Get Help from Bob Vila
- Give-Aways & Offers
- Monthly Must Do's
- DIY Project Ideas
- Step-by-Step Guides
- Inspirational Photo Galleries
GARDENING
Browse By Tag
Outdoor spaces allow you to extend your enjoyment of your home beyond its four walls and out onto the rest of your property—by both day and night. Enhance your ou...
When it comes to buying lawn sprinklers, homeowners are spoiled for choice. But which sprinklers are worth your money and which should you skip? The answer depend...
Visiting the local nursery is an annual rite of passage for avid gardeners and plant lovers who bask in the rows of s...
Flowering trees and shrubs deliver vibrant color to the yard, but most varieties bloom for only weeks at a time. If you want extended curb appeal, these 14 long-l...
A die-hard gardener’s ultimate dream is having a greenhouse in the backyard. If this is your dream, it’s not as far away as you might think. You don’t necessarily...
A beautiful garden requires a solid foundation, but achieving healthy, nutrient-dense soil takes time and effort. Here are 10 smart practices for making your gard...
Most homeowners are eager to improve their outdoor living space, but professional landscaping services and patio furniture cost a pretty penny these days. Don’t g...
Keyhole gardens, so named because they’re shaped like an old-fashioned skeleton-key lock, were developed to help folk...
You’re probably familiar with the amazing, healing properties of Epsom salts. But did you know these minerals are a p...
Gardening is a rewarding pastime that gets you out in the fresh air to cultivate beautiful greenery. But even those gifted with a green thumb can fumble from time...
Gardeners typically love the feeling of soil on their bare hands, but if you'd rather keep your fingers clean, don't despair! You can exercise your green thumb th...
If you’ve ever been out on a summer evening outdoors only to be startled by an inch-long, slow-flying beetle crashing...
Are you familiar with the phrase, “If you build it, they will come”? It applies not only to baseball fields in Kevin ...
A lush landscape is the dream of many a homeowner. But if you don’t live in an established neighborhood, you don't get to reap the benefits of mature plantings. Y...
‘Tis the season to celebrate your green thumb! If you enjoy afternoons tending colorful blooms, then you understand h...
While you may be concerned with watering or fertilizing during the growing season, are you giving your soil considera...
Let’s face it: When most homeowners envision the landscaping design of their dreams, they often overlook the side yard. But with a little planning and effort, thi...
If you’re like most gardeners, you spend an inordinate amount of time (and chemicals) trying to banish bugs that coul...
Window boxes add instant curb appeal, brightening up the exterior of your home with blooms and greenery. Whether you're an urban dweller with limited garden space...
Set your garden beds apart from walkways, paths, and lawn areas with easy-to-install decorative landscape edging products.
Many people would love to garden if they only had the space. City dwellers and apartment residents, take heart! You CAN garden, even if you don’t have a backyard....
The term "tourist attraction" usually evokes visions of long lines, inflated prices, and man-made marvels. But for those who prefer to walk on the wild side, some...
Do you ever dream of a beautiful backyard that takes care of itself, leaving you free to simply lounge in a hammock? Well, a completely self-sufficient garden may...
Love the sweet smell of spring? Infuse your garden with these 12 fragrant flowers, and you’ll be greeted with beguiling aromas whenever you leave the house.
Even without the perfect growing conditions or abundant acreage, you can create a wow-worthy landscape. In fact, the surprising secret to success isn't actually <...
Healthy plants don't happen by accident. To grow strong and verdant, plants need sun and water as well as soil that has sufficient nutrients... and that's where c...
A trip to the garden center is a rite of spring for green thumbs. There's the smell of soil in the air, knowledgable staff to help you choose the right greenery f...
A yard is more than grass that you have to mow, it's an extension of your living space. Homeowners who commit time and money toward landscaping their yard not onl...
If you’ve ever taken a stem cutting from a plant and stuck it in a glass of water to grow roots, you’ve taken advanta...
Houseplants bring natural vitality to any interior space, and thanks to modern technology, uncommon varieties from around the world are available to anyone willin...
Nature is restorative: A walk in the woods or on the beach can do wonders for your mental and physical well-being. Even the tiniest dose of greenery—in the form o...
Q: I’m dreading the coming winter months because my yard always looks so bare and brown when all the summer blooming ...
Even greenhorn green thumbs know that applying compost to soil helps plants fight erosion, pests, and disease. But we...
If you want lush healthy houseplants and garden growth but aren’t thrilled about paying for costly commercial foods w...
You've got a green thumb, huh? Well, that's a start. But it takes more than experience to prevent critters from infes...
The dreary days of winter become even more bleak if your landscape looks dead, brown, and bare. Cheer up your lawn and garden with these 10 showy shrubs that offe...
Houseplants bring lush color and texture to the interior of your home—unless they’re yellowed, shriveled, or covered with fungus. Here are 11 reasons your housepl...
Whether you love fall, or dread it, there's no arguing that autumn is here and winter is right around the corner. Bef...
Unexpected early fall and late spring frosts—periods when outside temperatures go below freezing (32 degrees Fahrenhe...
No matter what color your thumb, you likely already know that all plants need water to reach their full potential—aft...
Composting is an affordable way to nab food for your plants while reducing waste in your home or apartment and in loc...
If you pride yourself in growing your own pumpkin—or cucumbers, squash, and other gourds—then you might be familiar w...
True—maintaining your landscape isn't necessarily cheap. Fortunately, there are plenty of clever little ways to save ...
Take one trip to your local home center and you'll find solutions for just about any gardening problem. The convenien...
If you’re itching to get your garden going, don’t wait until the weather outdoors is agreeable—get a jump on the grow...
At first glance, mealybugs definitely don’t look like your typical pest. Their 1/16- to 1/8-inch-long bodies are whit...
Fresh herbs picked at their height of perfection and delivered straight to your cooking pot—think that’s a possibility only for those lucky enough to have outdoor...
Are your garden plants stunted, shriveled, yellowing, or curling at the leaves, despite your best efforts to keep the...
Characterized by its showy, star-shaped foliage, English ivy (Hedera helix) might seem a fine choice for landscaping ...
A rain garden is an excavated depression, surrounded on one or more sides by an earthen berm for water retention, and...
There’s a lot of talk about bees today. Their populations are dwindling as their habitat is lost to development and their food supply is threatened by pesticides....
Whether you’re new to gardening or have been at it so long your thumb is a deep shade of green, you may have seen rol...
Invasive plants are a special breed. It's not that they’re aggressive, crowding out their neighbors; nor are they weeds, which are just plants that are growing in...
A well-maintained yard lends major curb appeal to your home, but creating a picture-perfect lawn and garden is no easy feat. If your yard could use a little refre...
Gardening can be an expensive habit. But if you know where to look and whom to ask, you may be able to populate your landscape with free plants, shrubs, and trees...
Whether you do it yourself or you pay a landscaper, maintaining a vibrant garden and lush lawn requires time, effort, and money. One way to cut back on the energy...
Creeping Charlie—also commonly known as ground ivy—is an insidious weed that is both resilient and adaptable, making ...
You may be surprised at the number of very common plants—both indoor and out—that are toxic to pets. Check out our list of landscaping stalwarts that can make you...
Always a day late and a dollar short of achieving the landscape of your dreams? Skip the call to the professional landscaper, and instead dedicate yourself to one...
Just because the plant is beautiful, doesn't mean it belongs in your yard. Many popular plants available at your loca...
Also known as sheet mulching, lasagna gardening provides for richer soil and fewer weeds. The best part? You don't ha...
Buying plants is a lot of fun, but be sure to do your homework before you head out to the nursery. A little planning will give your new plants the best possible c...
There’s a common misconception that for a garden to flourish it has to be given lots of land and room to breathe. In reality, a small space can provide the founda...
With iridescent wings that catch the light as they flit between flowers, hummingbirds have earned their nickname of “...
Vibrant and colorful flowers elevate any yard. But caring for blooms can seem like intimating endeavor for a beginner gardener, a busy homeowner, or anyone withou...
From vertically sprouting succulent gardens to converted colanders that bloom with living greens, these unconventional homemade planter projects require only a ca...
While houseplants look simply lovely on a window ledge, the space available there can be fairly limiting—you might fi...
Deer are delightful romping through the forest but can wreak havoc in a garden, decimating vegetables, fruit trees, l...
As many a green thumb knows, there are certain plants you should never grow together. Some plants hog all the sunlight, others zap nutrients from the soil, and st...
With the arrival of spring, homeowners return to the outdoors, setting sights on new ways to bring beauty, fragrance,...
While children love big-eared Bugs Bunny chomping on a carrot, gardeners can identify closely with his cartoon nemesi...
Are you a serial houseplant killer? If you've earned a reputation as a brown thumb, it might be your choice of houseplant that's to blame. While some plants are e...
If your lawn features a lot of “interruptions”—trees, shrubbery, pavers, and pathways—odds are that you struggle with...
Sure, you could spend all spring and summer weeding, watering, and tending the garden, but there's an easier way to grow a stunning landscape. It all starts with ...
Heat, frost, rain, and hail can wreak havoc in the garden, turning your lovingly reared plants into wilted, withered, or smashed versions of their former glory. P...
Are aphids gnawing on your heirloom roses? Are spider mites munching on your tomato plants? If garden pests are buggi...
It's one of the joys of spring and summer: stopping by the local nursery to pick out plants for your landscaping or backyard vegetable garden. Wonderful as it is ...
Your home is your sanctuary from the outside world. Still, just because your home is your personal retreat, doesn't make it completely free of danger. The truth i...
Prized for their prolific blooms in a rainbow of colors—from creamy white and soft pink to shades of deep rose and cr...
A healthy houseplant can bring vibrant color and fresh fragrance to any room. But some indoor greenery collects dust or releases pollen, both of which can trigger...
Truth be told, all houseplants were wild at some point in time, until humans decided to bring them indoors to grow for food or medicinal purposes—and for their be...
Bad gardeners, take heart—there's yet hope for your houseplants. With the help of a few handy (and affordable) tools, you can keep your little garden in health an...
Mulch may not be a miracle cure for all that ails your garden, but according to professional gardeners and arborists,...
Tiny, sap-sucking arachnids known as spider mites can be a problem any time of year, out in your garden and plaguing ...
Looking to give your trick-or-treaters the fright of their lives this year? Put away your jack-o'-lanterns and set these scary houseplants on your Halloween porch...
Millennia ago, Roman philosopher Marcus Cicero wrote, “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you ne...
‘Tis the season for winterizing your garden, a task that gives you the opportunity to bring your most beloved plants ...
Every gardener wants to grow the best-tasting tomatoes, the brightest zinnias, and the healthiest shrubs, but no one ...
As summer wanes, so do the blooms from our favorite flowers, leaving us grasping for the last vestiges of natural color before winter takes hold. Those who long f...
Starting your own garden doesn't have to be daunting. Start as small as you like with a windowsill garden. These space-saving planters are just right for a modest...
No one likes weeds. They invade our garden beds, siphoning soil nutrients and water away from flowers and shrubs. But which ones can do you real harm? Read on for...
With the right furniture, you can turn your garden into an outdoor reprieve for rest and relaxation. But, unfortunate...
Water conservation is at the forefront of gardeners’ minds in many parts of the country. Luckily, there are a wide variety of drought-tolerant plants that thrive ...
A healthy outdoor ladybug population is a good thing. Gardeners appreciate their voracious appetite for the destructi...
August, the downhill slope of summer, is a great time to take stock of your landscaping—and its impact on your finances. This year, did you sink cash into expensi...
Playing nice with the planet includes conserving resources, and good old H2O is at the top of the list. Every gardene...
Decades ago, famed physicist Albert Einstein predicted that once the bees were gone, people would disappear, too. He ...
You work hard at horticulture, so the last thing you want is gnarly weeds littering your lawn or popping up smack dab...
If you're trying to add a touch of life to a room, houseplants are the way to go. But if you're looking to make a bigger statement, you can't beat the impact of a...
Summer teases us with warm breezes and long days just perfect for relaxation and repose. But for many homeowners, too...
There’s something extra satisfying about making do with what you have and using only as much as you need—about striving to be self-sustaining. This impulse is par...
Before modern pharmaceuticals, people turned to nature to find cures for what ailed them. The efficacy of those medicinal plants hasn’t changed. You can still gro...
Our hyper-caffeinated culture has resulted in a glut of coffee grounds choking our garbage pails. But before you toss out the stale remnants of yesterday’s bean b...
Whether you want to be able to go away for a week without having to worry about your garden, or you just hate yard work, these tips and tricks will help put your ...
A love of gardening often goes hand in hand with a hatred toward the pests that pervade the fruits of your labor, bot...
When A Farm of Your Home's blogger Melissa Barrett first moved to Australian city of Perth, her backyard was a tiny d...
Some lucky homeowners with enough property for a large plot of land to be dedicated garden space; for the rest of us,...
Want to juice up your space, indoors and out, without spending a bundle? Think succulents! From the rosettes of Echev...
The satisfaction a seasoned gardener enjoys is the result of patience, time, and experience: trial and error, taking some chances, watching things thrive—and some...
Bright flowers and colorful foliage are the easiest ways to amp up your curb appeal. If you're in a rush to get things growing, try one of these fast-blooming var...
Whether you’re looking to increase storage space, expand your patio, or add interest to your garden, upgrading your backyard can be as fast and easy as an afterno...
Treating your trees, garden, and landscaping beds to mulch helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and arm plants...
From woodland wonderlands to no-mow lawns, these 20 small backyard ideas showcase the countless fun and functional possibilities that lie on your home turf—no mat...
If you need privacy in your yard, but don’t want to—or can’t—install a fence, you still have plenty of options. There’s a great selection of trees, shrubs, and vi...
If you look around your home, garage, and backyard, you may find dozens of handy items that can be repurposed or recycled to help you establish or improve your ga...
With cold weather finally on the way out, April offers the opportunity to return to outdoor living. Prep your space for spring and summer by maintaining the home ...
Ask any gardener for advice, and you’re sure to get an earful! Every one of them swears by a venerable collection of tips and tricks. But some of those ideas may ...
Spring is just a few weeks away, so it’s time to get serious about fix-up plans for porches, patios, and yards. To help, here’s a round-up of what’s new and cutti...
There are many benefits to decorating your home with bright and colorful potted plants, the most obvious being that they bring in the beauty of the outdoors even ...
No one enjoys sacrificing a weekend to raking, weeding, and winterizing, but fall yard cleanup is a necessary evil. It's important to clear debris away from your ...
By the time colder weather rolls in, most people are ready to call it quits in the garden. But before you hang up your trowel for the winter, there are several th...
If you live in an area of the country with harsh winters, you may be resigned to a dead and dreary yard and garden during the cold months. But it doesn’t have to ...
Is your green thumb confined to a small space? If you’re watering window boxes, a container garden on your deck, or a...
There’s nothing more refreshing than a cool drink on the rocks—but a cup of ice cubes can do a lot more than quench y...
Even the smallest slugs play a big role in the ecosystem, feeding on decomposing matter and in turn providing protein...
The great outdoors is great for everyone, particularly your four-pawed pals. “The home can get boring for pets," says...
There are lots of household chores to take care of before going on a vacation: board the dog, clean the fridge, empty...
Rain gardens are essentially natural or man-made depressions on the property, which the homeowner fills with a variet...
Whether it’s the colorful buds that line your front walkway or the blooming beds out back, incorporating a lush garde...
Even a small yard can feel spacious if you design it the right way. Read on for our favorite ways to make your small yard look bigger.
No matter how much time, effort, and care you put into your lawn and garden, one thing is for certain: There will be weeds. Crabgrass, dandelions, and invasive sp...
Sure, your indoor plants might be doing just fine on their own with your current watering schedule and carefully sele...
It’s inevitable—just as you sit down to enjoy a quiet moment in the garden, the irritating buzz of an insect approaches. Your hopes of enjoying a cup of coffee in...
Yes, we’re just as shocked as you! But anyone who lives in an area that’s incredibly dry or has serious water restric...
There's nothing more frustrating than seeing weeds flourish in your garden while the veggies and flowers languish. Even worse is seeing weeds pop up in those hard...
Looking to give your trees and shrubs a nutritional boost? If so, consider fertilizer spikes. Filled with vital nutri...
Many plants are beautiful, but not all are beneficial in a garden. Some of the most eye-catching cultivars can be invasive, poisonous, or attractive to unwelcome ...
"My mom once said she could only keep so many things alive at once," writes Jill Kurtz, photographer, architect, and ...
Birds eat bugs, propagate seeds, and bring your garden to life with color, movement, and song. Yet, “the greatest joy...
One man's weed is another man's best friend. That's certainly true for many of the weeds that are found in backyards around the country. While some gardeners labo...
There's nothing that can stand in the way of your best garden ever—until the pests arrive, that is. Perhaps your harvest is being raiding by tiny aphids, cabbage-...
Walk into any garden center and you'll find gadgets and gizmos for nearly any outdoor malady. But did you know the remedy for many backyard problems might be shel...
Yard maintenance doesn't have to be so hard. Gone are the days of struggling under the weight of unwieldy loppers or blistering hands with poor work gloves. The B...
Easy access to essential tools makes gardening more of a pleasure than a chore. And when these pieces are simple to store, you’re likely to take better care of th...
It’s truly gratifying to grow your own food, but not everyone has the time and space for an entire vegetable garden. Fortunately, getting a start on growing your ...
Some people love the backbreaking business of tending to lawn and garden. Then there’s the rest of us—who’d rather relax and let that little piece of heaven large...
If you’re a cook—or just a person who likes to eat—you already know how herbs can make any dish taste better. But you may not know that herbs can also work outsid...
These days, it would be hard to ignore the need for water conservation. Due to drought conditions, California now enf...
It’s a basic human desire to own a little plot of land. But what if your plot is really, really little? With some clever planning and a few spatial and visual tri...
As you welcome spring, bring a pop of the season into the house with a newly handmade vertical garden. This space-con...
Essential for everything from bathing to eating, and from cleaning your house to maintaining your garden, clean water is one resource that is hard to go a day wit...
What homeowner wouldn't want a lush and colorful garden just outside the window? But while a garden definitely boosts your home's curb appeal, it also claims a lo...
Worried that your thumb is a little more brown than green? A supersmart self-sufficient pot—say, one that waters itself or comes hooked up to a grow light—may be ...
Don't let the bushy tails fool you. They may be cute and and bright-eyed, but if left unchecked, squirrels can do an ...
It's amazing to witness, time and time again, how much brightness and cheer a simple vase of flowers can introduce to...
<p>What brings more life and texture to a wall than any piece of art? A thing of natural beauty: the hanging planter. There are oodles of design ideas incorporati...
Houseplants aren't particularly picky about the containers they reside in—so long as their roots have enough space and water can drain properly, they're set to be...
Spring will be here soon enough. It's the perfect time to tidy up—both indoors and out—and take stock of your home. Whether you're planning your garden, growing a...
Large planters for your deck or patio can be very pricey, so it makes sense to build your own. If you like the look o...
By her own admission, Linda from It All Started With Paint isn't what you'd call a green thumb. But tiny low-maintena...
What's even better than making your own concrete planter? How about trying your hand at a hypertufa planter? If you'v...
A spot of color and life on your front porch can ease the winter doldrums. So dust off your gardening gear and pot up a couple cold hardy containers. Plants in co...
Even though your plant resides in a pot indoors, it’s still keenly aware of the seasons. With shorter days, drier air, and cooler temperatures, winter is perhaps ...
Terrariums are trending big-time, and it’s not hard to see why. Requiring very little work, these self-sufficient planters make a beautiful addition to any tablet...
When gardening season is in full swing, there's nothing like a trusty potting bench to help you reap the season's bou...
You may practically live in your yard all summer long, but once the cool weather sets in, it's time to pack it in and get busy winterizing your lawn to protect it...
Homeowners know too well that not all greenery contributes to the beauty of a garden. Weeds, for instance, are a chie...
Everyone's got that their weak spot. For Melissa, it's succulents. So when her gardening addiction found her running ...
Until fruits and vegetables were available year-round at the grocery store, the root cellar played a vital role in da...
If you've grown a bit weary of spending your weekends wedded to your lawn mower, perhaps it's time to replace some of...
When she’s not imparting advice in her role as an About.com guide, and on the days she takes off from photographing New England gardens (for a forthcoming book fr...
Edible plants can be every bit as pretty as traditional ornamental plants. To get the greatest enjoyment from these ornamental edibles, pot them up in large conta...
Even if you've never before tried to repot a plant, you can do it today without much trouble, probably in under 15 mi...
Gardening is a way to connect with the earth, and this connection becomes even more striking in a rooftop garden, where the earth sits closer to the sky. Rooftop ...
There are lots of DIY concrete planters out there, but not many are in the shape of a pair of hands. We were so struc...
If you've never tasted homegrown potatoes, prepare to be amazed. A hundred days or so after planting—more or less, de...
Roll out the welcome mat for friendly insects that will get on your garden's good side. While some insects like aphids and grasshoppers can wreak havoc on gardens...
Summer is what gardeners dream of all winter—warm weather, flourishing flowers, and a bountiful harvest that's carried straight from the veggie patch to the dinne...
A well-designed outdoor space is like having an extra room in the house. Even a small yard is a great treasure, but i...
Growing a beautiful garden is no small feat. Not only does it take regular attention, watering, and cooperative weath...
There are few flowering plants as satisfying as day lilies—they bloom in late spring and early summer, just as the sp...
If you didn’t prune your lilacs right after they bloomed, you still have a little time left, but don’t delay: Pruning...
I’m sure you’ve read articles that suggested contacting your local Cooperative Extension Office for services like soi...
Many of us have a love-hate relationship with our lawns. Although we enjoy the cool carpet of green grass to lie on and play on in summer, no one wants to spend h...
Though deer look innocent, home gardeners know they can be a menace to plants and trees. Gardeners also know that bar...
Farmers and gardeners alike are familiar with the USDA plant hardiness zone map, which divides the country into growi...
If you’ve always wanted to grow a vegetable garden, but have been too afraid to try, start by planting veggies that are almost guaranteed to succeed. Maintaining ...
Soil matters. To the plants you wish to grow in your garden, nothing is as important as what's in or missing from the...
Your front yard, regardless of its size, plays an important role in your home’s overall curb appeal. Attractive landscaping, however, requires more than just a be...
If you don’t have a green thumb, then succulents might just be the plant for you. Succulents are a family of fleshy plants, including aloe vera and cacti, known f...
Spring is in the air and it’s time to get growing! Whether you’re working within the confines of an apartment balcony, a modest backyard, or an expansive ranch, a...
If you want to put your best gardening foot forward this spring, it is important to take your first steps in the right direction. Decisions you make in early spri...
Your front yard, regardless of its size, plays an important role in your home's overall curb appeal. Your landscaping...
When we think about flowering bulbs, we often picture beautiful spring bloomers like daffodils and tulips, whose bulb...
There are lots of reasons why you might want to plant in a raised garden bed rather than directly in the soil. Raised...
Leafy, green, and graceful, ferns bring drama and texture to the garden. They are attractive in rock gardens and make...
Fresh herbs add flavor, fragrance, and sophistication to your cooking—and they can’t get much fresher than those you ...
Growing plants in raised beds is a tradition that goes back at least hundreds of years. Here are five reasons why a r...
There are two main types of mosses—acrocarpous and pleurocarpous. The former grows vertically and resembles strands o...
Compost: It's what eventually becomes of all decomposing organic material. Essentially, it's dirt—but it's not just a...
Nothing heralds the coming of spring like perennial flowers. Their reliable return each season is one of the reasons gardeners love to plant bulbs; put in the gro...
Now that spring is here, many people’s thoughts turn to gardening, and to the joys of leafy salads and delicate sprin...
Today is March 20, the vernal equinox, better known as the first day of spring. For most of us around the country, th...
Don't let a lack of fertile land prevent you from getting the fresh vegetables your body needs and deserves. By following a couple of vital guidelines, you can gr...
Bursting with vibrant blooms in the spring and retaining their leaves through the colder months, rhododendrons are the perfect "evergreen" for your winter landscape.
Perk up a drab yard with some leafy, four-season greenery. Here are ten varieties certain to do just that.
Mulching has its rewards: Not only does it give you richer and more nutritious soil, but it can also suppress weeds, ...
With their dainty proportions and showy blooms, botanical tulips are sure to bring surprising beauty and interest to your spring garden.
Bright colors and big blooms don't end in summer. In fact, nothing says fall quite like these 10 ubiquitous autumn blossoms.
Browsing the local nursery, you may find yourself wanting to bring home half the store: There are so many beautiful a...
Even late into the season, the summer can seem like one prolonged fight against garden weeds. The bad news? There's n...
Not every pretty plant has a pleasant disposition. Here are 10 of the most common venomous plants to keep out of your garden!
With a history dating back 300 million years, ferns have proven their staying power. Today, their frilled fronds and ...
As your garden flourishes over the summer and your springtime planting efforts are rewarded with beautiful bursts of ...
Many veteran gardeners save seeds almost compulsively. Why? Because if you harvest the seeds from your own garden, yo...
As summer wanes, gardeners turn their attention to such "cleanup" activities as removing failed plantings. But while ...
Every gardener has a favorite tool. For some, it's a trusty old spade. For others, it's a pair of pruning shears that...
Gardening can sometimes leave you feeling achy and sore. But don’t despair, because there are many ergonomic gardening tools available to help take the pain out o...
Available in countless varieties, bushes add depth and diversity to the landscape, whether they are fruit- or flower-...
With numerous kid-, pet- and earth-friendly ways to rid your garden of pesky weeds, here are nine stand-outs to put to the test.
Anyone with a garden knows that fertilizer and enriched soil can be expensive. But did you know there is a source of ...
Nothing says summer like juicy tomatoes—particularly heirloom varieties—fresh from the garden. Here are 10 top varieties sure to tempt your taste buds.
Sustainable agriculture is all the rage, even at home. Looking for an easy way to participate? Try building a DIY her...
When she's not sharing her knowledge of container gardening as a guide on About. com or photographing New England gar...
The rewards of roses are not easily earned. These universally prized flowers behave temperamentally whenever they are...
This year, many are struggling to find a beloved mainstay of the American garden: impatiens. Sought for the vibrant c...
<p>A green lawn is the coveted prize of every homeowner. Nothing feels better than walking through the cool grass in your bare feet during summer. Though we love ...
Who knew so much could go wrong with a houseplant? Here are 11 of the most common afflictions and their treatments so you can revive your friendly foliage in no t...
Quality, nutrient-rich aerated soil is the foundation of a good garden. Sure, the "no dig" gardening method has its a...
Tired of standing next to your planting beds, garden hose in hand? Concerned about getting too much water where you d...
Nothing better symbolizes summer than a robust sunflower's bright yellow face, often so high you could easily mistake it for the sun itself.
Clumping and Running BambooBamboo is a member of the grass family, with more than 200 species available in the U. S. ...
If your backyard and garden have become a buffet for deer, these 10 Bambi-resistant plants will encourage them to forage elsewhere.
Compact, efficient and easy to maintain, Mel Bartholomew's Square Foot Gardening offers new and experienced gardeners a smart, space-saving backyard alternative.
We've gathered a bountiful bouquet of flowering plants that can survive a full day in the sun and still serve up a slew of show-stopping blooms.
Watching a butterfly flit low above a garden is one of summer’s great delights. You can attract these delicate creatu...
Loads of hoses claim to be kink-free, but is there really such a thing as a no-kink garden hose? As it turns out, there is.
Let's talk garden hoses. Every home needs at least one, whether to water the lawn, wash the car, or run the Slip 'n S...
With a reputation for hardiness, geraniums can be found in literally hundreds of varieties, many that boast impressiv...
Kids love them, but landscapers hate them. I’m talking about dandelions, whose cheerful yellow flowers can make you w...
Want to test your green thumb but lack the space for a traditional garden? It may be time for you to try vertical gar...
A potting bench can be a handy addition to any yard or patio—even if you’re not much of a gardener! Here’s why. Liste...
Hardy, shade plants and flowers bring beautiful blooms even to those parts of your backyard that receive little light. Read on for a list of plants that don't nee...
Gardening is an ongoing process marked by victories and challenges, experiments and surprises. Seasons come and go q...
Straw bale gardening is an old idea that, over the last several years, has witnessed a great deal of renewed attentio...
One of the pleasures of spring is taking stock in your garden: Which perennials are ready to be doubled (or even trip...
Shopping at the grocery store, one can usually find only eight or ten varieties of apples. That selection represents ...
Late spring is the time to sit back and admire those azaleas as they bloom; azaleas add a veritable explosion of colo...
With the sun shining, the birds chirping, the temperatures rising, and the days getting longer, this is the season to...
Lightweight and low-maintenance, these budget-friendly planters match the look and style of much more expensive options.
Grow your garden from ordinary to extraordinary with flowering vines that add a beautiful new level of interest to your landscape.
Add life—literally!—to an interior space with a visually stunning vertical wall garden.
If you’re like a lot of people, you have a stack of old pots in your garage or shed just waiting for the next time yo...
Butterflies are mesmerizing creatures with more to offer than beauty alone. Because they are nectar eaters, they are ...
Mix and match these new-to-market annuals to ensure an unforgettable garden this year.
If you live on a property with a lawn or garden, you should be aware of Master Gardeners. In 1972, the first Master G...
If you love to cook, then you know the value of fresh herbs. Modern transportation and preservation methods make all ...
If you get a thrill out of watching your garden grow, you might want to get a jump on the season by starting from see...
Add excitement to your flower beds this spring by planting standout varieties from 2013's crop of new perennials.
Getting your yard ready for spring? The right equipment can mean the difference between a beautiful garden and a barren wasteland.
Outdoors and in, take care of a few simple tasks now to bring your house out of winter hibernation!
From Southern roots, azaleas have grown into a countrywide favorite, prized for their beautiful blooms in so many colors.
Azaleas are getting ready to set gardens on fire. The fluorescent shades of this plant's hallmark blooms tend to make...
If you want to keep a little bit of your summer garden with you all year long, you can do so by drying herbs and stor...
The time to dream about your spring planting has passed. Now is the time to get going in the garden. So here are five...
Last year, I was dying to have some deck rail planters to grow spinach and lettuce in, but I couldn’t find any that w...
Ready for spring to arrive? So is your garden. The ground may still be cold, but longer days have already begun to co...
It couldn't be easier to go out and buy seeds from the local nursery or the nearest home improvement store. A large s...
Improve your home’s indoor air quality—and your overall mood—with an easy-to-grow houseplant.
Composting’s a great idea: it helps your garden thrive and keeps valuable organic waste out of landfills. But once yo...
As winter draws to a close, things are getting a bit stuffy in our house. Like many energy-conscious consumers, we’ve...
There’s nothing quite as fresh as food that you grow in your own backyard. You may think your soil is too poor for a ...
Though Punxsutawney Phil has barely gotten back into his den, you’re already itching to start spring planting! Unfort...
Bonsai—caring for and nourishing miniature shrubs and trees in pots—has long been a way for hobbyists to reduce stres...
During the cold, dark days of January and February, my mind turns to sunny, bright red tomatoes—for this is the time ...
During the dull days of winter, I long to get out into the garden to harvest something for my dinner table. Having ha...
Over the winter, when your outdoor garden has little to boast about, the greenery inside your home lifts spirits and ...
The amaryllis is usually thought of as a one-off winter bulb that makes for a great holiday accent. But with very lit...
As your home decor becomes festive inside, it’s nice to see a little of that color scheme reflected outside as well. ...
Nothing's more heartening in the depths of winter than leafing through a bulb catalog or shopping for next season’s g...
Finding your garden lacking when it comes to fall color? Our favorite fall bushes will not only add a bright spot of ...
It’s the season to be planting bulbs. Many gardeners get fixated on the old standards—tulips and daffodils. Yes, ther...
Ornamental grasses bring more than just bulk to your garden—they add various textures, movement, and color, and they ...
Always looking ahead, it’s time to plant spring-blooming bulbs. All they require is a bright, sunny location and a li...
Now is the perfect time to get garlic into the ground. The cloves get a head start on the growing season so that by l...
October is a great month to look over your property and determine which perennials are in need of dividing. Splitting...
Autumn leaves are a gift to your garden that literally just falls out of the trees. Instead of getting rid of them al...
All those piles of raked leaves and mown grass don’t do much good in your local landfill. If you garden, you can cut ...
Now that the temperature has dropped, it’s the time to replace those fading summer blooms with plants that thrive in ...
Fall is a great time to upgrade your landscaping. Plants, trees, and shrubs are slowing down from the hot summer and ...
Plant any of these jolly perennials now for a bright and sunny bloom come spring!
I’m a beginning gardener. I have lots of ideas but little experience. The basic landscaping package that came with ou...
These hardy chrysanthemums will survive even the most forgetful gardener's care.
Boldly colored mums on porches or planted in garden beds are wonderful harbingers of fall, going hand in hand with th...
The end of the summer is just days away but instead of celebrating the season, the last bright blooms are starting to...
Since moving to the 'burbs, I’ve been slowly trying to convert on this fantasy I have of backyard sustainability. I p...
When summer blooms fade, usher in a new color show with one or more of these unique fall varieties.
Composting is one thing... how you manage it is another. If you're searching for the best compost bin to help you turn scraps into gardener's gold, look no furthe...
The best gardeners know that compost is better than fertilizer, when it comes to providing a nutrient-rich growing en...
Since moving from the city to the 'burbs, I’ve gotten reacquainted with one of my weekly teenage chores (for which I ...
Most people react to deer, groundhogs, and rabbits with a smile acknowledging their adorableness. But gardeners know ...
It’s the time of year when garden pests become especially irritating. Your ripening harvest might be snacked on by ap...
Boxwood hedges might look formal, but they are a workhorse in the garden. The evergreens can define areas and be the ...
Irrigating your yard can really be wasteful and expensive; clean water is a precious commodity, and not just in deser...
I get alot of questions from folks who want to improve their garden soil with compost, but aren’t sure which kind of ...
With their large flower heads, variable habits, and beautiful (changeable) color, here are ten of our favorite Hydrangeas.
To control garden pests without using toxic chemicals, work with nature, not against it. LISTENListen to BOB VILA ON ...
I’m a novice gardener. We moved to Southern Delaware after living 20 years in New York City. I struggled there to kee...
Native to Japan where hydrangeas are beloved not just for their full, lush blooms, but also for the tea made from the...
Since moving from a small NYC apartment a little over a year ago, we have been slowly acquiring all of the suburban h...
"What goes around comes around. " The old adage is especially true in your garden. Because plants aren’t the only th...
You can read all you want about gardening, but a garden journal is the best tool for making sure you remember what wo...
Encouraging birds and bats to visit your yard is a great way to keep BUGS down without spraying. LISTENListen to BOB ...
Looking for something to do with all of those clay pots that have been collecting dust in your garage or garden shed?...
One of the joys of summer dining is fresh, local produce. Nothing tastes better than a tomato or cucumber just off th...
For the soil- and drainage-poor gardener, a raised garden bed offers the opportunity to perfect your environment and ...
Terrariums can be as basic or elaborate as you want. While those featuring sand and air plants (tillandsia) are popul...
Like most stars, roses are divas. When left to their own devices, they get tangled and produce only when they feel li...
From Knock Outs to ramblers, here are eleven rose varieties certain to add color, beauty, and fragrance to your yard and garden this summer.
There’s really nothing better than a vine-ripened tomato plucked from the plant in your vegetable garden and still wa...
A little garden design and planning before you spend any money or pull on the gloves can give you a better garden eve...
Often requiring less water than grass, ground covers are a smart—and beautiful—way to enhance any garden or landscape.
A great solution to those patchy parts of your landscape, 'ground cover' is a general term for perennials that are kn...
Here are seven of the most eye-catching new annuals on the market to fill in your summer garden.
While there’s no need to dismiss those hardworking favorites with which you fill your garden year in and year out, he...
With the last frost imminent in most parts of the country, you can begin working on your garden today. Instead of buy...
These easy houseplants will enhance your decor and purify the air in your dwelling.
Far from a one-time treat, forced amaryllis bulbs in a pot, with their big trumpet flowers, are one of the bright spo...
“Don’t stop gardening just because it’s winter,” says Cindy Baker, Manager of Grounds at the Chicago Botanic Garden. ...
Successful Composting: Balance Is Key Successful composting requires four things: carbon, nitrogen, water and oxygen....
Choose the Right Kind of Mulch There are lots of different kinds of mulch to choose from, depending on what’s in your...
Gardening doesn’t have to be just a summertime activity, even in colder climates. Spend a weekend building a cold fra...
Laying mulch before the winter gives your soil a head start for the next growing season. It also protects delicate pl...
For gardeners in areas where the weather has cooled, it’s time to plant bulbs for spring tulips and daffodils. Bulbs ...
If you have a summer home, you know that referring to it as a "retreat" or "get-away" doesn't relinquish you of the r...
Bob talks with landscape architect Rick Lamb about revisions to the plan. Bob points out the redesigned parking area and the plan for magically melting the snow.
Bob visits the Burpee trial gardens in Ambler, PA, to review the current and future catalog of plants and flowers.
Landscaping architects Rick and Nancy Lamb present their ideas to Bob for converting the landscape and creating urban spaces.
Bob meets with landscape architects Rick and Nancy Lamb to assess the back yard. Arborist Charley Cummings trims some Hemlock trees.
Bob takes a break from putting his own landscape in order to tour the elaborate gardens at the Naumkeag historic house in Stockbridge, MA.
Backyard landscaping has progressed with the completion of stone work, new plantings, weed control, and the installation of artificial grass.
Bob does a walkthrough of the finished Punta Gorda home. He discusses sustainable gardening, water conservation and low-maintenance plants. Then he joins Leslie...
Angela Polo and Ken Micklow shows Bob dwarf planting ideas and install a raised vegetable garden which requires soil enhancement, Craig Harmer shows Bob natural p...
Ken Micklow and Trent Culleny talk with Bob about native, storm-resistant gardening. Then Carm DiBella shows Bob an environmentally friendly termite protection s...
Bob joins Brian Kallmeyer (from Unilock) to talk about concrete pavers. Unlike natural stone, these pavers are made in a mold, so they are easy to work with. In t...
Bob discusses the home's landscaping and hardscaping with general contractor Kevin Kalman and landscaper Josh Gavin.
Bob and general contractor Sam Daniel discuss the landscaping of the Virginia governor's mansion.
Landscape contractor Janet Cox explains her approach to the plantings for Roxbury development homes.
Bob takes a last look at the restored porch, its second-floor balustrade, polished-brass door fixtures, and the newly planted rose garden and boxwood bushes.
Bob meets with contractor Ed Weller for a project update. The patio is well underway and the landscaping is beginning. A stone grill has been started and, inside,...
Bob meets with Donald Young for a tour of the home's Zen garden. Donald discusses the plant choices and lighting requirements in a garden of this size. Slate tile...
Bob tours the Sherwin-Williams paint manufacturing plant in Winter Haven, FL to see how paint is made.
Landscape designer Ruth Foster explains her choices for the foundation plantings and her cost-saving measures.
Contractor Bob Ryley shows off the greenhouse's motorized windows. At the touch of a button, or via a thermostat, the windows open and close. Bob helps Ryley asse...
Landscape designer Ruth Foster explains her selection of plant material and flowering shrubs for the backyard and directs the planting of a Sephora Japonica shade...
Bob and contractor Bob Ryley tour the spectacular finished greenhouse and, in addition to the greenhouse, a vestibule to the house has been created, solving the h...
When shopping for plants at Haskell's Nursery, the homeowner gets some professional help from Martha Stewart, who transforms the greenhouse into an elegant settin...
Bob, Martha and the homeowner, Diana, discuss the greenhouse and the decor before Bob reveals a special suprise.
Bob talks about the "Smart House" system that will be installed in the house with the electrician, Pete Tim. Meanwhile, hot-mopped tar is used to waterproof the s...
Bob and the landscaper discuss planting five fully grown Queen Palm trees in the courtyard, partly in order to hide unsightly features of a neighbor's home.
Bob tours the tiled courtyard, with its Queen Palms and fountain. And there is a surprise visit from Pamela Anderson, a cast member of "Home Improvement".
Landscape designer Ruth Foster explains a few techniques for promoting drainage and keeping weeds under control, respectively. She also discusses the plants she h...
With Bob having decided to alter the landscape design, shrubs are transplanted and perennials are planted. Plus, sodding goes down to create a grass lawn.
Bob discusses the addition of a swimming pool with the project architect.
Bob visits Joanne, a landscape designer, at a local nursery to find plants for the project house's outdoor space.
Remodeling of the cracker cottage is complete. Bob tours the home, starting with the exterior and the landscape.
Bob discusses landscaping with specialist Susan Hofer. Topics include sod, a gravel driveway, brickwork, fences, and perennials.
Bob goes outside to observe a tree being planted and to see the little garden beyond the entryway landscaped.
A sloping bank descends from deck level to the yard. Landscape designer Ruth Foster explains her choice of plantings for this garden: It will be green, with junip...
Bob meets with landscape designer Ruth Foster, who explains the correct method of planting bulbs. For turf, Foster suggests a relaxed approach, with perennial rye...