Posts

Vegetables Companion planting is always tricky. There are many plants that compliment each other well when grown together. But there are also plants that will cause problems for other plants grown nearby, if planted too close together. So what about Tomatoes and Peppers? Can you grow them next to one another in a successful garden? Organic Gardening expert Logan Hailey examines if planting these two veggies next to one another is a good idea or not....

Houseplants Looking to add a Golden Pothos to your indoor or outdoor garden, but want to make sure you get their sunlight needs correct? Proper sunlight is crucial to the growth of every plant. In this article, organic gardening expert Logan Hailey examines if this plant takes direct, or indirect sunlight, and what you can expect. By Logan Hailey Last updated: April 14, 2022 | 6 min read Golden pothos are among the most common and dazzling of all houseplants....

Growing spinach can be tricky if you don’t know how to care for it. So in this post, I’m going to tell you all of the secrets to success, and give you tons of tips so you will have your best crop ever. Spinach is a popular leafy green that many people find hard to grow. But I have some great news for you, it is a lot easier than you think....

That’s when you start asking yourself: how the heck do I make this happen without killing the poor thing? You put a plant in what you thought was the perfect place, but over the years that location turns out to be less than ideal. Who among gardeners hasn’t been there before? Maybe you didn’t realize how big the bush would grow to be, or perhaps it’s in an awkward spot that prevents you from making your garden look exactly the way you want it to....

by Matt Gibson So, why would you want to entice a family of frogs or toads to hang out in your garden croaking all the time? You might be surprised by the answer. Attracting frogs and toads into your garden is a pesticide-free and natural way of greatly lowering your pest population. Frogs and toads are seasoned predators with nearly insatiable appetites, and they dine exclusively on insects, so having a few on hand can help reduce pests in your garden....

In fact, it often does a better job of preserving flavor than drying does. The bright taste of fresh herbs is a pleasure that both cooks and gardeners alike enjoy. There’s nothing quite like their heady fragrance and zesty flavor to add flair to a recipe! Sadly, at summer’s end, much of our fresh but frost-tender seasonings go dormant. But those fantastic flavors don’t have to disappear from our plates until next year....

Regularly growing to over ten feet, often taller than it is wide, this shrub also has the potential to grow into a small tree. Older, more established plants can sometimes top 20 feet tall! Heteromeles arbutifolia Otherwise known as toyon, California holly, or Christmas berry, Heteromeles arbutifolia is an excellent slope-stabilizing and habitat plant, host to myriad insects including pollinating butterflies and moths. An iconic staple of California chaparral and oak woodlands, this evergreen shrub grows most commonly on north facing slopes, hill bottoms, and canyons....

Fruit flies can be a major pest in the kitchen, especially during the gardening harvest season! If they’re driving you crazy, try this easy DIY trap that will not only catch them, but kill them too! The best part is that it only takes a couple of minutes to make, and you can set it up the moment you see the first fruit fly hovering over your fresh produce. It really does work like a charm, and get rid of those pesky bugs in no time....

While black-eyed peas do take a relatively long time – 80 to 100 days – to produce mature, dried beans, they require very little watering, no fertilizer, and just occasional weeding. Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata I have a bridge-playing friend whose favorite expression is, “I’d rather be lucky than good.” Black-eyed peas, though, they’re both. These Southern US favorites are a New Year’s Day good luck tradition. But if you grow them in your vegetable garden, they’re also good: for the soil, for areas that get hot as Hades, and for drought resistance....

In this article, you’ll learn all you need to know to cultivate this cottage garden classic. Heliotropium arborescens The garden heliotrope, Heliotropium arborescens, is a tender shrubby perennial, or sub-shrub, of the borage family, with clusters of sweetly-scented blossoms in shades of purple, blue, or white. With a backdrop of dark green pleated leaves, plants bear a resemblance to hydrangea or viburnum, and generally reach a mature height of between one and three feet tall....

Transplanting is hard on plants, and most plants will go into some form of transplant shock after they’re moved. Following the steps below will help minimize the amount of shock a plant will suffer, and allow the plant to recover quickly after being transplanted. What Is Plant Transplant Shock? As I mentioned above, transplanting is hard on plants, and some plants will handle it better than others. Plants wilting after transplant is usually the first sign of transplant shock....

Vegetables Are you thinking of adding some kale to your vegetable garden? Finding the right variety can be a tough choice! In this article, organic gardening expert Logan Hailey examines 15 of the most popular kale cultivars to help you find the best for your garden. By Logan Hailey Last updated: March 3, 2022 | 11 min read Kale is a cool-weather nutritious green that is practically synonymous with farm fresh eating....

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but it sure could lead to confusion. Plants can have multiple common names, and a case of mistaken identity may lead to incorrect advice and unwanted purchases. In this article, we’ll explain all about latin plant names and how these reduce confusion and help growers better understand their plants. What is the purpose of latin plant names? A formal naming system was developed to uniquely and meaningfully identify every plant....

Want to know how to keep flowers blooming for a long time? Want them to show up more often? Want to extend their blooming period? Well, the answer is not tricky. Keep them well maintained, provide optimal growing conditions. Give access to full sun or provide some shade, if you’re growing a flowering plant like impatiens. Besides all these basic requirements, here is this most important tip, which can improve the productivity of your flowering plants–Deadheading....

You can easily root herb cuttings that you buy from stores! Discover the names of the best ones you can regrow easily that you have bought from a grocery shop or farmer’s market. Have a look at the herbs you can grow from your spice rack here How to Utilize the Leftover Fresh Herbs from a Grocery Store? You can have new plants from the leftover fresh herbs that you have got from a grocery store or a farmer’s market easily....

Known for their unique appearance and color, Aeoniums with their handsome rosettes on stems can be excellent additions to your succulent collection. The best part is, they are available in many hybrid cultivars, and listing them all is difficult–But we tried our best and picked some Aeonium Types for you! Check out our article on best echeveria types here Best Aeonium Varieties 1. Mountain Rose Botanical Name: Aeonium dodrantale Height/Spread: 2-4 inches...

The term “biochar” has been going around gardening circles a lot. It’s touted as the next amazing amendment for the garden, a powerhouse amendment. But what is biochar, anyway, and what’s it supposed to do? Table of Contents In its purest form, biochar is pyrolyzed organic material. Pyrolysis is a form of thermal decomposition in a low-oxygen environment. Extreme heat with low airflow prevents the material from catching fire. Instead, it chars, forming a carbonaceous material....

Crowded plants can never reach their full potential, and let’s be honest: crowding defeats the purpose of growing ornamentals. Without enough space, plants look shabby and detract from the overall appearance of your garden. Of all those garden chores we do, dividing plants might be one of my favorites. Not only does it make my hostas happier and healthier, but I get a bunch of new plants to fill up empty spots in my garden… for free!...

Vegetables Are you confused about the perfect time to put your garlic bulbs down into the ground? The simple answer is, it depends on your hardiness zone. In this article, organic gardening expert Logan Hailey walks through the ideal time to plant fall garlic based on each USDA hardiness zone. By Logan Hailey Last updated: October 13, 2022 | 4 min read Garlic is a favorite crop for many home gardeners for many reasons....

If you want to add easy-to-grow houseplants to your collection, then have a look at these Low Maintenance Indoor Plant Names with Pictures and pick ones that you like the most! Here the best low maintenance houseplants with health benefits Low Maintenance Indoor Plant Names with Pictures 1. Snake Plant Botanical Name: Dracaena trifasciata 2. Monstera Botanical Name: Monstera deliciosa 3. Spider Plant Botanical Name: Chlorophytum comosum 4. English Ivy Botanical Name: Hedera helix...