Field Guide to Outside Style: A Book Review

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Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned gardener in need of stylistic aid, Ryan McEnaney’s “Field Guide to Outside Style” will help you identify your outdoor style, find plants for your location, and get ideas for your own designs. Read our review to learn more about this guide to designing your perfect outdoor space.

How to Dehydrate Homegrown Produce for Long-term Storage

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Dehydrating is an excellent way to preserve your garden or orchard harvests for later use. And once you learn how to dry fruits and vegetables, it will be one of the easiest means of food preservation you can use. Read more now to learn everything you need to know about dehydrating fruits and veggies from the garden.

How to Grow Rocky Mountain Bee Plant

A close up horizontal image of the pink and purple flowers of Cleomella serrulata, known as the rocky mountain bee plant, pictured on a soft focus background.

Want to attract loads of pollinators to your yard? Grow Rocky Mountain bee plant. These annuals are low maintenance, drought tolerant, and native to the US. Plus, they will readily reseed, providing year after year of showy purple blooms. Keep reading to learn more about growing this gorgeous native wildflower.

19 of the Best Types of Cilantro

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Cilantro is a zesty-flavored fresh herb that can brighten up many a meal – and when you grow your own crop of this delicious, multipurpose, aromatic plant, you can choose from a surprising variety of different cultivars. Read more now to discover 19 different types of cilantro to grow in your backyard garden.

How to Start Your Own Herb Garden

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Why not try starting an herb garden this spring? There are many edible, medicinal, fragrant, and ornamental herbs to choose from. And there are gardening options for everyone, whether it’s in the landscape or in raised beds, window boxes, or pots. Learn how to start your own herb garden this spring. Read more now.

Harvest Time: How and When to Pick Carrots

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When’s the best time to harvest homegrown carrots, and what’s the best way to do it? Harvesting carrots involves following several important steps – and making sure to pick these vegetables at just the right moment, for the sweetest crop. To learn everything you need to know about harvesting carrots, read more now.

When and How to Plant Marigold Seeds

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Ready to plant marigolds from seed for bright summer blooms? Planting marigolds from seed is easy, but you’ll want to know when you should start these annual flower seeds indoors – and when you can sow the seeds right into your garden soil. Learn more about how and when to plant marigolds from seed. Read more now.

11 of the Best Light Meters for Houseplants and Indoor Gardening

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Light meters come with many features and are available at a wide range of price points. But is there really that much difference between these different devices? With so many choices, which light meter should a well-meaning plant parent choose? Discover 11 of the best light meters for houseplants now in our roundup.

How to Grow and Care for Rattlesnake Plants

Rattlesnake calathea is a prayer plant with attractively patterned leaves that are raised at night and lowered again every morning. This houseplant will reward you with gorgeous green and purple foliage if you provide it with the care it requires. Keep reading to learn how to grow and care for rattlesnake plant.

Your Ultimate Guide to Square Foot Gardening

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Square foot gardening is a beginner-friendly way of cultivating healthy, super local, homegrown produce, but this space-saving method has more to it than just growing in raised beds. Keep reading to discover the roots of square foot gardening and learn what steps to take to get started with it in your own backyard.

How to Plant and Grow Cilantro

A close up horizontal image of cilantro (coriander) growing in the garden pictured in light evening sunshine.

For those of us who love cilantro, it can be a divine experience to grow this herb in the garden. This multipurpose plant provides a delicious garnish for many types of meals, attracts pollinators to its flowers, and even produces edible seeds. Keep reading to learn how to grow your own supply of fresh coriander.

How to Use a Light Meter for Houseplants

A close up horizontal image of three houseplants set on a windowsill in indirect light.

If your houseplant is failing to thrive, it could be that the two of you aren’t on the same page when it comes to light exposure. But with a quick wave of a magic wand – er, light meter – you’ll know whether your light is low, medium, or bright. Keep reading to learn more about using a light meter for houseplants.

How to Pick and Harvest Spinach

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Spinach is a delicious cool weather crop and an excellent leafy green to include in your backyard garden. Whether your plans for your harvest include fresh spring salads or warming autumn stir fries, picking spinach in the right way can ensure a continual harvest. Ready to learn when and how to harvest spinach? Read more now.

What’s the Difference Between Male and Female Asparagus Plants?

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Asparagus, the reigning edible perennial of the backyard vegetable garden, has both male and female plants. But how does this affect the way you grow and harvest these delicious spring veggies? Keep reading to learn more about the difference between male and female asparagus plants – and why it matters.

21 of the Best Summer Squash Varieties for Your Garden

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Want to grow your own summer squash? These veggies are available in a delicious assortment of colors, shapes, patterns, and sizes. Whether you prefer your squash grilled, stuffed, spiralized, or sauteed, you have your pick for the garden. Discover 21 of the best summer squash varieties and choose your favorite now.

9 of the Best Cold-Hardy Cherry Trees

Branch of chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) with ripe berries.

Think it’s impossible to find a cold-hardy cherry tree that will survive in cold, northern climates? On the contrary – you can harvest delicious cherries, sweet or sour, so long as you pick the right variety. Discover the 9 best cold-tolerant cultivars that will produce your summer cherry bumper crop. To get the sweet lowdown, keep reading.

Growing Borage as a Cover Crop and for Green Manure

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Ready to learn some new gardening uses for your beloved borage? This blue-flowered herb can be grown as a cover crop to improve your garden in a number of ways, from soil amendment to pest protection, and it can even be used as a green manure. Discover how to grow borage as a cover crop in your garden. Read more now.

How to Plant and Grow Bush Beans

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Are you ready to harvest baskets full of homegrown bush beans, from your own backyard? These summer vegetables are easy to grow and so delicious when they are picked fresh from the garden. Read on to learn everything you need to know about growing your own bush beans, from sowing seeds all the way to harvest time.

What’s the Difference Between Determinate and Indeterminate Tomatoes?

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Wondering what the difference is between determinate and indeterminate tomatoes – and what this means for your garden? From staking and pruning to harvesting, these two types of tomato plants grow differently – and understanding their differences will guide you to the best tomato harvests. To learn more, keep reading.

A Plant Pick-Me-Up? Tips for Composting and Gardening with Coffee Grounds

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Coffee makes an outstanding hot drink, but what about using the spent grounds in the garden? These dregs are touted as a great fertilizer, mulch, and compost ingredient, but what does the science say? To find out if your notions about gardening with coffee grounds are on target – or a bit off center – keep reading now.

25 of the Best Hanging Planters

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A hanging planter can help a favorite plant to really shine. But when choosing a planter, certain practical details are as important as appearance. Does it have drainage holes? What size plant will it hold? Keep reading to discover 25 of the best hanging planters out there, and get all the details you’ll need.

How to Grow Lacinato (Dinosaur) Kale

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Lacinato kale is a healthy, delicious, and easy-to-grow crop that deserves a place in the backyard garden. Also known as Dinosaur or Tuscan kale, this plant has long blueish green leaves that are just as ornamental as they are tasty. Read more to learn how to grow this cruciferous leafy green vegetable.

17 of the Best Types of Dry and Shelling Beans

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Growing dry beans can help fill a pantry with winter staples, and many varieties can be enjoyed for shelling as well. Since a wide array of these legumes simply can’t be found at a market, growing them yourself opens the door to a world of flavor. Keep reading to discover 17 of the best shelling and dry bean cultivars.

9 of the Best White Eggplant Varieties

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Looking for something unique that will really stand out in your veggie garden this year? These nine white eggplant varieties will glow as they grow. Usually less bitter than purple cultivars, white varieties come in different shapes and sizes. To learn more about these delicious white eggplant cultivars, keep reading.

How to Grow and Care for Hoya Houseplants

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Once hoyas start to catch your eye, these houseplants are hard to forget. With their long, trailing vines and fragrant, showy flowers, hoyas make gorgeous, easy-care indoor plants. Ready to fall down the hoya rabbit hole? Keep reading to find out all you need to know about growing these lovely, vining plants.

33 of the Best Melon Varieties

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If you think your garden isn’t suited to growing melons, or you just don’t find melons to be very exciting, it’s time to consider some new varieties. Discover a selection of cultivars to please every palate, and identify those that are perfectly suited to your growing conditions. Explore 33 top melon varieties now.

How to Grow and Care for Spider Plants

The spider plant is loved for its bright foliage and masses of baby plantlets. It’s very resilient, will adapt to different growing conditions, and makes an excellent choice for beginners. And it’s a fast grower, helping you fill your home with greenery quickly. Keep reading to learn more about growing this houseplant.

How to Plant and Grow Carrots in the Garden

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Carrots may be the ultimate health food. The only way to make them healthier and more delicious is to grow them yourself! Add these beauties to the vegetable patch, and you can enjoy them in all the shades of the rainbow. And you’ll get the freshest root vegetables you’ve ever tasted. Keep reading to learn more.

The Taste of Summer: How to Plant and Grow Watermelons

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Watermelons are a delightful way to celebrate the summer months, so why not grow your own? Sometimes thought of as an intimidating fruit to grow, they are well worth the effort for their sensational sweet bounty. Learn how to plant and grow your own fresh harvest of watermelons with this guide. Read more now.

How to Plant and Grow Dill

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Dill is an easy-going herb that can double as a spice. This cool-weather annual can brighten up nearly any homecooked meal, so having a fresh supply is a must in any kitchen garden. Whether you plant dill for its leaves, seeds, or as an ornamental, this aromatic plant is a delight in the garden and the kitchen.

15 of the Best Types of Pole Beans

A close up horizontal image of an assorted mix of freshly harvested pole beans set on a rustic wooden table.

When you grow the right pole bean cultivars, you’ll get a plentiful harvest and a giant helping of flavor. With pods of different colors and sizes, and varieties matched to different season lengths, it helps to carefully choose your seeds before you sow. Keep reading to discover 15 of the best types of pole beans.

How to Plant and Grow Ground Cherries

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Ground cherries are an easy-to-grow summer annual producing masses of small but tasty, tropical-flavored berries. If you grow these unique berries from seed in a small section of your veggie garden you’ll have a nice snack at hand while gardening. Read on to learn how easy it is to grow these delicious little berries.

How to Plant and Grow Pole Beans

A close up horizontal image of pole beans growing on wooden support pictured in bright sunshine on a blue sky background.

Pole beans provide a delicious and bountiful harvest when planted in the summer vegetable garden. Grown up trellises or stakes, this vertical crop is fun to sow, easy to pick, and can help maximize valuable garden real estate. Read more now to get the lowdown on planting and growing these lofty legumes.

How to Water Orchids

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With their elegant flowers, orchids make enchanting houseplants. But what’s the best way to water them? The answer depends on what type of orchid you have, and a few other factors as well, such as growing medium, container type, and even the time of year. Keep reading to learn more about how to water orchids.

23 Types of Orchids to Grow as Houseplants

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Featuring fascinating flowers, many orchids can be grown indoors as houseplants. When you make your pick you’ll want your selection to be gorgeous, but also well-suited to your growing conditions. Which to choose? Learn about 23 different types of orchids to grow indoors and find your perfect match now. Read more.

9 Different Types of String of Hearts

A close up horizontal image of Ceropegia woodii aka string of hearts growing in small pots indoors.

String of hearts, also known as rosary vine, is a fabulous vining houseplant that needs no improvement. There are nonetheless several fascinating cultivars with different leaf shapes and colors that fans of this succulent will undoubtedly find beguiling. Discover 9 different types of string of hearts in this guide.

23 Colorful Houseplants to Warm Up Your Home This Winter

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Wintertime can be dreary. Why not brighten things up with colorful houseplants? Learn about 23 of our favorites to find the best options suited to your indoor conditions and decor. From fresh and tropical to old school, plants are available in your favorite colors that are sure to thrive in your home. Read more now.

How to Grow Red-Veined Prayer Plant

A close up horizontal image of the patterned foliage of a red-veined prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura var. erythroneura) pictured on a dark background.

With its boldly patterned leaves, red-veined prayer plant is a stunner of a houseplant. It’s also safe for households with curious pets or young kids. And this maranta is easy to care for too, when you have the right tips to follow. Read more now to learn all about growing and caring for red-veined prayer plants.

7 of the Best Gardening Journals to Plan, Record, and Celebrate Your Garden

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Are you forgetting one of the most important tools you can use to grow a productive and healthy garden? A gardening journal can help you record, design, plan, and improve your garden. To learn more about how journaling can help you all year, and discover 7 of the best gardening journals available today, keep reading.

How to Propagate Christmas Cactus from Cuttings

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Christmas cactus produces cheery blooms during the winter months and it’s easy to propagate cuttings. Whether your goal is to produce new plants to give as gifts or to expand your collection with new cultivars, this propagation method will come in handy. Read more to learn how to propagate Christmas cactus cuttings.

How to Grow and Care for String of Hearts

A close up horizontal image of a string of hearts plant spilling over the side of a pot.

With extra-long vines and heart-shaped leaves, string of hearts makes a beautiful and fast-growing houseplant. Covered with purple and dark green foliage, this succulent, also known as rosary vine, is easy and fun to propagate. Read more now to learn more about growing and caring for this Rapunzel among houseplants.

How to Grow and Care for Calathea Peacock Plant

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Peacock plant, a member of the prayer plant family, is an attractive tropical species grown for its decorative green and purple variegated foliage. This gorgeous houseplant is a breeze to keep happy and healthy once you understand its needs. Keep reading to learn how to grow beautiful, luscious peacock plants.

How to Grow and Care for Donkey’s Tail Succulents

A close up horizontal image of a potted donkey's tail (Sedum morganianum) plant set on a white surface pictured on a soft focus background.

With its trailing stems and plump, bluish leaves, donkey’s tail sedum makes a striking houseplant that’s easy to care for. This cliff-dwelling succulent is the perfect choice for a raised planter or hanging basket. Plus, it is nontoxic and fun to propagate. Read more now to learn how to grow and care for donkey’s tail.

11 of The Best Dragon Fruit (Pitaya) Cultivars

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When growing dragon fruit (or pitayas) at home, you have options. Do you want to grow small sweet yellow fruits, big tangy red-fleshed ones, or something in between? Choose the best cultivars for your growing conditions – and your taste buds. Ready to learn about 11 of the best dragon fruit varieties? Read more now.

How to Grow Your Own Dragon Fruit (Pitaya)

A close up horizontal image of a large dragon fruit (pitaya) plant laden with bright pink ripe fruits.

Dragon fruit are a tasty tropical treat – and with the right techniques and know-how, you can grow your own crop of them at home. These colorful fruits are borne on the succulent stems of jungle cacti, which can produce a bountiful harvest in just a year and a half. Learn how to grow your own pitayas in this guide.

11 of the Best Types of Elephant Bush to Grow at Home

A close up horizontal image of the green, pink-edged foliage of Portulacaria afra pictured on a soft focus background.

Elephant bush, also known as spekboom, is a low-maintenance, succulent houseplant that is available in different leaf colors, sizes, and growth habits. From trailing to upright, variegated to bright yellow, there are wonderful options to choose from. Discover 11 of the best types of elephant bush in this guide. Read more.

How to Grow and Care for Elephant Bush Indoors

A close up horizontal image of the succulent green foliage of Portulacaria afra aka elephant bush or dwarf jade pictured on a soft focus background.

With emerald-green, succulent leaves, elephant bush is an easy-care houseplant that can stand up to neglect. Also known as spekboom or dwarf jade, this plant has low water needs, plus it’s nontoxic and fun to propagate. Ready to learn more? Read our guide now to learn how to grow and care for elephant bush indoors.

23 of the Most Fabulous Types of Epiphyllums

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Epiphyllums are forest cacti that exhibit a dazzling assortment of flower colors and shapes, on both compact plants and prodigious growers. With their luxuriant foliage and extravagant blooms, species plants and hybrids are delights to discover. Read more now to learn about 23 of the most fabulous types of epiphyllums.

Growing Orchid Cacti: How to Care for Epiphyllums Indoors

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Epiphyllums are large forest cacti that produce incredibly showy, oversized blooms. With their large, flattened stems, these succulent plants are easy to care for, fun to propagate, and stand up well to neglect. To learn more about growing fabulous epiphyllum species and hybrids as houseplants, keep reading now.

35 of the Best Hanging and Trailing Succulents and Cacti

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Cacti and succulents that trail over a planter’s edge create a beautiful vision of floral bounty. But not all of these plants have the same care needs – and each of them has a different visual appeal. Keep reading to discover 35 of the best hanging and trailing cacti and succulents, and choose your favorites!

How to Plant and Grow Purple Sage

A close up horizontal image of purple sage (Salvia dorrii) growing in the garden.

With its alluring bicolored flowers, purple sage is a Western native that performs beautifully in arid landscapes. Drought tolerant and adapted to the desert, this shrub is an excellent, low maintenance choice for waterwise gardens and xeriscaping. Keep reading to learn more about growing and caring for purple sage.

9 Different Types of Goldenrods to Grow in the Landscape

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Goldenrods are late-season wildflowers bearing large golden sprays of blooms. With over 120 different species, there’s one suited to nearly every growing situation – dry or moist soil, wild meadows or compact gardens. To learn about 9 different goldenrods and discover which is best for your landscape, read more now.

How to Grow and Care for Goldenrod Plants

A close up horizontal image of goldenrod (Solidago) Growing in the garden pictured on a soft focus background.

Goldenrods are wildflowers that bear beautiful, golden sprays of late-season color. These easy-care perennials attract beneficial insects and pollinators like bees and butterflies while gilding the vista with their bright blooms. Keep reading for guidance on how to grow gorgeous goldenrods in the garden or landscape.

7 Steps to Harvesting and Saving Marigold Seeds

A close up horizontal image of a spent marigold flower opened up to reveal the seeds inside.

It’s not difficult to save seeds from faded marigolds. But for success with future plantings, be sure to follow a few simple steps to make sure the seeds are harvested and stored properly. Keep reading to learn more about collecting and saving marigold seeds so they’ll produce a new batch of beautiful blooms.

How to Grow and Care for Desert Marigolds

A close up horizontal image of a bright yellow desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata) pictured on a soft focus background.

With their cheery yellow blooms, desert marigolds are waterwise plants adapted to arid landscapes. These drought-tolerant natives of the southwest can provide an eco-friendly alternative to thirsty bedding plants for those in hot, dry locations. Keep reading to learn more about growing and caring for desert marigolds.

31 of the Best Companion Plants for Beans

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Beans are a no-brainer garden crop, easily providing a bountiful harvest. But you might wonder which companion plants can help this legume to repel pests, offer structural support, keep weeds at bay, improve the soil, or increase your yield. Read more now to discover 31 of the best plant partnerships for beans.

How to Grow Mexican Hat Flowers

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Mexican hat, a wildflower species native to North America, is a drought-tolerant perennial with unique, charmingly quirky flowers. This plant is easy to cultivate and maintain in the landscape, and its brightly-colored blooms will attract birds, bees, and butterflies. Read more now to learn how to grow Mexican hat.

7 of the Best Types of Fava Beans

A close up horizontal image of a dried fava beans on a ceramic plate spilling onto a wooden surface, pictured in bright sunshine.

When you grow fava beans at home, you have a wealth of options. Some types are super cold-hardy, while others are well-adapted to short growing seasons. Some excel when used as a cover crop – and all of them are fabulous in the kitchen. Keep reading to discover 7 of the best types of favas you can grow in the garden.

How to Plant and Grow Fava Beans

A close up horizontal image of freshly shelled fava beans on a dark wooden surface with empty pods scattered around and full ones in a wicker basket.

Fava beans are a superb addition to the home garden, and they can be grown in spring or winter as nitrogen fixers or as a cool-weather crop. Also called broad beans, these legumes make excellent companion plants and bear tasty, meaty beans with endless uses. Keep reading to learn more about growing fava beans.

13 Different Types of Edible Beans for the Garden

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When growing beans at home, there are different types to try suited to almost every garden and palate. Some are perfect as cool-weather crops, while others hold up nicely to drought. Whether for fresh eating or dry storage, you have a wealth of options. Keep reading to learn about 13 different types of edible beans.

A Review of Plant Partners by Jessica Walliser

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Who needs a companion planting chart when you have a book that explains the science behind successful plant partnerships? Jessica Walliser’s Plant Partners does just that. Packed with gorgeous photos of real life combinations, this book will guide you in growing a diverse and resilient garden. Read our review now.

17 of the Best Marigold Companions

A close up horizontal image of broccoli and marigolds planted together in the garden.

Marigolds make superb companion plants – and can be paired in different ways depending on your garden needs and landscaping style. But you’ll want to make sure to choose plant partners that have similar growing requirements. Keep reading to discover a selection of 17 excellent marigold companions that fit the bill.

How to Grow and Care for Cardinal Flowers

A close up horizontal image of red cardinal flowers (Lobelia cardinalis) pictured on a soft focus background.

Cardinal flower is a superstar wildflower. With its eye-catching scarlet blooms, it attracts hummingbirds and butterflies to the landscape. What’s more, this stunning native plant is very low maintenance when offered the right conditions. Learn more about growing cardinal flower in the landscape in this guide. Read more.

How to Use Eggshells in the Garden for Soil, Compost, and as Pest Control

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Want to use eggshells in your garden? Learn the best techniques for breaking them down in your compost and using them as a soil amendment. And find out the truth about whether eggshells really repel garden pests. To learn more about turning eggshells into garden amendments instead of landfill waste, read more now.

31 of the Best Types of Marigolds

A close up horizontal image of bright orange and yellow marigold flowers growing en masse in the garden.

There are so many different marigolds to choose from for your veggie garden or flower beds. It can be hard to know which to pick when they are all so gorgeous, but learning about features such as bloom type, color, and size can help inform your choice. Keep reading to learn about 31 of the best types of marigolds.

How to Grow and Care for Cosmos Flowers

A close up horizontal image of pink, red, and white cosmos flowers growing by a stone wall pictured in light filtered sunshine.

Cosmos flowers are gorgeous ornamentals that add beauty to the landscape while also attracting pollinators. With colorful blooms and graceful foliage, these summer annuals brighten up both flower beds and veggie gardens, and will thrive in less than ideal conditions. Keep reading to learn more about growing cosmos.

Propagating Spider Plant Babies: 3 Methods to Root Spiderettes

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Propagating spiderettes, the little babies that grow on spider plants, is an easy way to grow new plants. Whether rooting them in water, soil, or through layering, these plantlets make a fun indoor gardening project. Keep reading to learn more about the three different methods you can use to propagate spiderettes.

How to Grow and Care for Pinstripe Plant

A close up horizontal image of the striped foliage of a pinstripe plant (Goeppertia ornata) growing outdoors in a tropical location.

Pinstripe plant is a charming and elegant foliage houseplant with striped leaves that can blend with almost any household decor. This prayer plant lifts its leaves every night and lowers them again in the morning. Learn more about how to grow and care for pinstripe plants in this guide. Read more now.

Propagating Tradescantia: How to Root Spiderwort Cuttings

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Tradescantias are simple houseplants to propagate. Also known as spiderworts or inch plants, they root easily and can be started in soil, water, or through layering. Propagating these plants makes for a fun indoor gardening project – even for beginners. Keep reading to learn three ways to propagate spiderwort.

How to Grow Tomatoes From Seed in 6 Easy Steps

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Want to grow tomatoes from seed? It’s easy to start these delicious summer vegetables from the comfort of home, and then transplant them to your garden. We explain when to start and what you’ll need, with step by step instructions. Learn how to start your own seeds and harvest a bumper crop of juicy ripe tomatoes now.

How to Grow and Care for Sweetheart Hoya

A close up horizontal image of a heart-shaped sweetheart hoya leaf cutting in a small black pot flanked by two red love hearts on a windowsill.

Sweetheart hoya, also known as wax hearts, is a darling of a houseplant with its big, succulent, heart-shaped leaves. This vining plant produces fragrant flowers, is nontoxic, and can happily live as a plant companion for many years inside the home. Keep reading to learn how to grow and care for this heart-leafed hoya.

How to Propagate Parlor Palms from Seed in 5 Steps

A close up horizontal image of a small parlor palm growing in a ceramic pot with a white brick wall in the background.

Parlor palms are easy-care tropical foliage houseplants that you can grow from seed. While it isn’t difficult, your success with this propagation project will be more likely if you follow the correct steps. In this guide, you’ll learn how to propagate parlor palms from seed in 5 easy steps. Read more now.

How to Grow and Care for Parlor Palms Indoors

A close up horizontal image of a potted parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) pictured in light sunshine.

With their lush green fronds, parlor palms are wonderful foliage houseplants. They are also easy to care for, making them a great choice for beginners. And what’s more, they’re nontoxic, and safe for homes with pets or kids. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know to grow these verdant palm trees indoors.

To Repot or Not: Why, When, and How to Repot Norfolk Island Pine Trees

A close up horizontal image of a small Norfolk Island pine tree growing in a container.

Norfolk pines are beautiful, easy-care houseplants that can serve double duty as living Christmas trees. But after the holidays are over, you might wonder whether you need to repot this lovely conifer – or not. To learn when, how, and why to repot your Norfolk Island pine tree, keep reading. We share all the details.

9 of the Best Watering Cans for Houseplant Care

A close up horizontal image of an indoor gardener using a metal watering can to irrigate a selection of houseplants.

When your home is full of lovely houseplants, why not choose an attractive watering can too? This tool doesn’t have to be an eyesore, it can add to your prized, chic decor. But looks aren’t everything – it has to do the job well too. Keep reading to discover 9 of the best watering cans for houseplant care.

How to Grow Stromanthe Triostar Houseplants

A close up horizontal image of the foliage of Stromanthe 'Triostar' plants growing in pots.

Stromanthe ‘Triostar’ is a shining star of a houseplant, with its luscious pinks and delicate patterns. This prayer plant’s colorful foliage will grab your attention, rewarding you with a gorgeous display if you provide it with the right care. Keep reading to learn how to grow and care for a ‘Triostar’ prayer plant.

How to Propagate Norfolk Island Pine

A close up horizontal image of two Norfolk Island pine trees in small pots pictured on a soft focus background.

Norfolk Island pine trees are in the spotlight during the Christmas holiday season, but they make easy-care houseplants all year long. And if you want more of these conifers, they aren’t hard to propagate either. There are a few different methods you can use to propagate these trees – keep reading to learn more.

Tips for Watering Norfolk Island Pine Trees

A close up horizontal image of a small Norfolk Island pine tree in a pot set on a wooden surface with a metal watering can.

Norfolk Island pines make festive houseplants, and they will brighten your home long after the holidays have passed. But it’s important to develop a good watering routine as soon as you bring your tree home. Learn about Norfolk Island pine water requirements and how to keep them healthy all year long. Read more now.

29 of the Most Fabulous Types of Hoya Plant

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Hoyas provide beautiful foliage in a dizzying array of shapes, colors, and textures. Whether you want just one plant or you’re ready to start or expand a collection, narrow your choices by learning about the many cultivars and species available. Discover 29 of the most fabulous types of hoyas for your home now.

Worth Its Stripes: How to Grow and Care for Calathea Zebrina Plants

A close up horizontal image of a Calathea zebrina plant in a small pot with a beige wall in the background.

Calathea zebrina is a tropical prayer plant that’s grown for its striking striped foliage. It may have a reputation as a slightly fussy houseplant, but it’s easy to keep happy and beautiful when you know what it needs. You’ll find all the tips and tricks to growing the lovely calathea zebrina in this guide. Read more.

The Scientifically-Backed Benefits of Companion Planting

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You may have already learned many great companion plant combinations, but do you understand the science behind why they work? From controlling pests to preventing soil erosion, companion planting is a key element among organic backyard gardening practices. Read our guide on the benefits of companion planting now.

15 of the Best Native Wildflowers for the US and Canada

A close up horizontal image of native wildflowers growing in the garden.

Native wildflowers offer a low-maintenance and waterwise way to bring beauty into your garden or yard. Some of these plants are widespread and very adaptable, making them excellent landscaping options for many gardeners. Keep reading to discover a selection of 15 of the best native wildflowers for the US and Canada.

Harvesting Snap Beans: When and How to Pick Them

A close up horizontal image of a wicker basket filled with freshly harvested green beans in a wicker basket set on the ground in the garden.

Beans are an easy veggie to grow in the garden, even for beginners. However, it’s important to harvest this summer staple at the right size so you get the most bang for your buck, and the best texture. Read more now to learn our easy techniques for picking fresh snap beans, as well as the best time to harvest them.

11 of the Best Winter Squash Varieties

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Thinking of growing winter squash? Make sure to choose the best variety to match the length of your growing season and the size of your garden. And of course, you’ll want to pick a cultivar that will please your palate too! Keep reading to discover 11 of the best winter squash cultivars and find your new favorite.

How to Grow Broccoli Rabe

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Broccoli rabe is a cool season veggie that will spice up your spring or fall harvest with its compelling flavor profile. It’s easy to sow directly from seed and is a fast grower, so when planning a diverse assortment of leafy greens for your homestead or garden, don’t forget tasty rapini. Keep reading to learn more.

9 of the Best Artichoke Cultivars to Grow at Home

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Artichokes can become long-term perennial residents in your garden. Before you plant these thistles, make sure you pick the best variety for your climate and conditions. Whether you have a short growing season, very mild winters, or a compact garden, you have your choice among cultivars. Keep reading to learn more.

How to Plant and Grow Artichokes

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Artichoke plants can be grown in your garden or flower beds, offering a tasty and generous harvest as either annuals or perennials. Adaptable to various climates and growing seasons, these silvery architectural plants can also do double duty as ornamental features. Keep reading to learn more about growing artichokes.

How to Grow and Care for Chinese Lantern

A close up horizontal image of Chinese lantern (Alkekengi officinarum) growing in the garden in light evening sunshine.

Chinese lantern is a charming ornamental that will bring a touch of whimsy to your garden. The papery, red-orange husks of this perennial come into their full splendor in autumn, providing bright fall color, and can be used in bouquets or dried arrangements. Keep reading to learn more about growing Chinese lantern.

25 of the Best Cosmos Flower Cultivars for Your Yard

A horizontal image of pink and white cosmos flowers growing in a wildflower meadow with blue sky in the background.

Cosmos come in a stunning array of different varieties, but we’ve narrowed the field to 25 of the most gorgeous, colorful cultivars, many of them award winners. Discover the best and most beautiful double, semi-double, bicolored, and patterned cosmos varieties and choose your favorite for your yard and garden.

17 Unusual Fruits and Vegetables for your Backyard Landscape

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From surprisingly colored garden veggies to unexpectedly adorable berries, from teensy cucumbers to oversized beans, there are a wealth of unique edible plants you can grow in your backyard landscape. Ready to discover 17 unusual – and delicious – fruits and vegetables you can grow at home? Read more now.

Orchids 101: How to Grow and Care for Orchids

A close up horizontal image of orchids growing in terra cotta pots in a conservatory.

Orchids make striking houseplants with their novel good looks – and they’re really not that hard to keep happy. But when you bring one of these beauties into your home, you’ll want to make sure you provide it with the right light and water and give it the best care. To learn the basics of growing orchids, keep reading.

9 of the Most Beautiful Spiderworts to Grow as Houseplants

A close up horizontal image of a person holding different varieties of spiderwort in two hands, wearing a green apron.

Spiderworts are gorgeous, low maintenance houseplants and they are available in some stunning varieties. With a variety of color combinations, and solid or variegated foliage, these tropical foliage plants liven up the indoor landscape. Discover 9 of the best spiderwort varieties and choose your favorites. Read more now.

How to Grow and Care for Spiderwort

A close up horizontal image of Tradescantia zebrina growing in a small black pot pictured on a soft focus background.

Spiderwort (Tradescantia), aka wandering dude, is an ideal houseplant for beginner gardeners. The long, trailing foliage may be shades of green, purple, or variegated, depending on the cultivar. It grows quickly and looks gorgeous in hanging baskets. Learn how to grow spiderwort in this guide. Read more now.

Are Spider Plants Toxic to Cats?

A close up horizontal image of a dark gray tabby with wide green eyes looking up at the camera with a guilty expression.

Some cats love to nibble on spider plants, so you may be wondering whether it’s safe for them to chew on this grass-like houseplant. You may also wonder why your feline companion is so obsessed with this particular plant. Learn whether spider plants are toxic to cats and how to protect your plant from being chewed to a nub.

Troubleshooting Yellow Leaves on Prayer Plants

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Prayer plants make enchanting houseplants with their gorgeous, patterned foliage. But sometimes their leaves can turn yellow, and the effect of those beautiful patterns is spoiled. There are many causes for yellow leaves in prayer plants. Learn about the most common problems and how to remedy them in this guide.

Troubleshooting Brown Leaves on Prayer Plants

Prayer plants are gorgeous foliage houseplants that thrive in humid conditions. But sometimes brown blemishes tarnish their beautifully patterned leaves. When your prayer plant’s leaves turn brown, there is a reason. Learn about the top 7 reasons prayer plant leaves turn brown and what to do about them in this guide.

How to Grow and Care for Prayer Plants

Prayer plants – including calatheas, marantas, stromanthes, and ctenanthes – are colorful ornamentals with fascinating leaf patterns. These houseplants can be a bit challenging to keep happy, but they are worth the extra effort. Ready to learn more about growing and caring for prayer plants indoors? Read more now.