Stubborn oil slick on the driveway? Or maybe the birds congregating around the feeder have made a mess of your deck? You need a good cleaning solution, and you’ll want the best power washer that you can get. Table of Contents But what defines the best power washer? Is it simply the one that produces the strongest spray? Do you need an electric one or a gas one? Is there one that’s good for truly everything?...
Even the name of the genus refers to its toxicity. The name comes from the Greek words elein, which means to injure, and borus, which means food. Many people believe nature to be benign, but nothing could be further from the truth. The natural world is rife with toxins – many of them in some of our favorite plants – including the attractive and widely appreciated hellebores. Hellebore (Helleborus spp.), a member of the buttercup family, is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses....
Everything is cuter when it’s tiny, right? Well, that makes Brussels sprouts the cutest veggie around! Sadly, despite their adorable size, these baby cabbage look-alikes often get a bad rap, but that can usually be chalked up to user error. When overcooked, Brussel sprouts release sulfur, which is why so many people complain about the smell. When cooked correctly though, you’ll find that they have a palatable, nutty flavor. With just a little love, care, and seasoning, growing Brussel sprouts can make them the stars of your garden and your kitchen, so let’s give them a try!...
Possibly the favorite of heirloom tomato gardeners, the Yellow Pear gets its name from its yellow color and pear shape. This variety dates back to the 1800s and they are vigorous indeterminate tomatoes. They are a prolific producer with an abundance of small, yellow pear-shaped fruit that have a sweet, but mild flavor. These are a popular table tomato and are a good choice if you are looking for a relatively cold tolerant variety (for a tomato)....
Growing herbs is fun and so rewarding, but some people think they are difficult to care for. So in this post, I’m going to show you just how easy it is, and teach you all you need to know in order to be successful. Whether in the garden or pots, growing your own fresh herbs can bring beauty to your yard, flavor to your kitchen, and they are easier to care for than you might think....
Seasoned gardeners know the benefit of having a good source of compost, and a DIY compost bin is perhaps the best way to ensure that. Filling the heap with nitrogen-rich materials that are balanced by carbon and micronutrients helps us build soil without having to source it from outside. Table of Contents There are many ways to DIY your compost, too. Vermicomposting, using regenerative techniques, or simply making a pile are all effective ways to boost the growth of your plants....
And yes, there is – or at least there was, for a long time – one of these plants in the Oval Office. Plectranthus coleoides, P. purpuratus, and P. verticillatus Do you want to grow one of the most famous houseplants in the world, often photographed sitting on the marble mantel across the room from a certain important desk in a certain office of national significance? Then Plectranthus verticillatus, otherwise known as Swedish ivy or Swedish begonia, is the plant for you....
An herbaceous perennial, plants go dormant in winter but are among the earliest to reappear, sending up new shoots in late winter to early spring. Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa A delightful and easy herb to grow for the kitchen garden, French tarragon has an appealing flavor similar to sweet anise and licorice. It makes a fast-growing and attractive plant in containers or herb borders, and features upright growth, slender green and silver leaves, and a distinct, appealing fragrance....
Cannas, although not a true lily, is remarkably similar to the lily. Consisting of nineteen species, the cannas plant has a large amount of foliage naturally. Horticulturists have bred the flower into the modern version we have today with large, bright flowers. These exotic plants commonly grow up to five feet but giant varieties are known to grow up to ten feet tall. Growing Requirements for Cannas Cannas require at least six to eight hours of sunlight a day....
Even when you’re lucky enough to live near a farmers market or subscribe to a CSA box that includes fresh limas in season, they cost someone else dearly to grow and shell, and tend to sell out quickly. Phaseolus lunatus Saving money on groceries and tapping a source of stress relief are two reasons home gardeners love to have a veggie patch. But when you grow limas, also known as butter beans, there’s another advantage....
Her football-shaped (and sized!) white clusters of blooms flush into pink and red tones as the season progresses, and the dry beige or brown spent blooms provide rustic winter interest. Hydrangea paniculata Think of a hydrangea, and visions of Hydrangea macrophylla likely fill your mind. This big, bold Hydrangeaceae relative is a popular choice, but have you ever considered H. paniculata for your garden instead? Those of us who live in colder climates especially love this bush, but it can grow almost anywhere....
Growing turmeric is playfully similar using a slow cooker in the kitchen. It’s a “set it and forget it” type of experience. Most of how to grow turmeric will be simple with the right growing conditions or ingredients. Turmeric requires fertile, well-drained soil in a location with lots of sunshine and ample water. It requires occasional checks to ensure soil is wet, not soggy, and periodic fertilizer much as you would layer on the spices in your slow cooker....
With plenty of open pollinated varieties to choose from, reproducing plants true to their parents is easy. And you can begin your own organic, heirloom collection – a wonderful legacy your family will cherish for generations! In the last few decades, nutrient rich kale has become widely popular as a healthy staple for meals and snacks. And home gardeners have readily embraced it in the veggie patch as well. This easy-to-grow leafy green thrives in cool temperatures, and a generous selection of cultivars make it a beautiful and delicious addition to the garden....
Of course, as soon as you say something like that, you’ll go outside and notice that your bleeding hearts are covered in some sort of fungus, or they’re wilted and yellowing Maybe I should be knocking on wood right now. With their delicate flowers and lacy foliage, you might assume that bleeding hearts are super fragile and prone to diseases. But, as the saying goes, you can’t judge a book by its cover, and these plants are actually surprisingly resilient....
Flowers Thinking of planting grape hyacinth in your garden, or around your home? This beautiful flowering plant can be something different and unique, that's not commonly seen amongst gardens around the globe. In this article, gardening expert Madison Moulton examines how to plant, grow, and care for grape hyacinth. By Madison Moulton Last updated: February 18, 2022 | 12 min read The draping bulbs of grape hyacinth are sure to create a stunning spring spectacle, no matter where they’re planted....
There is more to growing the aloes than just keeping them in bright light. Transplanting at the correct time is equally necessary. Aloes that get heavy on the top, produce lots of offshoots and adopt a leaning habitat are eligible for re-potting. What is the Best Time for Re-Pot? By the rule of thumb, you should wait till the ‘pups’ (offshoots) become 4-5 inches long, or at least one-fifth the main plant’s size....
Table of Contents Tomatoes are one of the most popular garden plants and understanding how to ripen tomatoes is important when you grow them. Unless you live in a protected greenhouse, your outdoor tomatoes probably fall victim to pests before they get the chance to fully ripen. Or perhaps you have a short growing season. It seems your only option is to pick them while they are green, but is it easy to ripen them indoors?...
I’ve been using the Mars Hydro TS 1000 LED grow light recently to grow vegetables indoors, and this article is all about my experience using it. I’ll cover the pros and cons of this light, how my plants grew and whether this is an LED grow light you should consider too. I use LED grow lights to grow vegetables and salad greens indoors. I’ve got a grow room setup in my garage that I use to grow my own fresh produce all year round....
Humanity relies on trees for oxygen, shade, and food. They play incredibly important roles in our lives. They’re often large and sturdy, which may give off a feeling of safety, which is why they often symbolize peace and protection. It takes several years for trees to reach this sturdy state, and they rely on us to be cared for until they reach that point. Young trees require consistent watering, pruning, and a good layer of mulch around trees....
I was really looking forward to having a supply of homegrown veggies for my son to enjoy – and to get him excited about gardening! For much of his young life, my son has carefully pre-screened each item of food he puts in his mouth. You might also call this picky eating. But one day, he started randomly wanting to eat carrots. Better yet, if I purchased a bunch of colorful organic ones from the grocery store, he’d say, “Purple carrot?...
