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Essential Gardening Tips and Tricks for BeginnersIntroduction: Gardening is Beneficial for Your Mind and Body Gardening is not only a popular hobby but also a therapeutic activity that offers numerous benefits for both the mind and body. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced gardener, engaging in this outdoor activity...
Spring Gardening in Gulf South: Tips and Tricks for MayMay is harvest time across the Gulf South. Most of our favorite summer vegetables are reaching maturity now and most of us that grow them could not be happier. I know our friends in Louisiana think that bell pepper, celery and onion are the “holy...
Time Saving Tips for Vegetable GardenersIn today’s hectic world, it can be difficult to find time to pursue your hobbies. Many gardeners find it tiring to have to repeatedly weed and water their garden, especially after a long, exhausting day at work. Traditional gardening, which conjures up images of back-breaking...
From Seed to Harvest: Tips to Grow Broccoli at HomeBroccoli is one of those vegetables that serves as a staple in many cultures and households. You can easily steam it as a side dish or incorporate it into more advanced meals. Growing your own broccoli at home can be a game-changer for your next...
Garden Tips: How Good Do You Mulch?Mulching is an ancient gardening practice that is still adopted by gardeners all over the world because it reigns supreme for nurturing healthy, vibrant plants and controlling pesky weeds. Whether you're a seasoned or a novice gardener, knowing how to use mulch is a valuable...
Growing Berries in March: Tips for a "Berryful" Garden“It’s the berries” was widely used by American youth in the 1920s to describe something very wonderful or pleasant. Though the slang term has long fallen out of fashion, it’s undeniable that the taste of berries is highly enjoyable. From the exquisite red of raspberries...
Your February Texas Gardening ChecklistBy Skip Richter, Contributing Editor Vegetables and Herbs Gardeners in the northern third of the state can start planting cole crops, and gardeners in the southern two-thirds can continue planting these tasty, nutritious vegetables this month. Plant cool-season peas in early to late February in...
Your January Gardening ChecklistBySkip Richter, Senior Editor Vegetables and Herbs The weather is generally mild enough in the southern two-thirds of Texas this month to set out transplants of cole crops, including broccoli, cabbage, kale, collards, kohlrabi and cauliflower. Water the transplants in with a diluted fertilizer solution...
Your May Gardening ChecklistBy Skip Richter, Contributing Editor Vegetables and herbs Most warm-season vegetable crops (including tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and green beans) are reaching their harvest season this month. The latter three should be picked at peak quality or they will start to decline in quality as they...
Gardening: A Relevant and Therapeutic Life SkillMEET TARI... Tari is a middle-aged entrepreneur mum. Tari had always been captivated by the beauty of nature and realized she had the proverbial 'Green Fingers' for real. However, living in a terrace apartment complex with her family left her with limited access to green...
Fish are Friends: Aquaponics for Home GardenersRemember Bruce, the great white shark in the Disney Pixar movie Finding Nemo? He famously declared that fish are friends, not food to keep his predatory nature in check and not chomp down on his new fish pals, Nemo and Dory. Whether you’re more like...
16 Time-Saving Tips for Organic Gardeners Using Raised BedsWe all want the lush garden, the fruitful harvests, and the breathtaking views, but not the hard work. We can definitely say "pass" to the hard work.How about we show you some time-saving tips to help you run a practical garden without investing a lot...
Indoor Oasis: Elevate your Indoor Garden Game with Expert TipsWinter remains a baleful time of year where much activity is in the doldrums and landscapes often appear bleak and unforgiving. While the outdoors languish, many gardeners seek the bright and warm solace of the indoors. And it is in this space that a few...
Your March Texas Gardening ChecklistBy Skip Richter, Contributing Editor Vegetables and herbs Young and stocky pepper plant This month brings the last average frost date in most areas of the state. When the danger of frost has passed, our warm-season vegetables, including tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans (bush and pole),...
From Seed to Garden: Master the Art of Transplanting with These Essential TipsSeedlings grown in nurseries live sheltered lives. After seeds germinate, the resulting baby plants are kept in controlled environments with just the right conditions, from temperature to light, to develop healthy roots and thrive in the future. Even when seedlings “graduate” from the nursery, they’ll...
Gardening Products You Need to Start 2023 Off StrongGardening is a hobby that can bring you joy, relaxation and peace of mind. For some, it's also a way to increase your food supply, save money on groceries and live healthier by eating more organic produce. Whether you're already an experienced gardener or looking...
Start a Garden for Dirt Cheap: 8 Tips to Plant the Seeds of SavingsEven if you’ve saved up for a spacious vegetable garden, it can seem overwhelming when you consider all the materials needed to get started. But there are lots of budget-conscious ways to start a bountiful garden, and even if you don’t even have much space,...
Earthy Diversity: Mulch Types and TipsWhen you think of mulch you may have memories of the foul smelling stuff covering your elementary school playground that would stick to your socks and get into your shoes, or that particularly smell in town in early spring when they decide to mulch every...
5 of the Best Gardening Tools to Have This SeasonHave you ever dreamed of the perfect garden? One where you have all the tools to make it happen?Whether you're an experienced gardener or just a beginner, we can always use an upgrade in tools. Tools don't just accommodate our gardening experience, but they amplify...
Container Gardening Ideas: Growing Vegetables and Flowers in Small SpacesNot all gardeners have the luxury of large gardens or homes. Some of us have limited space, but nonetheless still want to grow some beautiful plants. Not to worry, this is totally doable with container gardening. Even if you are already growing some great plants...
Must-Have Tools and Add-Ons to Elevate Your Gardening GameGardening is a rewarding and therapeutic endeavor that allows us to connect with nature, grow our own produce, and beautify our home environments. However, to truly elevate your gardening experience, investing in the right tools and add-ons can make all the difference. Let’s explore some...
Watering Wisdom: Essential Tips for Thriving Potted PlantsPeople might argue that there is no such thing as too much water, but overwatered plants might beg to differ. Watering potted plants may seem like a straightforward task, but it's work that requires finesse and knowledge. Whether you're tending to indoor plants or nurturing...
Tips for an Eco-friendly PicnicWhether at the beach or on a grassy lawn, a picnic is a relaxing activity that doesn’t require much planning or money. While picnics are a great way to connect with the natural world as well as with others, many neglect to consider the ecological...
Winter Floral Arrangements Tips and ThemesFloral arrangements have long served as a bittersweet remembrance of the ephemeral transience of beauty, the flowers living on as a delicate framework long after the scent has dissipated. Yet there is reassurance in a crisp, gathered display of blooms. Whether as a focal point...
Greenhouse Gardening: Creating a Controlled Environment for Year-Round Plant GrowthA quick quiz: Do you find yourself thinking about spending time in your garden months before the spring planting season begins? Have you been craving a freshly grown veggie that isn’t particularly suited for the climate in your region? Do you find fall harvests bittersweet...
Preparing for Spring Planting: Tips for Ordering and Organizing Seeds and SeedlingsYou know the saying, “The early bird gets the worm.” Regardless of their actual dietary preferences, the villains of the world know to strike early. And like a keen-eyed owl, avid gardeners flock to rare or heirloom varieties of seeds. By the time spring rolls...
Tips for Successful Seed Starting: Sowing, Transplant, and Seedling Care.Prepare for your next gardening season by adding these seeding tips to your checklist to make transplanting easier! We've broken the process down into 3 steps: Sowing, Transplanting, and Aftercare. That way, you can take your time with each step and incorporate some of these...
Growing A Bouquet GardenRalph Waldo Emerson once said that “Earth laughs in flowers,” and there is no better way to bring the joy and beauty of Earth’s laughter into your home than with a beautiful lush bouquet of flowers cut from your own backyard garden. With the right...
Juicing with Fresh Garden GoodiesJuiced veggies and fruits are in vogue in premium supermarkets, spurred on by a shift towards more conscious health decisions. Yet, many flavor arrangements appear dubious, with a high price tag attached. If you’ve ever seen asparagus water from Whole Foods, you probably have an...
Growing a Goth GardenDo you find Wednesday Addams’s sardonic humor and macabre tastes relatable? Yearn for the tragically beautiful aesthetic of a vampire? Prefer Kaz Brekker to Percy Jackson? If you’re someone who likes to forage for antiques or who would sacrifice the protagonist’s best friend, then a...
Choosing the Right Garden Bed: A Comprehensive Guide for Every GardenerDifferent people approach the decision-making process differently. For some, it is more akin to haphazardly throwing darts on a board and simply choosing whichever option the dart lands on. For others, it is a more detailed inspection that involves a laborious amount of analysis and...
It's OK to be Shady - in the GardenIf you’ve been reading up on starting a garden, you’ve probably noticed that most experts recommend finding a location where your plants can get plenty of sunshine. And while that is good advice, we know that not everyone has the luxury of growing their veggies...
Tea Garden for BeginnersDitch the tea bags with questionable ingredients and brew your own tea from your tea garden!Beginner gardeners will find it easier to start withametal raised garden bedand as their skills and confidence grow they can experiment with seedling trays and tougher crops. 1. Why should...
How to Care for Your Garden in a Humid ClimateWhile vegetable gardens can be magical, they often require a lot of work and attention. One of the most common complaints is that vegetables don't grow as well in humid climates. While this isn't true for every vegetable, it might be something you face if...
Starting A Legacy Garden – Out With The Old And In With The New!When I first started gardening four years ago, I certainly didn’t have money for expensive garden beds. I thought I was so clever to construct my beds out of recycled pallets. I watched a couple YouTube videos and was on my way. With the help...
Best Fertilizer Alternatives for the GardenWhile the average citizen probably has felt the impact of the war in Ukraine through high inflation and volatile prices, they are often unaware that farmers are facing severe difficulties in obtaining fertilizer. Due to prohibitively high prices that have approximately doubled over one year,...
Get Garden to Table BenefitsIf you have ever tried growing your own produce, you will have noticed a marked difference compared to supermarket food, including better flavor. The garden to table trend has grown in popularity in recent years due to a focus on sustainability and eco-friendly initiatives. Garden...
Preparing Your Winter Garden for SpringDuring the winter, many gardeners forget about their garden due to the cold weather and lack of greenery. However, it is important to plan your garden for Spring in order to ensure a productive and flourishing garden that you can enjoy. Winter is an excellent...
Top 5 Garden InvadersThey might look great, smell great, even taste great - but they’re far from great for your garden. Mint, Bamboo, English Ivy, Japanese Honeysuckle and Kudzu are among the top five invaders. The very term “invasive” means it’s a non-native species. Uncontrolled, it can and...
Problem Solving for New GardenersEver wonder what you’d do if the opportunity to start over again came up? I mean, really start over again? Well, we had the chance for just that and we took full advantage of it, despite the anguish and heartache that started it all off....
8 Natural Ways to Keep Animals Out of the GardenIt is the ire of every gardener to come across unwelcome visitors treading on their home turf. If you constantly stumble across nibbled, damaged or overturned plants, then it is time to figure out ways to keep animals out of the yard. When pursuing a...
Flowers that Attract Butterflies to Your GardenAs you lay back and take a cool sip of refreshment, you may have noticed butterflies flitting about in the garden. Attracted to the nectar, butterflies are especially active during the summer, seeking sweet nectar from colorful flowers. Due to conservation efforts focused on preserving...
Fairy Gardens Transform Yards Into Something MagicalGarden fairies throughout literature are symbols of childlike innocence, magic, and wonders of nature. Their presence in stories and art represents a time in a child’s life when the boundary between reality and imagination wasn’t quite so clear. British and Irish folklore has it that...
Natural Pest Control: Attracting Beneficial Insects to Your GardenNot all insects are bad for your garden – in fact, it is recommended to attract a few varieties of insects that help keep your garden and flower beds healthy, and as natural pest control. There are many insects that can be helpful to the...
DIY Garden Design: Crafting Your Outdoor Oasis Step-by-StepOne of Egypt’s best kept secrets is the Faiyum Oasis, a stretch of oasis dominated by a basin of turquoise blue water and dotted with lush palm trees. In ancient times it was the cult center for Sobek, a crocodile god of the old Egyptian...
Green Thumbs: Your Guide to Becoming a Sustainable GardenerWhile gardening does at times require startup supplies - as well as supplies for maintenance - as land stewards, we should all try our best to improve how much and what we use in the garden. If you’re looking for ways to be a more...
Seasonal Flower Arranging: Bring Your Garden IndoorsThere's nothing quite like having a freshly arranged bouquet of flowers to brighten up your home. But instead of store-bought blooms, why not put your thriving garden flowers to use in stunning, season-inspired arrangements?Seasonal flower arrangement is a technique that brings the beauty of gardens...
Ideas for Customizable Metal Raised Garden BedsGardening is a healthy activity with fulfilling results. You can utilize the space in your garden effectively by planting productive plants in your garden beds and make your garden beautiful using the best ideas from Vego Garden. Vego Garden offers different types of raised garden...
The 5 Most Confusing Questions for New Gardeners, AnsweredPerhaps you dreamed of having a lush, beautiful flower garden in your new home. There were many visions of planting seeds, and watching your brand new garden thrive with bountiful harvests. If you are a newbie gardener, gardening can be an exciting and rewarding journey,...
Weed Control in an Organic GardenWeeds: The ever-constant bane of the gardener. Ralph Waldo Emerson said a weed is “a plant whose virtues have never been discovered.”I appreciate the sentiment as someone who supports natural living, foraging, and permaculture in general, but when you are being overrun and your flowers...
Garden Bed Configurations - Some Creative OptionsWith continued developments in gardening systems and innovations, modular garden beds stand out as they enable home gardeners to create multiple configurations for growing a variety of plants in a single unit. Vego Garden’s 6-in-1, 9-in-1, and 10-in-1 garden bed names refer to the customizable...
Easy, Self-Pollinating Flowers For Your GardenEven novice gardeners should know that vegetables are pollinated in one of two ways: self-pollination or cross-pollination. If you are a gardener with less experience, adding some self-pollinating plants in your garden can help increase overall productivity and yield, as they do not rely on...
The Best Ways to Utilize Modular Garden Beds While a traditional garden space allows ample space to grow organic food, this option is not feasible for everyone due to limited land space. With modular garden beds, people with apartments or limited yard space can easily grow veggies, fruits, and flowers at...
Growing Your Garden: Benefits of Proper PruningPruning is more than some random snips and cuts. When executed with precision and care, pruning becomes a transformative force, breathing new life into trees, shrubs, and crops. The secret to unlocking the full potential of your garden, stimulating vigorous growth, and nurturing a lush,...
What Are Master Gardeners and How Can They Help You?In the world of gardening, you could say Master Gardeners are superheroes. They’re so passionate about gardening that they complete 40 to 70 hours of horticulture training through a university extension program. They’re knowledgeable on such topics as soil science, plant identification, pest and disease...
Wonderful Windowsill Gardens: Small Pots, Low Maintenance, Big ResultsIf you love flowers but you live in an apartment, or if you haven’t got much available yard space, or if you’ve just got a bit of a brown thumb, a windowsill garden might be the perfect way to add some greenery and style to...
Late April in the Zone 9 GardenBy Jay White, Contributing Writer Last week I did a post about my favorite gardening tools. I did not realize I should have added rubber boots and a raincoat to the list! Can you believe all of this rain? I am thankful for the rain...
Start Planting Annuals for a Pop of Color in Your Garden BedsWhether you’re an experienced gardener or newbie, you will appreciate the impact of annual flowers on creating beautiful landscapes and vibrant gardens. They not only add color, depth and texture, but also more flexibility in your garden design. Let’s get into some tips on planting...
Planning Ahead: Ordering Seeds and Supplies for Next Year’s GardenThe evanescence of autumn, mirrored in the fleeting brilliance of autumnal leaves, all too quickly gives way to a black December sky. With winter comes thoughts of barren branches and a dearth of warmth. Compounded with a seed shortage precipitated by Covid, many gardeners find...
Fungal Frontier: Cultivating Mushrooms in Your Own Garden BedsMushrooms at home? Is that even safe?! Growing mushrooms at home might seem like a wild task, but with the right knowledge and techniques, it can be surprisingly easy. In this blog, we'll explore the simplest and most effective methods for cultivating mushrooms in your...
Spring Forward: Does Daylight Savings Time Impact Gardeners and Farmers?Daylight Savings is upon us, technically at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 10. That means on Saturday, March 9, the masses who inhabit this great land, from coast to coast, silently or otherwise, devised a scheme to navigate this event. The conservative lot among us,...
It's National Harvest Month! Here are a Few Benefits to Growing a GardenThe weather is getting colder and the days are shorter, but that doesn't mean you can't still enjoy the outdoors. If you're looking for a way to get some fresh air and exercise in the coming months, consider growing your own organic garden. It's cheap,...
Should You Put Mulch in Your Raised Garden Bed?Mulch is often thought of as an optional or decorative element in the garden. However, it offers a number of benefits to gardeners, including moisture retention, improved soil structure, and weed control. Mulch is typically applied from mid to late spring, when the soil has...
Sculpting Nature's Canvas in Your GardenThe art of espalier (es-pal-yay) is when a tree or shrub is grown in a single plane, flat against some sort of structure. This can either be a free-standing trellis, a wall, or fence, with a few lateral branches pruned into an orderly form. It...
Earth Day Essentials: A Deep Dig Into the Meaning and How Gardeners Can Participate(Editor's note) Monday April 22 is Earth Day, and this year's theme is Planets vs. Plastics, with the goal of a 60 percent reduction in the production of all plastics by 2040. In an April 19, 2024 proclamation released by President Joe Biden, he states...
Conquering Transplant Shock: A Gardener's Guide to Smooth Plant TransitionsYou’ve doted over and nurtured your little plant babies for weeks inside and they’re finally ready to move out. If you immediately plant them outside, you may be extremely disappointed to find the majority of them die within 24-48 hours. This phenomenon is called transplant...
The Secret to Growing SquashHave you ever grown squash in your own garden? Squash is easy to grow, and there are so many different kinds to choose from. If you follow these tips and tricks for growing squash at home (and getting rid of the pests they may attract),...
Causes of Leaf Spots and How to Fix ThemThe appearance of leaf spots often raises questions like: Why do plants get them? What causes these issues? Is this serious or normal? What should I do? Is my plant dying? Before we start planning our plant's funeral, let's explore the various factors that contribute...
Growing Your Food This SeasonIn Slavic mythology, the leshy was considered the tutelary god of the forests. A hunter demon-deity with the power of shapeshifting, the leshy was a capricious and malevolent entity that roamed the desolate backwoods of Russia. Most active in the summer months, he would play...
Extending the Life of Cut Flowers in BouquetsMaximizing the life of your cut flowers involves proper care and simple techniques to keep them looking fresh for as long as possible. Cutting beautiful blooms from the garden and arranging them yourself can be a source of joy, while flowers can wilt soon after...
Rainwater Harvesting: Utilizing Nature's Gift for IrrigationHave you ever received a gift card and saved it for months until you really needed it? That, essentially, is how rainwater harvesting works in gardening. When you collect and store the rain that falls on your property, you’re holding on to a precious resource...
Mother's Day Memories Part 3As part of our Mother’s Day celebrations with the Vego Garden community, we asked for gardening advice your moms shared with you over the years. We are blown away by the depth and thoughtfulness of the advice you shared. There is nothing like advice from...
Wildlife Haven: Creating an Enchanting Habitat for Birds and WildlifeWildlife sanctuaries are often renowned for their dazzling display of plant and animal life. If you envy the beauty of conservatories, but don’t have the time for a field trip, then you can cultivate a wildlife haven right in your garden. You don’t need miles...
7 Ways to Combat the Winter BluesWinter is a difficult time for gardeners and non-gardeners alike, fraught with the cold and killing frost of midwinter. Caught in an icy grip, plants and flowers lay dormant under a layer of snow and the landscape is bleak and unwelcoming. During this period of...
All About MintLet’s discuss a few benefits of growing mint, some tips on how to grow it, how to harvest it, and some culinary uses for your harvest. All About Mint Mint isfast and easy to grow. Mint is a tough and resilient plant that is relatively...
Mother's Day Memories Part 1This year, to celebrate Mother’s Day, we asked the Vego community to share photos and stories of the knowledge, gardening tips, garden-to-table recipes that moms have passed down, and to tell us what motherhood means to you. No matter who your maternal figure is, whether...
Benefits of Replanting Store-Bought Garlic, Chives, and Spring OnionsSo, you find yourself with surplus garlic, chives, and spring onions from the store, and they're lingering unused in your fridge. Rather than letting them go to waste, consider giving them a second life by saving their roots or letting them sprout for replanting in...
Flowers for BeginnersTexas has a long list of native flowers that thrive under the sun and are easy to grow, especially for beginners. Let's talk about why you should plant flowers native to your region as a beginner, what flowers are easier to grow in Texas, and...
How to Pick the Perfect PumpkinWith their bright color and rotund shape, pumpkins are a popular element in seasonal décor and fall-inspired recipes, their distinct, savory flavor making them ideal for pies, muffins and other sweets. If you have seen pumpkins displayed in supermarkets or at fairs, then you will...
Celebrate National Plant a Flower Day March 12A Day for Everything: Celebrating National Plant a Flower Day, March 12 It seems like our calendars (or at least our social media feeds) are increasingly filled with unofficial holidays. Whether you’re into dancing like a chicken, telling ghost stories, talking like a pirate, or...
Vermicompost Guide for BeginnersVermicomposting is a sustainable and eco-friendly solution right in your own home garden. This centuries-old practice involves using earthworms to transform kitchen scraps and organic matter into nutrient-rich worm manure, also known as vermicompost or "black gold." In this comprehensive guide, we will talk about...
Preserving Your Harvest for Winter DelightsWelcome, fellow garden lovers, to the season of growth and renewal as spring descends upon us! As the vibrant colors of spring reappear in gardens, it's time to tend to your seedlings, prepare your soil, and watch your plants grow into a bountiful harvest by...
Top Companion Plants for TomatoesKnown for their vibrant colors and prolific yield, no home garden or kitchen is complete without the nutritious and productive tomato plant. As one of the most common garden plants, tomatoes are easy to grow and a staple of many home gardens. That being said,...
What is Mulch? Here's Everything You Need to KnowWhat you've heard is true - mulch is a gardener's best friend! Mulch can help save you time, money, and effort, and is a fantastic addition to your garden. But with that being said, what is mulch? What does it do? And how do you...
How to Grow MicrogreensAn exciting way to keep yourself occupied during the cold winter months is to grow microgreens at home. Once the reserve of specialized garden centers and boutique grocery stores, microgreens can now be cultivated within the comfort of the home. Defined as the second stage...
Live Long and Prosper: 16 Easiest Houseplants for Busy PeopleThis blog is for those who want to be surrounded by plants but don't have the time or bandwidth to keep them alive! We've compiled 16 of the easiest houseplants to nurture indoors — plants that require minimal maintenance and thrive with little fuss. Even...
How to Preserve Your Harvests for Summer and BeyondThe ancient history of food preservation traces back to antiquity, where sun-warmed farmlands dotted the shivering river basins of the first civilizations. The early settlers of America relied on food preservation to stave off the impending dearth of winter. With the invention of the refrigerator...
10 Types of Fruit Trees You Can Grow in Your BackyardThe advent of summer conjures up idyllic days spent in the summer haze, vibrant orchards filled with fruit, and delectable berry pies. Fruit orchards, featuring prominently in lush Southern settings, have played a vital role in communities for centuries, providing sustenance as well as linking...
Thriving Without Soil: How to Grow and Propagate Plants on WaterFrom the spider plant to the heartleaf philodendron, many plants thrive solely on water. These plants are unique, perfect for small spaces and indoor living, and have some of the most resilient and easy-to-propagate roots. In this blog, we will explore how plants thrive on...
Cemetery Plants Enliven LandscapesBy Jay White, Contributing Writer Cemeteries can be like schools. When I was young, I spent time in Cade Cemetery (in Streetman, TX) and learned about service, dedication and family traditions there. As I grew older, several of my horticultural friends realized that there were...
Embrace Green Goodness: April 25 is National Zucchini Bread DayZucchini has a superpower. It can take on the flavors of the other ingredients it’s combined with, and although it’s generally on a plate next to a savory protein like grilled beef or chicken, it’s also a healthy ingredient in a variety of baked goods....
Creating Compost: Why You Need Brown and GreenIf you’ve heard of compost, but you aren’t quite sure what goes in it, rest assured: The ingredients fall into two basic categories. First, you’ll need a healthy portion of moist stuff (think coffee grounds, fresh manure, food scraps, tea bags and fresh grass cuttings)....
Splendor in the Grass: Spring Lawn CareBy Skip Richter, Contributing Editor Spring has sprung and our lawns are waking up from their winter rest. Some garden centers have already had lawn products on display for several weeks. Your competitive next-door neighbors may have already purchased turf fertilizer or perhaps a weed-and-feed...
Over-The-Edge BeautyBy William Scheick,Contributing Editor Generally we want our plants to grow upward and outward. With groundcovers we hope for horizontal spreading — the sooner, the better. Sometimes, though, we seek out plants that can be directed downwards to dangle attractively over edges or borders. These...
The Small-Tree FixBy William Scheick, Contributing Editor Our search started with a swath of open space abutting an alleyway. The weed-and-grit alleyway was hardly an ideal focal point every time we looked through the glass patio doors or stepped outside. It was time to consider screening-plant options,...
Dew or Dew Not: Why to Avoid Wetting FoliageIn an attempt to mimic the beneficial effects of rain and dew — and probably also influenced by the true benefits of foliar feeding — some gardeners have begun wetting the foliage of their plants, often to the point of soaking them and almost always...
Ask Skip: Styrofoam and Root-Knot NematodesBy Skip Richter, Contributing Editor Q:I’ve read that you should put Styrofoam peanuts or gravel in the bottom of a pot for drainage. Is that true? A:Water moves out of soil when it is saturated, and gravity pulls it away from the soil particles it...
How to Get Rid of Fruit FliesFruit flies are common pests that are found in supermarkets, houses, and restaurants where produce is allowed to rot and ferment. They are drawn to the sugars in fermenting fruits and vegetables and also to damp environments such as the drain. One way they can...
Crape Myrtle: Queen of the SouthBy Skip Richter, Contributing Editor I can’t imagine a summer in Texas without the beautiful blooms of crape myrtles. When the calendar indicates the end of spring, our outdoor thermometers indicate that it is actually summer across the South. That is when the crape myrtles...
How to Make Your Own DIY Greenhouse CabinetOver the past few years, rare and exotic houseplants have surged in popularity. I’m sure everyone has a self-proclaimed “plant mom” in their life, or more likely, you yourself are a proud plant parent. As a result, many have turned to building DIY greenhouse cabinets...
Hooked on HoyasBy William Scheick, Contributing Editor An ongoing online debate about hoyas hooked my attention several years ago. Left with questions, I contacted two hoya growers to help me sort out fact from fiction about these still-popular, old-fashioned plants. Hoyas include exquisite trailing or climbing plants...
How to Water SucculentsSucculents are a common element featured in home and style magazines, which has significantly increased their popularity. Available in decorative containers and many interesting shapes, they have a reputation of being a hardy, easy maintenance plant. However, it is still important to understand how to...
