There are days when the idea of turning on a stove or oven is just too much. Maybe it’s scorching hot outside, or maybe you’ve had one of those days where even the thought of boiling water feels like an insurmountable task. Great news: you don’t have to sacrifice taste or satisfaction just because you’re …
Landscaping
Mid-summer is the perfect time to trim shrubs that flower in late spring or early summer. A July prune can promote better structure, cleaner growth, and even a second bloom. Plus, it’s the ideal moment to tidy up climbing vines and early-producing fruit trees. Pruning at this time benefits plant health by removing spent blooms …
After putting in hours to have a gorgeous flower bed, it’s disappointing to find cat poo sitting in between your flowers. As cute as cats can be, not many of us can stomach this behavior. I get many emails asking: How can I stop cats from using my garden as a toilet? I also see …
Nothing catches the eye in a garden quite like a bright red flower, for humans and hummingbirds alike. And while perennials certainly have their benefits, the quickest way to get these show-stopping crimson blooms into your garden is to plant annuals. To help you choose among the many plants available, here is a list of …
Though commonly planted in herb gardens, lavender has many beautiful roles in landscaping. It comes in various hues, and the many varieties have different bloom times for a summer full of fragrant flower spikes. And they’re all beautiful and smell lovely! Landscaping with lavender results in stunning displays of flowers and calming aromas that waft …
Garden edges are a necessity. They will tidy up a yard, hold soil in place during heavy rain, prevent creeping grass from hijacking your flower beds, and make mowing less painful. A solid border brings order and function to floods or gravel paths in a drought-prone area. The right edge also keeps mulch where it …
Summer used to mean iced drinks, sandals, and pretending to care about the lawn. If you’re into gardening, it now means praying your plants don’t burst into flames by noon. With global temps stomping over previous records like a toddler in a sandbox, you need a heat-protection strategy for your flowerbed. The best strategy is …
If your backyard’s been so quiet you could hear a tomato ripen, it might be time to invite some tiny, winged drama. If you could choose any bird to visit, I hope that it’s a hummingbird. These little tweeters flap their wings up to 80 times per second, refuel every 10–15 minutes, and can fly …
Designing a small garden comes with unique challenges, but also big opportunities. Unlike sprawling landscapes, compact spaces require creativity, intention, and a bit more discipline. Every plant, path, and decorative touch matters. With the right approach, even the tiniest garden can feel lush, inviting, and full of personality. Here are some inspiring small garden ideas …
Whether you live in southern Florida or get buried in the snow every winter, you may dream of having a tropical oasis in your backyard. Of course, this will be easier to implement if you live further south, but even those of us in areas that experience freezing temperatures can bring a bit of the …