By Matt Gibson and Erin Marissa Russell Purple waffle plant is a slow-growing groundcover that is cultivated primarily for its showy, heavily-textured foliage, which is grey-green on the topside, and either dark red, maroon, or purple on the underside, depending on the variety. Though typically grown as a houseplant, the purple waffle plant can also be grown outdoors as an annual in United States Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 10 and 11....

Before we proceed, I’d like to encourage you to see this as a separate opportunity from planting the towering varieties in a garden plot or field, not a second-best choice because you can’t have the “real” thing. If sunflowers have always seemed out of reach for you, how about growing them in containers? You may have assumed that only those with big garden plots, or perhaps a field out back, would be able to plant their own Helianthus annuus....

Few plants in the garden offer the refined payout that roses do. From their iconic flowers to their euphoric aromas, these plants are a mainstay for a reason. By the end of every fall I find myself swearing off roses. But at the beginning of every summer to follow, they suck me back in. The promise of gorgeous flowers and carpets of petals, and the delectably tedious art of pruning, makes the headaches over diseases that commonly affect these plants tolerable....

With smooth bark that roughens and fissures to create interesting textures with age, Acer bark is a gorgeous part of the tree that is often overlooked. When it comes to maple trees, the foliage gets all the attention… and why wouldn’t it? In addition to having an iconic shape and providing bountiful shade from the sun, Acer leaves reveal beautiful shades of red, orange, and yellow in autumn. A maple’s foliage is arguably its best feature....

Vegetables Trying to trellis your tomatoes this season, but aren't quite sure where to start? Trellising tomatoes is good for many reasons, including the fact it can help free up room in your garden. In this article, gardening expert and tomato enthusiast Merideth Corhs takes you through seven simple steps for perfectly trellised tomatoes this season. By Merideth Cohrs Last updated: October 4, 2022 | 8 min read “There ain’t nothing better in life than true love and a homegrown tomato....

Let’s get started. The first thing I usually do is clean out the shed and the garage, and throw out anything I’ve been saving and don’t need. It also usually needs to be organized so we can get the car in there. I’ll recycle plastic trays and pots (and save some for seedlings and transplanting or dividing), make room for empty container storage, etc. Basically I’m making spring easier. Then in goes the big stuff—lawn furniture, chairs, etc....

These bucket uses are simple, affordable and worth trying! 1. DIY Rain Barrel With global water supply dwindling year after year, collecting rain water seems like a wonderful way to repay Mother Nature and be environmentally conscientious. This DIY rain barrel idea is easy to follow and requires no more than a few hardware supplies, and a big water bucket or garbage can. The benefits are plenty; you can enjoy a drastic reduction in your water bill, lessen your carbon footprint and make good use of the rainwater....

Our favorite Lee Valley garden tools From our bug-loving horticulturist, Jessica Walliser: Hose End Sprayer “Each gardening season, I grow several dozen containers of edibles and ornamentals. Before I discovered this handy hose-end sprayer from Lee Valley Tools, I was measuring and mixing watering can after watering can of fish emulsion every time I fertilized them. But with this sprayer, the liquid fertilizer is distributed directly to my plants along with the irrigation water....

It’s a brand new year, and we’re all planning our garden escapades for the next season and preparing to start seeds. Peat pots are a fantastic option for those who’re starting plants or transplanting them. Table of Contents But what exactly is a peat pot? What are they made of, and how do they work? Are these better than other containers? Today, we’ll explore these peat-based options: pots, pellets, and strips....

If you’ve never planted carrot seeds before, you might be expecting a complex process. But nothing could be further from the truth. They get a bad wrap because they can be finicky. But growing carrots seeds is actually very easy once you know how. So, if you’re ready to finally be successful, then this is for you! Below I will walk you through all that you need to know in order to grow carrots from seed, step by step....

The Rattlesnake Plant is a striking specimen with head-turning foliage that looks simply amazing. It’s not quite as high-maintenance as some other Calatheas (now Goeppertia), which makes it a great gateway into an obsession with these exotic houseplants. Let’s look at everything you need to know about Rattlesnake Plant care to help you keep this gorgeous houseplant looking great. To provide great Rattlesnake Plant care, place your plant in bright, indirect light and keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy....

This article will give you all the information you need about Tabebuia Tree Care, Types, & Growing Information! Read on to know all the details about this beautiful tree! Here’s all you need to know about mule palm tree Tabebuia Tree Information This genus of flowering plants includes trees and large shrubs. It is related to the Bignoniaceae family along with Jacaranda mimosifolia and Campsis radicans. This tree produces tubular blooms dangling in clusters, because of the shape and color of the blooms, it is called trumpet Tree....

The flea beetles have been worse than ever in my garden this summer, and the Japanese beetles are no fun either. On top of that, the slugs have been turning my hostas into Swiss cheese (Ahhh, the joys of gardening). I need all the help I can get fighting these and other destructive bugs in the garden organically. Using Eggshells As Organic Pest Control There is a well known organic pesticide called diatomaceous earth, which is basically the fossilized remains of creatures that are ground into a fine powder....

QUESTION: What vegetables are planted in the fall? I was thinking about growing a garden but don’t know what my options are. – Henrietta C ANSWER: There are a variety of vegetables you can grow in the fall. A few of the typical crops are: · Brussels sprouts · Beans · Beets · Radishes · Lettuce · Cauliflower · Turnips · Kohlrabi · Green onions · Carrots · Cabbage · Parsnips...

Harvesting cucumbers isn’t difficult, but timing is everything. In this post, I’ll show you how to tell when they’re ready, so you can pick them at the perfect time. You’ll also get tips for how to do it right, and what to do with your bounty. Knowing exactly when to harvest cucumbers and how to pick them correctly is key for healthy vines and more fruit. Below I’ve shared everything you need to bring in a healthy and bountiful crop....

Maybe you set your new seedlings out in the garden and they never developed the flowers you so eagerly expected. Marigolds are pretty, but part of the reason they’re so popular is because they offer up their sunny blossoms week after week without much – if any – input from you. You can set them in the ground and go about your life, for the most part, and they’ll still be out there doing their thing....

Indoor plants often benefit from humidity levels higher than our homes naturally provide. This can be a particular problem in winter when we have the heating on and the windows shut. This article will show you some great ways to increase humidity for indoor plants to create a more pleasant environment for them and for you. How to increase humidity for indoor plants: Increase humidity for your houseplants by grouping your plants together, misting them, using a humidifier or using a humidity tray....

And now, for some true-blue flowers that are sure to delight! There’s no better way to make a garden pop than by introducing a bold splash of blue. Whether your color scheme is pinks and reds, yellows and oranges, or an eclectic mix, the addition of blue – at random or as a focal point – wakes up a garden. The plants listed are all native to the US and do exceptionally well in their appropriate regions....

Vegetables Contrary to popular belief, you still have plenty of time to grow new vegetables in your garden if you start planting in July. In this article, organic gardening expert Logan Hailey examines her favorite vegetables you can plant in the month of July, as well as the hardiness zones they will perform in. By Logan Hailey Last updated: July 8, 2022 | 8 min read It’s a common misconception that spring is the only time to plant a garden....

Information Curious what kind of problems hostas can carry with them once they are planted? Hostas can run into several issues, but many of them are preventable or treatable. In this article, certified master gardener Laura Elsner walks through the most common problems with hosta plants and how to prevent or fix them. By Laura Elsner Last updated: August 1, 2022 | 11 min read Hostas are a favorite shade perennial in many gardens around the world....