When it comes to insects that help tomato plants, wasps are near the top of the list. But the truth is, they actually benefit your entire garden more than you might ever imagine! Not only do wasps play an important role in helping to pollinate some garden crops, they are critical in controlling unwanted pests. …
Growing perennials in pots and containers is an excellent way to add instant color and foliage to patios, porches and decks. And even better, it can be done for free using plants already in your landscape! Although annual flowers create a stunning display of color, their lifespan is short. And unfortunately, very costly. But that …
When it comes to making delicious treats from from fresh-picked garden vegetables, turning fresh-picked cucumbers into homemade dill pickles is certainly high on the list of favorites. Cucumbers are the second most-planted home garden crop behind tomatoes. And quite certainly, making pickles is part of the reason they are so popular. Every growing season, we …
So just how do you stop the annoying, large-bodied, party crashing, flying insects known as June bugs? Each and every year, during the early spring and summer, the onslaught of the beetle bug begins. Depending on where you live, June bugs can emerge in early May (called May Bugs in these locations), June, or even …
When it comes to powering plants naturally, organic fertilizers are the perfect choice for boosting vegetable plants and flowers. But in the process, they also provide an incredible secondary benefit - they build better soil! Natural fertilizers, unlike synthetic counterparts, add humus, structure and important elements and minerals to the soil. All of which work …
When it comes to successfully planting asparagus, the methods are certainly a bit different than for planting traditional vegetable plants. For starters, although asparagus can be grown from seed, it is best planted from root stock called crowns. Planting asparagus crowns not only leads to a faster harvest, but are far easier to establish than …
When it comes to planting the garden, how and when you plant can have a huge impact on how your plant's perform all season. If plants struggle early, it often leads to long-term health and productivity issues. Issues such as stunted growth, poor blooming habits, and increased susceptibility to pests and disease. And unfortunately, all …
Looking to grow your first vegetable garden this year? Whether you are brand new to vegetable gardening or a seasoned veteran, there are a few tried and true tips that go a long way in keeping gardening both fun and productive. Contrary to popular belief, growing a productive vegetable garden doesn't mean having to buy …
Growing vegetables and flowers together in your garden adds more than just color and beauty. It's also a secret weapon in controlling pests and disease. And, even more, it can lead to a bigger and better harvest! Many annual flowers have long been known to have beneficial qualities for vegetable plants. For starters, some are …
Nothing can add a touch of beauty to a garden setting like a classic garden bench. Especially when it can easily be created with simple, inexpensive 2 x 4's! A garden bench is the perfect addition to the landscape for so many reasons. By its very nature, it beckons all who walk among the plants …
One of the biggest secrets to growing big, healthy, and productive tomatoes is knowing how and when to fertilize your plants. Tomato plants are heavy feeders from the soil. And unfortunately, no matter how rich and fertile your soil might be, they can quickly deplete it's nutrients. That is why fertilizing plays a vital role …
Make this the year you grow purple green beans in your garden to jazz up your garden and taste buds with a little flair. Purple green beans are definitely a conversation piece in the garden! Maturing in just a little over 50 days, plants quickly produce a delicious bush bean with a deep purple color. …
It's not often you can grow a nutritious and tasty vegetable and a great household sponge all at the same time, but that is exactly what you can do when you grow Luffa gourds! The luffa plant is a member of the gourd family. The same family that includes squash, zucchini, melons and cucumbers as …
You might be surprised just how easy and inexpensive it is to start and grow vegetable and flower plants from seed - all by using simple fluorescent shop lights! Contrary to popular belief, it doesn't require fancy or expensive equipment to start seeds indoors. Especially when it comes to needing ultra expensive grow lights. They …
With a few simple growing secrets, you can create an overflowing harvest of fresh, delicious and nutritious zucchini! A zucchini plant is one of the most productive vegetables around. Under ideal growing conditions, a single plant can produce 5 to 10 pounds of produce. And, you will be hard pressed to find a more healthy …
When it comes to adding super nutritious fruit to your landscape, it's hard to beat the benefits of growing a few elderberry bushes. For many years, elderberries were more considered more "wild" than domesticated. They were most often found growing along ditches and fence rows. And for those that loved them, it was an annual …
Looking to grow brussels sprouts in the garden this year? You might be surprised at just how easy this unique and nutritious vegetable is to grow! Brussels sprouts are absolutely brimming with nutrients. Not only are they high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Potassium, they are also a great source for protein and fiber. …
Growing gooseberries is a great way to add a little unique flavor to your home landscape, and a lot more Vitamin C to your diet in the process! Although perhaps not as well known as other home-grown fruits, gooseberries are actually quite nutritious, and tasty too. Not only are they high in vitamin C, they …
If you want to make some incredible homemade salsa verde, then make this the year you plant and grow delicious tomatillos in your garden! Salsa verde has exploded in popularity. Along with it, so has interest in growing tomatillo plants in the garden or even in containers. And growing them is easier than you might …
Does using companion planting really help create a healthier, more productive vegetable garden? You bet it can! At it’s very core, companion planting is about relationships. As in the relationships that exist between different types of vegetables, herbs and flowers grown in close proximity to one another. And when you employ some of the basic …
If you are looking to grow your own delicious tomatoes this year, you are going to love these 3 great all-purpose tomato plant varieties! For many gardeners limited on space or time, growing an endless amount of tomato varieties is impossible. It can be challenging to find space for tomato plants that are good for …
So what is the best mulch to use in your flowerbeds and garden? The answer all depends on exactly what you are mulching, and where it will be going. Mulch really is a gardener’s best friend. There is no better way to keep weeds from becoming established than keeping bare soil covered. Mulch also creates …
Starting your own vegetable and flowers from seeds is a great way to save money, especially when you can make free seed starting containers with easy to find recycled materials! Plastic seed starting cells and trays can be expensive, not to mention difficult to re-use. And unfortunately, the biodegradable options available are even more costly. …
So just what are the secrets to growing a big healthy crop of delicious cucumbers? Cucumbers are one of the most versatile crops a home gardener can grow. They are perfect for slicing & dicing, and turning into delicious homemade pickles too! (See : Grandma's Homemade Icebox Pickle Recipe) But to end up with all …
Growing your own hanging baskets from seed is a great way to create stunning flowering baskets and save big on the budget - all at the same time! Lets face it, hanging baskets are expensive. And every year, the prices only seem to rise. But by growing your own plants directly from seed, you can …
One of the hardest tasks for a gardener during the winter is finding a way to keep their compost pile going. For those who live in colder climates, it is hard enough to reach their compost pile. And even if they can, it is usually frozen solid. Although there may not be a lot of …
When it comes to starting seeds inside, success is all about being prepared, and keeping it simple! Contrary to what many think, growing flowers and vegetables from seed is not difficult. Nor does it require special lights or fancy equipment. In fact, the biggest key of all is to be prepared, And that means getting …
So what is the real scoop when it comes to using Epsom Salt on plants? Does it truly help plants grow bigger? And will it really help keep pests away? What about it's power as the ultimate fertilizer? The myth of the incredible power of Epsom Salt has grown furiously in the last few years. …
When it comes to selecting the best cut Christmas tree for the home, there are a few varieties that are peak performers. And that includes everything from great shape, color and size, to how well they hold up indoors. One thing is for sure, real Christmas trees are a hot commodity again. After many years …
Growing plants indoors doesn't have to be difficult, especially when you select easy care house plants that even the "brownest" of green thumbs can keep alive and thriving. Indoor plants are far more than just something pretty to look at. For starters, they help to clean and purify the air. Just like outdoor plants, plants …
Talk about a show of color mixing man-made art with nature - the beautiful Chihuly Garden in Seattle is a wonder to behold! What a treat we have today with our visit to Chihuly. It is the latest in our series of Featured Gardens, where we highlight public, private and backyard gardens from all over …
Making homemade bird seed is a great way to feed birds a nutritious and much needed wintertime meal. All while saving a lot of hard-earned cash in the process! If you love feeding birds, you know how expensive it can be to buy good quality bird seed blend. Although there are low cost bird seed …
Looking for a few ways to add a bit more interest to your home's landscape in the winter? Wintertime can be a bleak time for flowerbeds, gardens and the home landscape. Most of the trees have lost their leaves. And there isn't a flowering bloom to be found in sight. But just because mother nature …
With a simple cold frame, you can extend your growing season well into late fall. And, as an added bonus, begin growing crops earlier in the spring as well. In fact, depending on where you live, you might just be able to grow fresh vegetables all winter long. But perhaps best of all, it doesn't …
DanWalt Gardens is aptly referred to as one of Billings best kept secrets. And after touring the garden and grounds, it's easy to see why! Located on the southeast side of Billings, Montana, the garden grows on land that was once part of a 10 acre vegetable farm. It also happens to sit squarely in …
Can ornamental grasses be cut back in the fall? Or, should they be cut back in the spring? That seems to be the question homeowners ask each year as their grasses begin to die off as the chill of late autumn arrives. After all, fall is the perfect time to cut back and divide most …
So just exactly how do honey bees survive winter? Do they hibernate? Do they migrate to warmer climates? Honey bees are indeed a truly fascinating insect. Not only are they responsible for pollinating a large majority of the food, they also lead an incredibly complex and amazing life within their hives. Especially when it comes …
One of the best ways to ripen late season fruit and vegetables is with a simple DIY harvest rack. And creating one at home couldn't be easier! Harvest racks are perfect for ripening tomatoes, peppers, and fruits such as peaches, cherries and plums. And they are also great for curing everything from garlic to potatoes …
When it comes to planting fruit trees, there is no better time than fall for putting them in the ground! Although fruit trees can be planted at any point throughout a growing season, autumn provides numerous advantages versus spring and summer. Why Fall Is The Time To Plant Fruit Trees A fall planting allows just …
When it comes to controlling webworms from damaging the foliage on your trees and shrubs, it all about early detection and intervention. Webworms are the foliage-eating pest responsible for creating the silky, web-like nests often found in trees and shrubs. Although they are rarely fatal to healthy trees, they do create a lot of unsightly …
Gardening with chickens might just be one of the best partnerships that could ever exist for both the home gardener, and the chickens! Raising chickens and having productive gardens and flowerbeds go hand in hand. In fact, it is one of the finest examples of pure sustainability and permaculture you will ever find. The chickens …
When it comes to making great compost and having a great compost pile, it all boils down to what materials you put into your compost pile. And more importantly, which ones you don't! Although everything eventually decomposes, some materials simply aren't a good choice for backyard compost bins. Many can slow the decomposition process down, …