Pruning jade plants is important in order to maintain their size, shape, and overall health. In this post, you’ll learn why, when, and exactly how to prune Crassulas, step by step. Pruning a jade plant is not difficult, but it’s also not intuitively obvious if you’ve never done it before. It’s definitely intimidating if you don’t know what to do. But fortunately jade plants are very forgiving, and can take a hard pruning....
When you find scale on plants, getting rid of them can take some time – but it’s not impossible! In this post, I will show you exactly how to get rid of scale on houseplants, FOR GOOD. Simply follow these organic houseplant scale treatment methods. Sometimes it feels like all of the plant bugs on the planet are trying to attack my houseplants! Until a few years ago, I’ve never had to deal with houseplant scale before....
We have an area behind our house that gets full sun that I always thought would be perfect for growing, but it’s under the eaves of the house so it doesn’t get much rain. My husband put a few pots of peppers there last year, but hand-watering all of those pots became a major chore in the heat of the summer. We were in a drought last year, so we had to manually water these pots a few times a day....
Neem oil is an effective and natural way to kill bugs on houseplants, or battle tough insect pests out in the garden. Below you will find tons of information about it, learn how to use it for insect control, and I’ll also show you how to make your own spray for plants using my neem oil insecticide recipe. Dealing with destructive insects is one of the biggest frustrations indoor gardeners face....
Hibiscus plants are easier to grow and care for than you might think. In this post, I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about them so you can keep them thriving for years to come. The large, colorful blooms of hibiscus plants make them a favorite among gardeners. And, with the right care, you can enjoy those gorgeous flowers year after year. In this hibiscus care guide I’ve shared essential tips on how to grow them either indoors or outdoors....
Spreading mulch is an easy garden maintenance task that comes with a lot of benefits. Understanding when, how, and what kind to spread can feel complicated to beginners though, and there is a wrong way to do it. In this guide you’ll find all the information you need to choose the right mulch material for each of your gardens, plus how and when to spread it correctly. Below I’ll show you my simple 4 step process, and essential tool list, so you can easily spread mulch in your garden the right way....
Dehydrating apples is a great way to enjoy them year-round. In this post, I’ll talk about five easy methods to try, and show you exactly how to dry apples step-by-step. If you love dried apples, then I have good news for you. It’s very easy to make your own using the fruit from your tree, the orchard, or even the grocery store. Dehydrating apples is a great way to keep them for long-term so you can enjoy them year-round....
Harvesting squash is not difficult, but it can be hard to know exactly when to do it. In this post, you’ll learn how to tell when both summer and winter squash are ready, the best time to pick them, and how to do it the right way. Though the actual steps for harvesting squash are very straightforward, determining when they are ready can be a bit more challenging. It’s important to get to them at the right time for the best flavor and texture....
Dracaena marginata makes a lovely tree indoors or outside, and is fairly easy to care for. In this post, I’ll show you all you need to know in order to be successful, and keep your Madagascar dragon tree thriving for decades to come. Home gardeners looking for a low-maintenance, beautiful houseplant will love a Dracaena marginata. They’re very durable and adapt easily to many different light settings. Plus, the red and green foliage make them a stunning addition to your home!...
Growing delicious and beautiful eggplant in your home garden is easier than you may think. In this post, I’ll show you all you need to know in order to have your best crop ever. Even the newest beginner can grow eggplant successfully by learning how to provide the right environment and care to keep them thriving. In this complete guide, I’ve shared all of the information you need to successfully grow eggplant....
Grape jelly is easier to make than most people realize, especially with my quick recipe. In this post I’ll show you exactly how to make it, step by step. There is something so delicious and special about homemade grape jelly, and this recipe is the best, especially for beginners. If you have always loved the thought of making your own grape jelly, but felt intimidated to do so, this recipe is for you....
Finding mold on seedlings is frustrating! In this post, I’ll show you step-by-step how to get rid of mold growing on your germinating seeds, starts, soil, and pots, and prevent it from coming back. When mold starts growing on your carefully cultivated seedlings, it can be very disheartening. It’s definitely one of the most annoying things about caring for seedlings, and something I get asked about a lot. But the good news is that it’s easy to fix!...
Overwintering peppers isn’t very hard, and it’s a great way to keep your favorites year after year. In this post, I will show you how to keep them as live or dormant plants. You’ll also get tons of care tips to ensure they survive the winter. I started overwintering my pepper plants indoors a few years ago out of frustration. Every year I start all of our peppers from seed....
Poinsettia care can be tricky, but they aren’t difficult to grow once you know what they need. In this post I’ll tell you all you need to know in order to keep them alive after Christmas, and for many years to come. Poinsettias are bright and beautiful symbols of the holiday season. Their mere presence in a room transforms the space into a more festive and merry place. Though they are commonly sold as gift plants, you can keep them growing year-round....
Propagating plumerias is a great way to expand your collection, or share your favorites with friends. In this post, I’ll talk about the different methods, tell you when and how to take cuttings, and then show you how to root them, step-by-step. Though it sounds like it would be difficult, plumerias (aka: frangipanim, kalachuchi, or Hawaiian lei tree) are surprisingly quick and easy to propagate. Below I’ll talk about the different methods you can try, and then dive into all of the information you need to know, including my best tips for success....
If you are like me, you probably end the summer with way too many cherry tomatoes from your garden. Or at least, more that you can eat. Don’t let that overabundance go to waste! You can use them to make homemade sun dried cherry tomatoes. Read on to learn how incredibly easy it is to make DIY sun dried cherry tomatoes with just a couple of simple tools and ingredients....
Why is my jade plant turning red!? This is a very common question, and one I get asked about a lot. In this post, I will tell you all the reasons for the color change, and give you tips to troubleshoot and fix any possible problems. Jade plants are popular because they’re easy to care for, and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. But if you’ve ever had one that turned red instead of green, you might be worried or confused by this color change....
Lavender is a beautiful flowering herb that is well known for its calming fragrance and beneficial essential oils. If you’re growing lavender in your garden, you can easily make your own DIY dried lavender. There are so many wonderful uses for it too. It’s excellent for making tea, cooking and baking, crafting, making sachets, and tons of DIY beauty products. And guess what… drying lavender is really easy, and doesn’t take much time or effort....
Overwintering dahlias is not hard, and it’s well worth the effort to keep them year after year. In this post, I’ll show you three methods to try, as well as when and how to dig up the tubers, instructions for storing them, winter care tips, and much more. No matter where you live, you can easily keep dahlias over winter, and regrow them every year. Even if you live in a frozen tundra like I do here in Minnesota....
Whether you’re looking for vertical garden plants to climb a trellis, or to fill your hanging gardens, you have tons of options! But what are the best plants for vertical gardens? When it comes to growing vertically, choosing the best plants to use can be confusing and overwhelming. If you accidentally buy the wrong type of plant, it can ruin your vertical garden. Don’t worry, I’m going to make this super easy for you!...
