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Serena Manickam

Serena Manickam is a freelance editor and writer and sustainable market gardener in rural Virginia. She holds a BA in environmental science and runs Fairydiddle Farm, a small market garden in which she grows no-spray produce and herbs to sell at a local farmer’s market.

Broccoli just might be one of my favorite vegetables. But it spends a long time in the garden before its tightly budded heads are ready to harvest, giving pests plenty of time to interfere. Cabbage worms and other hungry bugs have done some significant damage to my broccoli patch! Thankfully, growing companion plants for broccoli …

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Invasive species, from pathogens to mammals, can wreak havoc on local ecosystems. In the case of plants, invasives spread aggressively, out-competing native plants and thus reducing food and habitat for native wildlife. One or more of these noxious weeds might even be masquerading as innocent garden plants in your flower beds. Learn more about some …

Read More about 11 Most Harmful Invasive Plants in Arizona (And 22 Natives You Should Plant Instead)

Known as “The Last Frontier,” Alaska is home to beautiful and important ecosystems that have been labeled as conservation areas, national forests, and state and national parks. These vast wild areas host remarkable biological diversity and provide important sources of income for the people who live in this state. Unfortunately, invasive plants in Alaska pose a …

Read More about 11 Worst Invasive Plants in Alaska (And 22 Natives You Should Plant Instead)

Beets are a wonderful crop to grow for many reasons. These vegetables are packed with nutrients, and you can harvest some of the leafy greens while you wait for the vibrant, fleshy roots to fully mature. To ensure healthy plants both above and below the soil, grow one or two companion plants for beets nearby. …

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If you’re at all familiar with companion planting, you have likely heard that carrots love tomatoes. But why is that? And what other plants do carrots love? Keep reading to learn the answers to these questions in our list of the best companion plants for carrots. Because not all plants get along well together, this …

Read More about 13 Best Companion Plants for Carrots (And 4 to Avoid)

About 380 invasive plants have been identified in the state of Alabama. These aggressive plants wreak havoc on native ecosystems, competing with native plants and thus reducing food and habitat available for native wildlife. Invasive plants contribute to the decline of endangered species and also negatively impact human industries, such as forestry. Some of the …

Read More about 14 Worst Invasive Plants in Alabama (And 28 Plants You Should Plant Instead)

We all have at least one plant in our garden that threatens to take over. It spreads out like a carpet or pops up in random places all over the garden, and no matter how much time we dedicate to pulling it up, it still persists. In addition to how to get rid of it, …

Read More about Invasive Plants Guide (And 3 Easy Ways YOU Can Curb Their Spread)

Beans are one of my favorite garden vegetables. They are so rewarding and easy to grow, and I appreciate the rhythmic work of picking and snapping them (though by summer’s end I’m tired of the work!). In winter, I can pull out a bag of frozen beans or a jar of dilly beans and enjoy …

Read More about 15 Best Companion Plants for Beans (And 4 to Avoid)

Basil is a delicious herb and one of the easiest to grow. Sprinkle a few seeds in the garden and enjoy homemade pesto, flavorful soups, pasta, focaccia, and more all summer, and even throughout the year (pesto freezes wonderfully!). Sprinkle those seeds in the right places, and you’ll also enjoy benefits from and to basil …

Read More about 13 Best Companion Plants for Basil (And 5 to Avoid)

Companion planting with perennials like asparagus can seem a bit daunting at first since they occupy a permanent space in the garden. However, interplanting perennials (and mixing in a few annuals, too) can be very rewarding. Check out the tips below on the best companion plants for asparagus, as well as which plants should be …

Read More about 14 Best Companion Plants for Asparagus (And 3 to Avoid)