This post is an excerpt from Container Gardening Complete by Jessica Walliser Complete Granular Fertilizers for Container Gardening There are dozens of different brands of complete granular fertilizer blends. Most of these products combine assorted plant, manure, animal, and mineral-based ingredients, and depending on the brand, they may have an N-P-K ratio of 4-5-4 or 3-3-3 or something similar. What makes them “complete” is that they contain a combination of ingredients that provides some amount of all three macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), in addition to many trace nutrients, vitamins, and other things....

Got black spots on basil leaves and looking for a solution? Basil is one of the most popular culinary herbs in the world. You can find it in cuisine from Italy, Northeast Asia, and its native land of India. Many cooks and chefs call basil the “king of herbs” There are hundreds of basil varieties all around the world. The most common varieties in the U.S. include: Sweet basilCinnamon basilAfrican blue basilHoly basilLemon basilLettuce-leaf basil Most of these varieties will grow anywhere in the U....

That’s the gardener’s privilege, right there. Prunus avium, Prunus cerasus I have about zero control when it comes to eating fresh fruit. In the past I’ve cleaned entire raspberry bushes of edible fruit, snagged a few days’ worth of apples and pears, and passed out with a belly full of strawberries. That last one caused a stir back in the day! This dedication to sun-warmed produce by the bucketful places cherries high on my list of favorite fresh fruit....

It’s hard not to love this group of plants. They’re adaptable, sturdy, long-living, and give you a big bang for your buck. I mean, what would fall be without those neon red leaves? Acer spp. A lazy day under the shade of a leafy tree. Digging into a big plate of pancakes covered in syrup. An elegant, bright red focal point in a shady garden. Maples give us so much....

One such contribution is the Svalbard Global Seed Vault – nicknamed the “Doomsday” Vault – a seed bank on the Norwegian island of Svalbard that’s stocked with seeds from more than one million different crops, which can be used to preserve botanical diversity and kickstart agriculture in the event of a global apocalypse. Acer platanoides Speaking as an American who hasn’t left the continent, I think Norway is really, really cool....

Growing broccoli from seed can be a bit challenging for beginners, but it’s not difficult. In this post, I will give you all the information you need, and show you exactly how to grow broccoli seeds, step-by-step. Broccoli plants are definitely a staple in my garden every year. Not only does it taste amazing fresh from the garden, but it’s super healthy too! Many newbies think that growing broccoli from seed is going to be very difficult, but it’s actually quite simple when you know how....

Flowers Thinking of planting some hellebore in pots or containers, but aren't quite sure where to start? Container gardening can be a great way to add flowers to your garden that you don't have room for in your raised beds or in your flower garden. In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago walks through each step of planting hellebore in pots or containers. By Jill Drago Last updated: November 7, 2022 | 8 min read Spring containers are so much fun....

But there is so much more to growing potatoes that you can learn. Solanum tuberosum When I told a friend I was writing an article about how to grow potatoes he said, “What’s to tell? You throw ‘em in a bucket, pile up the soil while they grow, and wait until you have spuds.” I objected at first at his suggestion, but then I realized that he’s right. Potatoes are about as easy to grow as a radish, so if you’ve got the patience of King Kong at a banana factory you can stop reading this article now and take that bit of advice with you....

Think spinach meets celery under neon lights, and you have a pretty good description of this colorful and nutritious vegetable. Read on for all you need to know to grow it in your garden! Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris, (Cicla and Flavescens Groups) Swiss chard, B. vulgaris, is a type of beet. But instead of featuring a well-developed and flavorful root, its claim to fame is glossy puckered leaves veined with bright white, orange, magenta, red, or yellow, with firm stalks to match....

As painless as the process is, there are a few tricks you should know to ensure your success. To that end, this is what you can expect in the coming guide: One of my favorite things about pothos is how ridiculously, absurdly easy they are to grow. More than once, I’ve gone on vacation or gotten super busy and forgot to be the good plant parent I know I should be....

Plants Are you curious to find out if lavender is considered a flower, an herb, or a shrub? Could it actually be considered all three? In this article, gardeninge expert and former lavnender farmer Logan Hailey examines the nurances between all the titles that people assign to this popular plant. By Logan Hailey Last updated: July 29, 2022 | 4 min read With its soothing aroma and delicate purple blossoms, lavender is a staple in any garden....

You’ve put lots of time and effort into your garden. Perhaps you’ve added raised beds with phenomenal soil. Maybe you’ve amended in-ground beds to sheer perfection. And suddenly, the neighborhood cats think your garden spaces are their personal litter box. How do you keep cats out of garden beds successfully? Table of Contents There are many, many tips suggested online. Unfortunately, a lot of these methods just don’t work well. Sometimes they’re very short-lived....

If you’re in the category of those who love it, please enjoy this growing guide and reap the deliciousness of cilantro from your own garden. Coriandrum Sativum Cilantro is one of those love-it or hate-it ingredients. My aunt Karen, for example, thinks it’s the most vile-tasting herb on the planet. Interestingly, famed chef Julia Child disliked this plant’s flavor, as well. Me, I can’t get enough of it. I sprinkle it on everything....

If you are looking for Maryland Native Plant List to plan your garden, we have compiled the best ones below! Look at the list of European Native Plants here Maryland Native Plant List 1. Cardinal Flower Botanical Name: Lobelia cardinalis The Maryland native perennial features long stalks of tubular flower clusters on lance-shaped green foliage. It is natively found in wild ditches, river banks, and roadsides. Find out the best Perennial Flowers in Georgia here 2....

Beneficial Insects in the Garden There are about a million identified insect species on the planet, and less than 1% of them are classified as agricultural pests. That means the vast majority of insects you encounter in your garden are either benign or beneficial. In other words, they’re just hanging out in your garden, doing their jobs. The insects we most want to encourage in our landscapes, of course, are those that help us in some way....

What’s more, there are a wealth of varieties out there to experiment with, all of which have different tastes, textures, and characteristics, and behave differently when cooked. Ah, the humble potato. Fried, mashed, roasted, baked, or (my personal favorite) boiled and served with a knob of butter, spuds are a pantry staple, and the ultimate comfort food. Some gardeners might question whether growing this cheap and plentiful crop is worth the hassle, space, time, and energy required....

by Erin Marissa Russell While spring always comes to mind as a gardener’s favorite time of year, the truth is there are plenty of edibles to grow in the cool season, too. When you plant these crops, you’re preparing for the cool time of year with harvests that will grace your table. Arugula With its peppery kick, homegrown arugula is excellent in salads, on sandwiches, or briefly sauteed as a side dish....

by Erin Marissa Russell Are you looking for the best gardening and farming games to play on your phone, on your computer, or online? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve developed this list of our 11 favorite fun gardening and farming computer, phone, tablet and online games. Many are available on Steam. Keep reading to find out more. A Good Gardener Support your nation’s wartime effort by planting seeds in a dilapidated garden....

Everyone is aware that the dog’s favorite food includes chicken and a meat-based diet, but you might get surprised to know that pooches love to munch on plants too. Being a dog parent, if you want to serve them fresh greens, then you can grow these Plants that Dogs Love to Eat, which are also safe for them. Can dogs eat dates? Find out here Plants that Dogs Love to Eat 1....

Don’t let the small size of your urban apartment stop you from continuing your interest in gardening–Take inspiration from these Apartment Decoration Ideas with Plants to start an indoor garden and beautify your interior. Learn how to make a kitchen countertop herb garden for an apartment here Apartment Decoration Ideas with Plants 1. Decorating Plants for Apartment Large foliage plants right along a dark wall will add a green character to the room....