Posts

Adding the right indoor plants to an office environment can provide numerous benefits, some of which most of us are probably not even aware of. Not only are they beautiful to look at, they also help to soften the sterile, empty corners of the average office space. Small plants can add life and color to any area, while larger office plants create fantastic natural privacy barriers. There’s also something about office houseplants that just makes people feel happier....

Growing summer squash is so simple, and it’s a staple in many home gardens. In this post, I’ll show you everything you need to know in order to be successful, and have your best crop ever. The highly prolific and easy-to-grow summer squash makes it an ideal vegetable for beginners to try out. But understanding how to take care of it is an important first step. This complete guide provides all the key information that a home gardener needs for successfully growing summer squash....

Yellow cucumbers are a common problem that many gardeners face, but what causes the color change? In this post, I’ll discuss all of the possible causes, and give you tons of tips to prevent it from happening. Healthy vines are in bloom and you’re excited to start enjoying the fruits of your labor, only to notice you have yellow cucumbers. It can be very frustrating and confusing, but even experienced gardeners battle with this problem....

A concrete block raised bed is cheap and easy to build, and a great way to quickly add DIY raised garden beds to your yard. The best part is that you can build your raised bed right over the top of the grass! In this post, I will show you exactly how to build a raised garden bed with concrete blocks step-by-step. A few years ago, I got to work on a project to build a community garden....

Growing astilbe (aka false goat’s beard) is easy and they don’t require any special care. In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know, including where to plant them, water, sunlight, soil, fertilizer, and much more! With its airy, leafy foliage and striking flowers, astilbes make a colorful addition to shady perennial gardens. Enjoying the blossoms year after year is easy, once you’ve learned how to give your false goat’s beard the love and attention it needs to thrive....

Harvesting basil is very easy, and doesn’t take much time. In this post, I’ll show you exactly how and when to pick basil leaves for the largest yield and freshest flavor. I’ll even give you tips for washing and using it after you harvest it too. The great thing about harvesting basil is that is it quick and simple. Since it’s a cut-and-come-again herb, the more you pick it, the more you’ll get....

Painting terracotta pots is a fun way to add color to your home or garden. In this tutorial for how to paint terracotta pots you’ll also learn: what paint to use on terracotta plant pots, how to prepare your pots for painting, and how to seal clay pots. Tired of the traditional look of terracotta plant pots? Spice them up with a fresh coat of paint. Add a bit of color to your garden by adding hand painted plant pots that fit your style....

If you’ve never planted carrot seeds before, you might be expecting a complex process. But nothing could be further from the truth. They get a bad wrap because they can be finicky. But growing carrots seeds is actually very easy once you know how. So, if you’re ready to finally be successful, then this is for you! Below I will walk you through all that you need to know in order to grow carrots from seed, step by step....

Propagating basil is a great way to multiply your supply and get even more of your favorite herb. In this post, I’ll share the most common methods to try, and show you step by step how to propagate basil by cuttings or division. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, learning how to propagate basil is a great way to ensure you always have it when you need it....

Finding the best gardening tools can be overwhelming – especially for newbies! So I’m going to help make it easier for you to choose the right ones with this list of my top picks for the most essential tools used for gardening. There are more gardening tools and gadgets on the market these days than ever before. So, how can you figure out which ones are the best, and what you really need?...

When it comes to growing plants in containers, you’ll probably find that your biggest cost will be buying the soil. So why not save yourself some money, and make DIY container soil instead. Making DIY soil for container gardening is easy, and saves you money. These container soil recipes are simple to prepare, and require only a couple of common ingredients, which can be found at any garden center. Preparing your own mix using these recipes will ensure that you’re using the best potting soil mix for container gardening....

Adding butterfly flowers and host plants is the best way to attract these stunning creatures to your yard. You’re sure to find tons of great options that will keep them coming back for more with this list of the best butterfly plants. The right plants and flowers will attract multiple generations of butterflies, and fill your yard with their timeless beauty year after year. But you have to choose wisely, because there are certain types they like better than others....

Canning cherry tomatoes isn’t difficult, and it’s a great way to use them throughout the year. Once you learn how, you’ll have plenty on hand whenever you need them. Learning how to can cherry tomatoes is an important skill, especially for gardeners, since they are so prolific. That way you can use them up without any waste, and enjoy them year round. There are many recipes you could add them to, or you can simply eat them right out of the jar....

Heart leaf philodendrons are wonderful vining plants that can thrive for decades with the right care. In this post, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about how to grow them, so you can have the best success. The beautiful leaves on long vines make the heart leaf philodendron easy to love. They’re also simple to care for, even for beginners. Below you’ll learn how to care for your heart leaf philodendron including water, light, and soil requirements, as well as tips on growing them like a pro....

Freezing pumpkin is fast and easy, and a great way to keep it on hand whenever you need it. In this post, I’ll show you exactly how to do it with either chunks or puree, step by step. If you’ve found yourself with an abundance of pumpkins this season, or you want to keep it on hand for all of your winter recipes, then try freezing some. It’s quick to do with only a few simple steps, and you can use it in all kinds of dishes or baked goods....

Growing parsley from seed can be a bit frustrating for beginners. But, once you know a few tricks, you’ll have much better success. In this post, I will tell you everything you need to know, and show you exactly how to grow parsley seeds step by step. Parsley is a very popular herb that is low maintenance once it becomes established. It is a biennial, which means that it will flower (bolt) the second year....

Pea seeds are one of the easiest types of seeds to collect from the garden, and one of the most recognizable seeds too. Yes indeedy, the seeds are the peas inside the pea pods that we love to eat. How cool is that? So, if you want to try saving pea seeds from your garden, leave some of the pea pods on the plant so they can mature into seeds that you can save for next year....

This DIY concrete block planter not only looks fantastic, but you can get super creative with it, and come up with your own unique design. It’s also versatile, so you can put it anywhere – and make it as small or large as you need to fill your space. It’s also wonderful way to try your hand at growing vertically, and is excellent for adding height to a boring empty corner like mine....

The flea beetles have been worse than ever in my garden this summer, and the Japanese beetles are no fun either. On top of that, the slugs have been turning my hostas into Swiss cheese (Ahhh, the joys of gardening). I need all the help I can get fighting these and other destructive bugs in the garden organically. Using Eggshells As Organic Pest Control There is a well known organic pesticide called diatomaceous earth, which is basically the fossilized remains of creatures that are ground into a fine powder....

Harvesting cucumbers isn’t difficult, but timing is everything. In this post, I’ll show you how to tell when they’re ready, so you can pick them at the perfect time. You’ll also get tips for how to do it right, and what to do with your bounty. Knowing exactly when to harvest cucumbers and how to pick them correctly is key for healthy vines and more fruit. Below I’ve shared everything you need to bring in a healthy and bountiful crop....