The 6 Cantaloupe Growing Stages

Cantaloupe Growing Stages

Cantaloupe grows on sprawling vines that take up a lot of space in the garden. What does the plant go through between planting and harvest? Here is the answer.  Important Cantaloupe Facts Scientific Name  Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis  Type of plant  annual  Part Eaten  fruit  Days to Harvest  70-100 days  Season Grown  Warm season  Cooked or … Read more

The 7 Strawberry Growth Stages

Strawberry growing stages

Strawberries are not only delicious, but they are also good for you. If you want more berries in your diet, this guide will show you the stages of growth of the strawberry plant.  Important Strawberry Facts Scientific Name  Fragaria × ananassa  Type of plant  perennial  Part Eaten  berry  Days to Harvest  175 days from germination  … Read more

Blueberry Growing Stages

Blueberries growing stages

Blueberry bushes produce delicious fruit that birds, animals, and people love. The blueberry bush can live up to 50 years if taken care of, so plant one where it can stay for that long. Here is what you need to know about blueberry growth stages.  Important Blueberry Facts Scientific Name  Vaccinium (the second word varies … Read more

The 5 Broccoli Growing Stages

Broccoli Growing Stages

Broccoli is a cool-season vegetable. It is grown for the unopened flower heads that form a clump at the top of the plant. Some broccolis also have side shoots that grow smaller heads after the primary head is harvested. Important Broccoli Facts Scientific Name  Brassica oleracea var. italica  Type of plant  Biennial, grown as an annual  Part … Read more

The 6 Lemon Growth Stages

Lemon growing stages

Lemons are only hardy in USDA zones 8-11, so most parts of the country can’t grow them outside. There is a long tradition of growing lemon trees indoors, however, so don’t despair if you live in a cold area. Most people grow ‘Ponderosa’ or ‘Meyer’ lemons indoors. I will use Meyer lemons for this guide.  … Read more

The 6 Growing Stages of Banana Tree

Banana tree growing stages

Banana plants are tropical plants from Asia. They are now grown in tropical areas all over the world. In colder areas, bananas can be grown indoors. Important Banana Facts Scientific Name  Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana  Type of plant  Perennial  Part Eaten  fruit  Days to Harvest  10-20 months  Season Grown  All seasons  Cooked or raw  both  Optimal … Read more

Hardwood Mulch – What Is It And How Do I Use It?

hardwood mulch

Mulch has a number of benefits for the garden. However, you need the right mulch to get the most benefits from it. Here is a guide to when and how to use hardwood mulch.  What Is Hardwood Mulch? Hardwood mulch is the ground-up bark and wood of hardwood trees. It is often a by-product of … Read more

Thyme Companion Plants – The 15 Best and 5 Worst Plants

thyme companion plants

Thyme is a popular culinary herb that is easy to grow. Here are the best and worst companion plants for thyme.  Why Does Thyme Need Companion Plants? Here are the ways companion plants work with thyme.  Repel Insects Thyme repels many common insect pests. Plants like the Alliums, chamomile, lavender, marjoram, oregano, sage, and rosemary … Read more

Companion Plants For Cantaloupe – The 15 Best and 5 Worst Plants

Cantaloupe companion plants

Cantaloupes suffer from a lot of insect pests. The right companion plants can help that problem as well as others when planted around cantaloupe.  Why Does Cantaloupe Need Companion Plants? Here are the ways companion plants help cantaloupe.  Repel Insects Plants such as the Alliums and aromatic herbs repel insect pests with their scent. They … Read more

The 3 Best Grow Lights for Tomatoes

Best grow lights for tomatoes

Tomatoes are the most popular home-grown crop in the world. However, they are only able to grow in a narrow temperature range. Growing tomatoes indoors solves that problem.  Why Use A Grow Light For Tomatoes? Light from windows is seldom sufficient to grow good tomatoes, whether you are starting seeds or growing the whole plant … Read more

The 5 Best Potting Soils For Tomatoes

Best Potting Soils For Tomatoes

Tomatoes grow great in containers if they have the proper soil to grow in. What do you use? Here are my thoughts on potting soil for tomatoes in containers.  Why Use Potting Soil For Tomatoes In Containers? The temptation is to just scoop some topsoil into a pot and plant your tomato in that. However, … Read more

The 5 Best Grow Bags for Tomatoes

Best grow bags for tomatoes

Tomatoes are grown in more home gardens than any other plant. What if you don’t have room to grow tomatoes? Consider using grow bags.  Are Grow Bags A Good Way To Grow Tomato Plants? Grow bags are a great way to grow tomato plants if the grow bag is large enough. Tomato plants have extensive … Read more

Lemongrass Companion Plants – The 15 Best and 5 Worst Plants

Lemon Grass Companion Plants

Lemon grass is used a lot in Asian food. In addition, lemon grass is used in many home remedies. It has a nice scent, as well. There are companion plants that benefit from growing near it and others that help lemon grass grow better.  Why Does Lemon Grass Need Companion Plants? Here are the ways … Read more

15 Companion Plants For Bok Choy – And 5 To Keep Separate 

bok choy companion plants

Bok choy is a popular type of Chinese cabbage. It is a member of the Brassica family, along with cabbage, broccoli, and others. Why Does Bok Choy Need Companion Plants? The idea of companion plants is that certain plants help or harm other plants. Helpful ones should be planted together, while harmful ones should be … Read more

Pine Straw Mulch – What Is It And How Do I Use It?

Pine Straw Mulch

Every Extension service recommends using mulch around trees, shrubs, and in landscape beds.  However, there are so many mulches you may not know which one to choose. This guide discusses pine straw mulch and how and when to use it.  What Is Pine Straw Mulch? Pine straw mulch is made from the needles of Long … Read more

Pine Bark Mulch – What Is It And How Do I Use It?

Pine bark mulch

Research has shown that mulching helps plant health. Each type of mulch has different uses. This guide tells you all about pine bark mulch. What is Pine Bark Mulch? When pine trees are cut for lumber, the branches and bark are removed before the tree is cut into boards. Pine bark mulch is the bark … Read more

Cypress Mulch –What Is It And How Do I Use It?

Cypress Mulch

Research shows that mulch stabilizes soil temperatures and moisture and helps protect from weeds. There are lots of different kinds of mulch, though, so what do you use where? Here is a guide to cypress mulch.  What Is Cypress Mulch? Cypress mulch is the chipped-up trunk and bark of the bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) or pond … Read more

The 23 Best Types of Mulch in 2024

Mulch types

Every plant expert tells you to mulch your plants. There are so many mulches out there; how do you choose? This guide will tell you all about choosing and using mulch.  What Is Mulch? Mulches are used to cover the exposed soil in landscape beds and vegetable gardens and around trees and shrubs.  Advantages and … Read more

The 9 Best Pickling Cucumber Varieties in 2024

Best Pickling Cucumber Varieties

Growing your own cucumbers is very satisfying. Unfortunately, I get lots of cucumbers and can’t eat them all fresh. Canning the cucumbers into pickles is a good way to preserve them for later use. Here is a guide to the best cucumber varieties to grow for making pickles. Some of them also make good eating when … Read more

The 9 Best Climbing (Vine) Cucumber Varieties in 2024

Climbing (Vine) Cucumber Varieties

Cucumber vines can be trained to grow up trellises, down from balconies, and in hanging baskets to save space and keep the fruit clean. They can also be allowed to sprawl on the ground if you have lots of room. In any case, you may wonder what the best vining cucumbers are to grow.  Vine … Read more

The 9 Best Bush Cucumber Varieties in 2024

bush cucumber varieties

Cucumbers are a popular fruit to grow in the home garden. However, they take up a lot of space in the garden or have to be trellised to keep them healthy. If you do not have a lot of space or don’t want to mess with a trellis, a bush cucumber might be for you. … Read more

Why Are My Cucumber Plants Wilting And Dying?

why are my cucumber plants wilting and dying?

Cucumbers are grown by a lot of people. Unfortunately, cucumbers are plagued with a variety of problems. This guide will give you the most common reasons for your plants to wilt and die.  When Will Wilting and Dying Happen? Cucumbers are most vulnerable to wilting and dying when they are seedlings. They do not have … Read more

What Are Burpless Cucumbers – How Can You Grow and Harvest Them?

Growing burpless cucumbers

Cucumbers can cause people to burp, which is embarrassing. However, breeders have created cucumbers that cause fewer burps, called burpless cucumbers. Here is everything you need to know to grow burpless cucumbers.  Quick Growing Guide for the Burpless Cucumber Plant Type Annual  Resistant to Varies by variety  USDA Hardiness Zone 2a-11b  Maintenance Moderate  Season Late … Read more

What Are Kirby Cucumbers – How Can You Grow and Harvest Them?

Kirby Cucumbers

Next to tomatoes, cucumbers are the most common vegetable grown in home gardens. There are many varieties of cucumbers. ‘Kirby cucumber’ is a general term for pickling cucumbers.  Quick Growing Guide for the Kirby Cucumber Plant Type   Annual  Resistant to   Varies by variety  USDA Hardiness Zone   2a-11b  Maintenance   Moderate  Season   Late spring through frost  Soil … Read more

How and When to Harvest Cucumbers?

when to harvest cucumbers?

Cucumbers are one of the most popular things to grow in the home garden.  They are very good for you when harvested and stored properly.  Why Should We Harvest Cucumbers Properly? Cucumbers are harvested when immature.  It can be a bit tricky to determine when to harvest them.  However, you need to learn for three … Read more

The 5 Best Fertilizers for Zoysia Grass in 2024

best fertilizers for zoysia grass

Zoysia grass is a warm-season grass that is considered a high-maintenance grass.  It requires quite a bit of fertilization and care to thrive.  Does Zoysia Grass Need Fertilizer? Zoysia needs more nitrogen and potassium than any soil contains.  It also needs more phosphorus than most soils contain.  Without proper fertilization, zoysia grass will not grow … Read more

The 5 Best Fertilizers for Centipede Grass in 2024

best fertilizer for centipede grass

Centipede grass is a warm-season grass with an apple-green color. It is slow growing and requires less fertilizer and mowing than other grasses. It is more tolerant of shade than Bermuda grass but less than St. Augustine. This article will cover everything you need to know about centipede grass fertilizer, let’s get started! Does Centipede … Read more

The 5 Best Fall Lawn Fertilizers in 2024

best fall lawn fertilizer

Almost everyone with a lawn worries about the best time to fertilize.  Fall is an important time to fertilize your lawn. This guide will tell you what to use and how to use it in the fall to set your lawn up for winter and early spring, regardless of your grass type.  Do I Need … Read more

The 5 Best Lemon Tree Fertilizers in 2024

best fertilizer for lemon trees

Lemon trees are fun to grow. Even if you live in a climate that is too cold to grow lemon trees outdoors, you can grow one indoors. This guide will tell you about the best fertilizers for your lemon trees.  Why Fertilize Lemon Trees? Lemon trees are heavy feeders in the landscape and in pots. … Read more

The 5 Best High Nitrogen Fertilizers in 2024

best high nitrogen fertilizer

Many plants benefit from an application of a high-nitrogen fertilizer. However, there are so many fertilizers to choose from you may have trouble knowing which one is best. This guide will help. What is a High-Nitrogen Fertilizer? A high nitrogen fertilizer is a fertilizer where the amount of nitrogen in the fertilizer is higher than … Read more

What is 3-1-2 Fertilizer Good For? – When and How to Use It?

3-1-2 fertilizer

There are hundreds of fertilizers for sale.  This guide will tell you what 3-1-2 fertilizer is used for and how to buy the best 3-1-2 fertilizer.  What Is 3-1-2 Fertilizer? A 3-1-2 has three percent nitrogen, one percent phosphorus, and two percent potassium.  You can buy 3-1-2 fertilizer, but you can also buy fertilizer with … Read more

The 10 Best Lawn Fertilizers of 2024

best lawn fertilizer

Lawns need fertilizer to grow and stay thick and lush. However, the many varieties of fertilizer can be confusing. Here are the best lawn fertilizers and how to use them.  Types of Lawn Fertilizers Fertilizers come in many forms. Here are the most common forms of fertilizer that are used on lawns.  Liquid Liquid fertilizers … Read more

How Do I Keep Ants Off Pumpkin Plants? ( 8 Solutions)

how to keep ants off pumpkin plants

Most people grow pumpkins to eat and enjoy. Unfortunately, while not all ants are bad, some sting like fire ants. So you may be wondering, “How do I keep ants off my pumpkin plants?”  Fire ants hurt when they sting you as you work in your pumpkin patch. Other ants may protect pests that damage … Read more

How and When to Harvest Elephant Garlic?

How and When to Harvest Elephant Garlic?

Elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum) is more closely related to leeks than garlic. Elephant garlic produces huge bulbs and is very tasty. But, you may wonder, “When do I harvest elephant garlic?”  Elephant garlic is more like hard-necked garlic than soft-necked garlic. This is because the stalks are cut off after curing instead of being used to … Read more

The 10 Best Fertilizers for Indoor Plants in 2024

best fertilizer for indoor plants

Most people have some indoor plants. They help clean the air and brighten up a room. You may be wondering which of the hundreds of fertilizers on the market are right for your plants. The right fertilizer depends on the plant. Here is a general guide to picking the best fertilizer for each plant you … Read more

Companion Planting – Everything You Need to Know 

companion planting

Companion planting is growing more popular as a means to reduce the use of pesticides and attract pollinators. This is particularly true for small home gardeners.    What Is Companion Planting? Companion planting (also called intercropping) is growing plants close together because of their ability to enhance each other. Planting the three sisters (corn, beans, and … Read more

The Best Fertilizer for Roses in 2024

Roses are a very popular flowering shrub. They do require a lot of care, but that is part of their charm. Here is all you need to know about fertilizing your roses to have them look their best.  Why Fertilize Roses? Roses need a lot of nutrients to produce bloom after bloom. No soil can … Read more

The Best Fertilizer for Vegetable Garden in 2024

best fertilizer for vegetable garden

More and more people are growing their own vegetables. However, vegetables need to be fertilized, and the many fertilizers available can be confusing. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about fertilizing your vegetable garden.  Why Fertilize Vegetable Gardens? Vegetables are heavy feeders because it takes a lot to make the vegetables … Read more

Growing Cucumbers in a Pot – How Do I Grow Cucumbers in a Pot?

how to grow cucumbers in a pot?

You can grow cucumbers even if you do not have a lot of land. Cucumbers can be grown in containers with a little care. This guide tells you how to do that.  Types of Cucumbers to Grow in a Pot Cucumbers can be either pickling cucumbers or slicing cucumbers. Pickling cucumbers have bumpy skin. They produce … Read more

The Best Fertilizer For Strawberries in 2024 

best fertilizer for strawberries

Strawberries are easy to grow and nutritious. They have lots of vitamin C. Strawberries do require supplemental fertilizer, however. This guide will tell you all about fertilizing your strawberries.  Why Fertilize Strawberries? While strawberry plants will grow without fertilizer, they have very small berries, and they do not produce many of them. If you want … Read more

The Best Fertilizer for Blueberries in 2024

best fertilizer for blueberries

Blueberries are a delicious and nutritious food. Taking care of your blueberry bush requires fertilizing it. Here is the best way to keep your blueberry bush healthy and productive.  Why Fertilize Blueberries? Blueberries are heavy feeders year after year. Soil becomes depleted of nutrients faster than they are replaced. If you do not fertilize your … Read more

The Best Fertilizer for St. Augustine Grass in 2024

best fertilizer for st augustine grass

St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) is a spreading grass with a coarse texture. It is grown primarily in the southern United States. It is the least cold hardy of the warm season grasses, so it doesn’t grow in the northern United States. St. Augustine grass is a heavy feeder and requires a yearly fertilization program … Read more

What is 16-16-16 Fertilizer Good For? – When and How to Use It?

16-16-16 fertilizer

Fertilizers can be confusing. This guide will explain what 16-16-16 is and how to use it.  What Is 16-16-16 Fertilizer? Triple 16 contains sixteen percent nitrogen, sixteen percent phosphorus, and sixteen percent potassium. It is a balanced fertilizer because all the numbers are the same.  Briefly, nitrogen is used everywhere in the plant to grow. … Read more

What is 10-10-10 Fertilizer Good For? – When and How to Use It?

10-10-10 fertilizer

Fertilizers can be confusing as you look at shelves of the stuff at a store. Which one do you need? This guide discusses 10-10-10 and when to use it.  What Is 10-10-10 Fertilizer? Triple 10 fertilizer is ten percent nitrogen, ten percent phosphorus, and ten percent potassium. The other seventy percent is made up of … Read more

Corn Companion Plants – The 15 Best and 5 Worst Plants

Corn companion plants

Corn is grown by a lot of home gardeners. There are many pests and diseases that attack corn. Planting corn with good companion plants can improve yields and reduce problems. The famous three sisters (corn, beans, and squash) have been planted together for hundreds of years. Here are the best companion plants for corn and … Read more

Turnip Companion Plants – The 15 Best and 7 Worst Plants

Turnip Companion Plants

Turnips are grown both for their green leaves and for the starchy swelling above the roots. Both the greens and roots are vulnerable to pests. Here are some good companion plants that turnips will grow well with, and some that you should not plant them nearby.  Why Do Turnips Need Companion Plants? Here are some … Read more

Leek Companion Plants – 15 Companion Plants for Leeks and 4 to Avoid

Leek Companion Plants

Leeks are an allium, in the same family as onions and garlic.  Like other alliums, leeks have a strong odor.  Many plants benefit from being planted near leeks.  Other plants benefit from leeks when planted near them. Here are the best companion plants for leeks and the ones not to plant near leeks.  Why Do … Read more

Borage Companion Plants – The 15 Best and 3 Worst Plants

Borage companion plants

Borage (Borago officinalis) is used as an attractive plant in flower beds, in salads, and in traditional herbal medicine. Borage is often used as a companion plant in the landscape or the vegetable garden. This guide tells you which plants to use near the borage and which to plants to avoid.  Note: Borage should not … Read more

Lemon Balm Companion Plants – The 15 Best and 4 Worst Plants

Lemon balm companion plants

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is an aromatic herb that is used in cooking and in medicine. The lemon scent is very fragrant. There are many plants that are good companions for lemon balm in the garden.  Why Does Lemon Balm Need Companion Plants? Here are the ways companion plants help lemon balm. Increase Nutrients Peas … Read more

Artichoke Companion Plants – The 15 Best and 3 Worst Plants

Artichoke companion plants

Artichokes (Cynara cardunculus var. Scolymus) are a long-lived perennials. Since artichokes live so long, you should make certain that you only plant things near them that are good companions. This guide discusses what you should plant around your artichoke to help it grow and what plants to avoid.  Note: This article deals with artichokes. Jerusalem … Read more