What are those brightly colored, shield-shaped insects in the vegetable garden? Are they friends or foes? Looking something like a fancy stinkbug, harlequin bugs suck the nutrients out of plant leaves and can devastate an entire crop if not controlled. This invasive pest spread to the United States from Mexico soon after the Civil War and …
Gardening
As autumn approaches and nighttime temperatures begin their inevitable descent, gardeners face a crucial decision: which beloved container plants deserve a cozy indoor sanctuary for the winter months? The difference between a thriving plant collection and a pile of frost-damaged regrets often comes down to timing and preparation. Many gardeners make the mistake of waiting …
With the cold season right around the corner, I’m looking for some indoor gardening ideas that will keep my garden addiction alive. So, I invited Jacki, an expert in succulents, to share how to grow succulents indoors. This way, we can enjoy “gardening” even when the weather isn’t cooperating. Succulents are so versatile and adaptable that …
Brassica vegetables, such as broccoli and turnips, are not only delicious, but they’re also healthy. Brassicas can be planted in seed trays or directly sown into their final growing position. What Vegetables Are Brassicas? According to Wikipedia, brassicas are part of the mustard family. They are also known as cruciferous vegetables, cabbage, or mustard plants. …
Lavender plants are a great addition to the garden: they are easy to grow and last for years! But when incorrectly pruned, they can become woody, unruly, and much more challenging to care for. So, here’s how to stop lavender from going woody. Preventing lavender from becoming woody starts with an annual pruning shortly after …
If you’re trying to decide what to do with overripe cucumbers, we have some ideas for you. When cucumbers are left on the vine, they will continue to grow. They can become very large and take on a yellow color. Yellow cucumbers are tougher than perfectly ripe cucumbers, but this doesn’t mean they have to …
Summer is the most wonderful time of the year for so many gardeners. Everything is in full bloom and those of us who grow fruits and veggies are up to our elbows in fresh, organic food. It really is the time of plenty, and when we’re in the thick of it, it’s hard to imagine …
Wondering how to prune a hibiscus? Hibiscus plants are known for their spectacular flowers, which come in a wide range of colors. Hibiscus flowers are big and bold and can range from yellows and reds to pink, purple, and multicolor. It’s the perfect addition to your garden to make heads turn, and your neighbors wonder …
Are you wondering how to prune drift roses? Roses can be tricky to prune, but it’s important to understand the best techniques for the types of roses you have. Drift roses, sometimes called shrub roses, are beautiful rose bushes that are surprisingly easier to take care of than regular rose bushes. Drift roses were created …
August marks a turning point in the garden where summer’s peak begins its gentle fade toward autumn. While many gardeners start thinking about fall cleanup, there’s still time to coax more blooms from your flowering plants through strategic deadheading. This simple technique involves removing spent flowers to redirect the plant’s energy from seed production back …