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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.

There’s nothing like being surrounded by calming, sweetly scented, purple lavender flowers. The bees’ hum and the butterflies’ dancing make it an amazing experience. Plan to take your family to a lavender farm this summer for an exquisite sensory experience. This directory of lavender farms by state will help you find lavender fields nearby. How …

Read More about Best Lavender Farms To Visit This Summer

Invasive species may seem like a problem reserved for forests, meadows, and other wild spaces, but they can also become a nuisance in your garden. If you’ve ever tried to get rid of English ivy, for example, you know how weedy it can be and how difficult it is to remove! Additionally, invasive plants in …

Read More about 8 Invasive Plants in North Carolina (And 16 Natives to Plant Instead)

A lavender hedge might be the perfect addition to your outdoor space if you love lavender and neat, orderly gardens. Almost as tidy as boxwoods but decidedly more colorful and fragrant, a lavender hedge gives a classical garden an extra spark of interest and beauty. But before you dive in, it’s important to understand how …

Read More about How To Plant A Lavender Hedge In 3 Easy Steps

Weeds are something almost every gardener loves to hate. We spend hours digging them out of the ground, yet the stubborn little plants continue to pop up where we don’t want them. If you’re anything like me, you always feel behind on weeding. So why on earth would anyone want to celebrate Weed Appreciation Day? …

Read More about Why You Should Celebrate Weed Appreciation Day on March 28

Invasive plants threaten native plants, animals, and ecosystems, but they’re not only found in wild spaces. Many nurseries and garden centers continue to sell plants known to be invasive species, and you can even find invasive plants in some “wildflower” seed mixes. The good news? Thousands of beautiful garden plants are not invasive, so you …

Read More about 9 Invasive Plants in Nebraska Gardens (And 18 Natives to Plant Instead)

In Missouri, invasive plants don’t just affect native plants and wildlife. Many people in Missouri make a living from the land, and invasive plants can degrade pastures, choke out oak and hickory trees, and cause harm to waterways. This impacts farming, forestry, and outdoor recreation, touching the lives of nearly everyone in the state. But …

Read More about 12 Top Invasive Plants in Missouri (And 24 Native Alternatives)

Although only a small fraction of non-native species escape cultivation and become invasive, those that do pose a huge threat to the native wildlife and ecosystems of Mississippi. Despite this, many invasive plants in Mississippi are still available for sale at nurseries, landscape centers, and box stores. Others have been banned but can still be …

Read More about 10 Most Harmful Invasive Plants in Mississippi (And 20 Native Plants to Grow Instead)

As gardeners, we are in a great position to help fight invasive plants and protect native ecosystems. Invasive plants in Minnesota harm native plants and animals, damaging the state’s prairies, forests, wetlands, lakes, and rivers. They can impact our ability to enjoy natural spaces and even negatively affect agriculture and other important sectors. But what can …

Read More about 8 Most Common Invasive Plants in Minnesota (And 16 Beautiful Native Alternatives)