Garden & Lawn

A waterfall is a wonderful addition to any garden or pond, but the effect can be ruined by dirty, cloudy, or algae-choked water. Adding plants to your water feature is a great way to provide...

Evergreens provide color, windbreak and privacy to the landscape year-round. They are a food source and habitat for wildlife as well. Sometimes in the dead of winter, however, a little greenery...

Hydroponics, a method for growing plants without soil, can be a challenge to sustain according to the University of Arizona College of Agriculture. Hydroponic gardening has been around since the...

Composting is the process by which organic matter such as table scraps, leaves and grass clippings are placed into an outdoor pile and allowed to decompose. The heat that is generated by the...

Grow your own potatoes to save money all season long. Potatoes are easy to grow and require very little attention. There is no need to purchase seeds as the potato itself is planted directly into...

Leaf mold adds nutrients to the garden and is used as a soil amendment or a mulch in garden beds. It is also a nutritious ingredient to add to potting soil mixes and houseplant dressings. Leaf...

Most Americans pride themselves on a nice green lawn. But maybe you are looking to put something in place of your lawn that requires less maintenance. The easiest way to start fresh in your yard...

Heat and humidity help seeds germinate and grow into healthy seedlings. Because many seeds require very specific conditions to germinate, using a greenhouse can prevent sowing a patch of seeds...

Lead contamination in household objects is dangerous because it can cause lead poisoning in people who come into contact with them. Lead is sometimes present in items such as paint, toys and...

Sturdy concrete containers won't topple in strong winds. Neither will they crack in extremely cold water. The soil in a cement container will remain moist and the roots will stay relatively cool.

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...

Outdoor gardens are unable to survive during the winter months, due to the lack of sunlight and the cold temperatures. As a result, many people are unable to enjoy their favorite homegrown...

Not everyone has raised beds or large areas for gardening, so the most common alternative is container gardening. These gardens need more water than a conventional garden because the container can...

Easy to grow, easy to cook and adaptable to almost any warm environment, rice is the second-most produced grain in the world according to the United Nations' Food and Agricultural Organization....

The amaryllis is a unique plant because it is able to grow either in soil or in water. Amaryllis comes in a variety of colors and is considered a foolproof flower by many gardeners. Purchase bulbs...

Plant your favorite herbs to use in meals and bouquets. Pack them into a large container to create a full and stunning pot. Nestle them along a garden border or directly into the garden for a...

Most all land-grant colleges across the country have an agricultural extension service office. The purpose of these offices is to offer a consultancy on growing plants and land management...

Siberian crabapple trees are popular with gardeners and professional landscapers across the United States because of their adaptability. They are also prized for their tolerance of disease,...

Self-watering planters help take the guesswork out of caring for your houseplants. With a self-watering pot, the plant itself gets to determine how much water it needs and how often through a...

Snakes can be important to have around because they eat mice and bugs, keeping you from having a field of mice invading your home. If, however, you have an abundance of snakes in your yard and...

Grow grass in a box by properly sowing the grass seeds in an adequate container with clean top soil and by providing favorable environmental conditions for the growth of grass. Grass is a generic...

Grow your own beans for their fresh flavor and bright color in a patio garden. Whether you choose climbing beans that run up a trellis or the more compact bush beans, the plants are ideally suited...

Container gardens are an attractive and functional option for people with small yards or no yards at all. Manufactured planter pots can be expensive, and the ceramic ones are very heavy....

Although the rose of Sharon is used in landscaping as a privacy screen and to add a vertical aspect to flower beds, some consider it an invasive weed. This is because of the ease with which its...

Although an outdoor compost heap is a useful way to dispose of kitchen waste during the summer months, it may not be a viable alternative in cold winters. Vermicomposting, or composting with...

Hydroponic tomatoes are grown within a controlled environment, such as a greenhouse, and without the aid of soil. The tiny plants begin to emerge with the use of a platform that is slotted to...

Living in an apartment or a home with a small yard doesn't mean you must rely on the supermarket for your vegetables. Container vegetable gardens are a common method of growing produce when a...

Growing trees from seeds can be a rewarding experience after a few years have past and you can see the fruits of your labor. Plant your seeds in a container to grow a seedling with a strong root...

The cliche "don't make a mountain out of a molehill" may apply to many situations in life, but when it comes to getting rid of moles in your yard, it's important to take the problem seriously. Not...

It can be very rewarding to create a beautiful flower garden. You should know, however, that you will have to be on the watch for pests and bugs that will want to munch on your new plants. These...

You don't need a yard in order to plant a garden. As long as you have a patio, balcony or deck, you have enough space to grow vegetables in containers. Patio gardening is growing in popularity as...

Other than pests, weeds are a gardener's biggest pet peeve. Weeds reproduce quickly and, if left untreated, can rob plants or trees of valuable nutrients. In extreme cases, the weeds can actually...

Cannas are an exotic tropical plant related to the banana and ginger root plants. They have been hybridized to include many variations. Their height ranges from 2 to 8 feet, with colors of...

Meal worms are often used to feed pet reptiles and amphibians. These golden brown larvae can be purchased at pet stores and are often kept refrigerated when used as food. In order to breed meal...

If you are looking for an interesting and unusual garden feature, consider planting a container garden in a bathtub. Bathtubs work well as a garden planter because they are big, sturdy and look...

In winter, outdoor herbs can be damaged due to low temperatures and snow. A great solution is to take cuttings from your outdoor herb garden before the temperatures drop and bring them indoors to...

Worms are used to recycle organic wastes and other decayed food materials. The organisms feed on the waste materials and pass it to the soil again. Worm compost is a powerful fertilizer ideal for...

Composting is the process of converting organic wastes, such as kitchen ingredients, into plant food. Because it happens naturally, all you have to do is not throw your kitchen scraps away, but...

Organic fertilizers augment garden nutrition without risking over-fertilizing. Fish has been used since prehistoric times as a natural garden fertilizer. Fish emulsion concentrates nutrients from...

According to Purdue University's Department of Horticulture, the definition of an annual is a plant that goes through its life cycle in one season (see References 1). Sometimes other flowering...

Rotary spreaders use a rotating disc to spread material. Also known as broadcast spreaders, they are ideal for covering areas in a short amount of time. However, they are not the best choice when...

Yellow jackets are some of the most aggressive wasps in the United States. They are extremely protective of their nests and will likely attack anybody or anything that goes near it. For this...

Want to raise a spud but don't have the space to do it? Not a problem. Potatoes are among the easiest of edibles to grow inside. As they thrive well in warm, sunny climates, the warmth of an...

The common orange-brown surface of terra cotta plant containers can be dull. Add color to your potted plants by covering the terra cotta container with paint, three-dimensional artwork or a...

Gardening is a rewarding way to reap the benefits of nature's bounty. While gardening can become expensive, there are some ways that you can save money and help recycle by reusing your potting...

Bats are harmless flying mammals that are nocturnal. They like to roost in quiet, dark enclosed areas like wooden bridges, barns, dead trees and attics. You can make an indoor area less habitable...

Topsoil is necessary for plant growth but, on its own, is not the ideal environment for growing healthy plants. Fortifying topsoil with peat moss, which is decomposed plant matter, helps retain...

Containers can add variety to an outdoor garden or can bring the enjoyment of gardening indoors. By following these instructions for preparing a large container for planting, you will create an...

People use elephant ear leaves for many different crafts. Casting the leaves and drying them are two of the most popular options. Whether you want to preserve the elephant ears for casting at a...

Sphagnum moss grows in wet and boggy areas with low pH levels. It's typically found in thick, spongy clumps and has light green color fronds or leaves. Sphagnum moss is harvested as a...