When you plant your first raspberry patch, there appears to be a lot of empty space around the vertical-growing canes, and it can be tempting to fill in those bare spots with some companion plants. However, raspberries send up new canes every year and may need that extra space as they fill out and spread. …
Gardening 101
African violets are one of the most popular houseplants throughout the world. Their fuzzy leaves and velvety flowers are attractive and brighten up a room. They are also popular plants to use in raised planters around porches in many climates. If you have a cat, you might wonder: are African violets poisonous to cats? African …
With snow on the ground and temperatures too cold to spend much time outdoors, winter is a slower time for most gardeners. But that doesn’t mean they hibernate until spring: plenty of indoor activities keep green thumbs busy when they can’t be in their gardens. There are many winter activities for gardeners, and not all …
Gardening in winter presents unique challenges, but it can also offer rewarding opportunities with the right strategies. Many assume the garden sleeps during the colder months, but that’s far from the truth. Here are some winter gardening ideas to create a stunning landscape that thrives despite the chill. While the palette of plants may change, …
When the flowers finish blooming and the vegetable plants stop producing, you may be ready to curl up under a blanket with a hot drink and a good book as the temperatures drop outside. But first, it’s important to put your garden to rest to ensure a colorful yard or bountiful crop next year. To …
Are water lilies poisonous to cats? Here’s a question every cat owner should be asking if they don’t know the answer. Lying next to a pond, and watching the wildlife flit among beautiful water lilies is a relaxing, tranquil pastime. Many gardeners wish to reproduce this atmosphere by establishing water lilies in their garden ponds …
Thyme is a wonderful companion plant in the garden. The creeping nature of many varieties of this herb means it makes an excellent living mulch, and its strong fragrance deters insect pests like whiteflies and cabbageworms. And when its lovely little flowers bloom, thyme attracts pollinators and other beneficial insects too! Some plants, however, don’t …
Learning how to plan and plant a vegetable garden is easy, once you know a little bit about the needs of various vegetables and how to annually rotate what you grow to improve the soil nutrients. Let’s look at how to plan a vegetable garden that feeds your body and soul. The vegetables provide nourishment; …
Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite vegetables, both to eat and to grow. I’ve been toying with the idea of interplanting them with tomatoes next year to save space in the garden, but it turns out that might not be the best plan! Tomatoes are actually among the worst companion plants for sweet potatoes. …
Is your lavender plant turning yellow or failing to thrive? Learn how to save a dying lavender plant and restore it to health. If your lavender plant has seen better days, it’s not over yet! You can do a few things to revive a dying lavender plant before you call it quits. Although lavender tends …