Articles Index
How to Plant a Tomato
Tomatoes can be planted deeper than they grew in their pots, because of something called adventitious roots. Here are some tips.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Maps
The USDA has released their new Plant Hardiness Zone Maps. Using 30 years of data, the new maps better reflect regional differences and are much easier to read. See what's changed.
Identifying and Controlling Septoria Leaf Spot of Tomato
Septoria leaf spot is one of the most common tomato diseases. It can weaken your plants until they eventually die, but if caught early, it can be controlled. Here's how to identify Septoria leaf spot on your tomato plants.
Identifying and Controlling Early Blight on Tomato Plants
Early blight is a very common fungal disease that can affect all parts of the tomato plants. Here are photos and tips to help you identify early blight on your plants.
Seed Starting - How to Successfully Start Plants from Seed
Starting plants from seed isn't rocket science, but there are several seed starting tips that will help your success rate with seed germination and give your seedlings a healthy start. Here's how to start seeds indoors and the seed starting supplies you'll need to grow plants from seed.
Overwintering Geraniums
It’s easy to over winter geraniums, either as plants or dormant. Zonal geraniums are only hardy to USDA Zone 8. Gardeners in other areas basically have 4 choices of how to store their geraniums for winter: let them die off as annuals, bring them indoors as houseplants, take cuttings and make more plants or store the geraniums dormant until next spring.
Creating a Gardening Journal
Here's a quick, easy way to keep track of what you plant, where you plant it and how it's doing in a gardening journal that grows with your garden.
Sound in the Garden
Sound is an often overlooked sense in the garden, but it adds a layer of enjoyment without much effort. Here are some tips for finding and adding sound in your garden.
How to Dry Hydrangeas - The Best Ways to Dry Hydrangea Flowers
Tips for drying hydrangeas. Hydrangeas are one of those flowers that almost dry themselves. Once dry, they can last and look beautiful for years.
Garden Maintenance - Pinching, Deadheading and Cutting Back
Flower gardens require constant maintenance to look their best. Common garden chores like pruning, pinching and deadheading are easy to master, as show here in this step-by-step photo tutorial.
Perennial Gardening - How To Divide Perennial Plants
The idea of dividing perennials can scare new gardeners. Division of perennials is an easily mastered gardening technique that is good for the plants and your garden. Most perennial flowers will need to be divided to remain vigorous and continue blooming season after season.
How to Start a New Garden
Gardens are always works in progress, so don't let the idea of starting a new garden intimidate you. Start small, grow what you love and give your plants what they want. Here are some tips for starting your new garden off right.
The No Mess Way to Cut Back Ornamental Grasses
If you don't cut back your ornamental grasses in the fall, they can provide winter interest well into the spring. But eventually you will have to cut back those ornamental grasses and it can be a messy proposition. Here's a quick and easy way to cut back your ornamental grasses without having them spill all over the garden.
How to Grow Bean Sprouts
Easy step-by-step instructions for sprouting beans of all kinds. Make you own delicious bean sprouts quickly, at home.
Can You Grow Roses From Cuttings? Sometimes.
Ever wonder if you could root and grow branches from your favorite rose bush? With a little care, roses root very easily. You won't always get exactly what you started with, but it's fun trying. And here's how.
How to Make Garden Imprinted Candles - Gifts from the Garden
Candles make any day a special occasion. Candle making is a messy, time-consuming endeavor and there’s no limit of candles readily available everywhere. But you can take a store bought candle and add a personal touch from your garden. Here’s how to imprint your candles with pressed flowers and leaves preserved from garden treasures. They make great gifts too.
Saving Tomato Seeds - Seed Saving for Next Year's Tomato Crop
Seed saving is the only way to make sure you have seeds of your favorite plants to grow each year. Tomato seeds need special handling to ensure good germination. Here's how to begin saving tomato seeds.
Make More Plants with Cuttings From Your Own House and Garden Plants
Increase the plants in your home and garden by taking cuttings from existing plants and rooting them to make more plants.
Pressing Fall Leaves - How to Preserve the Beauty of Fall Foliage
Fall foliage is a highlight of the season. Colorful leaves may be even more attractive than flowers. However to make an indoor display of fall foliage, it helps if you dry or preserve the leaves first. Luckily this is easy to do and there are 4 basic methods for pressing and preserving colorful fall leaves below.
How to Divide and Care for Bearded Iris
Bearded Iris are tall, elegant additions to the flower border, but they are also relatively high maintenance. You can help cut down on the incidence of soft rot and borer damage through regular division of the iris rhizomes, every 2-3 years. This will also keep bearded iris performing and blooming at its best. Dividing iris isn't hard. Start by carefully digging and lifting the rhizomes, as shown here.