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Gardening Advice
What are the easiest and quickest fruit to grow? Here are five “fast fruit” shrubs and plants. We especially recommend berries for beginners. While fruit trees may sound tempting, they take many years to harvest and a lot of care, so try your hand at something a little simpler first!
Growing Fruit Trees
Years ago we planted a small orchard of mixed fruit trees—with mixed results…
I say “tomayto” and you say “tomahto,” but however you say it, tomato time is here! Along with the luscious fruits that we gardeners await, we have the tomato disorders and diseases that the flesh is heir to—tomato flesh, that is.Blossom-End RotIn my area, we have had enough rainfall this summer so no problems with blossom-end rot this year. This usually begins as a sunken spot on…
“Garden thugs” are plants (not weeds) that quickly get out of control in the garden. They can really run amok and hog all the room if they’re not judiciously pruned, dug out, cut back, or thinned in midsummer. Here’s how to keep these bullies from taking over!Last week I was making iced tea and wanted to add some spearmint to the brew. It grows in a flowerbed near the kitchen. I couldn’t…
Though they are pretty foolproof plants, the most common problem gardeners have with their hydrangeas is failure to bloom. Need hydrangea help? Here are 5 common reasons for hydrangeas not flowering—and what to do about it!
5 Reasons Hydrangeas Don’t Bloom
Note: If you’re not sure what variety of hydrangea you have, reference our article with photos on hydrangea varieties.
1. Cold…
There are a few key tricks to keeping that midsummer gardening going full tilt! By now, you should have harvested some goodies. Here is a basic “to do” list to help you keep your vegetable plants healthy, finish up that harvest strong, and start new plantings for fall. Growing a garden isn’t just about getting plants started—it also involves tending to your plants and giving them the TLC…
Growing herbs in containers or a small space is so easy—and who likes springing for a package of herbs from the grocery market every time you need a few sprigs or leaves? See the best way to grow herbs, which herbs to plant for a beginner, and a few handy gardening tips.If the meals at your house have been a little bland, fresh herbs can make a huge difference in flavor; they are…
A week-long heat wave and a recent question—concerning what green beans to grow in a hot climate—got me thinking. Which vegetables grow well in exceptionally hot weather? Keep these plants in mind.
Top Veggies for Hot Weather
Peas, spinach, and lettuce will certainly not make the list but some vegetables actually need the heat to grow well and develop the best flavor.
When…
Regular deadheading encourages many plants to flower for longer. Here are four reasons why you should deadhead your flowers—plus tips on how to deadhead flowers. What is Deadheading Flowers?The gardening term “deadhead” describes the simple act of removing “dead heads” of flowers. Removing spent, faded, or dead flowers is one of the best ways to extend the show so they keep re…
Don’t let a lack of garden space keep you from growing the foods you crave! Look for vegetables and fruit bred for small spaces and containers. Here is a short list of small plants with big yields, including cherry tomatoes, Little Gem lettuce, peppers, eggplant, and more. If you lack enough gardening land in a sunny spot, no worries. There are so many choices for small-space…
Once vegetables are up and growing, some of them need a little support, especially tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, peas, and peppers. This avoids problems and gives plants more sun exposure. A trellised plant can also provide shade for a crop like lettuce. See different ways to support your plants!We provide plants with support for many reasons: keep the fruit clean, avoid breakage under weight…
My cat “Kitty Boy Floyd” can be useful to have around the garden, keeping unwanted rodents at bay, but he can be destructive as well. How do we keep cats away from the garden with natural deterrents and cat repellents? Let’s explore this topic!My cat loves to dig in the soft dirt, especially after I have planted some tender seedlings, and just the thought of cat poop in the vegetable beds…
Called “nature’s plows,” earthworms improve garden soil drainage, making it easier for plant roots to penetrate the earth. Earthworm casts also improve soil structure and nutrient availability—which increases garden productivity! Find out how to attract earthworms!
Worms can absorb oxygen through their skin, can eat their own body weight in soil, and—despite having no eyes—navigate by…
