Gardening Basics
Table of Contents
Soil and Composting
Potting Soil vs Potting Mix: What’s the Difference?
Is potting soil the same as potting mix? Learn how to read soil product labels and which ingredients to look for to help your potted plants grow and thrive.
All About Garden Soil and Mulch
Find out what types of soil is best for growing plants and what mulch you should use. Along with tips for making healthy soil, use our soil and mulch calculators to find how much you need for pots, gardens, and raised beds.
What is Winter Mulch?
Applying winter mulch is like giving plants a blanket to protect them from harsh winter conditions and damaging spring frosts. Learn more about the benefits of applying mulch before winter sets in.
How to Amend Clay Soil
Clay soil can be hard to work, have poor drainage and lack nutrients plants need to survive. Learn how to amend clay soil into workable, healthier soil.
Compost Tea – Step by Step
Compost tea is an easy option for gardeners and a healthy choice for plants. Learn how to make compost tea (aerated and non-aerated), and how to use it.
How to Change Your Soil pH
Soil pH is an essential factor in a plant’s ability to grow. Learn what it means, why it’s important, and how to change your soil pH to help plants thrive.
How to Test Soil pH
Here’s how to do a simple soil pH test from items you probably already have in your kitchen. Once you determine whether your soil is acidic or alkaline, we have recommendations for soil amendments that can bring the soil back into the neutral pH range.
A Soil Calculator for Raised Beds and Containers
Before you make the trip to the garden center to buy potting or raised bed soil, you can easily determine how much you’ll need using a simple soil calculator formula.
Tips for Fertilizing Houseplants
Most houseplants need feeding with a fertilizer from time to time to replenish the soil’s nutrient levels and keep plants thriving. Get answers to some of the most common questions around what to feed, and when to fertilize, your houseplants.
Straightforward Tips for Soil Improvement
Good soil is essential for healthy plants. If your yard’s soil is less than perfect, you can improve it by digging in fresh materials to make up for what it lacks. But which materials should you add? This article describes seven of the most useful natural soil improvers.
5 Ways to Use Eggshells for Plants
Eggshells are packed with calcium and other minerals, and this makes them too valuable for a gardener to throw into the waste disposal. When put to imaginative use, they can make a great contribution to your yard’s health and productivity.
Biochar: A New Trend in Soil Amendment
What if we told you there was a substance you could add to your garden that would improve the health of your plants, increase flower, fruit, and vegetable production, recondition barren areas, all the while helping to stop climate change by sequestering carbon and encouraging the production of alternative fuels? Interested? Then read on for nine questions, and answers, about the super soil amendment–biochar.
The Dirt on Garden Soils
Digging through the many planting soils at your local garden center can be daunting. This article will help you figure out what sort of soil you need right now.
How Much Mulch Do I Need?
It’s important to apply enough mulch to reap the benefits. Learn how to quickly calculate the amount of mulch you need for your space.
How to Stop Soil Erosion
Topsoil being carried away by rainfall can be a serious problem. Here are methods to control erosion, including the strongest deterrent, plants.
Guide to Direct Composting
Try direct composting: the no-mess, no-fuss method for making compost from your kitchen food waste.
Plant Food 101
Explanation of the most important nutrients plants require to thrive and how those nutrients influence plant growth and development.
How to Evaluate Your Soil Type
Believe it or not, plants in the garden do better if the soil is healthy. Focus on a single aspect of soil health and perform this simple jar test to determine the composition of your garden soil.
Types of Plants
All About Growing Annual Plants
The info you need to know to grow annual plants. We gathered all our tips about choosing which flowers to grow and how to take care of annuals.
All About Growing Perennial Plants
The information you need to know to grow perennial garden plants. We’ve collected some of our best tips for growing perennials in pots and in your garden, including a list of popular plants and how to care for them.
All About Growing Cactus
We’ve gathered our most helpful care tips and inspiring project ideas for growing cactus plants, whether it’s as a potted houseplant or displayed outside. A list of eight popular cacti is also included.
All About Growing Succulents
We’ve gathered our most helpful care tips and inspiring project ideas for growing succulent plants, whether it’s as a potted houseplant or displayed outside. A list of 10 popular succulents is also included.
Know Your Plants – Annual vs. Perennial
Learn the differences between annual and perennial plants and how to decide which type of plant is best for your gardening needs.
How to plant
How to Plant Ground Cover Plants
Low-maintenance ground cover plants prevent weeds and provide erosion control on slopes. Here are tips for planting garden ground cover that return year after year on hillsides, around trees and between pavers.
Gardening Styles
3 Small Japanese Garden Ideas for Backyards
Small Japanese garden ideas you can create in your own backyard including ideal plants for each style.
Plant a Moon Garden
Usually, we think of planning the perfect garden for a sunny summer day. But there are some plants that are at their best at night. We show you how to create a garden that shines when the sun doesn’t.
Grow Your Own Wildflower Patch
Seven easy steps for creating your own bed, or even a meadow, packed with native wildflowers. The perfect way to attract birds, bees and other beneficial insects.
Turn Your Backyard into an Outdoor Movie Theater
Tips for making your deck, backyard, or other outdoor space into a unique and inviting place for a movie night with family and friends.
Garden Makeover: Pick a Theme
You don’t need to spend a fortune or do a lot of work to give your landscape a new look. Just choose a theme and get creative with fresh colors, planters and garden ornaments.
Edible Landscaping: A New Trend in Outdoor Living
Adding edible plants, berries and fruits to your traditional garden scheme is a clever way to add beauty as well as reduce your food costs.
Gardening Tools
Best Gifts for Gardeners Under $10
If you’re gift shopping for your gardener friends, you don’t have to break the bank to find them a gift that they will enjoy or find useful. We have gift ideas that will work for any gardener.
How to Sharpen Garden Tools
Learn how to sharpen garden tools safely and maintain them so they’re ready to use when needed.
Taking Care of Garden Tools
If you’re an active gardener then it’s likely that your garden tools show it. Fortunately, it doesn’t take a lot of time or effort to keep your garden tools in tiptop shape. By managing wear and tear, you can get years of use out of your tools.
The Basic Gardening Tools Everyone Needs
A list of necessary gardening tools, no matter what your garden’s size.
All About Seeds
Different Seed Types You Can Grow
One of the first steps for growing plants is selecting from different seed types. Learn about the different heirloom, hybrid, standard, certified organic and non-GMO seeds.
Seed Storage – How Long Do Seeds Last?
Careful seed storage is vital if you want to enjoy good germination rates. Learn how to store seed to preserve them as long as possible.
Tips for Seed Germination
Seed germination is the first step toward growing a healthy plant, and here’s what you need to know to encourage high germination rates from the seeds you sow.
Make Your Own Envelopes for Saving Seeds
Saving seeds is a great way to make sure you always have access to some of your favorite plant varieties. Keep your seed storage organized with our handy, easy to make seed envelopes.
DIY: Homemade Seed Paper
Eco-friendly crafts and gifts are all the rage, and this plantable seed paper fits the bill. The DIY project uses recycled paper to create homemade paper embedded with seeds. Plant the paper in a pot or outside for an instant garden!
Seed Exchanges – How to Find or Organize a Seed Swap
Celebrate National Seed Swap Day at a seed exchange or better yet organize your own seed swap. Discover how to share seeds and dreams of spring!
Grow Light Guidelines for Getting Seeds Started
You don’t have to wait for the cold days of winter to pass before jumping into spring gardening. Start your seeds indoors to get a jump-start on the growing season. This article explains the pros and cons of using grow lights to start your plant seedlings. It also provides advice on the various light bulb types and proper spacing.
Hardening Off Plants and Seedlings
Moving plants and seedlings directly outdoors in the spring can be a shock to their systems, even to the point of causing damage or death. “Hardening off” is the safe way to introduce plants to the outdoors. Follow these simple steps to introduce your plants to spring safely.
Vegetable Garden Basics – Start Seeds or Buy Plants?
Learn what you need to consider when deciding whether to plant your vegetable garden from seed or get a jump-start by purchasing plants.
When and How to Harvest Sunflower Seeds
Sunflowers are a fun garden flower and their seeds are a popular snack. Learn how and when to harvest sunflower seeds in six easy steps.
What to Grow
5 Easy Flowers for Kids to Grow
Kids love any opportunity to get their hands in the dirt! Discover our top tips for gardening with little ones and 5 easy flowers for kids.
10 Plants for Wet Areas
If areas of your landscape are on the soggy side, you’ll want to select plants that can thrive in wet soil conditions. We’ve got a list of ten water-tolerant plants that can handle your landscape’s wet spots.
What to Plant in Summer
What do you do when the flowers you planted in spring are fading, and your early season crops are picked through? You plant a fresh batch of heat-loving plants that will thrive through the summer into fall. Here are twelve ideas for flowers and vegetables to plant in summer.
All About Homegrown Vegetables, Fruits, and Berries
Growing food at home is a great way to cut your grocery budget and enjoy fresh fruits, vegetables, and berries at the peak of their color, flavor, and nutrition.
All About Growing and Using Herbs
All the info you need to choose, grow and care for herbs planted in a garden or in pots. We also have helpful ideas for harvesting, cooking and using homegrown herbs.
Turn Your Garden into a Wildlife Habitat
Just about any outdoor space can become a sustainable food source and safe living area for wildlife. With the right plants and planning, you can encourage all sorts of birds, frogs, small animals, and beneficial insects to visit your yard.
4 Plants for Reducing Stress and Anxiety
For centuries, people have turned to herbal remedies to soothe frayed nerves and lessen anxieties. In this article, we look at four easy-to-grow herbs known for their calming properties.
Plant a Pollinator Garden
Bees and other pollinating insects are an important part of the ecosystem. You can plant a garden that provides a food source for pollinators and adds beauty to your yard.
How to Plant a Fragrant Shade Garden
Imagine a cool corner of the forest, green leaves above, soft earth below, a carpet of flowers, the air heavy with floral perfume. Actually, don’t imagine it–build it yourself! In this article, we’ll show you how to grow a heavenly-scented shade garden.
Create a Fragrance Garden
Flowering plants are all beautiful, but some are more fragrant than others. Discover ten plants that will add exceptional fragrance to your landscape.
Pest & Disease Control
Rabbit Resistant Plants for Your Garden
Are rabbits destroying your garden? Try these rabbit resistant plants and shrubs to keep the bunnies at bay.
How to Get Rid of Slugs in the Garden
In most instances, you can get rid of slugs in the garden without the need to use toxic chemicals or baits.
Invasive species in the U.S. – 5 Insect Pests That Damage Trees
There are many invasive insect species in the U.S. that damage trees. Their impacts are widespread. Let’s look at five of the most destructive of these pests, the damage they do and what, if anything, we can do to stop them.
Deer Resistant Shrubs
Beautify and protect your landscape by planting deer resistant shrubs. 12 shrubs that you’re not likely to find on the menu when deer come to visit.
9 Methods to Control Insect Pests
Are bothersome bugs ruining your outdoor fun? Insects can be annoying when you are trying to enjoy time spent outside. Here are nine tips for keeping unwelcome insects away from your yard.
Pests and Diseases of Cucumbers
Cucumbers are generally easy to grow, but there are some things that can ruin your harvest. We’ll show you how to identify and treat common insects and diseases that affect cucumber plants.
Keep Chipmunks Out of Your Garden
Chipmunks, though cute, can wreak havoc on your yard by digging holes and eating plants. Find out how to keep these pests away, humanely.
How to Repel Mice with Natural Herb Sachets
Winter is the peak time for mice infestations, as the creatures try to find warm spots to shelter and nest. You can stop the problem before it starts by making your own natural mouse-repelling sachets to place in your cupboards, in your vehicles, garage, or any other place you’d rather not find these pesky rodents.
5 Tips for Dogscaping Your Yard
Your beloved pet deserves a spot in the garden to call his own. This article gives five tips to get you started designing an outdoor space for your four-legged friends.
Common Houseplant Pests
A look at the most common insect pests that feed on houseplants. How to identify and control them before they do serious damage your plants.