotoneaster is a showy, hardworking shrub that provides multi-season interest with deep green foliage and pretty flowers, followed by bright berries and fantastic fall colors. Attractive as groundcovers and hedges, in containers and rockeries, or against fences and walls. Learn how to grow cotoneaster in this guide.

7 of the Best Companion Plants to Grow with Chard

Image of a wooden raised garden bed planted with chard, lettuce, marigolds, and a variety of other companion plants.

Are you looking for the best companion plants for your Swiss chard? Whether you want them to deter pests, add nutrients to the soil, or serve as a living mulch, some excellent options are available that may help your chard to thrive. Discover the top garden buddies for these tasty and colorful leafy greens now.

How to Harvest Brussels Sprouts

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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.

How to Cure and Store Garlic from the Garden

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Garlic is a kitchen must-have. And you can enjoy the rich flavor of your own harvest year-round with one, or all, of our storage methods. Use a traditional braid to hang bulbs from the rafters, or try them dehydrated, frozen, or even pickled. Find out how to cure and store garlic from the garden now. Read more.

How to Grow and Care for Rex Begonias Indoors

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With whorls of appealing colors and artistic patterns on its leaves, rex begonia is one of the prettiest houseplants. Our guide provides the basics of keeping this foliage-first begonia happy and healthy indoors. It’s a bit picky, but the beauty is worth the demands of providing the necessary humidity and bright light.

When and How to Cut Back Asparagus Foliage

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Growing asparagus at home is worth some extra effort. One way to increase productivity and improve plant health is to cut back dead foliage in the fall. Before the freezing temperatures of winter take hold, you can prepare your asparagus plants to survive and thrive, ready to grow in spring. Learn more now.

How to Grow and Care for Bay Laurel Trees

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Bay laurel is a beautiful and easy-care perennial evergreen that’s a popular ornamental for containers, hedges, privacy screens, and topiary specimens. Plus, the aromatic leaves are a must-have as a kitchen seasoning and for herb blends. Find all the details on how to grow and care for bay laurel right here. Read more.

How to Grow and Care for Tiger Flowers

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Whether in the ground or in a container, tiger flowers are stunning additions to the landscape. Bursting with colorful, spotted blooms in the middle of summertime, these plants are tolerant of heat, humidity, and drought, while also being very easy to care for. Learn how to grow ’em in our guide! Read more now.

How to Harvest Beet Greens

A close up top down picture of beet greens growing in the garden with bright green leaves and dark red stems and veins.

Are you curious about harvesting the leaves from your beet plants to use in the kitchen? Cooking up tasty plant-based dishes with this often overlooked source of fresh greens is a great way to reduce food waste and add another healthy vegetable to your diet. To learn how and when to harvest beet greens, read more now.

How, When, and Why to Cut Back Ornamental Grasses

Maiden grass growing in a natural landscape with small wooded mountains in the background.

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.