If you have a garden, even a small one, you’re probably growing a couple of tomato plants. When you get it right, they’re such a rewarding fruit (yes, fruit!) to pick and enjoy. Unfortunately, growing tomatoes isn’t always easy. Some are self-inflicted and easily fixable, but others might need a bit more attention. Let’s look …
Gardening
A cut flower garden brings joy to the grower—that’s you!—and to anyone lucky enough to receive one of your homegrown bouquets. It’s a simple, soul-nourishing way to add beauty, fragrance, and color to your home, both inside and out. Whether you’re dreaming of mason jar arrangements on your kitchen table, thoughtful gifts for friends, or …
Why do some years bring relentless droughts, unseasonal snow, or back-to-back hurricanes, while others don’t? As a Colorado Master Gardener and expert in agricultural engineering, I hear this question often. Weather unpredictability can make gardening the ultimate challenge. You’ll question why your tomatoes were successful one year but not the next, or be left wondering …
Whether it is the redbuds around Lake Michigan in late April, the saucer magnolias in Northern California in late April, or the American dogwoods that grace the South in early spring, chances are that there are some spring flowering trees that will do well near you. Treasured trees, the results of hundreds of years of …
With their tall, elegant spires and bell-shaped blooms, foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) bring a touch of fairytale magic to any garden. They are beautiful on their own, plus they create a lovely backdrop for shorter flowers and plants. Native to Europe and now in many parts of the U.S. (zones 5–9), these striking biennials (or short-lived …
It’s that time of the year when poison oak and poison ivy are making their existence known. Here’s the best way to kill poison oak in your yard. Poison oak is a plant that grows wild in many areas, including many homeowners’ backyards and garden areas. If you’re allergic to poison oak, it can generate …
A cozy, relaxing backyard spot can do wonders for you and the family at the end of a workday and on the weekend. There is just something special about putting the workday behind you and taking some time just to enjoy nature and those you love most. If your yard isn’t the relaxing oasis of …
Picking ripe tomatoes straight off the vine is one of my favorite pastimes. Nothing compares to the flavors, whether I pop them straight into my mouth or make them into a yummy salsa or fresh bruschetta. But getting to that point in the season requires getting one thing right first: good soil. Whether you are …
If you’re looking to bring classic beauty and year-after-year blooms to your garden, perennial white flowers are a must. Their soft, creamy hues provide the perfect contrast to bold-colored blooms and lush greenery, making them incredibly versatile for any garden style, from cottage charm to minimalist modern. White perennials also play a key role in creating …
We are building a new home for our family, and I’m dreaming of a garden at our new place. With so much to do when you build, I’m afraid we won’t have time for a garden this year, and I can’t imagine life without a garden. So, I’ve been reading up on no-work gardening and …