by Jennifer Poindexter Have you ever considered growing an exotic flower? A great option to complete this task on your gardening-bucket-list is the passion flower. Passion flowers are easy to grow, quite versatile (regardless of their reputation), and can beautify your home year-round in some circumstances. When you’re seeking a beautiful flower that’s known for being on the exotic side, the passion flower could be what you need. Here’s what you should know to grow this flower around your home....

Luckily for us, this evergreen perennial in the mint family, Lamiaceae, grows splendidly in containers. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is one of those herbs that grows all year long in the right conditions, which is good news for those of us who love using it as a seasoning in our favorite dishes. The name “rosemary” is pretty in itself, but wait until you learn about its roots: “ros,” Latin for “dew,” and “marinus” for “sea” results in combination in the poetic moniker “dew of the sea....

Now, how can you prevent this plant from bolting? We’ll share our best tips below. If you’re growing bok choy, aside from dealing with potential pest and disease issues, the last thing you want is for your crop to go to seed. When bok choy bolts, the leaves and stems can become tough and woody. The plants will stop growing, focusing their energy on setting seeds instead. The flowers may be pretty, but they signal the end of your bok choy, or pak choi, as it’s often called....

QUESTION: Is it better to water tomato plants in the morning or evening? I’m not sure if I’m doing it correctly. — Lisa A ANSWER: Begin by watering your tomato plants in the morning, as they’ll need the moisture to get through the hottest period of the day. That said, you don’t want to water your plants once the day has gotten too warm, or the water can be heated up by the sun and actually burn the plant....

by Bethany Hayes Winter is the perfect time to try out microgreens for easy bursts of fresh greens and nutrients. When you imagine microgreens, you might think that it’s a sprout or a smaller version of the mature vegetable. However, microgreens vs. sprouts aren’t the same things, and understanding the differences is essential if you decide you want to learn how to grow microgreens. Despite what you might think, microgreens and sprouts are not the same things....

Why trellis your vegetables? As noted above, there are a lot of benefits to growing vegetables vertically, but for me, these are the four most important reasons to use a trellis: Save space and grow MORE food – It’s true! You can expect a larger harvest when you grow vining types of vegetables up a trellis. For example, according to Cornell University, pole beans yield two to three times the harvest of bush beans when grown in the same amount of space....

What’s So Special About Milkweed? While many species of butterflies have specific host plants they need to raise their young (you can see a list of other butterfly host plants here), no butterfly is more precious to our collective psyche than the monarch. Monarch populations have dropped dramatically the past few decades, and more and more home gardeners want to help by including the monarch butterfly host plant in their garden....

by Erin Marissa Russell Ready to get to work in your garden this October but not sure what you could still plant? Although fall may not be the season that stereotypically springs to mind when one thinks of gardening, there are plenty of options for gardeners to plant in October. Check out the list we’ve curated of vegetables, flowers, trees, shrubs, and landscaping plants you can put in the ground this fall, no matter your USDA hardiness zone....

By Erin Marissa Russell If you’ve run into an article as you’re reading about plants that mentions nurse plants and were left scratching your head and wondering exactly what the phrase means, you’re not alone. Many gardeners among us have read this term (especially regarding cacti), but it’s commonly mentioned without being fully explained. That’s why we’ve taken the time to find out exactly what nurse plants do and what their role is in the plant world....

Ebb and flow hydroponics, also known as flood and drain hydroponics, is often associated with aquaponics, since the growing medium can be used as a bio-filter for fish waste nitrates. But for plant growers who are not ready to bring live fish into their gardening routines, this type of hydroponics is great intermediate-level system that can support a greater variety of plants than other hydroponics systems can. What Is Ebb And Flow Hydroponics?...

QUESTION: What is garden twine used for? I’ve seen it at the garden center and don’t know how it would be used. — Lily T. ANSWER: There are lots of different ways you can use twine in the garden. Before you know what kind of twine you should use, you need to know what you will be using it for, as the different types of gardening twine have different uses....

QUESTION: When should I fertilize my garden? I’m afraid that I’m going to do it at the wrong time and ruin all my plants. ANSWER: When you fertilize your garden will depend upon what you’re growing. For edible crops you should amend your soil prior to planting. However, if you accidentally skip this step, you can still fertilize small plants. Be mindful to only use granular fertilizer to avoid burning the plants’ roots....

Landscaping Mistakes When Designing a Garden are the key elements you need to avoid. To help you out, we have listed the major ones with solutions! Landscaping Mistakes When Designing a Garden #Mistake 1: Arranging Everything in a Single View Why Should You Avoid This? When the view is blocked and you can’t see everything in one go. It creates an illusion of more space and interest. What You Should Do?...

It is the most beautiful time of the year again, and keeping in mind the spirit of Christmas, we have exciting New Year & Christmas Balcony Ideas for 2020 to help you decorate your apartment balcony in tune with the festival! 1. Lights, Lights, Lights! Christmas can never be complete without the lights, and lighting them in your balcony can make it look incredible in the night! You can drape string light various objects like plants, snowman, pots, railings for that Christmasy feel!...

Asters vary by color, flower and foliage characteristics, plant stature, and bloom time. They generally prefer full sun and moist, rich soil, but there are exceptions. Pink flowers are a cheerful addition to summer and fall gardens. With a varied palette of lights and darks, they can cool down or heat up their surroundings with swaths of color that mix well with other seasonal hues. “Aster” refers to a number of members of the large Asteraceae family of flowering plants....

But before we talk about eating them, let’s talk about growing mustard in your garden. The first step there is choosing a variety that does well in your area and appeals to you. Foodies aren’t the only ones who can enjoy a range of mustards. Along with those gourmet pots of the popular condiment that are made from the seeds, with flavors like “champagne” and “honey Dijon,” gardeners can sample all sorts of mustard greens when they grow their own supply....

Information Marigolds are hardy flowers, but they are not immune to problems. There are a few common issues that plague many flower gardeners, no matter the climate. In this article, gardening expert Natalie Leiker walks through the most common marigold problems, and how to fix them! By Natalie Leiker Last updated: August 26, 2022 | 8 min read Marigolds are a popular flower amongst home gardeners. They are low-maintenance, and provide beautiful blooms for long periods....

If you are looking for some awesome low maintenance plants that dangle down with style, here are some of the Best Cascading Succulents you can grow. Check out our article on gorgeous pink succulents here Best Cascading Succulents 1. Wax Ivy Botanical Name: Senecio macroglossus This charming cascading plant features succulent stems and waxy ivy-like leaves. It offers attractive foliage and also grows daisy-like pale yellow flowers. Here are some of the best types of Senecio you can grow 2....

Exotic blooms, vibrant colors, and easy to care for, these flowering houseplants are sure to catch your eye and brighten up your home. Whether you are looking for striking blooms, visual interest, or a fun new plant to enjoy, you will love these wonderful blooming indoor plants. Keep reading to discover some of the most popular and fascinating flowering houseplants, how to take care of them, and which ones are best for you....

There are several Flowers that Start with ‘D,’ and in this list, we have added all of the striking varieties that grow in the wild, containers, boxes, swamps, or your garden. Have a read to brush up on your gardening knowledge! Have a look at the best Zinnia varieties here! Flowers that Start with ‘D’ 1. Daisy Botanical Name: Bellis perennis Type: Perennial Blooming Period: Summer, Fall A European native, Daisies come in white with yellow centers and grow well in dry and wet climates with ample sunlight....