Gardening Advice

Usually, we think of spring as the time when wildlife is conducting their courtship rituals. Not so with grasshoppers and crickets! As the summer winds down, you will hear the mating calls of the males trying to attract a female get louder! And if you are finding ragged holes chewed in the leaves of your plants, it is probably grasshoppers. To lessen the population next year, now is the…

I am always amazed when I see known invasives being sold at garden centers, online, and in catalogs. Here are 10 silent invaders you should never bring home to grow in your yard—plus, some substitute plants to grow instead.10 Common Invasive PlantsAutumn OliveAutumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) is often sold in wildlife packages or for erosion control. Birds do love their berries,…

As gardeners, we are connected to all people who have come before us, caring for the earth and learning how to best grow crops. Ready for the best gardening techniques? Let’s have a look at some age-old gardening wisdom that’s still relevant today.A Long History of GardeningGourds, beans, and peppers were being cultivated in Mexico by 5,500 BC, and by 5,000 BC, maize was being…

Read your weeds! They are an indicator of your soil’s health. If you have large patches of one kind of weed, your garden is trying to tell you something. Here are common weeds and what they say about your soil, plus photos. Let us know what you learn!When weeds arrive, it’s often an index of what is wrong (though sometimes what is right) with the soil. For example, weeds with…

If, like me, you resort to using containers to grow some of your plants, try using a grow bag this year. They have some advantages over plastic pots or terra cotta. I was especially interested to learn about “air pruning.” Here’s why and when to use a grow bag and some different types of grow bags.Grow bags aren’t a new idea. In ancient times, plants were grown in woven baskets and bags.…

Monarch butterflies are officially a threatened species, which means that they’re at a real risk of extinction if we don’t take action. One thing we can do is to plant colorful, compact milkweed, a monarch’s favorite food. However, it’s important to choose the right variety.Not only does milkweed provide nectar for the adult butterflies, but it is also the only plant on…

Think you don’t have room to grow your own crispy cucumbers for summer salads? Think again! They will grow just fine in a big pot and, in some cases, will do even better than if planted in the garden. Container growing gives you more control over the conditions. You can place the pot where it will get the most sun and where it will be convenient for you to water and keep an eye on, such…

The smell of Bengay and Icy Hot mixed with bug spray is a sure sign that the gardening season is in full swing. Yes, cases of “gardener’s back” or “weeder’s wrist” or “pruner’s neck” are going around. Here’s how to avoid the hazards of gardening!I’m not exaggerating. Repetitive motions like pruning and weeding can injure muscles, tendons, and nerves, turning what is supposed to be…

One way to protect your plants from insect attacks is to use trap crops. What are trap crops? We’ll explain how they work, give examples of trap crops (such as nasturtium, marigolds, and dill), and tell you which beetles and other insect pests they control.What is a Trap Crop?Basically, a trap crop consists of sacrificial plants that draw the harmful bugs away from the plants you want…

When summer arrives, so do the biting bugs! Can plants alone really repel mosquitoes and other nuisance insects in the garden? Here’s what the science says, as well as a list of plants with insect-repellent properties.Mosquitoes are more than a nuisance, as there are many mosquito-borne diseases out there, including viruses such as West Nile, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and Dengue. It’…

Which perennial flowers bloom all summer? Whether you live in the South, Northeast, Midwest, or West, see our list of perennials to plant for colorful flowers from summer to fall. Perennials That Bloom All SummerNonstop blooming is easy to create just by planting the right varieties for your location. Try some of these regional favorites and enjoy season-long brilliant color. Most…

Love that one special tomato you grow every summer? Saving its seeds ensures you’ll always have it, even if it disappears from catalogs. With many older varieties fading out, seed saving is a smart, sustainable way to keep your favorites growing for generations—just like gardeners have done for centuries..Benefits of Saving Tomato SeedsIt is a process that is easy enough to do and will…