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A close-up of an Araucaria araucana branch showing vibrant green, spiky leaves with a dense forest in the background.

Trees

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Monkey Puzzle Trees

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.

Delicate purple blossoms amidst a cluster of green foliage, showcasing the blooming stage of the plant.

Herbs

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Patchouli

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

In the gardener's hand, rice hulls appear as a handful of light, straw-colored flakes with a rough, chaffy texture, ready to be scattered across the garden soil.

Soil Improvement

How and Why to Use Rice Hulls in the Garden

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.

Two tall wooden raised beds filled with a variety of salad crops, including cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, and radishes, thriving in a sunny garden.

Raised Bed Gardening

How to Grow a Salad Garden in Raised Beds

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.

This plant showcases tall, wiry stems adorned with rich purple, ball-shaped flower heads and finely divided green foliage, with native seeds that don't require stratification.

Seeds

13 Native Plants With Seeds That Don’t Require Cold Stratification

As more gardeners learn about the benefits of native plants, it’s no surprise these plants’ popularity is increasing. However, since many of these plants require a period of cold before they can germinate, they can take extra time to grow. If you’re interested in planting native seeds now, join plant expert Briana Yablonski to learn about seeds that can germinate without cold stratification.

Close-up of rich, dark, finely textured earth, showcasing its readiness for planting or cultivation.

Soil Improvement

What is Well-Drained Soil? How to Assess Soil Drainage

Understanding soil drainage terms helps you select the right plants for the right locations. Many species prefer well-drained soil, but what is it exactly? We’ll cover how to assess your garden soil’s drainage so you can confidently garden, worry-free. Explore how to know your soil better alongside native plant gardener Jerad Bryant.

Bright orange blossoms with delicately ruffled petals and golden-yellow centers, standing out vividly against a backdrop of lush green foliage in a spring garden.

Flowers

27 Popular Geum Varieties for Your Garden

Geums are beautiful, long-blooming perennials and semi-evergreens that are perfect for full sun and partially shaded spots in the garden. Here, gardening expert Melissa Strauss shares some gorgeous, colorful varieties.

Gardening tools, including a watering hose, terracotta pot, watering can, shovel, trowel, rake, green gloves, and a potted lavender plant, are arranged in a garden surrounded by blooming bright yellow marigolds and pink vinca.

Gardening Inspiration

15 Gardening Supplies and Tools To Stock Up on This Labor Day

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.

This image features several clusters of white bulbs with papery skins and smooth, rounded surfaces illuminated against a dark background, creating a striking contrast that highlights their texture and form.

Edible

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Sicilian Artichoke Softneck Garlic

Adored for its gorgeous purple striping on crisp white papers, versatility in the kitchen, and large, long-lasting, spicy bulbs, ‘Sicilian Artichoke’ garlic practically sells itself. If you’re ready to dive into softneck garlic, join organic farmer Jenna Rich as she discusses how to plant, care for, properly cure, and store this heirloom legend.

Close-up of two ripe hybrid peppers with round, irregular shapes and bumpy ridges, featuring glossy thin skins in green and bright orange.

Vegetables

A Comprehensive Guide to Creating Your Own Hybrid Peppers

Hybrid peppers combine the genetics of two different varieties into one. Plant breeders use this process to make new varieties like mild jalapeños or spicy bell peppers. Like them, you too can make hybrid peppers! Follow these 11 easy steps from avid pepper grower Jerad Bryant to create new, unique hybrids.

An image featuring a cascade of delicate, lavender-blue blossoms hanging gracefully from long stems, creating a dreamy, romantic atmosphere against the backdrop of a clear blue sky.

Vines

How and When To Prune Wisteria: 5 Expert Tips

Wisteria is a stunning flowering vine with draping leaves, pendulous blooms, and a heavy fragrance. The wild beauty is unparalleled in mid-spring when its flowers appear. It’s also highly vigorous and can overwhelm a space without proper pruning. Explore how to prune wisteria, including American and Kentucky species, for best growth and flowering with gardening expert Katherine Rowe.