Have you ever been browsing in the succulent section of a garden center and discovered a pot with nothing more than a pair of flat-topped split rocks in it? If so, you may have discovered the lithops plant, an unusual African genus of succulent. Table of Contents Sometimes called split rocks or pebble plants, lithops living stone plants are extremely drought-resistant and are widely popular in low-water gardens in desert regions....

A reliable and easily maintainable foundation for your garden is a few evergreen shrubs away, so let’s cut to the chase and start talking shrubbery! Gardeners worldwide are always looking for the newest, flashiest, most amazing plant to add to their collection. But that stunning thriller of a specimen gets lost without a solid foundation of shrubbery, and no material fulfills this duty better than an evergreen shrub. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products....

QUESTION: What is the best way to grow Brussels sprouts? I’m not even sure the best time to plant them. – Tom W. ANSWER: As Brussels sprouts are a cool weather crop, they prefer temperatures around 60 to 65 degrees F. Fall is the best time to plant Brussels sprouts for optimal growth. Brussels sprouts typically require a minimum of six hours of sunlight exposure each day in most climates. However, in especially warm locations, a bit of afternoon shade should be provided for Brussels sprout plants during the summer....

One of the things I love the most about the winter sowing method is that you can take your time, and sow your seeds all winter long. There’s no rush to get them done like there is when you plant them indoors or direct sow them. Even though winter sowing breaks the rules of traditional seed starting, it is still very important to get the timing right. If you begin too early, the seeds could germinate prematurely, and die before spring....

Information Is your fiddle leaf fig starting to lean to one side? Are you curious why this might happen, especially if it started happening quite suddenly? In this article, gardening expert and houseplant enthusiast Madison Moulton examines why fiddle leaf figs start to lean, and how to fix it once it starts to happen. By Madison Moulton Last updated: July 14, 2022 | 6 min read Almost every houseplant lover either has or has certainly thought about growing a Fiddle Leaf Fig....

QUESTION: Why is Pampas grass illegal? I love the way it looks and wanted to plant some in my garden. — Sarah J. ANSWER: Pampas grass is not illegal in the United States, though it is illegal in Australia. Breaking the ban in Australia carries a $10,000 fine. Pampas grass is an invasive plant that has the potential to spread faster than wildfire. Its popularity has been on the rise as of late because of Instagram photos using Pampas grass in weddings and home decor....

Shrubs Are you thinking of adding some red camellias to your garden this season, but aren't sure which variety to choose? There are many varieties to choose from that bloom with beautiful bold red blossoms. In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss walks through her favorite red flowering camellia varieties, with names and pictures of each! By Melissa Strauss Last updated: September 23, 2022 | 7 min read Does the idea of gorgeous red flowers blooming in your garden through the Winter make your heart race a little bit?...

Check out some really easy-to-make DIY Hanging Indoor Herb Gardens along with a step-by-step tutorial that will guide you into making them easily! Here are Modern Hanging Glass Planter Ideas DIY Hanging Indoor Herb Garden Step-by-Step Tutorial Required Materials Terracotta Pots Spray Paint Screw Driver Screws & Hooks Wood Plank Plumbing Clamps Assorted Herbs Check out these Best Hanging Succulents with Pictures 1. Get the Pots Get terracotta pots of the size of herbs you’re planning to grow....

By Erin Marissa Russell If you love the blaze of color and stately presence of orange lilies in the garden, this article is for you. We’ve created a list of the prettiest orange lilies out there. Each listing comes with a description of the flower as well as basic care instructions, so you can determine which of the lilies on this list will fit into the conditions and climate of your garden....

These Indoor Elephant Ear Ideas are the best way to add a green appeal to your rooms while creating a lush and larger-than-life look in the home. Here’s all you need to know about growing Elephant Ear plants indoors Indoor Elephant Ear Ideas 1. Giant Taro A post shared by HousePlantParadise (@houseplantparadisee) 2. Taro with a Large Wooden Mirror Frame A post shared by A Boy Named Aaron (@aboynamedaaron) 3. Colocasia Black Magic A post shared by (^-^)/ (@hidingplantsfrommyhusband)...

Do you want to make your garden more stare-worthy? Apply these Cool DIY Stepping Stone Ideas and awestruck your visitors with your art! Check out our article to get Garden Path Ideas with Tutorials here. Cool DIY Stepping Stone Ideas 1. Broken China Dish Stepping Stone Broke the recently bought china dish set? No worries! Create a beautiful stepping stone like this. 2. Concrete Stepping Stone These simple and rugged stepping stones will give your garden an elegant look....

If you don’t have a green thumb or are fed up with overwatering your plants and looking for specimens that handle never mind overwatering, here are the best Houseplants that Literally Need No Drainage! Find How to Plant Succulents in Pots without Drainage Holes here Houseplants that Literally Need No Drainage 1. Rough Horsetail Botanical Name: Equisetum Hyemale Also known as scouring rush horsetail and rough horsetail, this herbaceous vascular plant is primarily found in wetlands and streams....

By Matt‌ ‌Gibson‌ Bypass pruners are typically used for making clean cuts to healthy branches and stems to promote healthy growth, but anvil pruners are often used for cutting dead wood or taking some length off of healthy branches before making the final cut with bypass pruners. Bypass pruners have two blades that cross each other to make precise cuts, similar to the way scissors work, but whereas scissors are used for paper and other thin materials, bypass pruners are designed to make precise cuts through larger, thicker objects, such as living stems and branches up to one half inch in diameter....

Vegetables Thinking of growing tomatoes and cucumbers together this season but aren't quite sure if it's a good idea or not? Companion planting can have many benefits, but can also cause problems if done incorrectly. In this article, gardening expert and homesteader Merideth Cohrs examines if it's safe to plant tomatoes with your cucumbers in your garden. By Merideth Cohrs Last updated: July 19, 2022 | 8 min read Is there anything that says summer more than eating fresh tomatoes and cucumbers right off the vine?...

Not all weeds are created equal. I don’t freak out at the dandelions that pop up in my lawn. I do try to keep them in check a bit, but dandelions actually have their virtues. The roots, which can reach pretty deeply into the soil help to loosen hard-packed soil. They’re also edible and the pollinators like them. And so, as long as my entire front garden is not a dandelion patch, I can happily co-exist with a few....

Why Grow Bells of Ireland? Deceivingly simple to grow, the blossoms of Bells of Ireland, Moluccella laevis, are real crowd-pleasers. But not for their flashy color (they’re green). Instead, they garner such attention for their sheer individuality. Looking like no other flower out there, Bells of Ireland stand tall and shout out their uniqueness by just being one heck of a fun plant. They’re a fantastic addition to garden beds and have a lovely, sweet, vanilla-like fragrance....

Interview Highlights He gets 30kg per square meter of yield out of his sweet pepper grows, which in the 11 acre greenhouse that’s dedicated to peppers equates to 1.3 million kilograms of yield. INSANE. His company uses a gutter system, and previously would have just dumped the nutrients into the ground like many other companies do. They recycle by collecting all water in an underground tank, sterilize it with UV light, transfer it into another tank, and then add the elements that the mixture is missing....

This nut provides a perennial substitute for wheat-based products that’s also environmentally friendly. Castanea spp. Chestnuts are a group of hardwood, deciduous trees, native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere where they thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 8, with some variation in range depending on the species. Starchy, sweet, and flavorful, these nuts have been beloved by eager eaters for thousands of years, and cultivated as far back as 2,000 BCE....

Kalanchoes are members of the stonecrop family, aka Crassulaceae, along with other common succulents grown as houseplants like jade. Kalanchoe spp. There are many succulent plants that are hard to kill and easy to care for. And then there is kalanchoe. Species in the Kalanchoe genus are both hardy and low-maintenance, but they also take the whole notion of “tough plant” up a couple of notches. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products....

Now, you may have heard of mint’s legendary spreading properties. Mentha spp. With its sweet fragrance, sparkling flavor, and pretty flowers, mint makes a delightful addition to any garden. It’s a welcome ingredient in cold beverages and teas, as well as in sweet and savory dishes. And its renowned taste and aroma are found in a myriad of products around the home from air fresheners to mouthwash. Bees and other pollinators flock to the enchanting spires and tufts of flowers that bloom in pastel shades of blue, mauve, pink, or white....