No store-bought tomato will beat homegrown and freshly picked ones from your garden. And who doesn’t enjoy the fruits of their labor? Literally! Tomato plants are a good addition to any vegetable garden, especially because most of us use them every day. If you are looking to grow tomatoes in your garden, black cherry tomatoes might be what you need. Their ease of growth and productivity are traits that any gardener will appreciate....
Drying oregano is easy, and one of the best ways to preserve your harvest. In this post, I’ll show you 4 different ways to do it, and walk you through exactly how to dry fresh oregano step by step, as well as tips for storing it. Whether you have it growing in your garden, or you want to preserve leftovers from the store, drying fresh oregano is simple. Plus it gives you a zesty spice that you can use in your kitchen for cooking....
This type is also known as flaming Katy, or Christmas kalanchoe because it’s frequently given as a gift or used as decor during the winter holiday season. I think it’s adorable that we indoor gardeners use the term “force” to describe our efforts to get florist’s kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) and other plants to rebloom. You must admit it’s impossible to truly force a member of the plant kingdom to do anything....
And every single time I used to get a sunburn, I ran to the nearest grocery store to buy a bottle of aloe vera gel. Let me tell you, there’s nothing so soothing as that cool gel sliding over a patch of lobster-colored skin. Are you growing your own aloe plant at home? If not, this is your chance to add an attractive ornamental succulent to your houseplant collection that offers tons of utility as well, as part of your homegrown medicine cabinet....
Growing herbs indoors on a sunny windowsill has become quite popular these days, especially for those of us who live in a climate where the winters are long and cold. The thought of being able to snip off sprigs of fresh herbs all year round every time you need them for cooking sounds dreamy, right? Yes! So why not give it a try? Below I am going to show you all that you need in order to be successful....
Growing peppers from seed can be a bit challenging for beginners, but it’s actually pretty easy. In this post, I am going to show you exactly how to grow peppers from seed, step-by-step, and give you everything you need to be successful! Peppers (aka capsicum) are one of my all-time favorites! My husband loves them too, and we’ve grown tons of different varieties (both hot and sweet) from seed over the years....
“They’re onions,” he said. “No, they’re garlic,” she said. Actually, they are both right and they are both wrong. Shallots, onions, and garlic are all in the same family, but none of them are the same. Shallots taste like onions, but also a little like garlic; their distinct flavor is somewhere in between, with qualities of both. And while shallots may look more like onions, under the skin the bulbs are divided into cloves, like garlic....
By Matt Gibson Tarragon is a perennial herb that has been cultivated for culinary purposes dating back to 500 BC in Ancient Greece. Originally from Siberia, tarragon has been naturalized to temperate climates all throughout Asia, Europe, and the United States. In the 15th century, tarragon was introduced to France, where it became an instant sensation, and one of the most widely used spices in the region. Growing one to three feet high, the tarragon shrub isn’t very ornamental....
If you love aquatic plants, you can grow water lilies in your home in oversized glasses and jars with the help of this article! Learn how to grow succulents in wine glasses here What are Water Lilies Native to Africa, Australia, and the Northern hemisphere–water lilies belong to the genus Nymphaea. They are admired for delicate flowers that feature large floating leaves. As waterlilies are symbols of peace and growth, growing them indoors will help you bring positive vibes too....
Cactus rot is a super common problem, and one of the main causes of cactus death. But just because your cactus is rotting doesn’t mean you can’t save it. In this post, I talk about the causes and symptoms, answer all of your questions, and give you step-by-step instructions for how to save a cactus from rot. Rot can start anywhere on a cactus plant. It could start from the bottom and spread up the plant....
If you need to transplant your bay tree, you’ve come to the right place. Bay laurel, Laurus nobilis, is one of those garden marvels that serves more than one purpose. Beyond adding evergreen ornamental interest to indoor and outdoor spaces with their glossy, deep green foliage, the leaves can bring an aromatic flavor to your cooking as well. Even if you don’t like the taste of bay leaves, the camphor-like scent when you brush past this plant is something to behold....
What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the words “key lime”? We’re guessing yummy pies jumped into your head or maybe even an alcoholic drink. If you ask us though, we only have eyes for the key lime tree. After we’re done raving about it, this tree is sure to grab your attention as well. Table of Contents The key lime tree is a vigorous tropical plant that produces all year long....
If you have ever built a garden bed from scratch, you know that it is hard work. And maintaining it is just as tiring. Instead, try no dig gardening! Rather than relying on manual labor to manage weeds and fertilize the soil, no dig gardening uses nature (and a bit of time) to do these tasks. This is so much easier on you, and it’s healthier for the soil too!...
How big should a patio vegetable garden be? As a horticulturist, I grow dozens of containers filled with veggies on my patio every season, but there’s no need to create something so extensive. Start with just a few pots your first year, and plan to expand your garden as you learn how to grow. Of course, if you want to dive in and go big right out the gate, go for it....
Roly poly, doodle bugs, or pill bugs… whatever you call them, these are popular little garden dwellers. Table of Contents Children play with pill bugs, fascinated by their ability to roll their seven pairs of legs up into a little ball. Frogs and lizards find them to be tasty treats. And we find them in every part of the United States as well as widespread abroad. But are pill bugs in garden settings a problem?...
In my containers, I love to have at least one standout bloom. It might be a flowing plant that will cascade over the sides of the pot, like a calibrachoa or supertunia (in a vibrant hue), a showstopper, like a dahlia, or a petunia with a really interesting face. Don’t underestimate the power of foliage. Coleus, heucheras, and Rex begonias are all favorites, depending on whether my space gets sun or shade....
Why is preparing raised beds for winter important? What I appreciate about the changing of the seasons in the fall is it gives me the opportunity to really give things a once over. When I’m no longer watering, looking for signs of pests, staking and pruning plants, etc., I have time to assess. The end of the official growing season—even if you’re still growing winter crops—is a great opportunity to feed your soil, get a head start on next year, and take stock of winter project planning for spring fixes and builds....
Family: Moraceae Soil pH: Neutral, slightly acidic Plant type: Tree, Indoor plant Vegetation type: Perennial Foliage Type: Evergreen Toxicity: Its sap is toxic and causes mild skin irritation or burning sensation in eyes if it comes in contact. Propagation: Rubber tree is commonly propagated from cuttings or air layering. Popular Varieties – Ficus elastica ‘Tineke’ with variegated green and white leaves having overtones of burgundy and red veins. – Ficus elastica ‘Doescheri’: Also called “Indian Rubber Tree,” it has dark green foliage with yellow patches....
Basil is such a great crop in the summer, but you can also store it for the winter. With the right methods, you can keep that fresh flavor to enjoy all year long. There are plenty of easy ways to store basil for the short or long term that don’t require any fancy equipment or planning. Over the years I’ve experimented to find all the best methods to preserve basil and store it for later use....
As a kid, if I wanted to swing or slide, I just walked across the street to the neighborhood park. Are you shopping for backyard playground equipment and feeling overwhelmed by your options? From safe clearances to customization, you’ll find everything you need to know in this article. Plus, we share 17 of our top picks, with favorites based on age group and materials. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products....
