Gardening and wildlife go hand in hand, but if you like gardening and you don’t like legless, slithering reptiles, you may have a small problem. Snakes don’t care about your manicured lawn or the price of mulch. They follow food, cover, and moisture. If your garden has mice, frogs, compost, logs, shady rocks, bird baths, …
Gardening
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 …
When scientists say gardening helps your heart and lifts your spirits, many seasoned gardeners give a knowing nod and carry on watering their cabbages. They’ve known this truth longer than peer-reviewed journals have existed. Still, it’s heartwarming to see research back it up: tending plants supports cardiovascular health and lightens the emotional load. Turns out, …
Native American wildflowers are some of the easiest, most rewarding plants you can add to your yard. Why? Because they’re already perfectly adapted to your climate, soil, and pollinators. That means less work for you, and more blooms, butterflies, and birds all season long. Whether you’re planting a new bed, refreshing a sunny patch, or …
Who doesn’t love the look of a lush, perfectly manicured lawn? It’s a hallmark of a well-kept and inviting home. Ironically, the same lawn you pamper with water, fertilizer, and weekend mowing might be putting your health at risk. As Michael Pollan once said, “A lawn is nature under totalitarian rule,” and it’s that unnatural …
In 1965, produce didn’t come in shrink wrap or get trucked in from five states away. Backyards doubled as grocery aisles, with families eating whatever was ripe, ready, or canned last summer. Victory Gardens were fading, but the homegrown mindset hadn’t. Tomatoes, beans, onions, lettuce, and cucumbers weren’t used as influencer props; they were dinner. …
When summer hits, our instinct is often to dote on our gardens—watering, feeding, pruning, and “tidying up.” But for some plants, less really is more. Giving certain perennials and ornamentals too much summer attention can backfire in a big way, leading to poor blooms, root rot, or even plant death. These popular plants look like …
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 …
The average kitchen temperature can noticeably increase when you’re cooking, and during a scorching summer day, the last thing anyone wants to do is turn their kitchen into a personal sauna. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up dreams of delicious meals. With a little creativity and some strategic maneuvering, you can whip …