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By Jennifer Poindexter Do you need a solid ground cover that looks good and keeps weeds at bay? The hay scented fern could be what you need. This plant produces lush green fronds that add color, simplistic charm, and an extensive weed barrier. However, you must know how to grow and care for these plants to encourage them to thrive. The healthier the plants are, the better they work as ground cover or even for regular use around your yard or garden....

D. purpurea is suited to cultivation as a biennial in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9, and as an annual in all temperate zones. It grows as a short-lived perennial wildflower in coastal regions of the Pacific Northwest. Digitalis purpurea Purple foxglove, Digitalis purpurea, aka common foxglove or lady’s glove, is a biennial plant with tall flower stalks and tightly clustered, tubular, downward-facing blossoms. Blossom colors include cream, pink, purple, red, yellow, and white, often accented by throats of a lighter hue, or speckles and mottling....

By Julie Christensen Like lilacs, bearded irises have been around for a long time. These classic garden plants, sometimes known as “flags,” deserve a place in every garden. They produce beautiful blooms from spring to mid-summer and take almost no maintenance. Bearded irises (Iris germanica) grow almost everywhere in the U.S. Hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9, they need at least a bit of frost during the winter to break dormancy in the spring....

For example, the flesh inside the fruits can be up to 20 degrees cooler than the air surrounding them, according to a document published by the University of Massachusetts Extension Nutrition Education Program. Cucumis sativus There are so many common expressions that don’t really hold up to scrutiny. Pretty as a picture? Not some I’ve seen. Sleep like a baby? If you mean fitfully… Work like a dog? Sometimes, but my sweet Huggy is asleep on the porch more often than not....

Native to South Africa, Haworthia is one of the easiest plants to grow! It is quite similar to the aloe vera plant and can be identified by its pearly warts! It is a slow-growing plant that can grow up to 3-5 inches long. Let’s have a detailed look at How to Grow Haworthia! Soil pH: 6.6-7.5 Other Names: Zebra cactus, Star window plant, Cushion aloe, Pearl plant Types of Haworthia There are around 80 species of Haworthia!...

Keep reading to learn how you can grow it in your garden. Cymbopogon citratus The first time I harvested lemongrass in Virginia, I was invigorated by its refreshing, citrusy fragrance. It sure provided a nice contrast to the fall greens and roots I was harvesting from the fields. Lemongrass is an herb used in the kitchen for its citrus flavor and scent. It’s native to the tropics, so it does require some protection from the cold....

by Matt Gibson Hydrangeas have massive, lush, gorgeous blooms that have been turning heads for centuries. It’s no wonder that hydrangea flowers are one of the most popular in the world. Commonly used in bouquets in restaurants and hotels or as a floral arrangement for table settings, weddings and banquets, hydrangeas are seen everywhere. The famous hydrangea blooms burst forth from buds atop large landscaping perennials that grow larger each year with the proper care....

How do you spell tasty summertime treat? B E R R Y! Juicy, sweet berries are highly perishable and are often a luxury item at the grocery store. Grow berries in your home garden instead, for a delicious summer treat that’s packed with vitamins, fiber, and cancer-fighting antioxidants. There is nothing better than fresh berries in the summer and they have so many varied flavors from a berry with a sweet flavor to berries with a tangy taste....

We’re going to get to the bottom of some popular myths, legends, and garden folklore. Gardening folklore and myths, stories and tips passed down from generation to generation. We’ve all heard them before. Planting marigolds around our vegetables to deter pests. Getting potatoes in the ground on Good Friday. Using beer as a bait trap for slugs. Is there any truth to these recommendations? Are marigolds really effective at deterring annoying critters, and doesn’t the date of Good Friday change yearly?...

Did you know that yams (Dioscorea alata) and sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are two completely different vegetables? If you are surprised to learn this fact, you are not alone, as the names sweet potato and yams are often used interchangeably and also look very similar and are often mislabeled at grocery stores, especially in the western world, which leads to a lot of confusion. Many westerners have likely never tasted a yam before, as they are much more popular in and prevalent in the culinary traditions of African and Asian countries and are hard to find in the states....

Planting in the fall allows plants to become established before going dormant, making them better prepared for spring leaf production and a bountiful crop. Fall may make you crave all things pumpkin, but it’s also the perfect time to set yourself up for a generous crop of sweet and delicious berries come spring and summer. So finish up your pumpkin spice latte and take a few moments to whet your appetite for the lush taste of homegrown fruit....

by Bethany Hayes Have you ever seen a gardener mention that they topped their tomato plants? Topping tomato plants is a type of pruning that might seem counterproductive, but when done correctly in the right circumstances it can lead to prolific harvests and healthy growth. Tomato plants come in two varieties: determinate and indeterminate tomatoes. Determinate tomato plants are self-limiting and rarely grow above four feet tall. Indeterminate tomatoes, on the other hand, continue to grow until the first frost of the year....

Weigela is a beautiful deciduous shrub that comes in a variety of colors, both in its foliage, and flowers. The foliage colors include dark green leaves, bright green leaves, dark purple leaves, and even variegated foliage. Table of Contents Some of the most popular weigela flower colors include bright pink flowers, red flowers, and white flowers although they can also produce yellow, purple, orange, rose pink flowers, and magenta blooms. It makes a great addition to any landscape along borders or pathways or as foundation plantings near your home....

QUESTION: I’m looking for the best mulch to use on my tomatoes. What do you recommend gardeners use to mulch their tomatoes? — Jamie L. ANSWER: Using mulch on your tomatoes is a great way to increase the amount of your harvest and also increase the size and tasty flavor of your tomatoes. There are a few different mulches you can use to get the best results. In addition to helping you haul in a big harvest and maximizing the size and taste of your tomatoes, mulch also helps the soil retain moisture, choke out weeds, and reduce the likelihood of soilborne diseases....

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....

1. Potting Soil Bag Container Learn how to use the potting soil plastic bag to grow plants, check out the tutorial video here. It can be a nice makeshift container. 2. Growing Potatoes in a Trash Bag You can grow food anywhere, in the trash bag as well. Click here to find out! 3. Self Watering Plastic Bag Containers Self-watering plastic bags containers for the balcony gardeners. Watch the DIY video here!...

by Matt Gibson Passion fruit, or passion flower, is a flowering tropical vine that is suited to warmer climates, such as those of South America, Australia, South Africa, and India. Also called passiflora, the vine produces a unique-looking fruit that has a soft pulp and a bunch of seeds, all contained by a hard outer rind. The rind is discarded upon harvesting, while the seeds, pulp, and juice are all collected and consumed....

Here are some great Houseplants that Look-Like Fiddle Leaf Fig and are going to be an eye-catching alternative with their large foliage! Here’s how your favorite houseplants look like in the wild! Houseplants that Look-Like Fiddle Leaf Fig 1. Ficus Alii Botanical Name: Ficus binnendiijkii ‘Alii’ This ornamental houseplant shows off a tall structure with long, narrow, olive-green leaves. It can reach up to 6-8 feet high and need less care compared to its relatives....

Plants Hostas are extremely versatile plants, and can add some lovely ground cover to your yard or garden. But what plants grow best with them in the garden? Which ones look the best together? In this article, certified master gardener and hosta enthusiast Laura Elsner examines the best companion plants for hostas in your garden. By Laura Elsner Last updated: October 12, 2022 | 16 min read Hostas rule the shade....

Despite tomatoes being among my favourite crops, that late-summer garden fatigue can make me lazy. Last year I let a few of my plants get a bit too wild, and ultimately, it affected the fruit. Here are a few tips that I recommend following as you plant your seedlings, and throughout the growing season. Tips for growing tomatoes in raised beds Stake them early and carefully Depending on how high your raised beds are, the subsoil underneath may not be very forgiving....