GARDENING
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Want to attract hummingbirds to your garden and add some colorful flowers at the same time? Then try these 12 blossoming beauties.
Heirloom, heritage, organic, open-pollinated: there’s a whole world of exciting, exotic seeds out there, just waiting to be tucked gently into your garden soil—an...
Say goodbye to gnomes, flamingos, and mushroom statues once and for all—here’s how to add some upscale decor to your outdoor space.
The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) hopes to reduce the region’s water consumption by 15 percent by replacing ...
Although bees come to mind first as the preeminent pollen movers and shakers, butterflies and hummingbirds also do th...
Ever notice when something notable happens in the environment it is hyped to garner public interest? Typical headline...
From creating living artwork within the home to adding privacy with vines on the patio, the options for displaying climbing plants with a trellis are plentiful.
A perennial favorite in the landscape, hydrangea is hardy in a wide range of growing zones and is a relatively easy k...
For thousands of years, people from various parts of the world have used statuary to add focal points to gardens. In ...
Rain chains bring a little bit of charm to the landscape and can function as beautiful alternatives to traditional gu...
For many gardeners, browsing through plants in a garden center is a favorite spring pastime, but some find that beddi...
If you live in the eastern half of the United States, ruby-throated hummingbirds may be paying you a visit this sprin...
Culinary herbs are some of the easiest and most rewarding plants to grow in the garden. They tolerate a wide range of...
It’s almost impossible to imagine what Earth looked like 208 million years ago. For one thing, humans weren’t even a ...
Though trees certainly add natural beauty to any outdoor space, there are a variety of practical advantages to having...
Signs of spring inspire society to start a new chapter. Around the home, a blooming garden is a telltale sign the sea...
When preparing a home for sale, ensuring that the exterior is as tip-top as the interior can mean a big payoff for sellers. Here are a few easy ways to pep up pat...
Straw polls verify that America’s favorite berry is—appropriately enough—the strawberry. However, gardeners learning ...
Ginger rhizomes, more commonly known as ginger roots, come from the flowering plant Zingiber officinale. Ginger has b...
Among the brightest songbirds around, orioles are found in all the states east of the Great Plains, and by mid-spring...
Healthy and loose soil is an unquestionable necessity in any type of garden. Unfortunately, most gardens don’t sponta...
Grass and weeds don’t always grow where we want. Some can grow up the side of the shed, encroach on the garden, and c...
A bow rake, also known simply as a garden rake, differs from a leaf rake in that it has thicker, shorter tines spaced...
Moving water is enchanting. Any backyard pond helps create a calming atmosphere and adds visual value to the landscap...
Carpenter bees are relatively peaceful insects that aid in vegetation pollination and rarely attack humans. This is m...
Slugs are great for cleaning up dead garden debris and providing nitrogen-rich fertilizer that can help your garden t...
Stopping weeds early—before they can emerge from the soil—is the goal when applying a pre- emergent herbicide. A pre-...
Terrariums are similar to aquariums, but instead of hosting fish and other aquatic life, terrariums contain plants. A...
Grass shears are a handy landscaping tool for trimming areas that a lawn mower can’t reach. They’re ideal for corners...
Weeds and other invasive plants can wreak havoc on a yard or garden, but many homeowners are understandably wary abou...
Even a small deck or yard can make warm weather much more enjoyable because you can move meals outside, sit under the...
Hedge shears—also referred to as manual hedge trimmers—are a critical part of every amateur horticulturist’s arsenal....
Japanese beetles might be harmless to humans but that doesn’t mean you want them around. This invasive insect feeds o...
Selling a home is all about first impressions, so don’t let potential buyers take a pass just because your landscaping isn’t up-to-date.
Give your garden a good start by avoiding these rookie blunders.
The American Flag Code states that the flag should be displayed only from sunrise to sunset unless it is properly ill...
Weed eater heads see a lot of abuse. Spinning at thousands of RPMs, bumping against the pavement, and plunging deep i...
Here’s a riddle: What’s nearly blind, eats insects, and can be found in both your backyard and the local arcade? If y...
Hedges and bushes are assets to any home’s landscaping, providing much-needed privacy around patios and along propert...
When the gardening bug bites, it doesn’t easily let go. Sometimes it starts with houseplants, others begin with veggi...
The U. S. federal government recently announced an invasive insect species' arrival to the U. S. : The Spotted Lanter...
To have a lush, green lawn of which you can be proud can often take a lot of hard work and attention to detail. If yo...
Depending on which area of the country you call home, a variety of brushwood species could be waiting to spread along...
A favorite of children for their delicate seeds that take flight with a single blow of breath, dandelions are among t...
Advertised as the first habanero to attain 1. 3 million Scoville heat units, the British-begotten ‘Armageddon’ actual...
These innocent missteps may be working against you. Feed your garden the right way and watch it thrive.
Even under the best conditions and despite the most attentive gardening practices, weeds can muscle their way in—fa...
Hiring the Best Service for Topsoil Delivery Near MeWhether you are an active gardener or a planting newbie, it is cr...
The insect realm is rife with creepy-crawlies, be they smelly stink bugs, sneaky weevils, or simply slimy cockroaches...
A hose timer is a simple device that connects directly to the hose and to the hose’s water faucet. Its position betwe...
Whether you have multiple acres, a postage stamp-sized yard, or a container garden, planting your own victory garden can benefit the environment.
Nothing compares to the flavor of vegetables you’ve grown yourself. Unlike most vegetables, mushrooms actually grow w...
Picture it—an oasis of wildflowers dotted with blooms of various shapes and sizes. Bees and butterflies are buzzing a...
From miniature blooms to hybrid tea varieties, roses are beautiful plants that can brighten up any home or office wit...
Birds need a safe source of water to survive and thrive in every habitat. Installing a high-quality bird bath can be ...
Sprinkler systems are a great way to keep the lawn green and flowers healthy, but when a pond, lake, or well is the p...
Few things are as satisfying as growing vegetables and picking them at their ripest, healthiest, and tastiest. As veg...
Not everyone who wants a garden can grow one. Apartment dwellers without access to outdoor space might feel limited t...
When temperatures drop and water freezes, birds can have a tough time finding a place to drink, preen, and bathe. Bir...
Aloe plants are a helpful succulent to keep around the house, not only for their beauty, but also for their well-know...
Like other fruit trees, citrus trees thrive when they have the nutrients they need to develop healthy root systems, s...
There are a plethora of uses for garden hoses. Watering plants, washing the car, irrigation, cleaning the driveway or...
Garden fencing can be both practical and ornamental, serving to contain flowers and plants or adding a decorative ele...
When it comes time to create a backyard that’s both beautiful and practical, you can’t do much better than sourcing materials from Mother Nature. Incorporating el...
Tiller or cultivator? Gardeners often use the two words as if they mean the same thing, but they are actually differe...
Gardeners use multiple methods for growing new plants, including starting them from seeds, bulbs, and rhizomes. Howev...
When you’re learning how to grow onions, keep in mind that they can be started from seed, purchased seedlings, or set...
If you live near a busy street or highway, hear barking dogs frequently, or have neighbors who enjoy partying late at...
Grow your own fresh herbs and vegetables—no matter the size of your outdoor space—with one of these DIY vegetable garden ideas.
The most common spot for growing vegetables is outdoors during warm weather, where the plants can soak up long days o...
No one likes sharing their home with bugs, so when flies, moths, and other winged pests make their way inside, you wa...
Succulents are low-maintenance plants that can live indoors or even outdoors in the right conditions. Attractive, ver...
As the dreary winter months near their final leg, looking ahead to the vibrancy of spring offers hope for a fresh sta...
Peanuts are more than a delicious and filling snack. They're also a valuable cover crop that can help your vegetable ...
Grow year-round and skip the uncertainty of gardening outdoors with these awesome products.
Although the idiom "common as dirt" is often used as an insult, good dirt isn't so common and remains essential to th...
Regardless of the season, there are few things more refreshing than a breath of crisp, outdoor air. Pair this fresh a...
All plants need nourishment. In nature, plants cooperate with microorganisms like fungi and bacteria to scavenge nutr...
Most lawns need 1 to 2 inches of water per week to thrive. While rainfall can help provide that needed water, often M...
Of all the reasons that gardeners give for pursuing their hobby, digging rarely makes the list. Spending time in natu...
Gardening in grow bags is an excellent solution for would-be green thumbs who don’t have enough garden space or who r...
Weed management is rarely at the top of any homeowner or tenant’s list of desirable to-dos. Bending over and pulling ...
After a careful mowing, a lawn looks nearly perfect. Yet some grassy areas may require spot trimming or edging to ach...
According to research, gardening can help you stay in shape both mentally and physically. Gardening involves exercise...
Watering the lawn and garden is easier when you replace the handheld sprayer with one or more sprinkler heads that ta...
Planters and pots can contain your plants and flowers, plus serve as decorative additions to your home or office. How...
Self-watering planters offer a convenient way to have an indoor garden with little maintenance. If you’re a plant-lov...
Location, location, location is as important for houseplants as it is for real estate. Plants should be placed in spo...
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the home furnishing brand developed The IKEA Virtual Greenhouse—a series of masterclasses about botany and sustainable living.
Indoor gardens are perfect additions to virtually any space, especially for those who love cooking with fresh herbs o...
Do you want your houseplants to grow like a house afire? Try a few of these old reliables known for flourishing fast.
The sharp blade of a garden hoe is an indispensable gardening tool for slicing through weed roots and breaking up hea...
Water is a vital part of thriving plant life; without it, your plants would shrivel up and die. Ensuring your plants ...
Whether you’re an amateur gardener, a flower enthusiast, or you’ve got a yard full of fruits and veggies, a pH meter ...
Initially used by weather stations and now by gardeners, farmers, and weather enthusiasts alike, rain gauges collect ...
Most yards and properties require landscaping tools and equipment such as lawn sprinklers, electric lawn mowers, and ...
Educational and inspirational, garden sets for children can nurture a love of nature. There are a variety of garden s...
Not sure what’s wrong with your plant? There’s an app for that!
After a spring when seed sellers couldn’t keep up with the surge in orders, gardeners may want to consider an alterna...
Indoor plants offer an aesthetic appeal, plus they remove allergens from the air and oxygenate the space. The key to ...
When attempting to grow vegetables indoors or to start plants from seed, natural light isn’t always enough, especiall...
With so many of us spending so much time in our homes these days, we’re eager to infuse our spaces with a little natu...
As a hobby, gardening doesn’t require much to succeed—seeds, soil, water, and, eventually, some nutrients for your hu...
If gardening is among your pastimes, chances are you may have muddied if not totally ruined a decent pair of shoes wh...
Yes, Virginia, there are plants that resemble baseballs, bottlebrushes, and Buddhas, among other unlikely subjects. Most of them aren’t difficult to grow, either.
You don’t need a degree in horticulture to pull off these easy indoor gardening projects.
If you haven’t been using mulch in your garden, you’re seriously missing out on the benefits of this horticultural se...
Plant food is formulated with key nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Whether your plants are in r...
If you’re testing out your green thumb with some indoor plants, there are some tricks of the gardening trade you’ll want to know ASAP.
You already know that sunlight and water are essential building blocks of life. For plants, soil is another piece of ...
The sky might be gray and the ground might be cold, but that doesn't mean your landscaping has to look so dreary in the winter. These 10 plants look great in your...
Golden rays of sun can be deceiving. If you’ve ever walked out the door expecting warmth when you get a chilly blast ...
Succulents are low-maintenance plants that are perfect for brown-thumbed gardeners. They’re popular house plants beca...
While most people enjoy the changing colors of the trees in autumn, keeping up with the constant onslaught of fallen ...
Gardeners always want to know more about their favorite hobby. Whether looking for a new garden hose or the right kin...
There’s something therapeutic about watching food flourish in the comfort of your home.
It’s weird to think of plants as a trend. They’ve been here all along, offering clean air and lending a hand in natur...
Foraging deer can cause major damage to home gardens. These adorable woodland critters can ravage your yard by munchi...
If you have an inground sprinkler system and don't have a smart controller, your sprinklers could end up watering at ...
If you’ve got a plant lover on your holiday gift list, here are the picks that will make them—and their houseplants—the happiest.
Composting has numerous benefits. In addition to recycling kitchen and garden waste into a helpful soil amendment for...
In the next 12 months, expect to find new products, greater convenience, and continued vitality in all areas of gardening.
Digging into tough, compacted soil can be challenging work. Over time, fallen rain, heavy snow, and footsteps from pe...
A well-planned outdoor setup can provide extended living space perfect for dining, lounging, and entertaining. There ...
Like humans, roses require a healthy diet of nutrients to grow and perform well. However, just as popping too many vi...
Whether you have a green thumb when it comes to your home garden, or you can hardly tell the difference between a rose and a weed, you should know that there are ...
Populate your garden with plants that will nourish hungry sparrows and robins all winter long.
There's no need to travel for leaf peeping in the fall if you plant any of these trees in your yard.
A zero turn mower is designed to maneuver in a way that more traditional riding mowers cannot, using lever control me...
As the growing season comes to an end, it’s time to protect the garden bed from compaction and erosion. These tips will help you preserve and improve the soil.
An easy and effective way to winterize your garden, mulching is also key to saving time, money, and energy when spring arrives.
Mowing the lawn is one of the latest human tasks to be automated. Robotic lawn mowers can keep the lawn at just the r...
In real estate, first impressions are everything. And nothing increases your property value and wows buyers quite like a well-manicured front lawn.
Unlike soil amendments that mix into natural soil for gardening, potting soil is an all-in-one mixture for container ...
When autumn arrives, the last thing you want to do is put down the rake and start pruning, deadheading, and transplanting finicky perennials. Save yourself the ex...
A garden cart is a straight-sided vehicle with two or more wheels that is used to tote garden tools and such supplies...
Transitioning to fall doesn’t mean that the garden no longer deserves your attention. Here’s how to find the perfect plants for your fall landscape.
Just because the days are shortening and pumpkin-spiced drinks are appearing everywhere doesn’t mean you have to close the gardening shed for the season. The tail...
Can houseplants clean the air inside your home? Learn about the research behind this health benefit and see the low-maintenance plants that will give your home a ...
No matter the season, it’s possible to grow inside all-year-round. Here’s how the pros keep their indoor gardens in tip-top shape.
If you’ve ever knelt on a hard surface for an extended period of time, you likely know the sheer discomfort and the e...
Mosquitoes are among the most annoying pests that you must deal with when doing any activity that puts you outside du...
Brush cutters easily grind through tall, overgrown fields, up steep hillsides, and into deep ditches where regular la...
Rock gardens are loved for their charm and their low-maintenance qualities—but which plants thrive in rocky terrain? Here’s a list of essential plants to enhance ...
First impressions are important when it comes to selling your home. Consider how your property’s landscape might affect your selling potential.
Pesticides are supposed to make pests go away, but the truth is that your reliance on pesticides could be making the problem worse.
Find the best type of sprinkler for the needs of your lawn and garden.
Instead of cranking up the AC, let indoor plants offer an environmentally friendly alternative for beating the heat. Adding a touch of green to your decor may hel...
Quality sprinkler systems are easy, water-efficient means to keep your yard green and lush. Their programmable and sc...
Q: My garden is abuzz with hummingbirds every summer, yet I rarely see hummingbirds feeding or nesting in my yard du...
Get your garden through a spell of hot weather with these surefire survival strategies.
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...
Hummingbirds add a fun, sometimes comical element to a landscape with their high-speed aerial acrobatics. And because...
Whether you seed a new lawn, feed an existing garden, or treat your yard for bug infestations, a fertilizer spreader ...
Expandable hoses—that stretch up to three times in length when water is turned on, and return to their original size ...
Q: There are several fruit trees and vines in my garden that I would love to pick fruit from. Unfortunately, the frui...
Sweet, juicy homegrown tomatoes are the epitome of backyard garden produce, and they don’t happen by accident. It tak...
In the garden, sometimes doing everything right is entirely wrong.
Q: We just purchased our first home and moved clear across the country. It’s dry out here, and I’d love to collect ra...
Insects are part of a healthy garden ecosystem. Bees and other pollinators ensure a plentiful harvest, while ladybugs...
Q: Do seeds expire? I have many flower and vegetable seed packets dating back several years and don’t know if I shoul...
No landscape is complete without trees or shrubs. In small yards with limited space, it might not be possible to plant a towering shade tree, but that doesn’t mea...
There’s been a lot of buzz around backyard beekeeping recently. Here’s must-know info and helpful tips to help you enjoy this sweet pursuit!
Some people handle sudden and unexpected encounters with serpents surprisingly well, while others not so much. Most h...
I have grown a vegetable garden for the past four years, and I just can’t figure out tomatoes. I get spots on the tom...
Gardening on the dark side is a cinch when you start with the right plants. These perennials, annuals, shrubs, and trees grow best in the shade.
Because their growing medium can dry out quickly, container plants require frequent watering to remain healthy, espec...
Vegetable gardens don’t happen overnight! But there’s plenty of tasty produce you can plant now, or even later in the season, that will deliver faster than any to...
As the saying goes, “Hindsight is 20/20.” And while it often implies an arduous experience from which you’ve learned a tough but valuable lesson, the expression i...
If you have a history of killing houseplants, don’t give up! We have the right plant for you.
Keeping up with watering your garden can be a challenge. Vacations, busy schedules, and changing weather conditions c...
Crabgrass is an annual weed that frustrates homeowners year after year. It gets its name from how it grows—low to the...
Put out the welcome mat for beautiful backyard critters with these tips for making your property a haven for birds, pollinating insects, and other wildlife.
Americans love their lawns. But conventional lawn care tools and techniques can suck up a lot of water, energy and chemical fertilizers. Fortunately, there are so...
Few gardeners are blessed with the loose, loamy soil that plants love. For those who must break through heavy clay or...
Succulents store water in their leaves, making them drought-friendly and low-maintenance houseplants for those who wo...
Limited yard space doesn't mean you have to miss out on the joys of gardening. Here are 20 creative ways to garden indoors.
Use these attractive, easy-to-grow border plants to define your lawn and landscape edges naturally.
Decode the clues that sneaky garden gremlins leave behind and banish the little buggers with these pro tips.
Sometimes the difference between a cultivated plant and a weed is hard to distinguish.
Let the hard lessons learned by some of the country’s top professional landscapers help you grow your own personal paradise.
Gardening should be a fun, enjoyable activity. To keep it that way, choose from these easy plants for the outdoors. Fuss-free and low-maintenance, they'll look go...
You don’t need a large backyard to enjoy the benefits of a greenhouse. There are a plethora of compact greenhouse opt...
Trial-and-error is an integral part of the learning process when it comes to any hobby, including gardening. But some errors are so egregious that it’s best to av...
Don't make gardening more difficult than it needs to be! Plant these low-maintenance flowers and shrubs if you're new to gardening, have a brown thumb, or just wa...
Whether we like it or not, weeds are part of every landscape, competing with our trees, shrubs, and flowers for vital...
Try these colorful, tough-as-nails stalwarts to boost your garden confidence and green up those thumbs.
Ready, set, compost! With one of these ten compost bins, your scraps will turn into black gold—homemade humus that is.
Whether you're cultivating a small collection of potted herbs on your balcony or you're planning an epic victory garden, we've got tried and true tips from expert...
A more independent and sustainable lifestyle is closer than you might think.
Keeping a garden and landscape in top shape requires care and maintenance, including regular pruning. Whether you nee...
Set yourself up for gardening success with this essential know-how.
Check out these fuss-free flowers and shrubs for a gorgeous landscape with minimal work.
Reduce waste and make fewer trips to the grocery store with these simple strategies for healthy, sustainable eating.
Turn your bathroom into a rainforest garden with these lush tropical shower plants.
Bigger is better with these massive flowers that you can grow at home.
Harvest an abundance of fresh produce from your backyard garden less than 60 days after planting these fast-growing vegetables.
They may be pretty and difficult to resist, but some plants carry a dark secret. They’re thugs disguised in attractive foliage or tempting flowers that suck you i...
Using your thumb to adjust the water flow on your hose isn't the most effective way to water plants. A hose nozzle gi...
The smell of freshly turned earth. A sturdy shovel in your hand. A flat of green and healthy bedding plants beside yo...
Garden plants need nutrients to grow and remain healthy. Adequate soil fertility is as important to plants as a healt...
Nothing tastes better than freshly picked herbs, vegetables, and fruit, but you don’t need a large yard or the perfec...
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...
Composting is great for your garden and the environment. Instead of dumping vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, grass c...
Get to know some of the most common lawn invaders and how to deal with these lawn weeds before they gain a foothold in your landscape.
Raised bed gardening is hugely popular, in part because this mode of gardening enables you to grow decorative and edi...
Whether you have loose, nutrient-dense soil or something more like modeling clay, the way you treat it could be making it worse.
Herbicides are common in weed control, but they pose serious risks. These chemicals can leach from the soil and find ...
Don't assume a nice landscape has to break the bank. In fact, a smart landscape design plan can offset other home maintenance costs. See the best landscaping idea...
Occasionally, an idea comes along that is so beneficial it lives on from generation to generation. The victory garden...
Don't toss your scraps into the trash. Learn how you can grow fresh produce from your leftovers and cuttings.
For your "green thumb" endeavors indoors and out—tasks as varied as houseplant watering, seed starting, and container...
If you’d love a steady supply of fresh vegetables, the tried-and-true farming practice of succession planting could f...
The bushes are pruned, the lawn is mowed, and the planting beds are weeded. Your yard and garden are looking great—ex...
Have a beautiful yard and garden without having to break a sweat. Add these garden tools to your arsenal for easy gardening.
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 ...
Compost is like a multivitamin for your soil. Made of thoroughly decayed organic material used as a fertilizer, it en...
If you’re planning a new garden, you should start with good soil. After all, soil is the medium of life for plants, p...
Whether they crop up on your lawn, in a flower bed, or along the perimeter of a fence, weeds are the gardener’s age-o...
When it comes to plants, there are two things that matter: sunlight and water. Whether you have a raised vegetable ga...
Your garden inevitably attracts unwelcome visitors like aphids and tomato-loving caterpillars that can destroy your hard work practically overnight. But not all g...
You're all set to laze on a lounge chair, tend to your flower garden, and enjoy a backyard cookout with your friends....
One key to a healthy lawn and garden is selecting a reliable sprinkler. Attach today’s models to your garden hose an...
The monarch needs our help, and we can be the ones who provide it.
Plants are an affordable way to add a pop of color and style to update indoor and outdoor rooms. In particular, hangi...
Tired of the same old, same old in the garden? We’ve got the scoop on new vegetables that will amp up the flavor and the visual flair.
Mulch is any material laid over the surface of the soil to retain moisture, suppress weeds, regulate temperature, and...
Keep your pets away from these common indoor and outdoor plants that are toxic for cats and dogs.
The much-anticipated arrival of spring also brings a plethora of insects. Some, like ladybugs and honeybees, are bene...
Gardening doesn’t have to be restricted to summer, even in colder climates. While your plants may not normally welcom...
String trimmers are designed to facilitate the maintenance of plant growth in those out-of-the-way areas. There are m...
Over the winter months, when your outdoor garden has little to boast about, the greenery inside your home lifts spiri...
If you spend a good amount of time gardening or landscaping, a good wheelbarrow can lessen your load. While these hum...
Give the special gardener in your life a little love this holiday season with one (or more!) of these unique gifts that they can use to flex their green thumb.
How do you cure the winter doldrums? With flowers, of course. It may be cold outside, but wintertime is showtime for some houseplants. Here are 20 plants sure to ...
Backyard bird watching in the winter is a popular pastime, allowing you a lovely dose of nature during the harshest t...
The cold weather may curb your enthusiasm for the outdoors, but there is still plenty of pleasure to be taken from a garden, even after your favorite plants have ...
Winter has a way of wreaking havoc on the landscape, leaving in its wake heaved plants and wind-torn trees and shrubs. This year, don't just sit back and wait to ...
Adding houseplants to a space is like putting out the welcome mat. They infuse a home with life, bringing character and interest to every room they inhabit. Some ...
Q: When should I repot a plant? And how do I ensure success?A: Plants don’t stay little for long, especially if they ...
Bright colors and big blooms don't end in summer. In fact, nothing says fall quite like these 20 ubiquitous autumn blossoms.
This unavoidable fall chore can be best tackled with a dose of knowledge and an ounce of preparedness.
Plagued with a black thumb? Do you fear that the produce section at your local grocery store is as close to fresh as you’ll ever get? Take heart. Whether you have...
Behind every gorgeous, bountiful garden is a great deal of dirty work! Fortunately, a pair of rugged, reliable gloves...
With everything there are trends—and in the world of houseplants, it is no different. As social media facilitates community conversation among home gardeners, it ...
Outsmart biting bugs while bringing new beauty to your garden with these superhero plant species.
When intact, your garden hose is a trusty tool for hydrating your lawn, rinsing debris from your deck, and just about...
The season of parched grass has arrived. Fortunately, with a few tweaks to your lawn-care regimen, you can help prevent sun and heat damage. Follow these expert t...
To mow or not to mow? This question is at the heart of a nationwide movement against lawns and in favor of more sustainable landscapes. These ten homeowners and g...
Winning the war on lawn and garden weeds doesn't have to mean using and exposing yourself to controversial, doubt-raising chemicals. There are plenty of other opt...
Many of the most invasive plant species thriving in the United States came from elsewhere—mostly Europe and Asia. While they are often beautiful, these plants spr...
Set your flowering shrubs, vegetable gardens, and mulched tree beds apart from your lawn with a dozen easy-to-install decorative landscape edging products.
An enjoyable afternoon spent working in the garden, a lovely evening relaxing in the yard: the exterior of your home provides plenty of opportunities to recharge ...
If your backyard and garden have become a buffet for deer, these 10 Bambi-resistant plants will encourage them to forage elsewhere.
Mulch may not be a miracle cure for all that ails your garden, but according to professional gardeners and arborists,...
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...
You can bring color, charm, and personality to your yard without planting a single flower. Check out these 25 gardening-free ways to make your property more beaut...
Keep your outdoor oasis in top shape this season with these patio furniture cleaning tips.
Bring beautiful color and texture to stubborn areas of your yard by strategically selecting and then properly planting the right ground cover.
Don’t bother booking that summer vacation in the tropics, because with a few well-chosen touches, you can enjoy a verdant oasis right in your own backyard. In fac...
Encourage beautiful blooms all summer long with this simple, essential pruning technique.
You may trust their expertise, but even the best landscapers won’t tell you everything up front. Here are 10 pieces of insider info your landscaper may reveal onl...
Americans spend about 70 hours a year on lawn and garden care, ensuring that their lawn is lush and weed-free and their flower bed is brimming with color. But eve...
Creeping Charlie—Glechoma hederacea, also commonly known as ground ivy—is an insidious weed that is both resilient an...
Grow a bountiful garden without a lot of effort or space with these raised garden bed success secrets.
Gardening is meant to be a relaxing activity that connects you with nature as you beautify your yard—yet crowded nurseries and finicky flowers can make the hobby ...
The advent of modern pesticides has meant that even home gardeners can achieve pristine landscaping and gorgeous, green lawns with chemical management. But using ...
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.
Choose one of these lighting options for a safer and more striking backyard.
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...
Maintaining a manicured yard requires effort, patience, and the right tools. If you’re responsible for the landscaping chores at your house then you should alread...
Spring has sprung, and your garden is about to burst into bloom. But wait! What are those holes in your rose leaves? For a happy, healthy garden, keep an eye out ...
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...
Everyone wants to enjoy a beautiful lawn in the summertime, but almost no one loves mowing it. Cut down on the time you spend mowing your grass with some of these...
With a pinch of effort and almost no upkeep, you can have the lush, beautiful garden of your dreams. The secret is to choose plant varieties that enjoy a little h...
Each year the design world eagerly awaits the announcement of the Colors of the Year by top paint brands. This year's crop of colors encompasses brilliant blues, ...
Outdoors and in, take care of a few simple tasks now to bring your house out of winter hibernation!
Nothing beats the taste of fresh herbs in a home cooked meal, and the freshest herbs can be grown right on the kitchen windowsill. Even gardeners with questionabl...
Leafy green houseplants are wonderful (and many of them require little care), but why not expand your indoor gardening skills by adding a few flowering houseplant...
Enhance the area around large trees with color, texture, and design elements—while keeping those big guys healthy and strong.
Are you an indoor gardener ready to graduate from easy-to-grow pothos, philodendron, and peace lily? Looking for a single, tall houseplant that will make a big st...
You don’t need to be an expert to know the basic necessities houseplants need in order to grow. But aside from sunlight, water, and good soil, houseplants love a ...
Rampant weeds steal water and valuable nutrients from the soil—and they crop up daily. Follow these tips to make remo...
Though spring is traditionally the biggest season for planting, fall is a great time to get in new shrubs. When planted at least a few weeks before the first fros...
As summer scurries away, cooler temps and autumn leaves can't be far behind. If you live in a region where frost accompanies the change of seasons, take note: Som...
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...
This content has been brought to you by Quikrete. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Lawn and garden e...
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.
Ask any group of gardeners to cite their least favorite task is and you’re bound to hear a chorus of “Weeding!” Rampa...
Natural fences constructed of shrubbery, trees, or flowering bushes are attractive and environmentally friendly havens for songbirds, butterflies, and other desir...
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.
Hillside properties can be particularly beautiful, highlighting a home’s architecture and creating great vistas. They can also, however, present a landscaping cha...
From azalea to English ivy, many common garden plants traveled here from overseas, from countries like Japan or Britain. Yet a handful of landscaping standouts or...
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...
Does your garden wither and wilt as the mercury rises? Then you might be choosing the wrong plants for your geographical region. Instead, try a few of these 14 op...
It's not news: You don’t need to have a huge backyard to enjoy greenery. The key is to embrace your vertical space, a...
No matter how small your garden, there's always room for hanging plants. Use any of these 18 best hanging plants to add color and interest to any porch, deck, bal...
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...
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...
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...
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 g...
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...
When used effectively, mulch insulates soil, locks in moisture, keeps out weeds, protects sensitive plants, plus it g...
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...
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...
If garden pests are bugging you, but you’d rather not nuke them with toxic chemicals, maybe you should give insectici...
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...
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...
Tiny, sap-sucking arachnids known as spider mites can be a problem any time of year, not only in your garden but plag...
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 ...
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...
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 is still revered today, although ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 incorporating ...
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...
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...
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.
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...
Available in countless varieties, bushes add depth and diversity to the landscape, whether they are fruit- or flower-...
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...
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 our...
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.
Water has now become one of the world's most precious commodities, so we all need to become more water-wise. However,...
Clumping and Running BambooBamboo is a member of the grass family, with more than 200 species available in the U. S. ...
Compact, efficient and easy to maintain, Mel Bartholomew's Square Foot Gardening offers new and experienced gardeners a smart, space-saving backyard alternative.
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...
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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
A great solution to those patchy parts of your landscape, "ground cover" is a general term for perennials that are known for their ability to spread. Not only do ...
A great solution to those patchy parts of your landscape, 'ground cover' is a general term for perennials that are kn...
The development where we chose to build our house is about 2 miles from the beach. We can ride our bikes to the state...
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 MulchThere are lots of different kinds of mulch to choose from, depending on what’s in your ...
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 ...
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...
