Gardening Basics

Evergreen trees and shrubs are lovely landscape plants with vibrant shades of year-round green. Holly, juniper, boxwood, rhododendron and other ornamental broad-leaf evergreens are valued for the...

Repairing a small engine is usually a much simpler task than many people think. The general rule of thumb with engines is that you need 4 things for them to work. The first is fuel, the second...

When it comes to gardening, one of the biggest concerns is how well the water drains. The soil you plant in must be capable of holding some water so that the plant can absorb it, but it must also...

Gardening is an enjoyable activity for many people. Not only does it allow you time to spend many enjoyable hours outdoors in the sunshine, it can provide fresh, healthy vegetables for your table....

Humming birds can be very charming, indeed. But how can you get them to visit your garden area more often? You could try simple things like adding a bird bath, or certain types of plants they...

As this may seem pretty simple to do, you will be surprised by how many house plants die from lack of care. This article will give you tips on how you can properly care for your plant. Providing...

The Weeping Siberian Pea Tree is a native to Russia, with blooms of a beautiful bright yellow color and shaped like a delicate pea. These trees prefer a more sunny location, but will tolerate some...

Rainwater gardens are excellent solutions to 2 common problems - you live in a watershed and are concerned about runoff carrying pollutants from fertilizers and pesticides into nearby lakes and...

Figs trees can be expensive to purchase in some areas, however they are easy to propagate. Material for several trees can be removed from one small plant. Propagation is simple and fun with the...

Since the victory gardens of WWI and WWII, food gardeners have known that the time their garden requires is well worth the effort. Planting a garden at your private residence is a healthy,...

An old wheelbarrow can go from eyesore to charming centerpiece in your garden when converted into a planter. Wheelbarrows function as movable planting boxes, broadening your planting possibilities...

Vegetable gardening can be a rewarding hobby, with a payoff of fresh produce at the finish line. Gardening doesn't require a large financial investment, but you do need to consider what plants...

Epsom salt is one of the easiest and cheapest fertilizers to use for a garden. It is primarily made up of magnesium and sulfur, which are important for seed germination and chlorophyll production,...

Desert willow (Chilopsis linearis) is not a true willow. This is a hardwood tree native to southeastern United States, Gulf Coast and western United States. Native Americans use the wood for a...

Growing mushrooms at home for food is easier than you might think. If you have a cool, dark, damp place where you can easily regulate the temperature in a small area, then you could have edible...

There is no better time to start planning a kitchen garden also known potage. It is a small herb and vegetable garden where you can grow to suit your cooking.

Healthy, nutrient-rich organic soil is the most important factor in growing a vigorous, prolific garden. Building up garden soil is a time-consuming process, sometimes taking several years until a...

High water bills during the summer months are common due to lawn and garden watering. If you cringe when you see an envelope from the water company, a rain barrel might ease the blow to your...

Arranging outdoor planters means arranging outdoor plants. Attractive planters can add a decorative touch to your garden or yard, but their primary purpose is to display your plants and allow you...

Keeping a gardening journal is an excellent way to stay motivated in your garden throughout every season of the year.

As the popularity of indoor and specialty gardens grows and use of the internet to purchase hard-to-find plants increases, shipping has become a popular method of delivery. It is possible to ship...

When you've decided you'd like to start a garden there are certain steps to take to ensure your success. It's a good idea to draw a picture of your garden, making notes on where the sun shines all...

Prevent winter damage to evergreens from wind and temperature changes. Protection methods for evergreens in planters depend on region and species. In her book, "Overwintering Potted Plants,"...

Plant cuttings are an easy and inexpensive way to add new specimens to your garden without spending a fortune. And if your friends, family or neighbors have plants you admire, starting a cutting...

Earth worms are nature's gardeners. They cultivate, aerate and fertilize, all without any effort or payment from you. Raise or buy them, then add worms to your lawn and garden and let them go to...

Several varieties make up the onion family, including the Egyptian onion that not only grows bulbs underground, but forms infant onions on its stems to replant. The best way to grow an onion is...

Pine trees have a different set of rules for pruning than most other conifers do. Improper trimming can cause needle death and damage to the tree. Here is how to do it properly to shape and...

Keeping your soil moist is essential for plant growth. Soil harbors many bacteria and other microbes that require moisture to thrive. These miniature communities keep plant roots healthy. If the...

A "yard of topsoil" technically refers to a cubic yard, an expression of volume equivalent to 27 cubic feet. In order to measure a yard of topsoil for your backyard, you will need to know the area...

Raspberries are a delicious berry that are fun to grow. They grow from shhots and expand rapidly.

Hanging ceramic flower pots along a fence or on a wall adds a new level to outdoor gardening. It's functional because the ceramic pots hold moisture for your potted plants, reducing watering...

Castor beans are not the typical garden bean plant since they are poisonous to eat. Ingestion of castor beans causes nausea, and death is possible if more than one is consumed. The castor bean is...

Some plants, vegetative and flowering, will grow weary over the course of several years, or even just a summer. Any bush, tree or plant is at risk for growing limp and lifeless--with brown spots,...

Aloe is a very good plant to grow. It has many medicinal purposes, is relatively easy to care for and can be grown both outdoors and indoors. If you like hummingbirds, this is also a plant which...

If you are planning to start your own personal garden, there are a few simple rules to follow so that your garden will thrive. Whether you plan to grow a vegetable garden or you want some sweet...

Having an encounter with poison ivy, oak, or sumac can be a terrible experience. The best way to deal with poison ivy, oak, and sumac is to be able to identify them and avoid them.

Many of the seedlings purchased at your local gardening warehouse were started in greenhouses or under specially designed grow lights. This is how you are able to purchase seedlings that are more...

Plant holders are ideal for artfully displaying potted plants, but sometimes they can seem unstable. Placing heavy plants on top of a lightweight plant stand can invite everything to topple to the...

Smoke bush is a drought-tolerant deciduous shrub featuring light red leaves that darken through the summer and fall. The flowers of the bush resemble smoke and that is how the plant got its name....

Guarana is indigenous to the forests of Brazil, and is used to heavy bouts of rainfall and intense heat waves. Guarana is used commercially in many beverages that promote alertness, appetite...

The fig tree is more commonly known as the fig bush, since it rarely develops into the recognizable shape of a tree. If you have a fig bush or if you would like to have one and you know someone...

Starting plants from seed early in the year is an ideal way to get a jump start on the growing season. When the seedlings are transplanted into the ground in the spring, they will already have a...

Flowering plum trees feature beautiful green leaves, a rounded shape, light pink flowers and decadently sweet fruits. They generally reach 20 or 30 feet in height, with trunks that are 6 to...

Ponds and waterfalls add a beautiful and formal touch to just about any garden setting. The glistening water provides a focal-point for your yard and invites guests to relax while enjoying the...

Hanging flowerpots can add color and beauty to any part of your house. You can hang flowerpots indoors or out as long as you anchor and secure them to a stable surface. Hanging a flowerpot...

Making your own compost is easy. Compost is decomposed plant material that provides nutrients and organic matter to the soil. It can also be useful for loosening the soil, making it easier for...

A small greenhouse can be useful for protecting tender plants in cold months, propagating cuttings and seeds or housing delicate plants year-round. It can also be the only place to grow your...

Greenhouses, when utilized properly, can provide optimal growth conditions for plants. Whether growing vegetables, tropicals or ornamental plants, a greenhouse has to be properly set up. Key...

Honeysuckle vines feature green leaves and bright orange or yellow trumpet-like flowers. The flowers are fragrant and produce a very sweet nectar that can be consumed and enjoyed. While...

The AeroGarden is a countertop hydroponics set-up marketed for growing anything from salad greens to cooking herbs, vegetables or flowers. Some AeroGardens come with a tray specifically intended...