Aloe, Geraniums and Cast Iron Plants-grow these plants and more, even if you think you have a black thumb! Think you’ve got a black thumb? Try these plants, which are guaranteed easy to grow: 1. Aloe No kitchen should be without one of these hardy succulents. The gel inside the long spear like leaves is…
Having to go away for days or weeks can be worrisome for houseplant lovers, but this guide will provide some simple tips on how to keep your plants heathy and happy! Vacations, holidays, family emergencies, business trips. All these things may require a lengthy absence from home. For houseplant lovers, this can be worrisome. Finding…
You can’t eat green manures, but if you know which crops to grow, where, when and how to cultivate them you will improve your soil for the benefit of future edible crops. Crops of green manures can be cultivated throughout the growing season from early spring onwards on any piece of empty ground, but most…
Every homeowner should take steps to kill crab grass in order to maintain a beautiful lawn. Herbicides are a simple way to kill the weed and prevent its recurrence. Killing crab grass (also known as “finger grass”) is an easy process if it is done properly. Left to its own devices, this unattractive weed can…
Few pizza chains offer pizzas with organic toppings, but home gardeners can grow a natural pizza garden in a sunny back yard spot. A pizza garden is a good theme garden for beginners, children, or anyone who loves pizza. Filled with fresh organic vegetables and herbs, this garden will produce all summer long. Pizza Garden Plan…
Popular spring blooming perennials, such as Bergenia, Dicentra and Helleborus are long lasting plants, easy to care for, and makes for colorful New Year Gardens. Perennial plants live for many years and get better with each passing year. They are best planted in the spring or fall and they grow and bloom through the spring…
Start flower seeds indoors to have seedlings to transplant. Accurate seed preparation by timing flower seed development offers a head start to gardening outside. Timing is essential to take maximum advantage of starting seeds indoors. Gardeners can use several strategies to determine when to plant seeds indoors and hardening off seedlings, thereby readying transplants for…
There is always a new idea or feature to add to the garden. Some projects require a lot of time and others, a moment, but they all add something special. Gardeners love designing their gardens, dreaming about them during the cold days of winter and planning them well in advance. They can’t wait for the…
Crushed stone walkways are easy to install, and will make strolling through the garden a pleasure. Stone paths are loved by gardeners. They add structure and beauty to a garden. They make a wonderful sound when walked on, and the stone helps to keep your shoes free from mud while doing your garden chores. Constructing…
Some people see chemicals as a quick & easy fix for lawn problems, but the chemical approach addresses the symptom, not the problem. Instead, go for an organic lawn! The signs of a chemically-dependent lawn are obvious – sparse grass, moss & mildew, yellow spots, insect damage and a spongy feel underfoot caused by a…
Five super-easy ideas to keep a lawn healthy, lush, green, and safe for kids and pets! A green carpet of lawn adds beauty & functionality to a landscape. It can also wreak havoc on both the environment and the homeowner’s wallet. Synthetic fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides only appear to help lawns thrive. In reality, they degrade the…
To revamp your landscape, know your obstacles, don’t rush the process and put the right plant in the right place. The tools you’ll need are: a metal measuring tape a pencil with eraser a ruler a notepad graph paper a digital camera (helpful, not required), and a clear vision of what you want to end…
Find out how to prepare herb gardens to survive till spring in cold-winter climates. With a little planning and a little work, gardeners can significantly improve the health, survival, and quality of their herb gardens through wintertime. Proceed Carefully in Autumn Many perennial herbs will be more likely to survive the winter if the gardener…
Early Fall frosts can decimate crops such as tomatoes and peppers. Use row covers to create a warm micro-climate. It is Fall and night-time temperatures are getting into the 40s and the sunshine of summer is replaced by rain and overcast. Pole beans are still producing and carrots are not yet ready to harvest. There…
You can lug large container plants into the greenhouse or garage for the winter, or you can provide each plant with frost protection right where it lives. All serious gardeners have special plants; they spend large amounts of time and money on these beauties and will do almost anything to protect them from damage. When…
Gardeners love to grow plants that will not survive the winter outside. Overwintering tender plants successfully takes a little preparation. Tropicals and tender perennials add beauty and charm to a patio, deck or garden in the summer. To insure that these tender plants survive to beautify the yard another year, it is necessary to bring…
While some tropical and subtropical plants will be fine at temperatures above freezing, most sustain damage at temperatures below 40 degrees. Living in a subtropical or tropical area is a wonderful experience for gardeners. Year-around gardening without a greenhouse is every serious gardener’s dream. While temperatures in subtropical and tropical areas rarely dip below 40,…
Preparing your lawn for wintertime is easy and inexpensive. Simple things you can do now will help make your grass green next spring. Our yards are similar to our bodies in basic needs. We both require good food, air and water to thrive. Before the cold weather sets in, there are some basic things to…
Living in an apartment without a yard doesn’t mean gardening is out of reach. Container gardens work well for those with limited outdoor space. Renters need not shy away from gardening because of the lack of outdoor space. All that is needed is an area that receives five hours or more of sunlight each day….
Most backyard-for-dogs guides are a feature wishlist: a splash pad here, an obstacle course there, a photogenic dog bed under a pergola. What they skip is the actual design problem. A dog doesn’t care that a flower bed looks nice, it cares that the dirt underneath is diggable. The real question isn’t “what features would…