You’ve likely seen those evil ant-looking insects with wicked pincers at the tip of their abdomen in your house and heard creepy stories as a child of them crawling in people’s ears. Yet despite their terrible reputation and intimidating appearance, earwigs rarely cause problems either in the home or in the garden. However, if you …
Serena Manickam
Because it is a Mediterranean herb, lavender thrives in poor, dry soils. I often get asked, does it need fertilizer? The short answer is probably not. But depending on your specific growing conditions, you may need to amend the soil to improve drainage, adjust pH levels, or even, yes, add nutrients. Here we will explore …
Because all types of squash belong to the same family, the best companion plants for winter squash and the best companion plants for zucchini and summer squash are the same. Looking for the best companion plants for pumpkins? They’re squash too! The main consideration to keep in mind is that, typically, zucchini and other summer …
Flower gardening can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be hard to fill your outdoor space with beautiful blooms. With a few simple tips, you can grow common flowers like nasturtiums and dahlias as well as exotic peacock orchids and stunning fuchsias. Many of these lovely flowers grow equally well in containers and in …
While many people think of gardening as a warm-weather activity, gardeners know better. The growing season may begin in spring, but gardening truly starts in the winter. My first seed catalog this winter arrived in December, like an early Christmas gift, and the rest followed in January. What could be better than cozying up on …
Shrubs and vines add height to gardens, providing vertical interest and privacy as well as hiding unsightly structures. And when you plant flowering shrubs and vines, those plants offer beautiful blooms for added color. Plus, if you have limited space, flowering vines can pack more flowers into a small footprint by growing upward rather than …
Imagine your dream garden, with all of its beautiful plants and wandering pathways. Now close your eyes. What do you hear? What do you smell? Just looking at plants might melt the tension from your shoulders and lift the corners of your mouth, but smelling them can transport you to a whole different world. Few …
Though annuals often take center stage in greenhouses in spring — think bold petunias and pansies — perennials can be planted once and enjoyed for years to come, often with little maintenance. Many do require full sun, but plenty of others thrive in shady conditions, and some even bloom all summer long. With the right …
Jumping into gardening can be both exciting and intimidating. There’s so much to learn! You want to plant everything! Where do you start? Seasoned gardeners have learned the best tips and tricks through years of experience, and while trial and error is a great way to learn, you can get a head start by seeking …
As the short, cold days of winter drag on, slowly lengthening, our fingers itch to dig in warm, crumbly soil again. We flip eagerly through seed catalogs and longingly inventory the packets left over from last year, tucked into plastic tubs or shoeboxes or old biscuit tins. But we don’t have to stop there; many …