If you live in USDA hardiness zones 8-10, you’re in luck—growing fig trees is a breeze! These beautiful trees can add a lush, tropical feel to your garden, and they require very little maintenance. Fig trees thrive in full sun, but they can also tolerate some shade. They need well-drained soil, so make sure to...
I love growing jade plants! When I lived in southern California, I grew them outside year-round. They could get pretty big! I find them so calming and peaceful to work with as a gardener. They are definitely one of my favorite plants. They’re quite hardy, so they don’t need a lot of care to thrive....
Basil plants are annual herbs that flower in the summer and early fall. They produce small white or purple flowers that are quite fragrant. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including honey bees, bumble bees and butterflies. After flowering, the plants produce small, aromatic, edible seeds. It’s very easy to harvest basil seeds and...
As a gardener, I love growing all kinds of vegetables – especially unique ones like spaghetti squash. I love seeing the plant grow, and watching the leaves unfurl and the yellow flowers bloom. Although you can eat unripe spaghetti squash, it’s good to know exactly when you should pick a spaghetti squash to get the...
I grow tomatillos every year for a variety of reasons. They are a great source of flavor and nutrition, and they can be used in a variety of dishes. Tomatillos are also easy to grow and require minimal attention. Additionally, they are often a main ingredient in Mexican and Latin American cuisine. I like to...
Oregano is an herb that is native to the Mediterranean region that typically grows to a height of 12-24 inches. It’s a really easy process to harvest oregano, but there are a few best practices to consider. Oregano’s name is derived from the Greek words “oros” (mountain) and “ganos” (joy). It has been used for...
A catnip plant is a type of mint plant similar to catmint that is known for its strong scent and its effect on cats. It has soft, fuzzy green leaves and small, white flowers. The leaves and stems of the plant can be dried and used to make catnip toys, or they can be steeped...
People keep chickens for a variety of reasons. Some people keep them for eggs, some for meat, some for show, and some for companionship. Chickens can also help with pest control, provide fertilizer for gardens, and even provide entertainment. But chances are, if you’ve landed on this article, you’ve gone outside to collect eggs only...
People keep backyard chickens for many reasons, such as for fresh eggs, meat, a hobby, pest control, natural fertilizer for their garden, or for companionship. Backyard chicken keeping is an increasingly popular hobby that is experiencing a resurgence. More and more cities are rolling back ordinances that prevent keeping chickens on your property, leading to...
I’m pretty grateful to have a fully fenced-in yard, not just because it keeps wayward critters out, but it gives me an opportunity to show off my gardening skills. Planting flowers along a fence line can add color and texture to an otherwise dull area and can also provide privacy and act as a windbreak....
I love hostas. They’re one of my favorite plants to grow in shady spots, especially on the north-facing sides of my home as a ground cover. They grow nice, dense foliage and send up awesome white flowers in the summer. Knowing how and when to fertilize hostas is an important element in growing this lush,...
As a kid, I remember fondly working with my mom each spring, early on before “winter” really ended, on planting impatient from seed. It’s such a simple process to grow impatiens from seed right at home. In this article, we’ll do a deep dive on how to grow your own impatien seeds and harvest them...
