Plant Problems

Learn how to avoid the many plant problems you'll run into when gardening - pests, diseases, and more. We provide treatment and prevention tips!

Bright yellow goldenrod flowers with slender petals attract wasps like the Asian paper wasp collecting pollen and nectar.

Garden Pests

15 Common Plants That Attract Wasps

It's unusual to talk about wanting to attract wasps. But these insects are valuable members of the garden ecosystem. Whether you want to attract them or avoid them, it's good to know which plants they like. Here are some of their favorites to add or take away from your garden!

A close-up shot of a composition of cattails and its foliage alongside other plants, showcasing invasive pond weeds

Weeds

7 Invasive Weeds to Remove From Your Pond Now

Prevent your backyard pond from getting overgrown with invasive aquatic weeds through early detection and quick removal. These aggressive pond weeds can easily take over, harming water quality, fish, and aesthetics. Here are the 7 most common species to look out for.

Close-up of corn ears showing ragged kernels damaged by a corn earworm, a plump, striped caterpillar with a brown head that feeds on developing corn.

Garden Pests

How to Combat Corn Earworms: Prevention and Management

Sweet corn envelops the taste of summer, with a much sweeter and fresher taste when it's homegrown. Corn earworms steal some of the joy as a common pest that can pop up throughout the season, especially with later yields. Garden expert Katherine Rowe explores how to prevent and manage the corn invaders for the most starchy goodness.

Slender European paper wasp with yellow and black markings perched on delicate yellow dill flowers, showing its benefits to the garden.

Garden Pests

3 Benefits of Wasps in the Garden

You might not know it, given their stinging reputation, but wasps are extremely helpful in the garden. Pollinator enthusiast Melissa Strauss makes the case for appreciating these flying frenemies, rather than chasing them off.

Close-up of a gardener's hand pulling a small weed with green leaves and a thin tuft of roots from a gravel garden bed.

Weeds

7 Effective Weeding Strategies for Gravel

Gravel is a low-maintenance mulch that creates a natural alpine look in the garden. Though it’s easy to care for, an occasional weed or two may sprout between its tiny rocks. Use these seven effective weeding strategies to ensure your gravel stays weed-free year-round.

Patches of dry brown grass scattered irregularly among healthy green lawn blades, creating a mottled summer lawn appearance, indicating summer lawn disease.

Plant Problems

7 Summer Lawn Diseases to Watch For

Summer heat and humidity create perfect conditions for lawn diseases that can devastate your grass in a matter of days. Knowing what to look for can save your lawn from permanent damage, especially since many diseases aren’t completely curable. Gardening expert Madison Moulton lists 7 summer lawn diseases you need to watch out for.

Top view, close-up of a lawn with brown patches among bright green grass in a garden.

Plant Problems

How to Fix the Brown Patches in Your Lawn

Brown patches are unsightly sores in your lawn. They turn a perfect, green yard into a struggling one! Fear not, as these seven steps will turn a dying lawn into a thriving one. Learn how to reseed bare patches alongside landscaper Jerad Bryant.

Weeds

5 Pro Tips to Cut Down on Summer Weeds

Summer weeds seem to pop up out of nowhere! They take up space, steal nutrients from your plants, and spread pests. Use these five pro tips from seasoned grower Jerad Bryant, and cut down on your summer weeds.

A close-up shot of a dying yellow flower atop a slender stem, showcasing a cause of wilting coneflower

Plant Problems

Why is My Coneflower Wilting?

Coneflowers are typically dependable and tough. When something causes them to wilt, it's surprising and a little troubling. Join gardening expert Melissa Strauss to talk about some possible reasons why your coneflower is wilting.

A rectangular dark container holds a variety of lush green plants, including those with broad, smooth leaves and others with more delicate, textured foliage, deterring insects naturally.

Garden Pests

19 Container Plants That Deter Biting Insects

Biting insects are the last ones you want in your garden! These pesky critters target your soft skin when you least expect it. Instead of swatting them, try planting these 19 container plants around your yard. They’ll help you battle the biters so they stay far from the garden.

A close-up shot of a yellow colored trap filled with small insects, showcasing how to make an integrated pest management system

Garden Pests

Integrated Pest Management for the Home Garden

Integrated pest management, or IPM for short, is a comprehensive strategy for battling pests and diseases in the garden. Instead of stepping in to remove the problem, it involves prevention, monitoring, and data to make informed decisions to reduce pests. Join longtime gardener Jerad Bryant in finding a pest management system that works well for you and your garden.