Outdoors Gardening

All plants need water to survive, but some need more than others. When you live in a flood-prone area and have soil that is constantly wet, you face unique home gardening challenges. Some plants get waterlogged and develop rotted roots in damp soil, while others thrive. If you have a saturated yard, you need to grow plants that do well in flood-prone environments.

One visual red flag that your soil’s pH is off is abnormal colors in your plant’s leaves. Leaves can change colors dramatically when the soil pH is off, often becoming red or purple. You may also notice yellow veins in the leaves.

Rock gardens have become staples of many yards, and it’s with good reason. You can populate a rock garden with a wide variety of plants that complement each other. So, what are the best plants for rock gardens?

Spring is the most exciting time of year for anybody with a green thumb. The excitement and possibilities of picking out plants and planting seeds are incredible. However, it can be disconcerting when you discover moldy soil in your garden or potted plants. So, is moldy soil bad?

Basil plants like soil that is constantly moist. Remember, moist does not mean spoaking wet. The ideal moisture level is similar to a wrung-out sponge. To achieve this, your basil should be watered moderately on a daily basis. 

Snake plants are a type of succulent, which makes them rather easygoing and low maintenance, especially when compared to other plants. This makes them a great choice for people who like plants but don’t necessarily have a green thumb.

If you're a plant-lover, then you can relate to the pain of watching your favorite plants wither away when temperatures plummet. That doesn’t need to be the case, however, as many plants can survive and even thrive throughout cold weather. So, what are some of the best plants that survive winter?

You may feel overwhelmed when you look at your lawn and see a seemingly endless pile of dead leaves. After all, you can’t count on the wind to take care of them for you, but you may not be ready to pick them up. So, is it better to pick up leaves or leave them?

Ferns are considered some of the oldest living plants on the earth and they can be grown outdoors in your garden or indoors as houseplants. They are a leafy type of plant with leaves (fronds) that drape, adding beauty and a touch of drama to any setting. Most indoor varieties are relatively simple to grow and care for. When planted outdoors, ferns are an excellent choice for ground cover in the proper conditions.

Some people think that soil health only affects the way their plants grow and look. However, soil health can affect everything from your yard’s grading to your home’s structural integrity. That’s why it’s important to know what signs to look for if you’re worried about soil erosion.

You might not know it, but there is a good chance you have several items in your produce drawer or kitchen pantry that you can plant in a new vegetable garden. Several species easily sprout new life from existing plants. Potatoes that have grown eyes can be cut into several pieces that give birth to new potato plants, and in turn new potatoes.

May is synonymous with rebirth. The ground has thawed and spring blooms explode in a celebration of color, welcoming the longer days and warm weather. May is also home to a significant holiday – Mother’s Day. And while most mothers tend to love any gift they receive from their children, it can sometimes feel overwhelming when shopping for a gift for Mom. But the good news is, Mother’s Day could not come at a better time because May is the perfect time to buy your mom an amazing gardening gift that she can use right away.

A greenhouses gives homeowners the chance to nurture plants and let them thrive year-round. The prospect of building a greenhouse is enough to get any green-thumbed homeowner excited. So, how much does it cost to build a greenhouse?

The best way to make money gardening is to propagate your plants and sell cuttings. Gardening has become more popular in the last 4-5 years, and people love to obtain rare plants. Monsteras and philodendrons are especially popular right now, and they are big sellers.

Spring looms like a faint light on the horizon that grows stronger every day, and this brightening light serves as a friendly reminder that gardening season will soon be upon us. When planting a vegetable garden, planning in the late winter and early spring can make all the difference in yielding a bountiful crop of vegetables in the summer. To ensure you are taking care of all your needs in advance, it is important to know all the common vegetable garden mistakes you should avoid this spring.

Mosquitoes are attracted to light, and they also love water. A glistening water feature in full sun, like a bird bath, is a mosquito's paradise. It has many of the ideal conditions for these pests to lay their eggs, so a bird bath will quickly attract them.

Soaker hoses are one of the most common tools in landscaping. Primarily used for watering large swaths of grass, flowerbeds, and bushes, these hoses definitely live up to their name. (Oh, they’re great for water fights, too!) However, we live in a world where water conservation is king. This means that we all have a duty to try to find efficient ways to water. So, how much water do these hoses use?

Gardening is fun and tranquil, albeit physically exhausting in some cases. No matter how much time you spend in the garden, you will likely get sweaty and dirty. Because of that, many homeowners struggle with what to wear when gardening.

We’ve all seen a bare patch of land where grass once grew, but now only contains a sad mound of dirt. Terrible, isn’t it? If you’re like many homeowners, you want to avoid that ever being your lawn. Sometimes, though, things happen. Then, you need to take care of that issue ASAP, and that’s where a hidden technique called hydroseeding comes into play.

Gone are the days of standing outside with a hose to water your grass. Automatic sprinkler systems keep your lawn green without ever having to leave your house!

Finding dry and withering leaves on your favorite plants can be discouraging to any homeowner who takes pride in their garden. Dried-out plants may appear dead and ugly, but that doesn’t always mean that they are. Can dried-out plants be revived?

The first question you need to ask yourself when trying to keep leaves off your grass is where are the leaves coming from. If the leaves are coming from your yard, you have a lot more control over the situation. If they are coming from your neighbor’s property, forests, or public lands, you will need to take different measures to keep the leaves off your lawn.

Frogs and toads are good for gardens for many reasons, and that’s why some homeowners seek them out. For example, toads and frogs eat common garden pests, such as beetles, slugs, snails, and mosquitoes. It’s much better to let toads and frogs kill such pests than to pump your garden full of harmful pesticides. 

Cilantro has many health benefits, whether you eat it or use it topically. You can turn cilantro into an essential oil, or simply use it as is. For example, some people mix ground cilantro with plain yogurt, rice powder, and coconut milk. 

Taking care of a lawn is about much more than simply watering and mowing the grass. Truth is, lawns are prone to some annoying problems, such as soil compaction, which can take a big toll. That’s why everyone should know how to tell if the soil in their lawn is compacted.

Spotted lanternflies are native to northern China and other parts of Asia. They are thought to have arrived in the United States in 2014 and have been quickly increasing in population each year. They first spread throughout the state, and are now found in New Jersey, New York, New England, and Northern Virginia. 

Dahlias are a beautiful perennial flower that can last for a long time if you properly care for them. They come in a variety of colors and are a lovely addition to any garden.

Perennials go dormant by early-to-mid fall in most climates. It depends on the temperature and how quickly it gets cold where you live. The process is often slow, and perennials begin their dormant stage between late August and mid-September in most places.

Milkweed is one of the best plants to add to a garden to attract butterflies, and Monarch butterflies in particular. This plant is one of the host plants for Monarch butterflies, which means it provides what butterflies need to grow and survive.

One thing that is on the want list for almost any gardener or plant enthusiast is a greenhouse. Among the popular styles of home and backyard greenhouses is the gothic arch design. Many gardeners considering their first greenhouse wonder about the advantages and disadvantages of building or buying a gothic arc greenhouse.

You replaced that worn and dull blade on your lawnmower with a fresh factory blade. The engine starts, and you immediately notice something is quite right. There are vibrations and maybe even rude noises that you hadn’t noticed before. The culprit may be that new blade. A lawnmower blade balance may be the answer to your newfound problems.

Blooming in shades of pink, purple, lilac, and white, vibrant wisteria vines and trees are beautiful flowering plants that are perfect for the nostalgic gardener. Their heavy, dangling clusters of flowers and twisted branches fill garden landscapes with fragrance and color. Wisteria grows up to an astounding 12 feet in a single growing season, making it very quick and easy to train the vine up a pergola or arbor.

Australian music teacher Marion Sinclair wrote a song for her students about black gum trees. Maybe you’ve heard it? “Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree, eating all the gumdrops he can see.” The beauty of the gum tree and its animal inhabitants deserves to be remembered in song.

Having live plants around your home can not only be beautiful to look at, but they can help improve your air quality as well. Choosing the right pot for your plant is essential. Something too small can inadvertently cram your plant into a tight living space, which can stunt its growth. But, is there any danger in choosing a pot that is too big for the plant?

There are all sorts of reasons to purchase an indoor tree for your home. They add a much-appreciated pop of life and color to a room, they are great to look at, and even provide clean oxygen-rich air for you to breathe. While some indoor trees require a bit of maintenance and upkeep, there are many that are resilient and require very little work to maintain. But every indoor tree needs water. If you recently purchased an indoor tree, you need to know how often you need to water it.

One important question you must ask yourself before choosing the perfect grass for your home is how much time you can dedicate to its upkeep. Some grass grows like weeds and can thrive in most weather conditions.

When you hear about astroturf, you probably think of the type of places where people play sports. Artificial grass is rare for actual homes to have, but it does happen. When it does, it tends to be done for maintenance reasons. But, does this hard-to-find home improvement project actually increase home value or is it a waste of money?

Between their appearance and dietary habits, carnivorous plants are endlessly fascinating. Mostly known as vicious bug predators in tropical areas, carnivorous plants have proven they can grow in many environments, inside or outside. So, what are the best carnivorous plants for indoors?

Night-blooming plants are fascinating natural phenomena. While most flowers open up with the sun, there are a few special species that only reveal their true essence in the moonlight. Featuring a few night-blooming plants has several benefits. They attract nocturnal pollinators, offer evening beauty, and often fill your yard with intoxicating aromas. The key is knowing which night-blooming plants are best for your yard.

Bougainvillea loopers most commonly eat bougainvillea leaves. These small caterpillars eat bougainvillea and eventually turn into moths. It can be quite frustrating, as several bougainvillea loopers may eat many leaves throughout the vines at once.

Taking care of your property can be rewarding but also frustrating. Every homeowner wants their property to be spectacular and be the talk of the town. However, overgrown grass, littered gutters, accumulated dirt on the roof, and other things paint a terrible picture of your property. The Husqvarna riding mower can help you take care of the lawn, but there are times when the blades won’t turn on.

There are tons of different types of bonsai trees. Just about any tree can be altered into a bonsai form. Therefore, there is not a universal growing condition that bonsais enjoy. There are, however, a few challenges to growing bonsai indoors.

For many homeowners, choosing the grade of oil they use in their lawn mower can be tricky. A common oil grade that people use in their lawn mower is SAE30. However, many people wonder whether or not they can swap out the SAE30 in favor of 10W30.

Nothing beats fresh herbs when you are looking for a way to boost the flavor and freshness of a dish. Herbs from your garden are arguably the freshest ingredients of all, but for those living in a seasonal climate, an herb garden has a shelf life. While you can’t always grow fresh herbs throughout the year, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to dry and preserve your delicious home-grown ingredients for later use.

Holly may be the most iconic colorful winter plant on the planet. Its signature pointed leaves and red berries are a fixture of winter holidays, centerpieces, and even Christmas songs. A holy bush provides shiny green leaves and pops of red all winter long, breathing life into your winter garden.

Many things are placed on our property that we need but aren’t exactly the best things to see every day. Electrical boxes are one of those things that can be unsightly when we want to enjoy our front yards. However, many creative ideas to hide an electrical box in the front yard can divert people’s attention from those unsightly bulky boxes.

Boxwoods have been around in gardens for centuries, going all the way back to the mid-1600s in America. It makes sense that these popular shrubs would withstand the test of time since they have so many good points. They’re versatile, feeling right at home outside, inside, in the ground, or in a container, deer-resistant, and easy to maintain.

Sprinklers are a highly useful tool for keeping a yard or garden properly and consistently watered. They can even be scheduled and automated so that they require little intervention from the user. At the end of the day, they are quite effective for proper yard and garden care.

Gardeners are quite creative and often like to see how much they can achieve throughout the spring and summer. However, that sometimes results in an overcrowded garden that’s hard to take care of while balancing other responsibilities. That’s why you may understandably want to know how to downsize your garden.

A bug or animal’s appearance doesn’t necessarily tell you whether or not it’s good for your garden. After all, some scary-looking snakes and lizards are harmless, whereas some cute bugs are poisonous. So, are skinks good for your garden?

It’s easy to fall behind on picking up dog waste in your yard, especially after a long day at work. However, animal waste can attract botflies to your yard. They are drawn to many types of decaying organic matter, and that includes dog waste. 

If you want a maple that provides the most dramatic and vibrant foliage in the autumn, then the red maple is a great choice. In the fall, many maple species have leaves that turn yellow or orange with hints of brown. Red maple leaves, however, turn a rich red.

Houseplants are more popular than ever, and they give homeowners the chance to create an indoor oasis. We all know that houseplants add character to a home, but many people use them for potential health benefits. So, do houseplants improve indoor air quality?

Lavender is a great plant to grow indoors near a sunny window. These plants don’t require lots of water and enjoy a bit of shade. Furthermore, lavender is a soothing herb that produces beautiful purple flowers, making it a practical and ornamental indoor plant.

Whether it be a simple conversation or involving an HOA, there are several ways to approach your neighbor who has a dangerous tree. The end goal should be for your neighbor to remove the tree without straining your relationship. Each of these methods is non-combative and can be quite successful:

When it comes to gardening, we all want a landscape that not only looks beautiful but is also well taken care of. Mulch— no matter what kind— is necessary for a garden to flourish. Many gardeners are looking to lava rocks for their aesthetic and practical appeal.

Are you having issues with starting up your riding mower? When you go to start it, does it crank over but not completely startup? Thankfully, riding mowers aren’t very complicated pieces of equipment, and the owner can quickly resolve most issues. This will help save you money and time on bringing it into a shop. However, if this happens to you, what do you do?

Whether it be a collection of houseplants or an outdoor garden, plants can trigger allergies and asthma. Most plants produce pollen and many of them even release spores that can irritate some people. Understandably, many homeowners with allergies and/or asthma, want to know the best plants to have.

If you live anywhere with four seasons, you know that it doesn’t quite feel like autumn until you’ve had a nourishing warm bowl of butternut squash soup. While soup is a popular way to utilize this squash, it certainly isn’t the only way.

A big part of the joy of composting is that you get to see your progress week after week. Unfortunately, this becomes much less rewarding during the winter, when organic matter decomposes more slowly. However, you can avoid many common winter composting pitfalls if you keep a few simple tips in mind.