The quest for the perfect lawn is endless. We invest in high-quality lawn mowers, in new grass seed, aerators, and lawn sprinklers. But there’s something that many people new to lawn maintenance forget: the best lawn edger. Table of Contents Lawn edgers can produce clean lines of separation between your grass and the driveway, sidewalk, or garden beds. They reduce damage caused by grass spread to these locations, too. And best of all, they provide a clean, streamlined look to the borders of your yard....

Most stationary and tumbler-style composters handle plant materials, paper and cardboard, some manures, and the occasional eggshell. Vermicomposters can handle all of those as well as occasional rice or pasta that can gum up a tumbler composter or draw pests if added too frequently. But only one method of composting can handle all of the above as well as dairy products and meats, and that is bokashi composting! Table of Contents...

By Erin Marissa Russell Chives and green onions are very similar when it comes to their appearance and the way they’re used in the kitchen. Their taste, texture, and the way they function in a dish are almost identical. However, there’s at least one major difference to consider between chives and green onions—chives are classified as an herb, while green onions are classified as a vegetable. Keep reading to dive deeper into the similarities and differences between chives and onions botanically, in their appearance, in the kitchen, and nutritionally....

Houseplants let us bring the beauty of Nature indoors – even the parts we don’t want. In this article, we’ll explore common houseplant pests and the most effective treatments, and explain how to prevent future invasions. How to Identify, Control and Prevent Common Houseplant Pests: Treatment begins with identifying pests by their appearance and effects on our plants. There are many natural, environmentally safe treatment options, but synthetic chemicals are available too....

The world of epiphyllums is a fascinating one – but it can also be somewhat confusing. In this article we’ll disentangle those head-scratching snarls, and provide guidance for every step of growing these extraordinary cacti. Epiphyllum spp. Orchid cacti, or epiphyllums, are forest cacti with long, flat, succulent stems that produce incredible blooms. These long-lived plants are easy to care for, fun to propagate, and stand up well to neglect!...

Follow our guide to learn everything about Growing Tamarind in Pots to enjoy its sour-sweet fruit, or add an appeal by keeping it as an ornamental bonsai. USDA Zone: 9-11 Difficulty: Easy Common Names: Tamarindus indica, tamarin, tamarinier, tamarindo, tamarindier, tamarinde, asam jawa, sampalok, tamarinier des Indes, imli, chinch, ambli, ma-kharm. Check out some fantastic tips on growing tamarind here Propagating Tamarind From Seeds Summer is the best time to grow tamarind from seeds....

Spider mites look like tiny white spiders that create webs on houseplants, and they are extremely destructive pests. It can be difficult, but don’t worry, you can get rid of spider mites on indoor plants, and eliminate them FOR GOOD! There’s nothing more frustrating than finding a spider mite infestation on one of your beloved indoor plants. They are one of the most destructive plant pests there is, so it’s super important to get rid of them as quickly as possible....

In this article, we discuss all you need to know to cultivate a showy aluminum houseplant of your own. Pilea cadierei The aluminum plant, Pilea cadierei, is an evergreen herbaceous perennial that grows outdoors in part shade in USDA Hardiness Zones 11 and 12, and indoors in bright indirect sunlight in all locations. It has a shrub-like, clumping growth habit and is appreciated for having texturally rich foliage that is green with silver markings....

A more recent addition to my garden, broccolini, has become one of my firm favorites. Brassica oleracea var. italica x alboglabra I have always been a huge fan of the brassicas. Nothing lifts my spirits quite like a bundle of freshly picked tender greens and crunchy florets. While kale, collards, and broccoli are longtime staples in my garden, I am always searching for something new to try. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products....

Castor, botanically known as Ricinus communis, is a herbaceous perennial plant. It can be grown as an annual or perennial, depending on the weather. USDA Zones — 9 – 11 Propagation Method — Seeds, cuttings Difficulty — Easy Soil Type — Neutral Other names — Castor oil plant, wonder tree, arandi, kege, amanakku, chittamankku, ricin, castorbean, erand, eranda, gandharva hasta, graine de ricin, tangantangan Oil Plant Native to Eastern Africa and India, the castor plant is world’s most poisonous plant....

Geranium Basics Geraniums are a colorful and strongly scented plant that makes a good indoor houseplant as well as a bright, hardy addition to an outdoor garden. You can choose among a wide range of colors, whether you prefer single or double flowers, and if you need a creeping geranium or an upright type of plant. Most geraniums prefer a sunny location with at least eight hours of sun each day....

Star anise is a spice widely used in South East Asian cuisines. Easily grown in tropical regions, the plant is adorned with beautiful flowers and star-shaped fruits. If you love its earthy flavor, Learn How to Grow Star Anise in this informative article! Learn about Growing Lemon Cucumbers here Star Anise Plant Profile With its roots in South Eastern China, 80-90% of the world’s production is indigenous to the place. It is mainly cultivated for commercial purposes and exported to various parts of the world....

A friend of mine just bought a new house and she recently asked me “Do you have any tips for winterizing gardens in the fall?”. This is a great question and one I get asked often. So I was inspired to share my checklist for putting my garden to bed in the fall. Don’t Get Overwhelmed By Winterizing Gardens Before you read on or start scrolling down, let me just say that this list is looooong....

One of the coolest plants out there is the Jerusalem artichoke plant. It not only provides a good source of carbohydrates in its tuberous roots, but it also supplies pollen to many different kinds of bees. And the flowers that bloom on the plant are a lovely sight. Table of Contents A friend of mine has been growing Jerusalem artichoke in her backyard garden, and they’ve taken off. They’ve almost taken over the bed she planted them in, and they practically burst with happy yellow flowers in late summer....

Peonies are one of my favorite flowers, and they smell heavenly. But once peony buds start to open, the flowers quickly become too large for the stems to support the heavy flowers, and inevitably they go crashing to the ground. Adding peony supports at the right time will keep your peonies from falling over. The biggest mistake people make with their peonies is leaving them completely unsupported. If peony flowers are left unsupported, they will collapse to the ground almost as soon as the buds open....

If you’re growing Russian sage plant (Perovskia atriplicifolia) in your garden, then you know how bad they can look after the winter. All those dead branches leave your plant looking ugly and half dead. So it’s important to learn how to cut back Russian sage to keep it looking its best all summer long. But don’t worry! When it comes to pruning plants, Russian sage is one of the easiest to do....

By Matt Gibson If you are just starting up a garden on a new property or just getting around to building your garden on an old property, you may be wondering about whether it would be more beneficial to build raised beds or to simply plant directly in the ground instead. For some properties, especially those with poor, rocky or sandy soils, there are lots of benefits to DIY raised beds instead of spending the time, money, and effort to regenerate long neglected soil....

Difference Between Catnip and Catmint It is true that catnip and species commonly known as catmint have quite a lot in common. They are low maintenance perennials that grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9, and thrive in full to part sun. The common name catmint refers to a number of species in the Nepeta genus of herbaceous perennials in the mint family. Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a long-used medicinal herb that drives kitties wild, while other species, including N....

Ground cover plants refer to low growing vegetation that grows to form attractive carpets. They provide all-rounded, low maintenance solutions to landscaping problems and questions such as: What plants can withstand foot traffic, but don’t need mowing? What to plant on a slope too steep for your lawnmower? What to grow under shady trees with prominent roots? What plants can you use to create a border along your driveway? Additionally, they create visual intrigue by introducing colors, textures, and shapes to your landscape....

Information Is your hosta's leaves turning yellow? Unfortunately, this is an all-too-common problem for many owners of these spectacular plants. The good news is there's a few common reasons it happens. In this article, we take a deeper look at why your hosta's leaves may be yellowing, and what to do about it. By Jason White Last updated: July 31, 2022 | 11 min read Hosta plants are a gardener’s delight, regardless of skill level....