Shade feels like a problem when you’re surrounded by sun tags reading “full sun” at the nursery. Everything seems built for bright spaces. Nevertheless, not every yard gets full sun, and not every plant wants it. Some grow better with less heat, less glare, and fewer hours of direct exposure. Shady gardens don’t need to …
Gardening
You blinked, summer happened, and now it feels like you missed the boat on planting. Don’t boil your seeds for dinner yet; the gardening boat has a slow captain and hasn’t left the dock. Late-start gardeners, you still have plenty of seeds that will grow strong, fast, and proud before the first frost even thinks …
What comes to mind when you hear the word “sanctuary?” I’m pretty sure it’s not space for hanging laundry or storing broken bicycles and toys with one googly eye. You probably thought of a corner of calm, a small, lived-in spot that invites you to rest and transports you to the closest you’ll ever be …
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 …
Americans have a bit of a love affair with their lawns. Lawns cover 40 million acres of land in the US. Those lush, manicured expanses of grass are rooted in European aristocratic traditions, where they symbolized wealth and control over nature. And who doesn’t want to appear at least a little aristocratic? Yet, there’s another …
You may have heard of coconut coir, but do you truly understand what it is? This remarkable natural, sustainable product, once a neglected byproduct of the coconut industry, is now, rightfully, growing in popularity In case you haven’t guessed already, I love coconut coir. It’s my favorite growing medium, as it means I don’t have …
A great garden starts with great dirt. And if you’re looking to purchase that dirt for your garden or containers, you’re not alone. About half of all gardeners in the U.S. purchase soil for their gardens. That comes out to a lot of dirt–about 154 million cubic yards annually.. Whether you’re looking for beautiful blooms …
While we undoubtedly love our houseplants for their lush green leaves, there’s something delightful about the moment one surprises us with a bloom. But the benefits don’t stop at beauty. NASA’s Clean Air Study reveals certain indoor plants, including flowering favorites like peace lilies and gerbera daisies, help purify the air by removing pollutants such …
Have you ever stood on your porch with a coffee in hand, looking at your garden in all its glory, and you can’t help but feel that something is missing, but you can’t quite put your finger on it? It might be feathers. The little critters are not just background singers for your impromptu brunch; …
Landscaping with food is beautiful and useful. Why plant poisonous ornamental flowers, trees, and shrubs when you can have the same beauty with the added nutritional benefits of edible landscaping? You can easily reduce living expenses while beautifying your environment with these edible landscaping ideas. Let’s explore. 1. Fruit Trees Plant dwarf fruit trees like …