Jul 13 2023
Gardening shoes have a deceptively simple job. They need to handle wet grass, loose soil, mulch, mud, gravel, garden tools, repeated crouching, and plenty of walking—all while staying comfortable enough that you don’t think about your feet every five minutes. The best gardening shoes for women aren’t necessarily the most waterproof, the heaviest, or the …
Jul 12 2023
Garden phlox brings something especially valuable to the perennial border: big clusters of flowers at a time when many earlier summer plants are beginning to slow down. Rising on upright stems in shades of pink, purple, lavender, white, red, and bicolors, tall garden phlox can keep a flower bed lively from midsummer into early fall. …
Jul 11 2023
Creeping thyme can turn an ordinary sunny patch into a fragrant carpet of tiny leaves and flowers. It spreads low across the ground, tumbles over rocks, fills spaces between stepping stones, and produces masses of small blooms that can draw bees and butterflies into the garden. It is also remarkably well suited to places where …
Jul 07 2023
Raised beds don’t have to be identical wooden rectangles filled with rows of vegetables. They can become herb gardens beside the kitchen, pollinator beds filled with flowers and vegetables, narrow gardens along a fence, accessible waist-high planters, or productive beds built around trellises. A well-designed raised bed can make gardening easier while also becoming an …
Jul 06 2023
With its crinkled leaves, metallic sheen, and rich purple undersides, the purple waffle plant is one of those houseplants that looks far more dramatic than its size suggests. Its colorful foliage can brighten a windowsill, terrarium, shelf, or mixed indoor planter without taking up much room. The plant is commonly sold as Hemigraphis alternata, although …
Jul 05 2023
A beautiful backyard does not have to begin with a major renovation or a large landscaping budget. In many cases, the biggest improvements come from relatively simple changes: defining planting beds, adding mulch, creating a clearer path, grouping containers, improving seating, or filling an empty corner with plants. The key is to focus on projects …
Jul 02 2023
Juniper bonsai are among the most recognizable bonsai trees, with compact foliage, dramatic trunks, and a classic miniature-tree appearance. They are also one of the most commonly misunderstood. The most important thing to know is simple: juniper bonsai are outdoor trees. They need sunlight, fresh air, seasonal temperature changes, and a period of winter dormancy. …
Jun 16 2023
Homesteading can easily look expensive from the outside. Scroll through social media and you may see new greenhouses, large chicken coops, tractors, elaborate raised beds, pressure canners, dehydrators, and beautifully renovated farmhouses. It can create the impression that you need a large property and a substantial amount of money before you can even begin. In …
May 29 2023
Pumpkins are one of the most satisfying crops to grow for fall, but timing matters. Plant too early and mature pumpkins may sit for weeks before you need them. Plant too late and cool weather or frost may arrive before the fruit fully ripens. The right planting window depends on your climate, the variety you …
May 28 2023
Companion planting is often presented as a simple formula: put the right plants together and they will automatically grow better, repel pests, or improve each other’s flavor. In reality, the strongest reasons to choose potato companions are usually more practical. Good neighboring plants can help you use space efficiently, reduce bare soil, attract beneficial insects, …
