My frustrations were grounded in the sheer volume of plant material to take care of, and now that I’ve spent time with verbena in a smaller and more easily manageable setting, I’ve found it to be a lovely and happy flower to grow. Verbena spp. The first time I interacted with verbena, I kind of hated it. I was working at a garden center many years ago and discovered quickly the shoulder pain incurred from watering over one hundred hanging baskets at a time, especially for one particular flower....

If you’ve been put off by the big bags of chopped kale found in your grocer’s fridge case, it’s likely because this one type of green is notorious for being tough, stringy, and pungent. Fortunately, there are many other types to choose from: Brassica oleracea var. acephala Kale has quickly become one of my favorite foods. In addition to having a very distinct flavor, which reminds me of a mild cabbage, it can be a versatile addition to almost any dish....

But snapdragons aren’t actually annuals. They’re short-lived perennials that are sensitive to frost. And that means they can stick around year after year if you’re willing to give them a bit of protection. Snapdragons are one of those varieties of plants that are a staple in summer gardens. Home stores, grocery stores, and nurseries sell them by the flat during the summer for gardeners to add some annual color to their beds....

Here’s everything we’ll go over in this article: If the beautiful foliage and the crisp fresh air don’t lure you outside this fall, perhaps the enticement of a prolific autumn vegetable garden will do the trick. Autumn is a wonderful time to plant a productive veggie garden – if you plan it right. The changing seasons mean new conditions in the garden. From sun exposure to soil prep, air and soil temperature requirements, and differences in the amount of rain that your garden receives during the cooler months, there are a few factors to consider....

Berries are some of the tastiest treats that you can grow in the garden. Cultivating raspberries is not too difficult as long as you can control the trifecta of pests that commonly affect them: raspberry cane borer, raspberry beetle, and raspberry fruitworm. Table of Contents The raspberry fruitworm (Byturus unicolor) is the larval stage of a small brown beetle that attacks raspberry plants. Despite its name, this pest is not unique to just raspberries....

Table of Contents The garden can be the most magical place at your home. For many people, their garden is a safe haven. Surrounding yourself with foliage and flowers that you’ve grown is satisfying! It can also be a wonderful place to relax and absorb nature. But the garden needs more than just beautiful sights and smells. Another essential element in the garden is sound. This adds more life to your garden and makes it even more inviting....

A delicious summer staple, corn is the backbone of so much of what we eat in the United States. Whether it’s eaten as fresh sweet corn or dried to make cornbread or tortillas, we rely so much on this wonderful plant. But getting the timing right on when to harvest corn can be a little tricky. With its kernels hidden from view, how can we tell when our corn is ready to harvest and time to enjoy the sweet fruits of our labor?...

Flavors range from bold and spicy to mildly sweet – try growing the bold ones for savory dishes, the sweet ones for baked goods, desserts, and ice cream. Full of flavor and wonderfully aromatic, basil, Ocimum basilicum, is one of the easiest herbs to grow. Its pungent, peppery taste with a hint of licorice makes it popular in a variety of cuisines. This member of the mint, or Lamiaceae family is an annual herb grown for its flavorful leaves....

Read on to learn how to feature bricks in your garden design scheme! If you have bricks left over from a construction project, these 15 ideas are sure to inspire you with ways to use them in your landscape. Durable and attractive, these building materials withstand weather extremes and infuse an outdoor living space with timeless style. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission....

Dish Garden Plants are a great way to make your table and desktops look green and attractive. With just a few plants and your creativity, you can design a great looking miniature garden that’s easy to maintain and bring a green appeal indoors! Check out our article on making a succulent dish garden here Best Plants For a Dish Garden 1. Jade Plant Botanical Name: Crassula ovata Apart from its ornamental beauty, the jade plant is also considered a lucky plant....

1. DIY Crochet Cactus This so adorable crochet cactus is maybe the most interesting DIY artificial plant project in this post. The pattern and directions are here! 2. DIY Cactus with Pool Noodles Another DIY fake cactus project–make this giant cactus using pool noodles, foam sealant, paint, knife, a terracotta pot, and other craft materials. This can be a bit time-consuming and complex for beginners. See the steps here. 3. Felt Cactus Craft Cut out cacti shapes on felt sheets, fill them with polyfill and plant them in mini terracotta pots using hot glue....

Read on for 11 white aster varieties that are sure to add interest to beds, borders, large containers, meadows, rockeries, and woodlands. The aster is a flowering plant in the large Asteraceae family that includes the chrysanthemum, dahlia, and daisy. Its flower heads consist of radiating rays around a dense central disk of tiny florets. You may be familiar with the blue, pink, and purple shades commonly found in late summer to fall gardens....

Callisia fragrans, also called the basket plant, is a great subtropical for beginners. Pairing the look of a bromeliad with a draping stem tendency, it’s visually stunning. Table of Contents Generally green or variegated green and cream in color, these plants have a secret. When exposed to lots of light, they may pick up purple hues in their leaves. In fact, there have been plants which are more purple than green!...

USDA Zones– 4 – 10 Difficulty– Easy to Moderate Other Names– Chenopodium quinoa (Scientific Name), Quinua, Quinua, Kiuna Quinhua, Huauzontle, Huauthili and Nuttall’s goosefoot, Quinoa is an annual plant it is cultivated for grains. Grown for over 5000 years and was part of the staple diet of pre-Columbian civilizations. Today, it is consumed as an alternative to rice. It is an edible plant acknowledged for its high nutritional value. Propagation and Planting Quinoa Growing quinoa is possible from seeds....

Unfortunately, hydrangeas can be one of its victims, and bigleaf hydrangeas – Hydrangea macrophylla – are particularly susceptible. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Hydrangeas can be lush, carefree plants, but they are also vulnerable to a number of different fungal infections that can sully the leaves – and in some cases, the flowers. You know that old saying, “There’s a fungus among us?” There is some truth to that. A fungus called anthracnose can infect a large number of tropical and temperate plants, and it is widespread throughout the world....

Fortunately, it’s an easy plant to propagate by seeds or cuttings. Let’s learn more! True to its name, American beautyberry is certainly a beauty, and a plant – once you’ve had a sampling – you might want more of. Gardeners love beautyberry’s large leaves, which are light green and slightly fuzzy. Its gracefully arching branches are also appealing. But, really, it’s the plant’s late-summer or early-fall clusters of small, bright purple fruit that draws the eye and has gardeners wanting more....

If you are a busy person or someone who mostly forgets to take care of the plants, it’s an excellent idea to grow forgiving indoor plants that don’t need attention. Check out our article on low care indoor plants here Houseplants that Love to be Ignored 1. Jade Plant Botanical Name: Crassula ovata This low-maintenance plant with glossy, fleshy leaves can be an attractive addition to your porch tabletop or windowsill in your room....

In commercial farming, the answer to this question regarding the goal of pruning is almost always,“for high yields.” There are just about as many opinions for pruning almond trees as there are almond growers. As with pruning trees in general, some experts advise extensive pruning to stimulate growth, while others recommend clipping just a few branches here and there. Still others advocate for throwing your shears away entirely, and doing away with pruning altogether....

You may know clover as a cover crop or ground cover. Maybe you even have early memories of searching through clover patches for that lucky, four-leaf token. What you probably didn’t know though is that clover can be edible! Clover microgreens are a fun and safe way to add some flavoring, nutrients, and luck to your life. Table of Contents Clover microgreens are a lovely light green and have a fresh, mild sweetness....

Nothing completes a raised bed garden like a trellis. Not only are they whimsical-looking and an easy DIY project, but they’re also extremely practical. Turn one into a raised bed trellis and you have the perfect setup for backyard gardening! Table of Contents DIY trellises are a great idea for any garden, especially since they’re so customizable. You can make one with just a couple of stakes and some chicken wire....