Here’s what’s to come in this article: I love citrus fruit, but living in the Vermont mountains, I don’t often have access to freshly grown lemons, limes, or oranges. Fortunately, while perhaps not quite as impressive or fruitful as a tropical citrus orchard would be, it is possible to successfully grow citrus plants in pots indoors. Even here, in my USDA Hardiness Zone 4 climate, where snow coats the ground for practically half the year....

By Matt Gibson Related to both chicory and endive, radicchio is a perennial vegetable cultivated for its leafy greens (radicchio foliage is actually more commonly found in various shades of red, not green). Radicchio is also commonly referred to as Italian chicory, and is often found in Italian recipes as a flavoring agent and a vegetable. Most Radicchio cultivars produce red leaves which are known for their bitter flavor. Radicchio typically forms rounded heads that grow to sizes that range from baseball-sized to grapefruit-sized, depending on the cultivar....

But spearmint is truly unique in many aspects, from its flavor to its appearance. Mentha spicata If you’ve ever waffled between selecting spearmint or peppermint gum at the store, then you know that there are lots of mint flavors out there. While they all contain menthol, which gives them that familiar flavor, they’re not all the same. A lot of times, various types of mint are clumped together in one overarching category....

Growing turmeric is playfully similar using a slow cooker in the kitchen. It’s a “set it and forget it” type of experience. Most of how to grow turmeric will be simple with the right growing conditions or ingredients. Turmeric requires fertile, well-drained soil in a location with lots of sunshine and ample water. It requires occasional checks to ensure soil is wet, not soggy, and periodic fertilizer much as you would layer on the spices in your slow cooker....

There are many different varieties, and with each comes slightly different growing requirements, and tips to keep in mind. But we’re here to help you out! Here’s what’s ahead in this guide: It’s not hard to grow lettuce, and everyone should really give it a try. You can grow it in containers, in a window box, or tucked unassumingly among flowers. It’s fast growing, and with a little planning, you can have a crop all spring, and again in fall....

A blooming Christmas Cactus will have your heart with its colorful tubular flowers in pink and lilac shades. Although, this popular houseplant can be tricky to flower if not nurtured carefully. Read on to know the best tips on How to Make a Christmas Cactus Bloom at Christmas! Check out our article on the Popular Holiday Cactus types here! Most Common Mistakes that Stops Christmas Cactus to Bloom Overwatering during the blooming season Keeping the soil too dry once buds appear Over-fertilizing after visible flower buds Interrupted darkness Locating the plant in direct sunlight after bud formation....

Here’s everything we’ll go over in this article: If the beautiful foliage and the crisp fresh air don’t lure you outside this fall, perhaps the enticement of a prolific autumn vegetable garden will do the trick. Autumn is a wonderful time to plant a productive veggie garden – if you plan it right. The changing seasons mean new conditions in the garden. From sun exposure to soil prep, air and soil temperature requirements, and differences in the amount of rain that your garden receives during the cooler months, there are a few factors to consider....

Whether chopped up and tossed into your favorite tomato sauce and cooked to perfection, or muddled in a refreshing summertime beverage, basil is sure to serve as a flavorful enhancement to many meals. Ocimum basilicum Imagine giant bushes of fragrant green leaves, just begging to be layered with tomato and mozzarella, or blended with garlic, pine nuts, and parmesan cheese to make a fresh pesto… Are you with me? Basil is one of the most popular culinary herbs, and for good reason....

Table of Contents Epiphytic hoya plant, also known as the wax plant, is a popular houseplant. With clusters of star-shaped flowers adorning it, this waxy-looking species survives with only the bare minimum of care. But what does that care entail? Today we’ll delve into the sweetly-scented world of the hoya to learn all about the best way to grow it. Every aspect of its care will be mentioned, from watering all the way through propagation....

Watering jade plants properly is a huge struggle for many people, and I get asked about it all the time. So in this post, I’m going to tell you all you need to know, including when, how much, and how often to water your Crassulas plant. As with all succulents, jade plants are drought resistant, making them perfect for busy people who don’t always remember to water. This trait allows them to survive in their naturally dry and arid habitat, where they go for long periods of time without getting any moisture....

You must have encountered several tricks to raise lush and healthy indoor plants, but this Mayonnaise Houseplant Trick is quite simple, time tested, and the best part is it’s very easy to follow! Get some fantastic plant tricks of clever gardeners here! Mayonnaise Houseplant Trick If a houseplant is left uncleaned for a long time, the dust accumulation on the leaf surface acts as a barrier for the plants, restricting their ability to absorb the sunlight and carbon dioxide; this directly affects photosynthesis as well....

Do you have a passion for tropical treats and funky flowers? If so, then passion fruit vine is the perfect choice for you! This is a fast-growing climber that will add intrigue to your garden and flavor to your dinner table. Passionfruit vines are not for the faint of heart. These are vigorous plants that will climb to the treetops and explode in colorful blossoms and plentiful fruit. Even though they’re easy to grow, these plants need lots of water, nutrients, and pruning....

Kicking off next season’s garden by starting seeds indoors can be a great way to ensure healthy, productive crops for your vegetable plot. Sowing seeds inside can help you have more control over your growing season, expand the varieties you have available, and trim your garden budget. Table of Contents Nurturing root systems before planting outdoors prepares your young plants for success before the final frost hits. By sowing your seeds inside, you will protect your plants against the elements when they are young....

Companion planting is my new normal in the vegetable garden. I love experimenting and finding beneficial buddies for my plants. With companion planting, you can utilize your garden space efficiently, increase biodiversity and repel pests and diseases. By maximizing your space, you can grow a lot of food in a small space! Since growing tomatoes is one of the most common plants for beginners, we want to cover all the basics for tomato companion plants!...

QUESTION: I’m trying to plan my garden. What grows well with broccoli? ANSWER: Broccoli enjoys the company of most vegetables as neighbors, though they don’t like being close to plants that are heavy calcium feeders, as they want all the calcium for themselves. There are mixed reviews over broccoli’s compatibility with cabbage. Both plants have similar nutrient and water needs, so planting them near each other can be an effective strategy, however, the same pests tend to feed on both cabbage and broccoli, so it’s best to keep them separated to prevent mass insect infestations....

You want your plants to succeed, but how on earth can you do that if you can’t tell which way is up? Some bulbs are shaped in such a way that they practically hold up a neon sign telling you which direction to plant them in. “This way up!” they seem to scream. Others are far less clear, leaving you scratching your head about how to stick them in the ground....

The more experienced gardener will always swear by the Jet Star tomato. They’ll praise it for a number of its unique qualities. But, what is it that makes this tomato variety so worthy of attention? Could it be an earlier harvest? The ability to thrive in different soil conditions? Does it stand out for being a fast-growing crop? Is it disease-resistant? We could spin out this guessing game, but let’s stop here....

There is an all-time rise in breathing issues and the simple solution lies in the power of mother nature. Have a look at the best Indoor Plants that Reduce Respiratory Problems. Check out the best bedroom plants for clean air here Indoor Plants that Reduce Respiratory Problems According to the American Society for Horticulture Science, plants also result in shorter hospitalizations, fewer intakes of analgesics, lower ratings of pain, anxiety, and fatigue, and more positive feelings and higher satisfaction about their rooms....

Regardless of what’s plaguing your plant, the first step is being able to notice early on that something is wrong. That’s why you should head out to your garden regularly and look over your plants. Zucchini are nothing if not prolific, and while you’re more likely to see a vine take over half your garden than you are to see one struggle and die, they still have their share of potential problems....

by Bethany Hayes Pests are a gardener’s worse nightmare. They damage and destroy once healthy plants within a short period, ruining all of your hard work. Many pests are resistant to conventional treatments, which is why learning organic pest prevention methods are essential. Preventing garden pests needs to be the prime focus for all gardeners, regardless of whether you practice organic gardening. We know that many insecticides and pesticides are ineffective, so avoiding the problem entirely is how you increase the likelihood of a healthy, pest-free garden....