Are you looking for an unusual conifer to add to the landscape? Monkey puzzle trees have been around for hundreds of millions of years, with odd branches covered in spiraling leaves. They’re surprisingly easy to grow in mild climates throughout the United States. Plant biologist Emily Estep walks you through everything you need to know about this South American native.
Did you know that patchouli is actually a member of the mint family? This tropical herb is as low-maintenance as its temperate mint cousins, though it won’t survive a hard frost. If you’re a patchouli fan, you’ve got to try growing the plant for yourself. You can create your own incense, smudge sticks, and herbal tea. Plant biologist Emily Estep will tell you what you need to know to grow and care for patchouli
If you’re always on the lookout for a more sustainable soil amendment or mulch, then you need to know more about rice hulls. They’re a food-safe byproduct that comes from processing rice, and they offer numerous benefits as both an amendment and as mulch. While other materials like perlite and peat are non-renewable or potentially harmful, this option is an environmentally-friendly choice. Plant biologist Emily Estep will explain the basics to get you started.
How would you like to step outside and harvest everything you need for a fresh, nutritious salad? Growing your own salad garden is easy, especially if you set it up in a raised bed. You can grow greens, tomatoes, garnishes, and more. Gardening enthusiast Emily Estep will walk you through each step of the process, from selecting a site to harvesting your bounty.
Late summer or early fall is a surprisingly good time to restore your now-depleted stock of garden supplies. If your shed is full of empty seed packets, rusty tools, and cracked planters, Labor Day is a convenient time to replace your garden staples and explore new products. Gardening enthusiast Emily Estep recommends you check out these supplies and tools.
Did you know that there are nearly 20 varieties of mint? Classics like spearmint, fruity herbs like banana mint, and flowering plants that you never knew were actually mint, like pennyroyal, are just a few on the list. Gardening enthusiast Emily Estep will explain the subtle difference between these many Mentha species.
Raised beds are quickly becoming a preferred method for many gardeners. This versatile technique has a laundry list of benefits. Are you new to raised bed gardening and wondering which plants to choose? Gardening enthusiast Emily Estep names and explains 15 plants you should be growing in raised beds.
Watering your hanging baskets properly in summer is an absolute must, and the process is a little different than your regular garden routine. A few days of mistakes, and your plants could be toast. Gardening enthusiast Emily Estep will tell you all you need to know about watering hanging baskets for flourishing flowers and foliage.
Are you a beginner gardener looking for perennials that don’t require a green thumb in order to flourish? Or perhaps you’re a pro, searching for plants that you can set and forget? Bulletproof perennials that return year after year with little effort are the answer. Gardening enthusiast Emily Estep walks you through a list of perennials that are nearly invincible.
If you’re not careful, bacterial- and fungal-borne diseases can infect and destroy your watermelon plants. While some diseases are more damaging than others, they can all affect fruit. Plant biologist Emily Estep lists seven watermelon diseases, explaining how to identify them, how to treat them, and how to prevent them in the first place.
Planning the landscaping around your pool? From tropical trees to mosquito-repelling herbs, there are countless options. Some larger hedges and shrubs can even provide a privacy fence. Gardening enthusiast Emily Estep has gathered a list of perfect poolside plants to guide your search.
Nitrogen fixers are the superheroes of the garden world, adding available nitrogen to the soil for whatever you plant next, saving you money on fertilizer, and often acting as stellar cover crops that further suppress weeds and improve soil structure. Gardening enthusiast Emily Estep walks you through 11 nitrogen-fixing plants that will improve your garden soil with minimal effort.