Cover crops turn a bare, tired garden bed into free fertilizer and erosion insurance over winter, as long as you match the right species to your first-frost date and know which ones need mowing down before you plant in spring.
Blueberries need acidic soil and shallow-root breathing room, and these six common garden neighbors quietly work against both.
The wrong neighbor can quietly starve, poison, or infect a healthy rose bush within a season, so knowing which 8 plants to keep away is cheaper than replacing the rose.
Your front door is the “mouth of chi” in feng shui, the point where energy enters your home, and the wrong plant sitting right next to it isn’t just bad symbolism, in a few of these cases it’s a genuine safety problem too.
Most mid-summer garden checklists are exactly that, a list, with no real explanation of why any of it matters. Here are the same 7 real tasks working garden designers actually do this time of year, plus the actual research behind 3 of them that most guides skip entirely. 1. Deadhead herbaceous plants Sarah Kay, an…
Most heat-stress guides treat every plant the same way, water it more and hope for the best. That’s not quite right. A wilting houseplant, a struggling tomato patch, and a stressed backyard tree are three genuinely different situations with different fixes, and almost nobody actually names a recovery timeline you can hold onto while you…
Ever wondered how to make your hydrangeas stand out even more? Companion planting might be the answer you’re looking for. Hydrangeas are not just about their stunning blooms; they can thrive even better when paired with the right plants. This strategy, known as companion planting, brings a host of benefits. It not only boosts the…
Ever wondered why some pools look like they’ve jumped out of a magazine? The secret’s in the greenery. Yup, picking the best plants around the pool ain’t just for looks; it’s about making your pool area work better for you. We’re talking less glare from the sun, more cool, shady spots, and yeah, that hidden-away…
Why do some gardens thrive, free from the clutches of pesky aphids, while others seem to be a bug buffet? Here’s a clue: it’s not just about luck. It’s about smart gardening, specifically about roping in Plants That Repel Aphids. These little sap-suckers can turn a lush green haven into a sad, sticky mess. They’re…
Got rabbits or deer turning your garden into their personal buffet? It’s a real headache, right? These critters don’t just nibble on your plants; they can wreak havoc, leaving your hard work in ruins. But before you throw in the trowel, here’s a bright idea: plants that repel deer and rabbits. Yeah, you heard it…
Ever dealt with those cheeky squirrels turning your garden into their personal snack bar? Yeah, it’s not just you. These fluffy critters, cute as they may be, have a knack for wreaking havoc on our green spaces, nibbling on everything from bulbs to tomatoes. Now, what if I told you there’s a way to keep…
Until we solve many of our current pollution problems some urban gardens will suffer. Here are smog tolerant options for gardens in dirty cities. Sometimes plants in large, smoggy cities suffer because of the air and rain pollution. Tender plants, some tropicals and edible plants can all do poorly, show stunted growth and decreased flowering…
Successful gardeners know vegetable and flower gardening is a year-round endeavor. Even in the deepest winter there is plenty to be done to ensure a bountiful harvest. Garden maintenance begins from late fall into early winter. This is the time to prepare plants, soil and equipment to weather the harsh winter months. Work compost and organic matter…
Monarda didyma is highly attractive to hummingbirds, honeybees and butterflies, as well as providing weeks of colorful blooms each summer and early fall. Learn more! Monarda is a great way to invite hummingbirds to any garden landscape naturally. Relatively easy to grow, with large, colorful flowers, it is no secret why this herb is popular…
Indoor plants such as the Peace Lily, Fern, and Cheese Plant, require plenty of watering, and can significantly contribute to a healthy living environment. Human beings were born to be outside surrounded by nature, but the urban society in which most people now live only allows them to spend a limited amount of time outdoors….
Planting Butterfly Weed Butterfly weed is hardy in zones 4-9 and flower from midsummer to fall. The milkweed-shaped pods appear in fall and can be a winter interest. The multi-colored flower clusters are a combination of yellow, gold and orange. The upright plant grows 1-2 feet tall. The butterfly weed is a host plant because…
Growing edible plants to use as a border in your herb, flower or vegetable gardens. There are many herbs that make attractive edging for your borders. They can be used in combination with flower and vegetable gardens. 1. Onion Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) Popular, fresh or dried for mild onion flavor. Grows 12-18” tall with purple…
This fast growing perennial herb will quickly become a favorite in the herb garden. Betony, Stachys officinalis, is a medium height, slightly oval stemmed, toothed leaf perennial herb that makes a good space filler between tall plants and border plants in the herb or flower garden. It adds texture and color to the garden and…
Medicinal herbs can be grown in a specialized garden that focuses on a particular illness. This is one medicinal herb garden for Respiratory Illness. The backyard is a great place to start a medicinal plant garden. These plants aren’t just healthy; they can be beautiful additions to an already thriving garden or the inspiration for…
Blooms from forced bulbs, for gifts or to keep, can fill the home with the feeling of springtime months before the soil starts to thaw. While some people like to hang on to winter for as long as possible, many are tired of the season and yearn for signs that spring will finally come long…
Amaryllis bulbs can be picked up in just about any store these days to bloom around Christmas. Most people don’t know you can keep your bulb blooming for years. It is common to find Amaryllis bulbs for sale around this time of year. Many are grown during the Christmas season because of their festive red…
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Front Door Feng Shui: 6 Fast Fixes, Including the Real FBI Lock Data No Guide Mentions
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