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One of the most widely used herbs, parsley is a bright green biennial plant with feather-like leaves. Native to the Mediterranean region, it prefers temperate climates but thrives in a range of climatic conditions. There are two primary varieties of parsley: flat-leaf parsley and curly parsley. Table of Contents While curly leaf parsley is the more popular of the two, both varieties are used for culinary purposes. The curly leaf variety is generally used as a garnish....

Greensand, also called glauconite, is an incredible organic soil amendment for your organic garden. Table of Contents It’s a mineral that formed in prehistoric times in anaerobic ocean environments. Deposits of iron, potassium, lime, silicates, and 30+ other trace minerals at the bottom of stagnant pools of water eventually compressed to form the rock known as greensand, which is mined up and processed for use in the garden. It’s easily crumbled, thus the name greensand stuck due to both the texture and color of the mineral....

Summer: Time to Garden Like a Boss As I woke up this morning, I knew it was going to be a beautiful day here in San Diego, CA. The cast iron skillet was sizzling with some heirloom onions and eggs from the farmer’s market and I looked outside my kitchen window to something that horrified me to my very core. Table of Contents My backyard “garden” was looking absolutely pathetic....

Whether you’re planning for spring or just getting a head start on your gardening tasks in general, starting seeds can be one of the trickiest parts of being a gardener. If you’re used to buying seedlings from your local nursery and haven’t started seeds before, it can be daunting to figure out exactly what type of seed starting mix is best. In this article, I’ll get into exactly what you need to know when choosing the best seed starting mix for your garden and seedlings....

Our guide to growing morning glories provides all you need to know to grow and care for these flowering vines at your house. The morning glory, Ipomoea purpurea, is an annual for cultivation in Zones 2 to 11 with funnel-like blue, pink, purple, white, or bicolor blossoms that adorn clinging vines from summer through fall. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission....

Table of Contents If you’re reading this post, chances are you’ve got an old pallet that isn’t being used at all. I had one too, and I knew there was SOMETHING I could do with it…but what? With a little creative thinking (and Googling), I came up with a cool idea for a vertical pallet garden that cost me under $30 to build! It should grow about 12 heads of lettuce and 12 bunches of spinach, which helps me hit my goal to grow 80% of the the greens I eat....

The best thing to do with an infected plant is to purge it from your garden, so the disease will not spread. Phytoplasma Aster yellows is a devastating disease that can affect more than 300 plant species. And that only includes broad-leaved plants! Aster yellows also affects grain crops like wheat and barley. Without effective management, the disease can rapidly spiral out of control. Aster yellows is found throughout North America, Europe, and much of the world’s temperate zones....

While spending hours out in the garden is one of life’s greatest joys, it can take a toll on our bodies. Our skin, hands, and most importantly, knees can all suffer unless we protect them. Table of Contents Being as tall as I am, my knees are always under extra stress. So I wanted to find garden kneelers and gardening mats to protect me when I’m knee deep in the dirt....

Peanuts are also popularly known as groundnuts. These are not a nut actually but belong to legumes family, just like beans and peas. Native to South America, they thrive best in a warm climate. Peanuts can also grow in cold climates in pots, indoors. If you have always wondered Where do Peanuts Come From, then you’re at the right place. Let’s find out! Check out our article on where does black pepper come from here Some Interesting Groundnut Facts The month of March accounts for the National Peanut Lovers Day (15 March) and National Peanut Month....

Citrus leafminer (Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton) is a common citrus pest for growers worldwide. As the name suggests, this pest creates unsightly tunnels under the surface of leaves. Although it originated in Asia, the citrus leafminer has spread to all citrus-growing regions along with the popularity of citrus fruits. In the United States, the first documented case of this pest was in Florida in 1993 and is now found in Texas, southern California, and other citrus-producing states....

Choose Your Location Site your pond where it will get plenty of light, with some direct sunlight to help plants grow. Avoid placing it near deciduous trees, otherwise you’ll spend a lot of time removing dead leaves from the water. Dig the Hole Mark out the shape of the pond with pegs & string, or chalk. It will need to be 90cm deep in the centre, if you’re keeping fish. It will also need a shelf for marginal plants, and to allow frogs and other creatures to get out....

This will help to ensure that the new grass you are about to put down will get the fullest possible amount of sunlight, as well as prevent the possibility of unwanted fungal growth later on. Chances are that after the long winter, there are at least a few patches in your turf that are sparse, or completely bare. Those spots can lend themselves to erosion, and spoil the overall appearance of your lawn....

These plants are pretty easy to care for when they’re lush and growing. But when winter strikes, you’ll need to change your approach. At this time of year, the cultural requirements of Parthenocissus tricuspidata will change. Whether it’s gracing the brick walls of Ivy League campuses or an old backyard shed, the way that Boston ivy adheres to vertical surfaces is incredible. Combine this climbing ability with quick growth, beautiful fall foliage, and versatile toughness, and you’ve got yourself an all-star planting!...

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!...

There are so many types of echeveria that it’s hard to choose one. If you’re looking for elegance though, one type stands out: the echeveria Perle von Nurnberg. Table of Contents The spoon-shaped leaves of this succulent overlap to create a pristine rosette. However, PVN’s intrigue is in its color. The whole plant is a spectrum of blue-gray and pink with a hint of purple. It’s dusted in pruinose, which is a botanical term for white powder....

This shrubby, upright, sprawly, succulent-like plant has as many aliases as it does forms: You may know it as upright myrtle spurge, silver spurge, gopher spurge, or even milkweed. Euphorbia biglandulosa Unlike its rather dull brown rodent namesake, gopher plant is beautifully colored, impressing with distinctive gray-blue, lance-shaped leaves, chartreuse bracts, and bright yellow springtime flowers. Gopher plant (Euphorbia rigida) is native to the Mediterranean and the Middle East, where it is considered a weed....

Lifting and trimming the roots rejuvenates existing clumps for improved flowering, and you’ll have plenty of leftover rhizomes to transplant to new locations. Named for the rainbow goddess of Greek mythology, irises are tall, elegant perennials that produce an amazing assortment of showy flowers in sumptuous colors and have a sweet floral scent. Once established, plants form large, attractive clumps as the fleshy rhizomes creep and spread. However, when the roots become overcrowded, the center of the clump can die out and flower production dwindles....

There are some varieties that do well in containers if that’s more your style. Some varieties are considered invasive species in certain areas, so make sure to double-check your chosen variety before planting. There’s nothing quite like a freshly picked blackberry – and these fruits are easy to grow, nutritious, and delicious. Blackberries are a part of the Rosaceae family, along with some tasty relatives like strawberries, apricots, and raspberries. Like raspberries, most blackberry brambles are thorny, tangly, and can sprawl across your landscape if they’re not maintained....

Imagine this: you’re busy in the kitchen, rustling up some grub for dinner when inspiration hits. The bland boxed mac and cheese would be perfect with a bit of oregano! Instead of grabbing a dusty old shaker from the back of the pantry, you reach for your kitchen shears and head out the backdoor. Just outside, you snip a few leaves, give them a rinse, and throw them in the pot....

But it’s no good when those leaves start looking a bit shabby. I’m not sure about the name, as I have somewhat of an aversion to arachnids, but I know spider plants themselves are stellar. Their strappy, often striped mounds of leaves are different from so many other houseplants. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission....