Basics

Whether you're new to gardening or experienced, everyone needs some gardening basics to get going!

In this category, you'll find a wealth of information that spans a wide number of topics. From seed starting to grow bag gardening, pruning tips to raised bed tricks, you'll find the fundamentals of gardening awaiting you here.

While it's optimized towards new gardeners, even a pro can find useful tips in our Basics category. We all need to get back to basics sometimes, and there are always useful tools and tips that other gardeners have developed along the way to add to your own practices.

Our Basics category can inspire you to new gardening heights, too. Those who have experience with in-ground planting can learn about other techniques such as raised beds or vertical gardening.

Seeds sink or float test. Pouring chia seeds into glass with water on a wooden table, on a blue background. Some seeds float while others remain at the bottom of the glass. The seeds are small, round in shape, and black in color.

Seeds

Soaking Seeds: What it Means if Seeds Sink or Float

If you want to produce healthy seedlings, you need to start with viable seeds. Some gardeners claim that testing whether seeds sink or float is a great way to determine if they’ll germinate. But is there any truth to this claim? Join gardener Briana Yablonski as she dives into the world of sinking and floating seeds.

A serene garden glows with colorful flowers and trees, embracing the warmth of the radiant sunlight. Beyond the sturdy wooden fences, towering trees provide a verdant backdrop, adding depth to the picturesque scene.

Gardening Tips

18 Beautiful Design Ideas for Small Gardens

If you have a limited amount of real estate but want to design a garden with unlimited impact, we have some great ideas for you to create a beautiful garden that will suit your space perfectly. Here, gardening expert Melissa Strauss shares 19 design ideas that are perfect for creating a beautiful garden in a small space.

march seeds. Close-up of broccoli in a sunny garden. The broccoli plant is characterized by its dense cluster of dark green, flowering heads composed of numerous small, tightly packed florets. These florets form a compact, rounded shape that resembles a miniature tree, with a central stalk supporting the foliage. Surrounding the main head are large, coarse leaves that extend outward and downward, forming a protective canopy around the developing florets.

Seeds

11 Seeds You Should Start in March

Spring is on the horizon, and there are so many seeds to plant. March sowing ensures abundant, flavorful harvests as the weather warms. Garden expert and former organic farmer Logan Hailey digs into 11 less-common seeds to start in March.

A vibrant display of Nasturtium plants, featuring striking orange flowers with delicate petals. Surrounding the blossoms are lush green leaves, forming a harmonious contrast and adding to the overall beauty of the botanical composition.

Companion Planting

Do Nasturtiums Repel Pests?

Nasturtiums are a staple of the annual garden, but what do they do? Are they companion plants, trap crops, or something else? Join organic farmer Jenna Rich as she tries to uncomplicate the topic of nasturtiums and whether or not they keep bugs away.

New York growing zones. Close-up of a man's hand about to pick a ripe apple in the garden on a blurred green background. The man is wearing a blue and red checkered shirt. The apple tree has spreading branches adorned with lush, green leaves. The leaves are ovate in shape, ranging from vibrant green to dark green. The apples themselves are large, round in shape, with shiny pinkish-green skin.

Gardening Tips

What Growing Zones Are in New York?

From Niagara Falls to NYC to the Adirondacks, New York State is rich in diverse landscapes that can support everything from sugar maples and blueberries to apples and cherry trees. Former organic farmer explains the four main growing zones in New York and how gardeners can choose the best winter-hardy plants for this snowy northeastern region.

Close-up of a man's hand touching a young pine seedling in the garden. On the mulched ground, next to the seedling, there is a pine cone. A pine seedling features a slender stem with greenish-brown bark and soft, needle-like leaves arranged in bundle. The cone is a cone-shaped structure featuring overlapping scales arranged in a spiral pattern around a central axis. The cone is dark brown in color with open scales.

Gardening Tips

Can you Grow a Tree From a Pine Cone?

You may have seen images of a baby tree growing from a pine cone, but this can be misleading. Horticulturist and garden expert Logan Hailey explains why you can’t necessarily plant a pine cone, but you can collect seeds from the cone to germinate your own trees.

A vibrant display of cascading flowers fills the foreground. Lush, healthy blooms in shades of purple and white tumble from overflowing hanging pots, their delicate petals contrasting against the greenery.

Seeds

How to Grow Your Own Hanging Baskets from Seed

Are hanging baskets a main focal point of your summer gardens? Do you want to customize your own hanging baskets? You can easily grow your baskets from seed right from your own home. In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago will walk you through the simple steps of how to grow your own hanging baskets from seed.