A feathery, fast-growing annual, dill is a great herb to add to the vegetable garden. Despite its distinct flavor, dill can be used to season all kinds of dishes, from salmon to classic pickles (and my favorite, dilly beans!). It also provides significant advantages in the garden, deterring pests with its pungent aroma and attracting …
Serena Manickam
Looking to add some elegant rosy hues or striking hot pink tones to your garden? The following perennial pink flowers will provide beautiful color year after year. Pink perennials also bring an incredible range of textures and forms, from airy spires to full, romantic blooms. Whether you prefer soft blush tones or bold magenta pops, …
While lavender essential oil is difficult to make at home on a small scale, homemade lavender-infused oil is easy and accessible. Lavender‑infused oil captures the plant’s calming scent and gentle skin‑soothing properties without the need for specialized equipment. It’s a simple way to bring the essence of your garden indoors, turning fresh or dried blooms …
The colorful, adaptable wildflower bee balm plants make a great addition to flower beds, cottage gardens, tall borders, and herb gardens. But what should you plant with it? The list below includes some of the best companion plants for bee balm, whether for benefits to either plant or simply for well-matched beauty in the garden. …
Because peas grow vertically on a trellis or other support, plenty of space remains at their base for tucking in other vegetables or herbs. When companion planting, though, it is important to choose the right plants to grow together, as some provide wonderful benefits to each other, while others can hinder growth. Peas are a …
One of the best ways to support bees and other pollinators is to plant bright flowers that provide good sources of pollen and nectar. While native perennials are always excellent choices, annual flowers that attract bees often bloom throughout the growing season, offering a steady source of food for the bees and beauty for the …
With its vibrant colors and remarkable height, pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) is hard to miss, and you might even think it beautiful. This striking native of eastern North America also serves as an important food source for songbirds and other wildlife. However, pokeweed is toxic to both people and pets, and in some western states, it …
Radishes are a wonderful, fast-growing crop to grow in the vegetable garden. Because they take as little as three weeks to mature, I like to tuck radishes in just about anywhere there’s a bit of extra space. By the time the other plants start getting big, the radishes can be harvested, freeing up more room …
I recently moved into a new house with a wonderful, fully fenced-in backyard. The downside? Keeping that fence line clean! Grass and other weeds grow up from under the fence and creep into my yard from the neighboring properties. The mower can only get so close, and it’s difficult to string trim along the fence …
A drought-tolerant garden doesn’t have to sacrifice beauty; many stunning flowers will thrive with little to no supplemental water. Native wildflowers and plants from the Mediterranean region often do well in dry conditions. Designing a drought‑tolerant garden starts with understanding how plants adapt to dry conditions. Many species develop deep root systems, waxy leaves, or …