Posts By

Emily Estep

Emily Estep has a master’s degree in Environmental and Plant Biology from Ohio University, where she studied sustainable agriculture and conducted research on alternatives to synthetic fertilizer at the OHIO Student Farm. Recently, she has contributed to The Spruce and Better Homes & Gardens as a fact checker and an editor.

Close-up of a vibrant Daylily flower with a trumpet shape, displaying fiery shades of orange and red, and prominent yellow stamens at the center.

Ornamental Gardens

17 Perennials You Can Transplant in Fall

If you’re wondering if you can transplant your perennials in fall, the answer is often yes. Many perennials will handle an autumnal transplant just fine, emerging the next spring in their new spot like nothing happened. From spring-blooming bulbs to hardy hostas, there are plenty of plants that won’t mind the transition. Plant biologist Emily Estep lists 17 perennials you can transplant this fall.

Camellia japonica boasts glossy, dark green leaves with serrated edges, paired with large, rose-like flowers in shades of pink that have soft, overlapping petals.

Ornamental Gardens

19 Evergreen Trees and Shrubs That Thrive in the Shade

Are you looking for an evergreen tree or shrub that’ll prosper on your property despite the fact that it barely sees any sunlight? Colorful azaleas, dark green hollies, and hedge boxwoods are just a few of your many options. Plant biologist Emily Estep will name and explain 21 different evergreen trees and shrubs that thrive in shade, offering year-round color despite your lack of light.

Repot orchid placed in separate containers, having different-colored petals having bright green stems and leaves

Houseplants

11 Signs It’s Time to Repot Your Orchid

How do you know if it’s time to repot your orchid? Perhaps its silvery roots are crowded, your potting medium is decaying, or your plant just keeps toppling off the shelf. Maybe you just got an orchid at the grocery store and can see that it was potted poorly. Houseplant enthusiast Emily Estep explains 11 scenarios in which you may want to switch your orchid from its old, dingy pot into something fresh.

Close-up of a ripe apple fruit among green foliage, showing a brown rotting hole caused by pests.

Fruits

What’s Eating My Apples? 13 Apple Tree Pests to Watch For

Is your apple tree under attack? From common aphids and spider mites to the proverbial worm in the apple, there are a surprising amount of pests that could be the culprit. Management may be simple or somewhat challenging. Plant biologist Emily Estep will walk you through 13 different apple tree pests, including how to identify them and how to treat them.

The plant has tall stems topped with daisy-like flowers featuring purple petals and a prominent orange-brown center, surrounded by lance-shaped green leaves.

Ornamental Gardens

23 Tidy Native Plants That Are Easy to Manage

If you want more native species around your home or in your garden but aren’t interested in the upkeep that comes with vigorous growers, we’ve got a list for you. Native plants are essential for wildlife, and they’re destined to flourish within their native range. Gardening enthusiast Emily Estep has rounded up a list of natives that stay compact and orderly, so you can maintain a tidy, organized garden without all the hassle.

Pink oyster mushrooms with delicate, fan-shaped caps growing from a block of cultivated substrate.

Edible

Which Mushrooms Are Easiest to Grow?

Are you interested in growing mushrooms at home, but you’re not sure where to start? There are a lot of types of edible fungi out there. While some of these species can be cultivated at home, others are nearly impossible, and growing mushrooms at home is way different than growing veggies. Amateur mycologist Emily Estep will explain why some species are easier to propagate than others and will list a few effortless options to help you begin.

A pile of large, golden-brown allium bulbs mixed with smaller, papery-skinned allium bulbs, showing their overlapping layers and rough, dried roots.

Edible

How to Harvest, Cure, and Store Onions and Garlic So They Last

Are you growing onions or garlic this year? These low-maintenance veggies aren’t too difficult to cultivate, but the process of harvesting, curing, and storing them properly involves a few steps. Beyond the basics, a few clever ideas can simplify the process further. Plant biologist Emily Estep will walk you through our pro tips when it comes to harvesting, curing, and storing onions and garlic.

Marigold plants in a raised bed have feathery, dark green leaves and produce bright, rounded flower heads in vibrant hues of orange, yellow, and red, with a ruffled texture.

Raised Bed Gardening

19 Best Raised Bed Garden Plants for Hot Climates

Not sure which raised bed plants can beat the heat? Whether you’re in a hot climate zone or just notice that your area is subject to more and more heat waves each year, planning raised beds around high temps is a good idea. Plant biologist Emily Estep will walk you through some solid choices for raised bed garden plants in hot climates.

Gardening Tips

The Right Way to Use Hydrogen Peroxide in the Garden

Have you been hearing about various ways to use hydrogen peroxide in the garden? You may be surprised to learn that, more often than not, it’s not actually that effective or affordable. There are better, cheaper DIY methods. Plant biologist Emily Estep will explain the right way to use hydrogen peroxide in the garden, revealing superior techniques.

Many flowers of showy plants for bees butterflies, serving as the flower's pollinators

Ornamental Gardens

23 Showy Plants That Feed Bees and Butterflies

Whether you want to encourage healthy bee populations or just simply love watching the butterflies, you’ll want to plant an array of showy plants that feed these fragile pollinators. These plants can add color and texture to your garden. Plant biologist Emily Estep walks you through a list of bold, flowering plants that bees and butterflies adore.

The American Beech Tree has smooth, gray bark with toothed, glossy, dark green leaves.

Trees

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for American Beech Trees

Do you have an American beech tree on your land that you’d like to preserve and maintain for many years to come? Perhaps you’re thinking about transplanting a young, container-grown American beech somewhere near your home? These U.S. natives can become massive, living for hundreds of years if healthy. Plant biologist Emily Estep will tell you everything you need to know about the great American beech.

Wisteria showcases long, cascading clusters of fragrant, pea-like flowers in shades of purple with pinnate leaves.

Ornamental Gardens

23 Native Plants for Clay Soils

Unsure what to plant in your clay soil? You could spend a lot of time aerating and amending the earth, or you could just choose species that naturally thrive in clay. Better yet, there are lots of native species for you to choose from that won’t compete with the local ecosystem. Plant biologist Emily Estep lists 23 native plants for clay soils that you can grow.