When you look at an English ivy (Hedera helix), it’s like getting a Valentine every time. The plant has lots of heart-shaped leaves that are different shades of green, from dark to light green, and some are speckled. English ivy is a vining plant that smothers buildings and races across the ground. While ivy is … Read more
Poinsettias are familiar plants around the winter holidays. The bright colors of these plants chase away the dark winter days from inside, and they are easy to take care of, making them perfect for indoor gardening. Poinsettias are native to Mexico, which means that the only growing zones for them in the US according to … Read more
A lot of gardeners are talking about how hardy gladiolus plants are for winter. Fans just call them “glads.” The traditional wisdom is that you must dig up the corms of glads (Gladiolus spp. ) in the fall and put them away for the winter if you live in a zone below USDA Plant Hardiness … Read more
Got some old potatoes in the pantry starting to sprout? Before you throw them out, consider growing fresh potatoes from those sprouts! With just a bit of soil, sprouting potatoes can produce a bountiful crop of delicious new potatoes in your garden Growing potatoes from leftovers is an easy, fun way to get free potato … Read more
One of the delights of spring is seeing apricot trees erupt in beautiful white or pink blossoms before forming sweet, tangy fruits. But apricot bloom times can vary depending on climate, variety, and seasonal conditions. Read on to learn when you can expect apricot trees to flower based on your location. Typical Apricot Bloom Period … Read more
As a hobby gardener who loves to cook, I’m always looking for new ways to incorporate edibles into my backyard. This year, I’ve decided to try growing shallots for the first time by planting them in the fall. Known for their mild, sweet onion flavor, shallots are a tasty addition to many recipes. In this … Read more
A beloved symbol of autumn, Pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo) are plump annuals grown for their fleshy, nutritious fruits. Pumpkins are easy and fun to grow. In the US and Canada, they are carved into jack-o’-lanterns for Halloween and baked into pies for Thanksgiving dessert. Pumpkins are a fun and tasty crop to grow in the garden. … Read more
Grapes are one of the most popular and beloved fruits used for wine jams, juices, and eating fresh off the vine. But where do grapes actually grow – on vines, or trees? The answer is vines! Here’s an overview of the unique growth habits of grapevines. Grapevines Are Climbing Vines Grapes grow on flexible, woody … Read more
Growing tomatoes in containers is almost always an adventure. It can be incredibly rewarding or flat-out disastrous. Epic failures can happen for reasons you can’t control, like tomato blight or a summer that is too wet or cold. But if you don’t do these common mistakes when growing tomatoes in pots, you will have a … Read more
Before you put chemicals into your pond to kill weeds or algae, read this! Chemical weed removal is not the only way to get rid of pond weeds. We tell people not to put chemicals in ponds, rivers, lakes, and other small bodies of water because they hurt the quality of the water and make … Read more