If you’ve ever been lost when trying to determine how to space vegetables in a raised bed, don’t give up hope. There are ways to space food crops in virtually any possible location! Table of Contents While working at a Washington D.C. based food-access nonprofit organization, I drove around town in a big green pickup truck affectionately known as The Truck Farm. This farm on wheels was a tiny, thriving urban garden that we took to community events, local libraries and schools as an educational tool to show kids where fresh food comes from....

Allegheny spurge, scientifically known as Pachysandra procumbens, is an easy-growing woodland plant. Crisp green foliage provides a beautiful shrubby ground cover for all terrains. A bit slow to get started, it becomes a vibrant carpet over time and spreads slowly to fill available space. Table of Contents This shade-loving semi-evergreen is one of many native plants of the United States. Its origins are in the southeast part of the country, and it’s found in abundance there....

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....

These majestic drought-tolerant yuccas can’t be grown in just any garden! They require the perfect setting to thrive. Expansive growing spaces where summer is hot and winter is cold best suit their cultivation needs. Yucca brevifolia The captivating Yucca brevifolia, commonly known as the Joshua tree, is a member of the agave (Agavaceae) family. With the Mojave, Great Basin, and western Sonoran Deserts composing its native growing range, this slow-growing evergreen monocot is an iconic desert dweller....

It has an elegant bush-like growth pattern that stands out in the garden, and when you brush the leaves, they release their pungent, spicy aroma. Murraya koenigii Have you ever dug into a bowlful of yellow dal from your favorite restaurant and marveled at that subtle, citrusy flavor that maybe you couldn’t quite place? Want to make that herbaceous deliciousness a part of your personal culinary repertoire? Then you should consider growing your own curry leaf tree at home....

While it’s a cousin of the North American native honeysuckle, L. sempervirens, the Japanese variety was introduced to the continent and has naturalized in many areas, with the exception of the southwestern part of the US. Lonicera japonica What is the appeal of the honeysuckle vine? The nose knows. In some parts of the world, it’s considered the definitive scent of summer. The fragrant blooms beckon to pollinators in the summer months, with the intoxicating, vanilla-like aroma drifting on the warm breeze....

The many intriguing mythical and medicinal texts that mention Mandragora certainly spark a gardener’s curiosity. Growing a rare plant such as mandrake from seed is rewarding and adds to the allure of cultivation. Mandragora spp. Mandragora, commonly known as mandrake root, belongs to the nightshade (Solanaceae) family. This enchanting herbaceous perennial requires cultivation by a devoted gardener. Patience is mandatory when sowing mandrake seeds and providing the ideal climate for them to grow in....

Frequently chosen by urban landscapers, this large shrub is planted widely and is a popular choice for gardens in those areas. Although its toxic berries aren’t safe for human consumption, they are beautiful to look at and birds love them. Photinia x fraseri Red tip photinia is an easy to grow ornamental shrub that’s prized for its dense red and green foliage. Also known as Fraser (or Fraser’s) photinia or red top photinia, its leaves start off red, then turn a deep green over a period of several weeks....

In this article, you will learn all you need to know to grow, harvest, and use this plant. Curcuma longa If you’ve ever feasted on Indian food, you’ve undoubtedly enjoyed the pungent flavor and golden color of turmeric, Curcuma longa, aka Indian saffron, an herbaceous perennial in the Zingiberaceae family of plants that is related to ginger and cardamom. A chemical compound called curcumin found in the fleshy rhizomes of this plant is responsible for the bright hue, as well as numerous potential health benefits....

Apples have become one of the most iconic fruits in our diets, but it’s come a long from the mountains of Eurasia to kitchen tables around the world. Apples are a member of the rose family (Rosaceae) which also includes pears, peaches and quinces. For over a thousand years, growers along the silk road cultivated and traded fruits. The increase in the popularity of apples also unintentionally spread a small but destructive tag-a-long: the apple codling moth (Cydia pomonella)....

Garlic is one of the most versatile alliums out there. There are thousands of culinary uses for garlic, and plenty of medicinal uses too. And with so many different cultivars to choose from, growing regular garlic just kind of seems passe. Instead, grow elephant garlic! Table of Contents Despite its name, elephant garlic is more closely related to leeks than regular garlic. Because it’s not a “true garlic” it has a much milder flavor and slower bulb growth....

Today’s topic is multi-use and packed with nutrition. It’s also a beautiful sight. It’s the flax plant! The fibers of this ancient grain have been used for millennia among Roman, Egyptian, and Mesopotamian peoples. Today, people grow these plants for commercial and home use. Table of Contents There’s so much to gain from working with flax. While you may not be interested in the lengthy process of making linen fabric, flax flowers and flax seeds are well worth the effort it takes to grow them....

Table of Contents Brightly-colored in shades ranging from common pinks and reds through deep dusky blues and violets, geraniums are a common sight in most gardens today. The term “geranium” itself is a bit misleading, because there’s actually two separate genuses that are considered geraniums. But we’ll go into that in more detail shortly! Whether you are simply looking for a plant which can create a plethora of bright and wildly-colored flowers, or a plant that smells like cinnamon or spices, you can find a geranium that will suit you....

Table of Contents If you’re considering a tropical, the one that you need is a Cordyline fruticosa, best known as an Hawaiian Ti Plant. While sitting at your office desk in front of a glowing computer screen, maybe your Hawaiian ti plant is just what you need to up and whisk you away to lush tropical lands. These beautiful, versatile plants will yank you out of your winter doldrums and have you basking in the sun of your own (imaginary) tropical holiday....

Left unchecked, these beetles can devour an entire crop of potatoes. And they also lay waste to these fruits and vegetables: Leptinotarsa decemlineata Colorado potato beetles pose such a grave threat to potato crops that flamethrowers have been used to control them. However, you do not have to go to such extremes in your garden. We at Gardener’s Path provide a number of natural control methods to use against this voracious pest – and if necessary, tips on how to use insecticides as well....

And despite having a name that is anything but picturesque, the silvery-white speckled leaves and pink and blue blossom clusters are a charming addition to shady areas of the landscape. Pulmonaria spp. Lungwort is a flowering perennial suited to cultivation in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 8. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission....

Winter mulching is an important part of my winter prep routine each fall. While it may feel like a superfluous step, I find it extremely valuable both in the short and long term for protecting plants, prolonging harvests, and improving soil! As the leaves begin to brighten and drop, chilly winds stab at the air, and we start yanking sweaters hats and scarves from the depths of our closets, the time has come to think about preparing our gardens for winter....

Do you love Szechuan beef? Do you crave a hot dish full of Chinese pepper with a warm heat that leaves your lips tingling? If you answered yes to either question, look no further than the Sichuan pepper plant! Table of Contents Szechuan peppers aren’t chili peppers. They’re berries that grow on a Sichuan pepper tree. People grow Szechuan pepper tree for culinary and medicinal purposes. Szechuan pepper plants have a long history in China, where they originated....

In our guide to growing marigolds, you can read more about these wonderful plants and we share cultivation instructions. Tagetes erecta Many gardeners plant marigolds in their veggie patches to repel bugs and other types of pests. But let me tell you – marigolds offer so much more than pretty pest control. Tagetes erecta, or African marigolds, belong to the same genus as other marigolds, and they share many similar features and care requirements....

Gardening with children is great fun and you can begin in any month of the year. From planning and craft-making to planting and harvesting, you can treat your kids to fun activities any time! When my daughter was small, we had a raised vegetable bed with a few tomato plants, peppers, and beans. When our first green pepper was ready to pick, a crow swooped down and snatched it – pepper, plant, roots – and flew off, leaving my little gardener open-mouthed and wide-eyed....