But they’re a bit over the top if you only get the occasional, light snowfall. That’s when you might want to consider a smaller, single stage gas blower or even one of the electric models, which are also ideal for clearing decks and patios. Has the time come for you to think about buying a snowblower? With a variety of different sizes and power options available, there’s a lot to consider before you make your purchase....

When given the right conditions, they can be prolific bloomers, covering fences, pergolas, and walls with weeks of dazzling floral displays. And giving them the right conditions is simple and easy. Beautiful and familiar flowering vines, the Clematis genus is also a highly versatile and diverse group of plants. They provide a wide range of sumptuous flower colors and blooms that range from small, nodding bells to extra-large starbursts. The numerous species and hybrids offer an extended growing season, with varieties for spring, summer, and fall flowering times, and many that rebloom as well....

I don’t think we could ever live without tubers. Whether it’s the many cooking variations of the potato, the abundant nutrients of the sweet potato, or the rich taste of the yam, these foods are popular for good reason. Today, we’d like to introduce you to one of the world’s favorite, though less heard of, tubers: Dioscorea alata, known as ube or winged yams. Table of Contents The name makes me imagine a flying Thanksgiving dish, but winged yams are actually used the most in desserts....

Want a vegetable that is good for you and your garden? Growing daikon radish is the answer. Known for its long, icicle-like appearance and large flourishing leaves, a crop of daikon not only provides you and yours with healthy nutrients in a mild flavor profile but also breaks up compacted ground in your garden. Table of Contents Daikon radishes, or Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus, were first cultivated in East Asia — specifically Northern China....

I’m sure I sound like I’m the head of the cast-iron plant fan club here, but it’s really hard not to love a plant that keeps on truckin’ no matter what’s thrown at it. Aspidistra elatior Cast-iron plant might sound like a strange name for a tropical evergreen, but once you realize how exceptionally tough this plant is, you’ll understand the label. Aspidistra elatior is incredibly tolerant of neglect. Drought barely phases it, low light isn’t a problem, and a lack of fertilizer is no big deal....

Who can resist the hot, peppery taste of watercress in a salad, a sandwich, or even garnishing a burger, but did you know that watercress is very easy to grow yourself? Read on to learn how to grow watercress at home in your own garden. Table of Contents As a water-loving perennial, it’s often assumed that watercress can only be grown in fresh flowing water. While this is true, you’ll be happy to learn that recreating these growing conditions using containers is straightforward....

Some can be a nuisance because of their ability to inflict a painful sting, which in some cases may require medical attention. Maybe bees or wasps come to mind, but in fact, the insect pests I’m referring to are caterpillars. Keeping a tropical hibiscus healthy and safe from pests can be a challenge. Whether this tropical beauty is included in your landscaping plans or you’re already growing one, there are a few specific pests that you should be on the lookout for in addition to the common garden culprits, depending on your location – and it’s not necessarily because of the damage they may cause to these semi-woody shrubs or small trees....

People living without disabilities may not consider the difficulties involved in wheelchair gardening. That’s because the gardening world is mostly designed for them, so they don’t have to consider what it’s like navigating gardening tools and tasks while trying to work comfortably as someone who is wheelchair-bound. Table of Contents That’s why we’ve dedicated this piece to gardening for wheelchair users. There are plenty of things to consider, but that doesn’t mean a wheelchair user can’t be an avid gardener....

In this article, I’m going to introduce you to my 13 favorite yarrow varieties you are sure to love. Not just another pretty face in a lush and lazy garden, yarrow (Achillea) earns its keep in the worst soils with the least amount of water. If you’ve got barren areas crying out for color, it’s yarrow to the rescue! This hardy flowering perennial thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9....

1. DIY Backyard Pond Want to DIY a backyard pond? The Popular Mechanics has this tutorial. Find out! 2. Backyard Pond+Waterfall This breathtaking pond+waterfall is of course not super easy to build and takes some time to come into life. 3. DIY Garden Pond Learn how to create a garden pond with fishes and plants following the step by step instructions here! 4. Stock Tank Container Pond Stock tanks can be used to complete many DIY garden projects like this container pond....

Are you looking for a low maintenance plant to replace your lawn, or fill your rock garden or woodland beds? Creeping raspberry makes one amazing and highly appealing ground cover that is tough and durable in nature. It’s got simple needs, and it’s worth growing in your garden! Table of Contents Botanically known as Rubus hayata-koidzumi (and previously as Rubus calycinoides), creeping raspberry belongs to the Rosaceae family. It produces a mass of three-lobed leaves that form a dense mat to make an attractive ground cover....

Canna lilies are happiest growing in moist, fertile, slightly acidic soil. But what should you do in terms of providing fertilizer to help ensure that they produce beautiful blooms? These plants are native to tropical and subtropical regions from southern North America down through Latin America. Understanding their native environment will help us decipher their nutritional needs, setting them up to thrive within your garden. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products....

This herb may be a heat loving annual, but it turns out that with a few simple considerations in mind, growing it is very doable – even at my home in Vermont! Cuminum cyminum Cumin, Cuminum cyminum, is probably my all time favorite culinary spice. Since I use it in just about everything that I cook, I am careful to make sure cumin seed is always in stock in my kitchen....

For sashimi or sushi, wasabi is king — and yet very little of what people purchase as “wasabi” in the United States is actually real wasabi, as real wasabi is known to be a very tricky plant. Usually, the bright wasabi paste found in those tubes is actually European horseradish with food coloring! But for lovers of Japanese food, growing the real thing is worth it. Freshly grated and packed full of nutrients, it’s difficult, but doable if you know how to grow wasabi....

Finding the best pH meter is quite a chore. In fact, hydroponic gardening, in general, can feel a lot like an undergraduate-level science class at times! Table of Contents Unlike soil-based gardening, growers need to keep track of every little detail. Your water quality, and especially the pH level of your nutrient solution, is vital to track. Failing to properly monitor your nutrient solution can result in sickly plants and a healthy dose of frustration....

Table of Contents African violets, also known as Saintpaulias, are associated with motherhood, and are a traditional gift to Mom for Mother’s Day. They’re also popular for Valentine’s Day and for Easter. But what are African violets? Are there different species or varieties, and what might those be? Are they all blue or purple? Is there a best way to take care of African violets? Are these plants best indoors or outdoors, and what’s the differences in their care?...

If you’re lucky enough to have a large yard or garden, you’ll probably need a fertilizer spreader to take some work off of your plate. Table of Contents Also known as lawn or seed spreaders, these handy tools make seeding or fertilizing your yard an absolute breeze…but choosing one can be a pain. There three different types of fertilizer spreaders, each of which are best suited for a particular application or yard size....

Among the plant diseases out there, downy mildew is one of the worst. Because it doesn’t cause a lot of damage on the outset, gardeners don’t see it as an issue. A rampant infection in cool temperatures of the spring growing season spells disaster for the rest of the year. Table of Contents Thankfully, there are ways to prevent downy mildew and control the spread of pathogens that cause it. Culturally, gardeners eliminate moisture, improve air circulation, prune, and change their irrigation techniques by using drip irrigation....

Rhubarb is a long-lived perennial that makes a great addition to any garden. It’s an easy growing plant that can produce for decades when properly cared for. Although the leaves and roots are poisonous, the stems are commonly used as the base for many desserts. Rhubarb is popular in pies, jams, jellies, and compotes. Table of Contents Some varieties can live up to 20 years, and the plant can grow to be several feet wide and several feet tall....

If long vines covered with big green hearts weren’t already a sweet enough deal, this houseplant also comes with the bonus of lovely, fragrant blossoms, even when grown indoors – and it’s also supremely easy to propagate to make new plants. Hoya kerrii Are you in the market for a long term relationship? If so, let me introduce you to sweetheart hoya. Sweetheart hoya, please meet our dear reader. (Yes, I may be playing matchmaker here....