Lavender is one of those plants that surprise gardeners when it fails to thrive. It’s so hardy and tolerant of abuse that seeing a drooping, wilting lavender plant is a pretty rare occurrence. But if you are experiencing lavender drooping, take no offense: it can be caused by a few different reasons, some of which...
I’ve heard it time and time again: my peace lily is getting way too big, how do I go about dividing a peace lily? Peace lilies are an evergreen, tropical plant that, in the wild, thrives growing on the forest floor. In captivity, they thrive simply as house plants. Peace lilies are a favorite of...
I’ve gotten this question many times: why are my tomato leaves turning white? I grow tomatoes every year and have personally experienced just about every possible problem they can throw at you, including their leaves turning white. The good news is that the most common causes of leaf whitening on tomatoes are easily walked back...
There really are few things in this life that are more tragic than putting your heart and soul into something only to be thwarted by natural forces. Deer can be a serious thorn in the side of rose gardeners – no pun intended in this case. Unfortunately, deer eat roses. But selecting the right type...
Collecting yucca seeds and replanting them yourself is a great way to propagate new yucca plants. Yuccas aren’t just one plant but a genus of plant that contains around 50 species. Yuccas are native to hot, dry, and arid regions of the Americas and the Caribbean. They are tough, hardy plants with sword-like leaves and...
For most gardeners, fall is the time to wrap up the garden for the year. By mid-September to mid-October, depending on your climate, most of your garden plants have died off for the year. While many gardeners hang their hats up in fall, garlic lovers are just getting started. Why? Because you can plant a...
Spider plants are one of my favorite types of plants. They’re really easy to propagate and make more of, they don’t require very much attention at all, and they can really add a fun splash of foliage to any indoor space. Plus living in a home barely larger than the average tiny house, it’s nice...
Dahlias are a beautiful flower to cultivate in any garden because they come in a wide range of colors and sizes, and you can easily grow Dahlias from seed right at home. The plant size varies from species with plate-sized flowers on 6-foot plants to small border variants. Despite their wide variety, dahlias often have...
If you want big, healthy pumpkins, fertilizer matters — but it doesn’t have to be complicated. I’ve been growing pumpkins in my backyard for over a decade and I’ve tried just about everything. Here’s what actually works. Why Pumpkins Are Heavy Feeders Pumpkins are nutrient hogs. They’re growing a massive fruit on a sprawling vine...
Spider mites are a very common pest among indoor houseplants. They damage plants, like cactuses, by consuming juices from the inside of the plant. Even though cactuses generally look pretty tough, with their thick leaves and bases and thorny exteriors, they are susceptible to infection by spider mites. Treating cactus spider mites in a timely...
Mandevilla, which is sometimes called rocktrumpet, is a flowering perennial vine when grown in hardiness zones 10 and 11. In cooler climates, it grows as an annual. Gardeners like keeping this vine because of the stunning, pink flowers with yellow centers that the vine produces. All plants can experience health problems, just like us. One...
Basil is a really popular herb for gardeners everywhere. It’s easy to grow, produces amazing, fragrant leaves and flowers, and goes in a ton of different culinary dishes. My personal favorite way to use basil is in making pesto. But all plants can be susceptible to problems and basil is one of them. One of...
