Gardening Advice

We’ll let you in on a little secret that it takes many gardeners a few years to figure out: Late fall is the best time to prepare your soil for a great garden next year. Learn three simple ways to build soil health.Why We Prepare Soil in FallSoil is the bedrock of any successful garden. Remember, soil is not dirt. Soil is live organic matter teeming with microbial life!Isn’t it…

Make the flowers of summer last a little longer! Discover plants that bring colorful flowers to your gardens throughout September and October. Here are 50 fall flowers, shrubs, trees, and other plants that welcome the season with a blaze of color.Foxglove that were cut back after flowering this summer are putting out second spikes of bloom. The rugosa rose is still producing blossoms as…

There are still heaps of time left for a second harvest. Plant a second crop of lettuce, radishes, and spinach to harvest in the fall. Plus, here are cool-weather favorites that get better after a nip of frost.Albert Camus said that autumn is a second spring because every leaf is a flower. For me, fall in the garden is a second spring because we are harvesting spring veggies again! Many…

Ferns are among the oldest living plants on Earth, having appeared over 350 million years ago, long before the dinosaurs. Despite their ancient age, they make gorgeous houseplants, adding elegance, rich green hues, and interesting texture to any indoor environment. Discover a few ferns for your indoor garden!Which Indoor Ferns Work Best as Houseplants?Certain indoor ferns work better as…

Coco coir sounds like a delicious new drink, but it’s actually an excellent amendment to your garden soil. A sustainable alternative to peat moss, coco coir provides increased water retention and aeration—AND it’s pest-resistant! It’s also a good-looking, tidier mulch that doesn’t require reapplying. Learn more about coconut coir and how to use it in your garden properly.What is Coco…

Most of us know that gardening benefits our bodies and makes us happy. Even so, it’s very cool to see how research backs up why gardening improves both your mental health and your immune system! If you’re resolved to live a healthier lifestyle, eat better, and exercise more, gardening can give you all of these. Many studies have shown that gardening improves people’s health and…

We love fall gardening! The heat is waning, but the soil is still warm. There are just three steps to consider in planting a fall garden: when to plant, what to plant, and where to plant. Let’s get started!Why Plant a Fall GardenFall gardening is much less stressful for many crops, shrubs, trees, and perennials. There are fewer weeds and pests, and it’s often rainier, so there is less…

Wish you could do less mowing? Tired of suffering through the hassle of keeping your grass green? Hardy, low-growing ground covers are an increasingly popular alternative to grass. Before you throw down more grass seed, discover 12 lawn alternatives—from a carpet of moss to stepable ground covers.Grass has its place, but it’s also a resource-heavy plant, requiring constant irrigation, mowing…

There is no magic bullet for keeping your garden and indoor plants free from insect pests. Some tricks I have learned over the years are ways to cope with bugs without resorting to nasty chemicals. Here are my tips for pest control, including homemade insecticidal sprays (soap sprays) and organic pesticides.Pest Control Starts With YouBefore resorting to using pesticides (even…

Animal manure has long been used as a fertilizer in gardens and on farm fields, creating nutrient-rich, moisture-retaining soil for your plants. See the best type of manure for your garden and the best time to apply—as well as a few things to consider first.All manure is not created equal. Depending on the kind of animal, its age and health, its food, what…

Gardeners are often given the advice to sprinkle diatomaceous earth (DE) around plants to deter pests. Unsurprisingly, we’re often asked, “What is diatomaceous earth, exactly?” Well, here’s your answer!What Is Diatomaceous Earth? Diatomaceous earth (DE) is the fossilized skeletons of microscopic single-celled aquatic organisms called diatoms. Their skeletons are made of a…

When we talk about beneficials for the garden, don't forget about frogs and toads. Both are total carnivores, eating grasshoppers, beetles, cutworms, flies, slugs, and all kinds of insects. They will not eat your plants! See how to attract these "good guys" to the garden.All toads are frogs but not all frogs are toads. There are 3 types of frogs:Toads are frogs with dry thick skin that…