Nothing grows up big and healthy without eating well. Whether you’re growing tomatoes, tulips, turf, or toddlers, they don’t grow unless you feed them, and what you feed them matters. And understanding how compost and fertilizer function differently will help you grow green grass, tasty tomatoes, abundant alliums, and squash the size of a small … Read more
A greenhouse does more than extend the growing season. With the right equipment, it can allow you to grow fresh produce all year long. This is true even if your space is limited to just a small area in the yard or on the deck. Finding the right small greenhouse to fit your needs can … Read more
The only three guarantees in the life of a gardener are birth, death, and weeds. If you’re a compulsive composter like me, you can’t stand the idea of stuffing all that free green material into a plastic bag and sending it to a landfill. The problem is that if you compost weeds incorrectly you’ll plant … Read more
If you’re new to gardening or landscaping you may be tempted to omit a mulch layer, but the longer you grow plants outdoors the more obvious the benefits of mulch become. Whether your aim is to make your growing area prettier, healthier, or lower maintenance, mulch is the solution. The enormous variety of types of … Read more
The Flowtron BK-80D is a no-fuss bug zapper that has an impressive 1-1/2 acres of land coverage and a mosquito attractant.
Read our honest review here.
Coppertone Sedum has a split personality. It is a dramatic, gold, and coral succulent that grows into short bushes and spreads as ground cover when grown outdoors. Indoors, it is a cute but easily overlooked succulent, with leaves like green bananas just beginning to ripen. Wherever you grow it, Coppertone succulent is a resilient, low-maintenance … Read more
Lipstick echeveria is a popular, attractive, low-maintenance succulent. It grows well in an arrangement with other potted succulents and looks great in warm-weather gardens, on its own in a small pot, or even in warm-weather rock gardens. Plus, you don’t even need a green thumb to grow lipstick echeveria – all it requires is a … Read more
Seeing a flower growing out of a crack in the sidewalk may give you the optimistic impression that plants can survive under even the hard conditions (literally), but that isn’t the case for houseplants. Most popular houseplants are reasonably resilient, but only when they’re grown in a suitable environment, and that includes healthy, fertile, aerated … Read more
Few things are more annoying than a persistent mosquito, but it’s easy to forget they are also dangerous. Humans are vulnerable to several potentially fatal mosquito-borne diseases, including malaria, Zika, West Nile, Chikungunya, and dengue fever. A severe allergic reaction, “Skeeter Syndrome,” can also be life-threatening. Popular synthetic chemical sprays like Deet can deter mosquitoes. … Read more
There is something particularly violating about finding dog poop on your front lawn. The sight immediately breeds feelings of disgust and discontent. In most cases, the act isn’t personal, but it can be hard not to feel like it is, which only worsens the situation. Luckily, whether you are dealing with a malicious pooper or … Read more
Pruning shears are tough and made to last. But, just like with any gardening tool, regularly cleaning them can keep its blades sharp, prevent rust, and make pruning fast and effortless rather than an exhausting and numbing grip workout. It can also save your plants from deadly cross-contamination because your pruners are free from bacteria, … Read more
Mosquitos are annoying, but for your dog, they can be deadly. Heartworm, which used to be a problem only in warm, southern states, has now spread to every state in the country, except for Alaska. Without treatment, which can be very costly and take months to complete, dogs infected by this mosquito-borne illness will die. … Read more
At best, mosquitoes are annoying. At worst, they are vectors for a long list of serious diseases, including Zika, Dengue Fever, and West Nile virus. Because of the risks these insects pose to humans, livestock, and pets, it is easy to forget that they are a natural part of a healthy ecosystem. When we use … Read more
Mosquitoes are annoying, irritating, and, as it turns out, the most deadly animal in the world. According to the World Mosquito Project, these little bloodsuckers are responsible for over one million human deaths per year. That’s more than lions, tigers, and hippos combined! If you have a high number of mosquitoes living in your yard, … Read more
Unless you live in the tropics, there’s no way to grow tomatoes outdoors in the winter. In some areas, you may be able to start plants in early spring or keep your plants fruiting into the fall, but generally, tomatoes won’t survive the first frost. If you can’t survive another winter without fresh tomatoes, and … Read more
Mosquitoes are probably one of the most annoying guests you’ll ever have at outdoor parties, camping trips, or even in your own home. They suck your blood and leave you with distressingly itchy blisters or, worse, sick. Which begs the question: who invited these suckers anyway? While most people would say it’s your light that’s … Read more
There is no more frustrating time of year for gardeners than late winter and early spring. Luckily, starting seeds in a greenhouse can give you a head start on the growing season and scratch your itch to get your fingers in the soil. With so many different plants you can start in the greenhouse, it … Read more
When your home or garden doesn’t fill you with joy because it lacks a few things or needs some TLC, you may not be able to enjoy summer to the fullest. In which case, isn’t it time you did something about it? Here are four ways to enhance your home and garden before summer is … Read more
The first time I saw a cold frame, just for a moment, I thought I was looking at a magical portal to the center of the earth. Then my father lifted the frame and its heavy pane of steamy glass, revealing a treasure trove of early spring lettuces and herbs inside. Cold frames aren’t portals … Read more
Even though succulents and cacti are less colorful and dramatic than other plants, they are popular houseplants because they are resilient and easy enough for beginning gardeners to grow successfully. Plus, there are many varieties to choose from. If you want to add a little glamour to your cactus garden and have the patience for … Read more
