GARDENING
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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...
When Tanya, from Lovely Greens looked to Pinterest for some spring inspiration, she came across lots of ideas for str...
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...
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...
Our new house is white walled, and I'm kind of loving it. I like the idea of bringing in little pops of color with ar...
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.
Interior designers have been using potted plants to liven up homes for several years. But green houseplants can also ...
Perk up a drab yard with some leafy, four-season greenery. Here are ten varieties certain to do just that.
The Orchid. A beautiful and exquisite flower. Some plants look too perfect to be real. And contrary to what most people ...
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...
I have many, many items to tackle around here. Now that we have the swimming pool somewhat on the mend, I'm exited to get...
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 ...
Around my house this summer, a lot of furniture was moved and removed and swapped around rooms. One of the biggest cha...
This was intended to be a tutorial with pics….but I’m having technical difficulties… with both ...
Many veteran gardeners save seeds almost compulsively. Why? Because if you harvest the seeds from your own garden, yo...
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...
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...
You may have a certified green thumb, but that won't keep bugs away from your plants. Follow these guidelines to identify and eliminate the most common houseplant...
While shopping for trellises, I noticed that even simple ones costed $25 or more... so I decided to make one myself usin...
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...
Follow these tried-and-true guidelines to achieve a bright green lawn—and keep it that way.
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...
The coreopsis have returned from the dead. Astonishing. The original one I split from was looking like this a couple of w...
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-loving flowers bring beautiful blooms even to those parts of your backyard that receive little sun.
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.
Why put your plants in a boring pot, when you can make your own unique planter with materials you may already have on hand?
Every Spring the veggie gardens get a redo. I wasn't too excited for it this year because my allergies have been serious...
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. Here are ten compost bins to help you turn scraps into gardener's gold.
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...
That old adage, “what goes around comes around” is especially true in your garden. LISTENListen to BOB VILA ON GARDEN...
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...
I don't know why this date seems like a late one to be celebrating the arrival of spring—perhaps it is because of the...
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...
Our backyard is about the size of a dollar bill... but somehow that doesn't make it exempt from a winter thrashing. It do...
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...
Landscaping architects Rick and Nancy Lamb present their ideas to Bob for converting the landscape and creating urban spaces.
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.
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.
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 does a walkthrough of the finished Punta Gorda home. He discusses sustainable gardening, water conservation and low-maintenance plants. Then he joins Leslie...
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...
