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When I save mine, I have plenty to plant the next year, with more to spare to share with friends who might be looking for an easygoing flowering annual for their own gardens. Bachelor’s buttons are such cheerful flowers. Also known as cornflowers, bright blue, pink, purple, or white Centaurea cyanus flowers are among the first to bloom in spring if you plant them right before the first frost. A draw for pollinators, they have edible blooms, and flower for months after that spring start....

It’s tempting to add a few of these lollipops to your cart, but thanks to the years-long process required to shape and allow a plant to mature, they can be pricey. Hydrangeas are perfect garden bushes. The plants are quick growing, low maintenance, and produce loads of bright, voluminous blooms. Naturally, they grow as multi-stemmed shrubs, and need occasional pruning to keep them in shape. But have you ever seen tree form hydrangeas at a nursery?...

In this article you will read about five basic types of railings: Wooden, PVC and vinyl, glass, concrete and metal railing. *When choosing railings do not forget that the main function of railing is to prevent people from falling. Check out our article on the best vegetables that grow on railings here! 1. Wooden railing The standard 2×2 wood railing is the type most often chosen for balcony railing. And there is certainly a good reason for that....

Here’s what you’ll need for the swag in our photos: Making a Christmas wreath is loads of fun, and adds a beautiful touch of natural charm to your holiday decor. But they’re also time consuming to create. And you need to practice your technique first before you’ll get a symmetrical shape suitable for display. So, if you don’t have the spare time for extensive craft sessions, try a swag instead. Loosely structured with a free form, a swag can be completed in well under 30 minutes!...

But these hearty bulbs also love to be transplanted and respond quickly to division with fast, vigorous growth. Grape hyacinths are a beautiful addition to the early spring garden. Stout stands of tightly clustered flowers bloom in bright shades of blue, purple, white, and even yellow and have a delicious, fruity fragrance. These little plants make a reliable addition to beds, borders, and containers and naturalize readily in meadows, woodlands, or just about anywhere they’re scattered....

Pimpinella anisum is a peculiar little plant. Throughout history, its bursts of white flowers have been cultivated for their seeds. Those seeds were used medicinally, in sweets, and even liquor. Today, anise is still a well-known spice. What isn’t well-known though is that the plant behind those seeds has another tasty use: anise microgreens! Table of Contents Growing anise as a microgreen is much easier and faster than one would expect....

If your inner chef is calling for something new to cook with, why not give microgreens a shot? Not only are they fun to use in the kitchen, but you can easily grow your own microgreens in a matter of weeks. Now, if you really want to get crazy then we suggest a less common but no-less-exciting plant: fava bean microgreens! Table of Contents Fava bean microgreens are some of the prettiest, most lush greens you can grow....

Instead of having a dull and deserted balcony where you usually keep your trash or old, unused items; chairs with faded color, brooms, or vacuum cleaner–you can use it to create a tiny balcony KITCHEN garden. Which, when the time comes will reward you with the HARVEST of aromatic herbs, fresh and organic vegetables, and juicy plump fruits with great flavor that you can never get from store-bought edibles! Time, Effort and Planning are Required Time You’ll need to dedicate some time from your busy urban life to look after the plants you’ve chosen to grow....

The giant coneflower or great coneflower is a favorite amongst novice and seasoned gardeners. It’s easy to care for and its flowers attract gorgeous butterflies! Perfect for a cottage garden, this Rudbeckia provides a stunning display as well. Table of Contents Scientifically known as Rudbeckia maxima, these plants have striking waxy green-blue leaves that appear in rosettes. The foliage has cabbage-like blades which is why this plant is also known as cabbage leaf coneflower....

Plant containers come in a wide variety of prices, sizes, colors, shapes and materials. Each specific container has advantages and disadvantages of its own. Here is a breakdown of the different materials planters can be made from in order to make it easier for you to make the best choice for your needs. Where you want to keep the potted plant, your climate, aesthetic value, and ease of maintenance and cost are all factors you need to consider before you make a decision....

Succulents are well known for loving the sun. But what if your garden is mostly shadows or all the bright windowsills are taken? Luckily, you have options. There are many shade succulents that tolerate or even thrive in the garden, some of which even produce flowers! Table of Contents Now, when we say shade, we mean shadows with partial sun. There has to be some amount of light. Unfortunately, you can’t stick these succulents in a closet and expect them to live....

You’re probably reading this article because you have a passion for gardening, but you do not have a regular garden, because you live in an apartment (most probably), or you own a house in a city or your plot is too small? Whatever the reason is– there is a section of gardening that does not require large space: Container gardening. In this article, you will learn 5 basic container gardening tips, more useful if you’re a beginner and starting a container garden....

If you love the nutty taste of sunflower seeds, you’re going to adore these sunflower microgreens. They keep all the flavor while adding a crunchy texture and ample supply of nutrients. Plus, they’re super fast and easy to grow! Table of Contents So what sets sunflower microgreens apart from full sunflower plants? They’re still the same species that grow into giant yellow blooms, but they’re harvested much sooner. When growing microgreens, we’re after the cotyledons, which are the first leaves to emerge from the seed....

Read on to find out what symptoms to look for and what you do to prevent this hideous but superficial disorder. If you see spots on your apples, you may be tempted to think “Oh no! Fungal or hail injury.” However, there may be another cause, especially if your apple trees are York Imperial, Golden Delicious, or Delicious cultivars. It could be an easily curable physiological condition known as cork spot....

Table of Contents One of the more annoying problems we deal with as hydroponic growers is keeping an oxygenated root zone at the perfect water temperature. It’s crucial to squeeze as much yield out of our plants as possible and minimize the potential of disease and infection. However, keeping your hydroponic reservoir cool can be a challenge. Why Do Roots Need Cool Temperatures? Most indoor hydroponic growers that use a deep water culture system will run into the reservoir temperature issue at some point in a grow....

There are a lot of reasons to make your own seed bombs: Garden in hard-to-reach areas Beautify a barren lot with a floral explosion ​Garden in an area that’s otherwise “restricted” Start seeds in a creative and organized way in your own garden There are a lot of different ways to make your own seed bombs, but we’ll go over the simplest and easiest method in this article: the classic clay seed bomb....

So, what better reason to have a “pop” at growing your very own mood-boosting corn in your backyard? It might sound corny, but there is surely nothing better than curling up in front of a good movie with a big bowl of popcorn. Salty, sweet, or smothered in butter, popcorn is the ultimate comfort food, and one of the most popular snacks around. Even better, this beloved snack can actually be good for us....

In our guide to growing cabbage, we offer information on how to cultivate this cool-weather crop in your garden. Black rot of cabbage is a bacterial infection that causes extensive damage to brassicas, aka cruciferous vegetables, including bok choy, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and turnip greens. Caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (or Xcc), the bacteria enters a cabbage via a leaf pore or wound, such as a broken leaf. It spreads systemically, rendering all plant tissue vulnerable....

While most people know they can eat the unopened buds, or curds, they might be surprised to find out that the leaves and stalks are edible, too. Heaven is a bite of fresh cauliflower, straight from the garden. I have always loved this cruciferous veggie best when it’s eaten raw, or blended into a base for soup or vegan pasta sauce. As in the case of its close relative, broccoli, a head of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var....

In our guide to growing air plants, we discuss all you need to know to cultivate these funky, unusual plants. Tillandsia are members of the Bromeliad family. They are epiphytes that use their roots to cling harmlessly to surfaces such as trees and rocks for support, instead of using them to absorb nutrients. Commonly known as air plants, there are two types: mesic and xeric. The first come from tropical rainforest regions where moisture is abundant, and the second, from dry desert climes....