Welcome to our blog’s advice on growing plants. Here you’ll find tips to green your thumb, whether you’re new to gardening or want to take your skills up a notch.
We dish practical guidance from planting to harvest. Learn how to start seeds, deal with pests safely, and reap abundant veggies and blooms.
Our farming experts break information down into simple steps. Follow their instructions to grow thriving container or raised bed gardens that fit your space.
Stop by regularly as we add new posts to help your garden thrive! We want to see you succeed at urban farming right at home.
A border of plants around a vegetable patch can be useful and decorative. Here are ideas for edging plants to surround the kitchen garden. In gardening, a border uses shorter plants at the edge of a planting bed. In a vegetable patch or kitchen garden, border plants can surround it on all sides. Plants in…
One of the most unusual flowers to grow is what is commonly known as Queen Ann Tears or Queen’s Tears. Other names for Billbergia nutans are Tartan Flower and Friendship Plant. The thin, strappy leaves of this bromeliad have quite sharp edges and the flowers hang down with showy pink bracts. The tubular flowers have…
Have you ever faced the dilemma of choosing between Outdoor vs Indoor Bonsai? This choice can greatly impact the health and beauty of these miniature trees, each environment offering its unique set of benefits and challenges. Bonsai art, deeply rooted in cultural significance, transforms ordinary trees into extraordinary miniature landscapes. This craft requires understanding, patience,…
Have you ever faced the challenge of wanting to add a splash of tropical beauty to your indoor garden but didn’t know where to start? Growing Anthurium from Seeds can seem like a daunting task, yet it presents a unique opportunity to cultivate these vibrant plants right from the beginning. Anthuriums, with their glossy leaves…
The Swiss cheese plant, with lush perforated leaves, makes a dramatic addition to indoor plant collections. Easy to grow and drought tolerant it’s a popular houseplant. The Swiss cheese plant is an evergreen tropical plant indigenous to the Suriname region of northern South America. Its botanical name is Monstera deliciosa but it is more commonly…
As the last few months of winter wane, spring is in everyone’s minds. Garden expert P. Allen Smith demonstrates some easy ways to bring a spring garden inside. Sure, plants are pretty, but garden expert P. Allen Smith wants people to think outside the box when it comes to flora and fauna. Though known for…
Want to improve the air quality of your home while adding color and interest? An indoor garden with common houseplants helps you to do just that! Houseplants are a great accessory to your home for a variety of reasons. They can not only put the finishing touches on a room but also add to the…
Have you ever wondered what makes a houseplant truly stand out in the crowded world of indoor gardening? Black Swedish Ivy (Plectranthus australis) offers an answer through its unique blend of beauty and easy care, rising as a popular choice among plant lovers. Known for its lush, green foliage and striking appearance, this plant not…
Herb gardening isn’t limited to gardens and yards with full sun. There are many herbs that thrive in the shade. Herbs have the reputation of requiring 6-8 hours of sunlight because many of them such as basil originate from the Mediterranean. It’s good to know that there are many herbs that thrive beautifully in shady…
Have you ever wondered why catnip drives cats wild with joy? This plant, a true favorite among feline friends, holds a special place in the hearts of cat owners. Growing catnip at home from seeds isn’t just a fun project; it’s a practical way to ensure your furry pals always have access to their favorite…
Many people are getting back to the earth, growing their own food, and that includes growing herbs to use when you cook what you grow. When we think of culinary herbs, we usually think of harvesting and using their leaves. There are some herbs that not only have edible leaves, but useful seeds as well….
Many keen gardeners are also pet owners so it pays to be aware of what plants may be poisonous to your pet. Many dogs and cats are mischievous and will nibble or chew on anything that takes their fancy. They often think anything they find in the garden is theirs by default and treat it…
Many tropical plants that grace southern gardens do well indoors as house plants. Bring the feel of the tropics indoor by growing tropical plants. Palms, crotons, Ti plants, ficus trees, pothos, and ivies will all grow well indoors. The snake plants, bamboo, ferns and scheffleras that grace the landscapes in southern climates can create the…
Indoor growing lights can lengthen the growing season of an indoor herb or vegetable garden. Learn how to optimize growth with indoor plant lights. Why use plant grow lights for indoor gardening? While a novice gardener can successfully cultivate flowers, herbs, and vegetables with indoor container gardening, even those with the greenest thumbs can benefit…
Have you ever wished for a garden that goes beyond the ordinary, where every corner tells a story and every plant dances with color? The secret lies not just in the plants you choose but in the creativity and personal touch you weave into the space. This isn’t about following a template; it’s about making…
Indoor gardens offer a year round experience for experienced and novice gardeners alike. With a completely controlled environment anything can be grown. The reasons for having an indoor garden are as varied as the varieties of plants that can be grown in one. The advantages are many, the disadvantages few, and the ease with which…
An indoor garden can be established with flowering plants, vegetables or a combination of both. It will be enjoyable, healthy and profitable. An indoor garden is ideal for those with little garden space and for those who find bending a problem. The other advantages of an indoor garden are of course the lack of or…
What could be more wonderful than strolling through a flower garden full of scent and fragrance? Here are some top perennial picks for a pleasing fragrant filled garden. #1. Border Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) Zone 5-9. These dianthus plants are also called “clove pinks” sometimes because of the deliciously clove scented flowers it produces. It is…
Also known as summer lilac, this plant is an easy to grow drought tolerant blooming shrub that attracts beneficial insects. The butterfly bush, or the summer lilac, is a medium sized flowering shrub characterized by gray-green leaves and cone shaped flower clusters that are typically white or purple. This plant is often the focal point…
With the cooling days of autumn, many summer perennials begin to cease their blooms. Gardeners can keep the color going for the autumn months by including these plants. Keep the garden interest going for the weeks of fall by including these colorful favorites in fall borders and containers. Commonly Used Fall Blooming Plants Many gardeners…
Just because the flush of spring and summer flowers has ended, doesn’t mean a garden has to be boring or devoid of sweet aroma. Try these plants for fall fragrance. There are vines, perennials and ornamental shrubs which can provide a pleasing fragrance to any garden landscape even in the autumn weeks. Try adding one…
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