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.
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…
To design gardens that shine in shade from spring to frost, fill your beds and borders with perennials that bloom in fall as well as plants for spring and summer. As the gardening season draws to a close, late-blooming perennials are a special treat, wherever they appear. While not as many plants bloom in shade…
I spent an afternoon last spring trying to talk a neighbor out of building a keyhole bed on the one sloped corner of his yard that gets full sun. He built it anyway. Three storms later, the compost basket in the middle was sitting in standing water and half his tomato starts rotted at the…
Are you looking to start composting but worried about the cost and complexity? You’re not alone. Many gardeners face these challenges, yet the benefits of composting are too good to ignore. Composting turns kitchen scraps and yard waste into rich soil, improving plant health and reducing waste. This process is not only good for your…
Are you facing the challenge of bringing life to the shaded areas of your garden? Shady spots often present a unique set of difficulties, including limited plant choices and the struggle to maintain vibrant, year-round interest. However, these shaded areas also hold untapped potential to transform into lush, serene retreats. The secret to unlocking this…
Gardens are a great way to add natural beauty to any space. You can plant flowers or even grow essential ingredients for your kitchen. They also make for great DIY projects and can be started anywhere. In this article, we look at some ideas for plastic bottle vertical gardens. How do you make a hanging…
It can be difficult to find good plants for shaded areas in your garden design, but many attractive evergreen and flowering shrubs will grow well in a shady garden. Most gardens have shaded areas created by buildings, walls, fences or tall trees. Too often these areas contain a few sad looking plants quite unsuitable for…
Follow these practical design tips and planning advice to plant a flower garden in part or full shade. Gardeners often face the challenge of designing and planting shaded garden areas, the shade being cast by overhanging trees or perhaps a building. (See Sun or Shade?) By following these shade garden design tips you will soon…
Transform a north facing patio or windowbox into a splash of color with these 5 shade plants. Follow tips on how and when to plant and enjoy a luscious little garden. Creating a garden in a small space can be easy, even if it is north facing. The smallest patio, balcony or window sill can…
Have you ever looked at your garden’s shady spots and felt unsure what to plant there? Many gardeners face the challenge of finding the right plants that can flourish without much sunlight. It’s crucial to pick plants tailored for shaded areas to ensure your garden is vibrant and full of life, even in spots where…
Tree stumps are often neglected because a lot of us do not understand their decorative value. Most of the time, tree stumps are held in utter disregard. In hardscaping, tree stumps are one of the most preferred accent pieces because there are a lot of arrangements and ideas that can be used as its focal…
Every winter gardeners crave blooms, color, flowers, green leaves and spring! Try raising some of these easy flowering plants inside. Many gardeners suffer through the long dark cold winter, missing their outdoor flowers – the colors, the fragrance, the lush growth, the warm sunshine – and wishing desperately for spring. But there is an alternative…
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