Gardening Advice

There is no magic bullet for keeping your garden and indoor plants free from insect pests. Some tricks I have learned over the years provide 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…

When the heat index climbs higher than your electric bill, some veggies throw in the towel—but others throw a party. If your lettuce is wilting and peas are pouting, don’t sweat it (literally). There’s a whole lineup of heat-loving crops that actually thrive when the mercury rises. Here’s your guide to growing the best vegetables for hot weather—and keeping your summer garden spicy, sweet, and…

The blooming of the bearded irises is something I eagerly await each spring. This year, I made a mental note to divide and move the irises in late summer or early fall, after blooming. Here’s how to divide irises—with step-by-step pictures.Even though my irises were planted years ago and are terribly overgrown, the blossoms were still gorgeous this spring. However, dividing irises every…

I always think of fall as a second spring. Not just because Albert Camus said so (though he did), but because that’s exactly what it feels like in the garden—another round of crisp lettuce, sweet spinach, and speedy radishes, just as the air turns cool and the bugs ease up.Late summer is the perfect time to plant cool-weather vegetables. Whether you call them fall garden vegetables, cold-…

Fall gardening might be the best-kept secret in the vegetable world. The weeds are slowing down, the air is cooler, and most bugs have packed up for the season. And yet—your soil is still warm, which means perfect conditions for sowing seeds. Whether you’re new to fall gardening or just want to do more with your space, it all comes down to three simple steps: 1. When to plant, 2. What to grow, 3…

Unfortunately, tick season is here. If you and your pets go outside, it’s important to be aware of ticks! Be clear on what a tick (and tick bite) looks like, Lyme disease symptoms, how to prevent tick bites, and how to remove ticks—plus, what to do with a removed tick!What Are Ticks?Ticks are small bloodsucking parasites. Although people assume ticks are insects, they are actually …

While tomatoes aren’t necessarily hard to grow, some knowledge is required to avoid common pitfalls. You’ll soon notice that tomatoes aren’t a plant you can leave to grow on their own; it does best with a bit of intervention! We’ll run through 10 tips and tricks for growing trouble-free tomatoes.1. Choose the Right VarietyIt may seem obvious, but the varieties you grow need to be suited…

When summer brings hot, dry weather without enough rainfall, we need to water our gardens wisely. It is possible to conserve water and also have a beautiful, lush garden. Just follow these 12 steps.First, understand that plants drink their food. If your soil dries out, your plants will starve. We often hear that vegetables and flowers need “an inch of water” per week. This doesn’t seem…

Why are you seeing a container of oil in my garden? Unfortunately, it has been a banner year for earwigs in the vegetable garden. I tested five earwig trap ideas to figure out which worked best! See my results and learn to make your own earwig trap!You know, those crawly critters with the pinchers on their tail end. If their looks aren’t enough to creep you out, then the old wives’ tale…

Usually, we think of spring as the time when wildlife is conducting their courtship rituals. Not so with grasshoppers and crickets! As the summer winds down, you will hear the mating calls of the males trying to attract a female get louder! And if you are finding ragged holes chewed in the leaves of your plants, it is probably grasshoppers. To lessen the population next year, now is the…

I am always amazed when I see known invasives being sold at garden centers, online, and in catalogs. Here are 10 silent invaders you should never bring home to grow in your yard—plus, some substitute plants to grow instead.10 Common Invasive PlantsAutumn OliveAutumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) is often sold in wildlife packages or for erosion control. Birds do love their berries,…

As gardeners, we are connected to all people who have come before us, caring for the earth and learning how to best grow crops. Ready for the best gardening techniques? Let’s have a look at some age-old gardening wisdom that’s still relevant today.A Long History of GardeningGourds, beans, and peppers were being cultivated in Mexico by 5,500 BC, and by 5,000 BC, maize was being…