Stephanie Suesan Smith 
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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 (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 (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
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
Rhubarb is grown for its fleshy stalk. The leaves are poisonous and should be removed when the stalk is harvested. This cool season crop has both pest and disease problems. Consider companion planting to prevent problems and make the rhubarb grow better. Here are the best plants to use and the few you should not … Read more
Brussel sprouts are a delicious and nutritious vegetable in the Cruciferae family. They are a cool-season crop that can be vulnerable to many insect pests. They also need a number of nutrients while growing. Using companion planting can help with some of these problems and needs. Why Do Brussel Sprouts Need Companion Plants? If you are new … Read more
Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables to grow. Nothing tastes better than a tomato fresh off the vine. Growing beefsteak tomatoes for fresh eating is not hard. Quick Growing Guide for the Beefsteak Tomato Plant Type Mostly indeterminate Resistant to varies USDA Hardiness Zone 3-9 Maintenance Moderate to High Season Summer, early … Read more
Tomatoes are delicious when they are homegrown. Roma-type tomatoes are ideal for canning and making sauce. If you want to grow your own cooking ingredients, this is a good tomato to grow. Quick Growing Guide for the Roma-Type Tomato Plant Type Mostly Determinate Resistant to varies USDA Hardiness Zone 3-9 Maintenance Moderate to High Season … Read more
San Marzano tomatoes are famous among cooks for their flavor. You may be interested in trying to grow them for yourself. This guide tells you how. Quick Growing Guide for the San Marzano Tomato Plant Type Indeterminate Resistant to Fusarium Wilt, Root Knot Nematode, Tomato Mosaic Virus, Verticillium Wilt USDA Hardiness Zone 3-9 Maintenance Moderate … Read more
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
Tomatoes are a popular plant to grow and come in thousands of different varieties. If you are interested in growing Early Girl tomatoes, this guide will tell you everything you need to know. Quick Growing Guide for the Early Girl Tomato Plant Type: Indeterminate Resistant to: Fusarium Wilt 1, Fusarium Wilt 2, Root Knot Nematode, … Read more
Tomatoes are grown by more people worldwide than any other vegetable. For forty years, Celebrity tomatoes were the standard that all other tomato varieties were measured against. While some recent hybrids have surpassed it, this is still a great tomato to grow. This guide will tell you everything you need to know to decide if … Read more
Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are grown by more gardeners than any other fruit. Tomatoes are native to Central and South America. They were domesticated in Mexico and there are many wild varieties still in existence. I have grown tomatoes for many years and these are the things you need to know to get your own tasty tomatoes. … Read more
Bermuda grass is native to Africa. It is grown across the southern United States as a lawn grass and on stadium lawns and golf courses. Bermuda grass requires fertilization several times a year to look its best. Here are the best fertilizers for your Bermuda grass. Best Bermuda Grass Fertilizers Different fertilizers meet different needs. … Read more
Tomatoes taste better right out of the garden. Unfortunately, a lot can grow wrong from seed to mouth. Here is a guide to the most common tomato diseases to help you have a wonderful harvest. I’ve written an in-depth guide on how to grow tomatoes that you might want to check out! Caused by Fungal … Read more
Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables people grow. They are the most popular vegetable in the United States. You can grow tomatoes even if you do not have a yard to plant them in. Tomato plants grow well in containers. Best Tomatoes To Grow In Pots Tomatoes come in two varieties. Indeterminate tomato … Read more
Cucumbers are a popular vegetable to grow. Sometimes it is hard to know how much sun a cucumber plant needs. How Much Light Do Cucumber Plants Need? The amount of light differs inside and outside. Outside – Cucumber Sun Requirements Cucumbers need at least six hours of sun and will grow much better with … Read more
Cucumbers are very tasty and nutritious. Many people grow them in their garden or in containers. You may wonder how many plants you will need to plant to have enough cucumbers. How Many Cucumbers Does One Plant Produce? Each cucumber vine is a little different, but the average slicing cucumber has ten to fifteen cucumbers … Read more
Cucumber plants are very thirsty plants. Therefore, proper watering is crucial to getting lots of tasty cucumbers. How Often Do I Water Cucumber Plants? Cucumber plants growing in the ground should be watered once or twice a week. Cucumber plants in containers should be watered several times a week to keep the soil evenly moist. … Read more
Cucumbers are a popular vegetable to grow. Start your cucumbers off right by spacing the vines far enough apart. Why Is Spacing Important? Cucumber vines that are planted too close together have problems finding space to spread out as much as they need to and do not produce as many cucumbers. The vines compete for … Read more
Tomatoes are grown by more people than any other vegetable. Millions of people put months of effort into growing juicy, flavorful tomatoes. Sometimes people love their tomato plants so much they kill them with kindness. Can You Overwater a Tomato Plant? Yes, you can definitely overwater a tomato plant. Tomato plants should be watered every … Read more
Tomatoes are one of the most-grown vegetables in the United States. I have found that there are lots of things that can go wrong between planting your tomato plant and eating your tomatoes. This guide explains what blossom end rot is and how to prevent it. What Is Blossom End Rot in Tomatoes? Blossom end … Read more
Cucumbers are a popular warm-season vegetable to grow. Cucumber plants go through different stages when growing. Each stage needs slightly different amounts of water and fertilizer to grow optimally. This guide will discuss the stages of a cucumber plant and what care the plant needs at each stage. Cucumber Plant Stages Here are the seven … Read more
Cucumbers are easy to grow. Sometimes, though, people give their cucumber plants so much love that they make them sick. This guide discusses what happens when a cucumber plant is overwatered. Can You Overwater A Cucumber Plant? Yes, you can overwater a cucumber plant. Cucumbers need 1-2 inches of water a week. Providing more water … Read more
Finding a problem with your tomatoes can be frustrating. Some problems are easy to solve, while others mean you need to destroy the plant. This guide will help you diagnose white spots on your tomato leaves. Top 6 Reasons for White Spots on Tomato Leaves There are several problems that cause white spots on leaves. … Read more
Tomato plants are fun and easy to grow. There are some things to be careful about when growing them. This guide talks about leggy tomatoes, how to avoid them, and how to deal with them. Leggy Tomato Seedlings Versus Normal Tomato Seedlings Tomato seedlings should be short and stocky. Seedlings should have the diameter of … Read more
Tomatoes are a popular vegetable to grow at home. Occasionally, tomato plants have problems. This guide will talk about what causes brown leaves on tomatoes, what to do about it, and how to prevent brown leaves. Top 9 Reasons My Tomato Leaves Turning Brown There are many reasons the leaves on a tomato plant will … Read more
Cucumbers are a popular vegetable to grow. They taste great and are good for you. Every once in a while, however, cucumbers have problems while growing. This guide will explain why your cucumber is yellow and what to do about it. Why Are My Cucumbers Yellow? Yellow cucumbers happen for five possible reasons. What Do … Read more
Lots of people grow tomatoes because homegrown tomatoes taste better than store-bought ones. Tomatoes are easy to grow in pots or in the ground but do have some pest problems. This guide will tell you all about aphids and how to get rid of them. How Do I Get Rid Of Aphids On My Tomato … Read more
The best tomatoes are homegrown. If you are considering growing your own tomatoes, you may wonder how much sunlight to give them. This guide explains how much sun tomato plants need. How Much Sun Do Tomato Plants Need? Tomatoes need to be planted in full sun. They need at least six hours of sunlight a … Read more
Turnips are one of the first cultivated crops in history. Turnips are easy to grow and a good part of a healthy diet. Here is when and how to harvest turnips. Varieties of Turnips Turnips can be grown for their greens, their roots, or both. Here are the most common varieties for each use. For … Read more
Beets grow well in the spring and fall. They are grown for both greens and roots. This guide will tell you when to harvest the greens and the roots for optimal flavor. Types Of Beets There are two general types of beets. Sugar beets are grown industrially to be used as cattle feed and processed … Read more
Trying to decide on the best fertilizer for your plants can be confusing. This guide tells you all about 15-0-15 fertilizer. What Is 15-0-15 Fertilizer? 15-0-15 fertilizer is fifteen percent nitrogen and fifteen percent potassium. It does not contain phosphorus. The numbers on the front of the fertilizer bag are explained in more detail in … Read more
Tomatoes are a very popular vegetable to grow. Home-grown tomatoes taste much better than store-bought tomatoes. If you are going to grow tomatoes, you need to start off right by spacing the plants properly. Why Is Spacing Important? If you space your tomatoes properly, it will give each tomato plant the resources to grow large … Read more
Apples need to be fertilized several times during the year. Depending on your soil, you may need to add micronutrients, too. This guide will tell you how to fertilize your apple trees and the best fertilizers to use. Here are my picks for the best apple fertilizer. Why Fertilize Apples? Apples are heavy feeders. I … Read more
The wrong fertilizer can cause as many problems as not fertilizing at all. With thousands of fertilizers available, choosing the right one fosyour plants can be confusing. This guide will explain when and how to use 10-20-10. What Is 10-20-10 Fertilizer? 10-20-10 fertilizer has ten percent nitrogen, twenty percent phosphorous, and ten percent potassium. The … Read more
Pumpkins mean fall in North America. I plant my pumpkin vines in the summer, so the pumpkins are ready for Halloween. Like many vegetables, pumpkins are considered heavy feeders. I can tell you from experience that without enough fertilizer, your pumpkin vines won’t produce nice pumpkins. You may wonder, “What is the best pumpkin fertilizer?” … Read more
Cucumbers are good for you and easy to grow. Every vegetable garden should have a cucumber vine or two. If you are growing cucumbers in your garden, you may wonder, What is the best cucumber fertilizer? I have found cucumber fertilizers change depending on soil type and the growing stage the cucumber is in. Finding … Read more
Potatoes originated in Central and South America in the Andes. They come in a variety of colors and sizes. Potatoes are easily grown in the home garden from pieces of seed potatoes. If you are considering growing potatoes, you may be wondering, “What is the best fertilizer for potatoes?” With so many fertilizers out there, … Read more
Picking a fertilizer for your plants can be confusing. Different fertilizers work best in different situations. This guide will tell you when a 5-10-10 fertilizer is appropriate. What Is 5-10-10 Fertilizer? 5-10-10 fertilizer has five percent nitrogen, ten percent phosphorous, and ten percent potassium. The numbers on the front of the fertilizer bag are explained … Read more
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