Japanese maples are one of the most common species of tree grown as bonsai. So, you’re in for a resounding yes – it’s possible, you can grow Japanese maples in pots! Whether you lack a spacious yard or just want to bring a Japanese maple closer to your home, you might want to try growing one in a pot. How difficult would that be? Is it even possible? We link to vendors to help you find relevant products....

Whether these succulents hold a place in your cultural heritage or not, their paddles have been used as a food source and as medicine by indigenous peoples and others throughout the Americas for a long, long time. They’re more than just a trendy food. Are you planning to harvest some nutritious, tasty pads from a prickly pear, also known as nopal cactus? Or are you debating whether it’s worth it to buy and contend with such a pokey plant for the potential of a future harvest?...

What is a straw bale cold frame A straw bale cold frame is a low cost temporary structure used to protect crops when the temperature drops in autumn and winter. It’s essentially a miniature greenhouse. Building cold frames is a great way to increase self-sufficiency in a home vegetable garden and extend the typical harvest season by a couple of months. The box of the frame is made from insulting straw bales and topped with a clear top to capture solar energy....

Finding the perfect houseplant potting mix can be frustrating. That’s why I came up with my own DIY recipe that is both easy and budget friendly! In this post, I am going to show you exactly how to make potting soil for indoor plants, from scratch. Making your own homemade indoor potting soil may sound difficult, but it’s actually super simple! This mix only has three ingredients, and is perfect to use for growing houseplants....

Plants Are you thinking of adding a poinsettia to your holiday decor this season? This festive tropical plant has become the quintessential holiday floral. With many new options and colors on the market, there is sure to be a poinsettia that's perfect for your home! In this article, gardening expert Danielle Sherwood takes you through all you need to know about poinsettias and their care. By Danielle Sherwood Last updated: December 23, 2022 | 15 min read Poinsettias are a beloved international symbol of the holiday season....

Elephant ear plants bring a bold look to any interior or landscape, with their huge heart-shaped leaves. These tropical, big leaf plants, thrive in partial to full sun with frequent watering and right soil conditions. Let’s learn everything about how to plant elephant ear bulbs! Botanical Name: Colocasia USDA Hardiness Zones: 9-11 Check out our article on best large foliage houseplants here! Planting Elephant Ear Bulbs Select a large and healthy bulb (tuber) of 5-7 inches, with a dry outer layer, as these are going to develop in big leaves and strong stems....

What are seed potatoes? Seed potatoes are not actually seeds at all. Instead, they are simply potato tubers that are used for planting. Most often, they are saved from last year’s harvest and stored over the winter under exacting conditions to keep them firm and disease free. Rather than saving some of your own harvest for replanting the next year, I recommend purchasing new certified disease-free seed potatoes at the start of each growing season....

Cactus rot is a super common problem, and one of the main causes of cactus death. But just because your cactus is rotting doesn’t mean you can’t save it. In this post, I talk about the causes and symptoms, answer all of your questions, and give you step-by-step instructions for how to save a cactus from rot. Rot can start anywhere on a cactus plant. It could start from the bottom and spread up the plant....

The shiso plant is a staple herb in southeastern Asian countries. Shiso can be used in a variety of dishes from cold noodle dishes to hot ramen, from desserts to beverages. You can even bread it and fry it for delicious vegetable tempura. Table of Contents Whether you eat a lot of Asian plants as food at home or not, shiso (also called perilla mint) is a good herb to grow in your garden....

Spring weather is unpredictable, and it can be hard to figure out when it’s safe to transplant seedlings into the garden. If you do it too early, it will result in frustration if a late frost kills all of your hard work, and you have to replant everything. Ugh! You spent all that time caring for your seedlings indoors, so you certainly don’t want them to die as soon as you plant them outside....

Table of Contents Schefflera plant, also called umbrella tree, is a fantastic houseplant and landscape plant. It’s known for being hardy even in cases of neglect or poor growing conditions. Not picky, it produces beautiful foliage. Whether it’s used to create bonsai or simply to perk up a dark corner, dwarf umbrella trees are great to grow. Let’s go over the history of this fantastic plant and all the best schefflera plant care tips!...

When to pick tomatoes: two strategies As a tomato ripens, its color deepens, the sugar content rises, and the fruits soften. Traditionally garden tomatoes are picked when fully mature, but in reality ripening can happen on the vine or on your kitchen counter. In fact, I’ve found that there are advantages to harvesting tomatoes before they’re fully ripe; fewer pest issues, less cracking and splitting, and reliable ripening. Below you’ll find information on harvesting both ripe and partially ripe tomatoes as well as tips on how to ripen the fruits indoors....

One of the main questions I hear from first-time winter sowers is, what type of winter sowing containers are the best? This is definitely something that becomes a personal preference as you gain more experience winter sowing seeds. Everyone has their own favorite types, so it’s best to experiment with all kinds of different ones to see what you like. There’s really no limit to the type or shape of containers for winter sowing....

Try some of the following ideas to keep your garden producing for longer: Not ready to put your garden to bed just yet? Luckily, gardening doesn’t have to end when summer does. There are plenty of ways to extend your harvest season so you can keep eating those garden-fresh veggies all through the fall! We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission....

by Erin Marissa Russell Wondering how to cook with all the collard greens you grew in your garden and looking for recipes to use them up? Collard greens are a garden staple for many of us because they’re simple to care for and are some of the fastest-growing vegetables around. When your garden performs well, though, you may end up harvesting more greens than you know what to do with in the kitchen....

Information Are you growing delphinium this season, but want to make sure you have absolutely beautiful blooms? In this article, certified master gardener Laura Elsner walks through the most common mistakes both novice and experienced gardeners make when it comes to growing delphinium in their garden! By Laura Elsner Last updated: November 11, 2022 | 8 min read Delphiniums are the stars of summer. After the peonies finish off spring with a bang, it is the delphinium’s turn to do their thing....

If you are looking for convenient options for growing different greens or veggies in one place, check out the DIY Salad Bowl Ideas list in the article below! Find out the best mini vegetables to grow here DIY Salad Bowl Ideas 1. Lettuce Bowl A DIY lettuce bowl is a handy way to grow salad greens in a limited space. All you need is a 5-6 inches deep bowl and you are good to go....

Many types of houseplants with flowers you see at garden centers are sold as gift plants. That’s because some of these plants need special care (and sometimes even a greenhouse environment) in order to rebloom. So most people just toss them out once they’re done flowering. I don’t have a greenhouse, but I love surrounding myself with indoor blooming plants. Over the years, I’ve had great luck growing several different types of flowering houseplants....

1. Wine Barrel Planter Half wine barrels are a perfect contender to become successful, personable planters. What are the steps you need to follow–find out here. 2. DIY Tiered Planter Making a tiered wine barrel planter like this is really an engaging DIY gardening project. Learn how to make it at Centsational Style! 3. DIY Wine Barrel Planter This infographic has all the steps required to create this DIY wine barrel planter....

Plants Are you looking for some plants that can grow in an indoor or outdoor pond? Finding the right types of floating plants for pond gardens can be a bit of a challenge! Luckily, there are many different options you can choose from. In this article, we take a look at our favorite plants that can thrive in outdoor or indoor ponds! By Jason White Last updated: October 10, 2022 | 10 min read There are a number of plants that thrive in water or around the edges of ponds and waterways....