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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.

If you’re looking for the perfect hydrangea for your garden, Annabelle might be it. A favorite among gardeners, Annabelle hydrangea flowers are stunning and remarkably easy to grow. Learn more in the guide below, from a physical description to care and troubleshooting tips. All About Annabelle Hydrangea Flowers Annabelle is a cultivar of smooth hydrangea …

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If you like a tidy, green lawn, have grazing animals, or are tired of digging weeds out of your flower beds, buttercups might not be your friends. These sunny yellow flowers can bring a smile to a child’s face (“Do you like butter?”), but they can quickly become a nuisance to gardeners. Before we dive …

Read More about How to Get Rid of Buttercups in Lawn: 8 Helpful Tips

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. Also …

Read More about 8 Best Companion Plants for Bee Balm (And 4 to Avoid)

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)

Cleaning up invasive species might seem like a job better left to park rangers and other professionals, but about half of the worst invasive plants in Michigan began in gardens. These nonnative ornamentals spread beyond our manicured landscapes to take over natural spaces, crowding out native plants and disrupting ecosystems. But how do you distinguish between …

Read More about 12 High-Threat Invasive Plants in Michigan (And 24 to Grow Instead)

Numerous plants from other parts of the world have been introduced to New England — and other areas of the US due to their beautiful flowers, stunning fall foliage, and other attractive qualities. Unfortunately, many of these plants spread aggressively and have escaped their bounds to wreak havoc on local ecosystems. They displace native species …

Read More about 9 Most Common Invasive Plants in Massachusetts (And 18 Native Alternatives)

When selecting plants to grow in our home gardens, we often focus on appearance, size, and growing requirements. But there is another factor we should consider as well: invasiveness. Native vegetation attracts birds, butterflies, and other beautiful and beneficial wildlife. Invasive plants, on the other hand, choke out native species and alter ecosystems. They can …

Read More about 10 Worst Invasive Plants in Maryland Gardens (And 20 Great Native Alternatives)

A marketing plan is essential for a profitable lavender farm, and developing one before you even put the first plant in the ground will save some headaches later. To do so, you will want to consider not only how to spread the word about your lavender business but also where to sell your lavender products. …

Read More about How to Market Lavender: 8 Popular Methods

After going through all the effort of harvesting and drying lavender, you will want to make sure to store it properly so your hard work doesn’t go to waste. Improperly stored, dried lavender can lose its scent, flavor, and color and even become moldy. Correctly stored, it can last quite a long time. The following …

Read More about How to Store Dried Lavender: 8 Easy Tips for Preserving the Harvest