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267 in-depth guides from Garden Advice Guide.
amaryllis care
Amaryllis Care: How to Grow and Rebloom the Bulb
Amaryllis care from potting to rebloom: plant with the top third of the bulb showing, pot it 6 to 8 weeks befo...
do deer eat azaleas
Do Deer Eat Azaleas?
Do deer eat azaleas? Yes, heavily, and evergreen types are winter browse. Here is the damage pattern, the reco...
do deer eat coleus
Do Deer Eat Coleus?
Do deer eat coleus? Yes, often. Coleus sits on resistant lists for its mint-family scent, but the leaves are s...
do deer eat coneflowers
Do Deer Eat Coneflowers?
Do deer eat coneflowers? Usually just the flower buds, and mostly in dry Augusts. Here's what gets browsed, ho...
do deer eat dahlias
Do Deer Eat Dahlias?
Do deer eat dahlias? Yes, and buds go first. Here is the damage pattern, how fast a browsed plant recovers, an...
do deer eat dianthus
Do Deer Eat Dianthus?
Do deer eat dianthus? Rarely. Clove scent and bitter sap keep deer off, though sweet William gets nibbled. Whi...
do deer eat geraniums
Do Deer Eat Geraniums?
Do deer eat geraniums? Rarely. Both the annual and the hardy kinds rate as seldom damaged thanks to scent and ...
do deer eat hibiscus
Do Deer Eat Hibiscus?
Do deer eat hibiscus? Yes, all three types, and flowers go first. Here is the damage pattern by type, the brow...
deer and petunias
Deer and Petunias: Do Deer Eat Petunias?
Do deer eat petunias? Yes, the flowers first. Deer and petunias are a losing combination without protection. H...
do deer eat rhododendrons
Do Deer Eat Rhododendrons?
Do deer eat rhododendrons? Yes, and evergreen types are prime winter browse. Here's the damage pattern, which ...
arrowwood viburnum deer resistant
Is Arrowwood Viburnum Deer Resistant?
Is arrowwood viburnum deer resistant? Only moderately. Deer browse young plants and low growth hard, but matur...
asiatic lilies deer resistant
Are Asiatic Lilies Deer Resistant?
Are Asiatic lilies deer resistant? No. Deer strip the buds and whole stems. Here is what gets eaten, how to sp...
backyard landscaping ideas
Backyard Landscaping Ideas by Sun, Size, and Budget
Backyard landscaping ideas with real dimensions: patio sizing, privacy screen spacing, fire pit clearances, po...
basil downy mildew treatment
Basil Downy Mildew Treatment and Prevention
Basil downy mildew treatment starts with an emergency harvest: there's no cure once leaves are infected. Here'...
bee balm deer resistant
Is Bee Balm Deer Resistant?
Is bee balm deer resistant? Yes, deer rarely touch it. See why the mint-family oils work, which varieties resi...
berry bushes by zone
Berry Bushes by Zone: Blueberry, Raspberry and Gooseberry
Berry bushes by zone for blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, gooseberry, currant, elderberry, honeyberry and huc...
best flower seeds for winter sowing
Best Flower Seeds for Winter Sowing: 20 Picks That Actually Come Up
The best flower seeds for winter sowing are hardy perennials and cold-tolerant annuals like milkweed, echinace...
best outdoor compost bin for beginners
Best Outdoor Compost Bin for Beginners
The best outdoor compost bin for beginners is an enclosed bin around 80 gallons, or a 3x3x3 ft wire hoop if yo...
best time to run sprinklers on your lawn
Best Time to Run Sprinklers on Your Lawn, Hour by Hour
The best time to run sprinklers on your lawn is 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. Get the hour by hour breakdown, run times by ...
bleeding heart deer resistant
Is Bleeding Heart Deer Resistant?
Is bleeding heart deer resistant? Yes, one of the safest shade perennials. See why the alkaloids work, which t...
blossom end rot
Blossom End Rot in Tomatoes
Blossom end rot on tomatoes is a calcium delivery problem, not low soil calcium. Why eggshells don't work and ...
blue point juniper deer resistant
Is Blue Point Juniper Deer Resistant?
Is Blue Point juniper deer resistant? Yes, deer rarely browse it. But antler rub kills more young plants than ...
butterfly weed deer resistant
Is Butterfly Weed Deer Resistant?
Is butterfly weed deer resistant? Yes, deer rarely touch it. Learn why the bitter milkweed sap works, the two ...
cheap simple front yard landscaping ideas
Cheap Simple Front Yard Landscaping Ideas That Work
Cheap simple front yard landscaping ideas that work: a staged three year plan, free mulch sources, sheet mulch...
cherry blossom tree growing zone
Cherry Blossom Tree Growing Zone: Yoshino, Kwanzan and More
Cherry blossom tree growing zone for Yoshino, Kwanzan, weeping Higan, Okame, Autumnalis and Snow Fountains, wi...
chinese evergreen care
Chinese Evergreen Care: Aglaonema Light and Water
Chinese evergreen care in short: bright indirect to low light, water when the top 1 to 2 inches are dry, stay ...
christmas cactus plant care
Christmas Cactus Plant Care
Christmas cactus plant care made simple: bright indirect light, water when the top inch dries, and cool 50 to ...
cold hardy bamboo
Cold Hardy Bamboo for Zones 5 to 7
Cold hardy bamboo by zone: Fargesia and Borinda clumpers vs running Phyllostachys, winter top kill, shade need...
cold hardy hibiscus
Cold Hardy Hibiscus: Varieties That Survive Winter
Cold hardy hibiscus survives winter to zone 4 by dying back and returning in late spring. How to tell it from ...
cold hardy succulents
Cold Hardy Succulents for Zones 3 to 7
Cold hardy succulents that live outdoors in zones 3 to 7: hens and chicks, sedums, ice plant, prickly pear, yu...
companion planting chart
Companion Planting Chart
A full companion planting chart for 19 vegetables, with good and bad pairings, plus which pairings are backed ...
container gardening
Container Gardening
Container gardening done right: why garden soil kills pots, the gravel drainage myth debunked, pot size by cro...
coral bells deer resistant
Are Coral Bells Deer Resistant?
Are coral bells deer resistant? Mostly yes, deer rarely browse heuchera. Learn the winter exception, which typ...
crepe myrtle deer resistant
Is Crepe Myrtle Deer Resistant?
Is crepe myrtle deer resistant? Mostly yes. Deer rarely eat mature foliage, but bucks shred young trunks each ...
crop rotation
Crop Rotation
Crop rotation works by plant family, not by crop. Here are the seven families, the 3 to 4 year rule, a 4-bed p...
cutworms
Cutworms
Cutworms cut seedlings off cleanly at the soil line overnight. A simple cardboard collar stops them completely...
damping off
Damping Off: Why Your Seedlings Collapse at the Soil Line
Damping off kills seedlings at the soil line and can't be cured once they flop. Here's what causes it and the ...
dappled willow deer resistant
Is Dappled Willow Deer Resistant?
Is dappled willow deer resistant? Only partly. Deer browse the tender new growth and bucks shred young trunks....
deer resistant annuals
Deer Resistant Annuals
Deer resistant annuals include lantana, vinca, salvia, cleome, dusty miller and angelonia. Full table by heigh...
deer resistant bulbs
Deer Resistant Bulbs
Daffodils, alliums, and fritillaria are the most deer resistant bulbs to plant this fall. Full list with zones...
deer resistant evergreens
Deer Resistant Evergreens
Arborvitae is not deer proof. Here are the deer resistant evergreens that actually hold up all winter, plus re...
deer resistant flowers
Deer Resistant Flowers
Deer resistant flowers include marigold, salvia, lavender, catmint and aster. Get 30 picks by zone and bloom t...
deer resistant ground cover
Deer Resistant Ground Cover
Deer resistant ground cover that survives real browsing pressure: 15 picks by zone, sun, and spread rate, plus...
deer resistant ornamental grasses
Deer Resistant Ornamental Grasses
Deer resistant ornamental grasses are the safest plants you can put in a browsed yard. Species by zone, the tw...
deer resistant perennials
Deer Resistant Perennials
25 deer resistant perennials with zones, sun, bloom time, and why deer skip them. Plus shade picks and swaps f...
deer resistant plants
Deer Resistant Plants
No plant is truly deer proof, but these are rarely touched. Deer resistant plants by category with Rutgers rat...
deer resistant shade plants
Deer Resistant Shade Plants
Deer eat hostas like candy. These deer resistant shade plants actually survive: ferns, hellebore, epimedium, p...
deer resistant shrubs
Deer Resistant Shrubs
Deer resistant shrubs like boxwood, juniper, spirea and bayberry rarely get browsed. See 25 picks by zone, wha...
deer resistant vegetable garden
Deer Resistant Vegetable Garden
Deer eat nearly every vegetable, so a deer resistant vegetable garden needs alliums, herbs and a real fence. H...
deer and sunflowers
Deer and Sunflowers: Do Deer Eat Sunflowers?
Do deer eat sunflowers? Yes, especially seedlings. Deer and sunflowers clash in the first four weeks, so here ...
do deer eat zinnias
Do Deer Eat Zinnias?
Do deer eat zinnias? Sometimes. Deer take seedlings and flower buds, but rough leaves help. See which zinnias ...
drought tolerant plants for zone 9
Drought Tolerant Plants for Zone 9: Sun, Shade and Trees
Drought tolerant plants for zone 9 by water need: establishment schedules for perennials, shrubs and trees, th...
dusty miller deer resistant
Is Dusty Miller Deer Resistant?
Is dusty miller deer resistant? Yes, it rates in the top tier. See why the woolly silver leaves stop deer, the...
euonymus wintercreeper
Euonymus Wintercreeper: Growing and Controlling It
Euonymus wintercreeper is an evergreen groundcover for zones 4 to 9 and a listed invasive in many states. How ...
evergreen trees by zone
Evergreen Trees by Zone: Spruce, Fir, Pine and Cypress Picks
Evergreen trees by zone for zones 2 to 10: spruce, fir, pine, hemlock, cedar and Italian cypress with mature s...
fall flowering perennials
Fall Flowering Perennials for Late Season Color
Fall flowering perennials that bloom September through frost, by zone with bloom windows and heights, plus whe...
fall flowers for pots
Fall Flowers for Pots and Planters That Last to Frost
Fall flowers for pots ranked by cold tolerance: pansies and kale that shrug off the 20s, mums that quit near 2...
fall garden cleanup
Fall Garden Cleanup
Fall garden cleanup done right is selective, not total. Pull diseased plants, leave healthy stems and leaf lit...
how to plant fall mums
How to Plant Fall Mums
How to plant fall mums, water them so they don't brown, and the one reason most never come back. Plus the hone...
fast growing shade trees
Fast Growing Shade Trees by Zone and Mature Size
Fast growing shade trees ranked by growth rate, mature height and spread, wood strength and root behavior, wit...
what do the numbers on fertilizer mean
What Do the Numbers on Fertilizer Mean?
What do the numbers on fertilizer mean? The three NPK numbers are percentages by weight. Here is what each one...
fig tree growing zone
Fig Tree Growing Zone: Chicago Hardy, Brown Turkey and More
Fig tree growing zone by variety: Chicago Hardy, Brown Turkey, Celeste and more, plus top kill, breba versus m...
flowering vines by zone
Flowering Vines by Zone: Clematis, Wisteria, Jasmine and More
Flowering vines by zone: clematis, wisteria, climbing hydrangea, honeysuckle, passion flower, trumpet vine and...
front door winter planter ideas
Front Door Winter Planter Ideas That Survive Hard Freezes
Front door winter planter ideas that last to spring: frost proof pots, cut greens anchored in frozen soil, and...
front yard landscaping ideas
Front Yard Landscaping Ideas: Plants, Beds, and Scale
Front yard landscaping ideas with bed depths, walkway widths, plant spacing by mature size, small yard layouts...
frost cloth for plants
Frost Cloth for Plants: How to Use It and When
Frost cloth for plants explained: which fabric weight buys 2, 4 or 8 degrees of protection, how to drape it so...
fruit tree growing zone
Fruit Tree Growing Zone Guide: Zones 3 to 11 by Type
Fruit tree growing zone chart for 40 fruit and nut trees: hardiness range, chill hours, and container, rootsto...
full sun vs partial sun
Full Sun vs Partial Sun vs Partial Shade: Hours That Count
Full sun vs partial sun vs partial shade in real hours: how to map sun across a yard, morning versus afternoon...
planning a garden layout
Planning a Garden Layout
Planning a garden layout starts with sun mapping, not a plant list. Bed sizes, spacing, rotation and two worke...
gardening tips and tricks
50 Gardening Tips and Tricks Worth Actually Using
50 gardening tips and tricks that actually work: soil, seed starting, timing by soil temperature, spacing, wat...
grape growing zone
Grape Growing Zone: Concord, Muscadine and Cold Hardy Hybrids
Grape growing zone guide for Concord, Niagara, French American hybrids, Minnesota cold hardy grapes, vinifera ...
growing herbs in pots for beginners
Growing Herbs in Pots for Beginners
Growing herbs in pots for beginners works when you split them into two water groups. Full chart of 13 herbs wi...
growing vegetables in pots for beginners
Growing Vegetables in Pots for Beginners
Growing vegetables in pots for beginners comes down to pot size and watering. Get the container size chart for...
hardening off seedlings
Hardening Off Seedlings
Hardening off seedlings takes 7 to 14 days of gradual outdoor exposure. Here is the day-by-day schedule, the s...
hardy gladiolus
Hardy Gladiolus
Hardy gladiolus like Byzantine glads, 'Boone' and G. papilio survive winter in the ground to zone 5. Full vari...
hardy mums
Hardy Mums vs Florist Mums: Which Ones Come Back
Hardy mums come back in zones 5 to 9; florist mums almost never do. How to tell them apart at the store, the p...
how long to grow a christmas tree
How Long to Grow a Christmas Tree: Fraser and Nordmann Firs
How long to grow a Christmas tree: 7 to 10 field years for Fraser fir, 9 to 12 for Nordmann, 3 to 5 for Leylan...
how many zucchini seeds per hole
How Many Zucchini Seeds Per Hole?
Plant 2 to 3 zucchini seeds per hole, 1 inch deep, then thin to one plant. See how many zucchini seeds per hol...
how much compost to add to garden
How Much Compost to Add to Garden Beds, Lawns and Raised Beds
How much compost to add to garden beds, lawns and raised beds: inches to work in, yearly top dress depth, rais...
how often to water carrot seeds
How Often to Water Carrot Seeds
How often to water carrot seeds: once or twice daily, lightly, keeping the top half inch damp for the full 14 ...
how often to water tomatoes
How Often to Water Tomatoes
How often to water tomatoes: 1 to 2 inches a week in 2 or 3 deep soakings for in-ground plants, and often dail...
how to attract pollinators
How to Attract Pollinators
How to attract pollinators to your garden: overlapping bloom from March to October, shallow water with landing...
how to build a cold frame
How to Build a Cold Frame for Winter Greens and Seedlings
How to build a cold frame that works: box size, lid angle by latitude, glazing choices, south facing siting, v...
how to care for poinsettias
How to Care for Poinsettias
How to care for poinsettias: bright light, water when the top inch dries, no drafts, 60 to 70°F, plus the real...
how to compost
How to Compost
How to compost: your pile needs carbon, nitrogen, air, and water. Aim for 2 to 3 parts browns to 1 part greens...
how to force paperwhites
How to Force Paperwhites in Pebbles, Water or Soil
How to force paperwhites: set bulbs in pebbles with water just below the base, or in potting mix, then expect ...
how to get rid of aphids
How to Get Rid of Aphids
How to get rid of aphids: a hard spray of water knocks the colony off and they can't climb back. Repeat every ...
how to get rid of roly polies
How to Get Rid of Roly Polies in the Garden
How to get rid of roly polies: dry out their damp shelter and pull mulch back from stems. Plus how to tell pil...
how to get rid of slugs
How to Get Rid of Slugs
How to get rid of slugs: water in the morning, not at night, and clear their daytime hiding places. Plus the h...
how to get rid of squash bugs
How to Get Rid of Squash Bugs
How to get rid of squash bugs: hand-pick adults, crush the bronze egg clusters, and treat nymphs only. Sprays ...
how to get rid of weeds
How to Get Rid of Weeds
How to get rid of weeds for good: annuals are a seed problem and perennials are a root problem. Here is the ri...
how to grow beets
How to Grow Beets
How to grow beets that actually size up: one beet seed is a cluster of several, so thinning is required. Spaci...
how to grow broccoli
How to Grow Broccoli
How to grow broccoli that makes real heads: time it to mature before heat, avoid buttoning from transplant str...
how to grow cabbage
How to Grow Cabbage
How to grow cabbage that never splits: keep water steady once heads firm up, space for the head size you want,...
how to grow carrots
How to Grow Carrots
How to grow carrots: loose stone-free soil 12 inches deep, seed kept damp a full 14 to 21 days, then thinning....
how to grow cucumbers
How to Grow Cucumbers
How to grow cucumbers: direct sow at 65F soil, trellis for straight fruit, fix poor pollination by hand, and s...
how to grow giant pumpkins
How to Grow Giant Pumpkins From Seed to Weigh-Off
How to grow giant pumpkins: Atlantic Giant seed, one fruit per plant, buried vines, shade, and a feeding plan ...
how to grow green beans
How to Grow Green Beans
How to grow green beans: direct sow after last frost at 60F soil, go easy on nitrogen, and pick young and ofte...
how to grow herbs
How to Grow Herbs
How to grow herbs: split them into Mediterranean and leafy groups, water each differently, and harvest above a...
how to grow kale
How to Grow Kale
How to grow kale that actually tastes good: sow for fall, let frost sweeten the leaves, space it right, and pi...
how to grow lettuce
How to Grow Lettuce
How to grow lettuce without bolting: succession sow every 2 weeks, keep soil moist, use afternoon shade, and p...
how to grow onions
How to Grow Onions
How to grow onions the right way: pick the day-length type for your latitude, space them wide, feed nitrogen e...
how to grow peas
How to Grow Peas
How to grow peas: sow as early as the soil allows, pick the right type, trellis even bush peas, and keep picki...
how to grow peppers
How to Grow Peppers
How to grow peppers from seed to harvest: start 8-10 weeks early, transplant above 55F nights, stop blossom dr...
how to grow potatoes
How to Grow Potatoes
How to grow potatoes from seed piece to storage: chitting, cutting, hilling for bigger yields, container growi...
how to grow radishes
How to Grow Radishes
How to grow radishes in 3 to 4 weeks: fix all tops and no root, avoid woody hot roots, thin properly, and sow ...
how to grow spinach
How to Grow Spinach
How to grow spinach without bolting: sow in cool soil, chill seed for warm-soil sowings, thin to 4 inches, and...
how to grow tomatoes
How to Grow Tomatoes
How to grow tomatoes from transplant to harvest: deep planting, spacing by type, watering that stops blossom e...
how to grow zucchini
How to Grow Zucchini
How to grow zucchini: sow at 65F soil, hand pollinate when small fruit shrivels, and pick at 6 to 8 inches dai...
how to keep greenhouse warm in winter
How to Keep Greenhouse Warm in Winter
How to keep greenhouse warm in winter without fighting the weather: bubble insulation, thermal mass, an inner ...
real christmas tree
How to Keep a Real Christmas Tree Fresh All Season
Keep a real Christmas tree fresh for five weeks or more: a fresh cut, water within hours, a stand that never r...
potted perennials over winter
How to Keep Potted Perennials Over Winter in Cold Zones
Keep potted perennials over winter: the two zones colder rule, unheated garage storage, burying pots, bringing...
how to keep squirrels from eating pumpkins
How to Keep Squirrels From Eating Pumpkins Outside
How to keep squirrels from eating pumpkins: what actually works (barriers, capsaicin, sealing cut edges, timin...
fresh greenery garland
How to Make Fresh Greenery Garland That Lasts Through December
Make fresh greenery garland that lasts: choose cedar, fir, boxwood or magnolia, soak the cut stems overnight, ...
how to measure your lawn for sod
How to Measure Your Lawn for Sod
How to measure your lawn for sod: break the yard into rectangles, add the areas, then add 5 to 10 percent for ...
how to plant daffodil bulbs
How to Plant Daffodil Bulbs
Plant daffodil bulbs 6 inches deep, pointed end up, once fall soil drops below 60°F. Zone timing, spacing, law...
prepare dahlias for winter
How to Prepare Dahlias for Winter
Prepare dahlias for winter: cut back after a killing frost, dig a week or two later, cure briefly, and store t...
how to protect plants from frost
How to Protect Plants From Frost and a Hard Freeze
How to protect plants from frost, ranked by what works: covers, watering before, mulch, moving pots, and the t...
how to prune tomatoes
How to Prune Tomatoes
How to prune tomatoes starts with variety type. Prune an indeterminate for airflow and size; pruning a determi...
how to save seeds
How to Save Seeds
How to save seeds correctly: why F1 hybrid seed disappoints, which crops are easy, tomato fermentation, drying...
how to test garden soil
How to Test Garden Soil (And Which Tests Are Worth Your Money)
Soil test how to, done right: send a sample to your county extension lab. Here's why home kits and probe pH me...
how to protect roses in winter
How to Protect Roses in Winter
How to protect roses in winter by zone: when to stop feeding, mounding and collars, grafted vs own root, climb...
ilex verticillata deer resistant
Is Winterberry (Ilex Verticillata) Deer Resistant?
Is Ilex verticillata deer resistant? Moderately. Winterberry is seldom eaten hard, but young stems get browsed...
do deer eat black eyed susans
Do Deer Eat Black Eyed Susans?
Do deer eat black eyed Susans? Rarely, thanks to coarse bristly leaves. Here is when browsing does happen, whi...
is lavender deer resistant
Is Lavender Deer Resistant?
Is lavender deer resistant? Yes, one of the most reliable there is. See why the oils work, best varieties by z...
japanese anemone deer resistant
Is Japanese Anemone Deer Resistant?
Is Japanese anemone deer resistant? Mostly. It rates moderate, not top tier: deer skip the toxic mature leaves...
how to get rid of japanese beetles
How to Get Rid of Japanese Beetles
How to get rid of Japanese beetles: hand pick into soapy water at dawn, never hang a pheromone trap, and treat...
lambs ear deer resistant
Is Lambs Ear Deer Resistant?
Is lambs ear deer resistant? Yes, it sits in the top tier of rarely damaged perennials. Here is why deer skip ...
landscaping ideas for front of house
Landscaping Ideas for Front of House: A Layered Plan
Landscaping ideas for front of house: foundation bed depths, clearances from siding and meters, plants by hous...
landscaping ideas with rocks and stones
Landscaping Ideas with Rocks and Stones
Landscaping ideas with rocks and stones, plus the gravel math: stone sizes, depths, tons per cubic yard, dry c...
landscaping ideas
Landscaping Ideas That Work: Sun, Zone, and Layout
Landscaping ideas sorted by sun, zone, and site, with bed sizing math, plant spacing, mulch quantities, and a ...
when to fertilize lawn
When to Fertilize Lawn: The Month-by-Month Schedule
Fertilize cool-season grass in fall and warm-season grass in late spring through summer. Here's when to fertil...
leyland cypress deer resistant
Is Leyland Cypress Deer Resistant?
Leyland cypress is deer resistant enough for most yards but not deer proof. Here's what browsing and antler ru...
ligustrum deer resistant
Is Ligustrum Deer Resistant?
Is ligustrum deer resistant? Only partly. Deer browse privet in winter, and sheared hedges get hit hardest. Se...
lily of the valley deer resistant
Is Lily of the Valley Deer Resistant?
Is lily of the valley deer resistant? Yes, it sits in the rarely damaged tier thanks to cardiac glycosides. Se...
mountain laurel deer resistant
Is Mountain Laurel Deer Resistant?
Is mountain laurel deer resistant? Yes, one of the best broadleaf evergreens for deer country. It is toxic to ...
types of mulch
Types of Mulch: What Each One Does and Where to Use It
Types of mulch compared: straw, wood chips, leaves, compost and more, with depth, cost, lifespan and the two m...
new sod watering schedule
New Sod Watering Schedule: Week by Week
A new sod watering schedule week by week: soak on day one, water 2 to 3 times daily for a week, then taper. Ex...
no dig gardening
No Dig Gardening
No dig gardening skips the tilling and adds compost on top. Here is how to start a bed over grass, how much co...
norway spruce deer resistant
Is Norway Spruce Deer Resistant?
Is Norway spruce deer resistant? Yes, deer rarely browse it. But antler rub kills more young trees than eating...
do deer eat oakleaf hydrangea
Do Deer Eat Oakleaf Hydrangea?
Do deer eat oakleaf hydrangea? Yes, leaves and flower buds both. It is the least preferred hydrangea, not a re...
organic gardening tips
Organic Gardening Tips That Work in a Real Backyard
Organic gardening tips that actually work: feed the soil first, mulch 2 to 3 inches deep, rotate families on a...
overwatered vs underwatered succulent
Overwatered vs Underwatered Succulent
Overwatered vs underwatered succulent: mushy translucent leaves or wrinkled deflated ones, the squeeze and soi...
pallet of sod
Pallet of Sod: Coverage, Weight and Cost Factors
A pallet of sod covers 400 to 500 square feet, usually 450, and weighs well over a ton. Coverage math, weight ...
best patio tomato varieties for containers
Best Patio Tomato Varieties for Containers
The best patio tomato varieties for containers are compact determinates like Patio, Bush Early Girl and Tiny T...
perennial herbs by zone
Perennial Herbs by Zone
Perennial herbs by zone: which rosemary survives zone 6, where bay laurel and lemongrass come back, plus lemon...
perennial vegetables by zone
Perennial Vegetables by Zone
Perennial vegetables by zone: asparagus, rhubarb, artichoke, sunchoke, horseradish, sorrel, walking onion and ...
perennials by zone
Perennials by Zone
Perennials by zone for zones 3 to 10, sun and shade, with bloom window, height and spread, plus ornamental gra...
perennials that bloom all summer
Perennials That Bloom All Summer
Perennials that bloom all summer, by zone: catmint, Rozanne, coreopsis, gaillardia and reblooming daylilies, w...
planting by the moon
Planting by the Moon: How the Moon Planting Calendar Works
Planting by the moon means sowing above-ground crops as it waxes and root crops as it wanes. Here's the full c...
planting calendar
Planting Calendar by Zone: How to Build Your Own
A national planting calendar is useless without your zone. Here's how to turn your frost dates into exact sowi...
plants deer love
Plants Deer Love
Hostas, roses and hydrangeas top the list of plants deer love. There is no deer proof version, so here is what...
pool landscaping ideas
Pool Landscaping Ideas
Pool landscaping ideas chosen for low litter, safe footing, and root distance from the shell, plus the barrier...
powdery mildew treatment
Powdery Mildew Treatment
Powdery mildew treatment that actually works: potassium bicarbonate, neem and horticultural oil, and sulfur, p...
raised bed drip irrigation layout
Raised Bed Drip Irrigation Layout
A raised bed drip irrigation layout that waters evenly: 1/2 in mainline, dripline rows 12 in apart, emitters e...
raised bed garden layout ideas
Raised Bed Garden Layout Ideas That Actually Work
Raised bed garden layout ideas that work: 4 foot beds, 30 inch paths, tall crops on the north end. Six proven ...
raised bed vs in ground
Raised Bed vs In Ground: How to Choose for Your Soil and Climate
Raised bed vs in ground: raised beds win on drainage and season length, in ground wins on cost and water. Here...
ranunculus growing zone
Ranunculus Growing Zone
Ranunculus are perennial in zones 8 to 10 with fall planting. Zones 3 to 7 plant pre-sprouted corms in late wi...
red twig dogwood deer resistant
Is Red Twig Dogwood Deer Resistant?
Is red twig dogwood deer resistant? Not very. Deer browse the red stems in winter, when they look best. See re...
russian sage deer resistant
Is Russian Sage Deer Resistant?
Is Russian sage deer resistant? Yes, deer skip its oily gray leaves and woody stems. See the spring shoot wind...
scotts 4 step lawn program
Scotts 4 Step Lawn Program: When to Apply Each Step
The Scotts 4 Step lawn program works only if the timing is right. Here's when to apply each step by region, th...
shrubs by zone
Shrubs by Zone: Evergreen, Flowering and Shade Picks
Shrubs by zone with mature size: evergreen, flowering, shade and full sun picks for zones 3 to 10, plus hydran...
small front yard landscaping ideas low maintenance
Small Front Yard Landscaping Ideas Low Maintenance Owners Keep
Small front yard landscaping ideas low maintenance enough to ignore: no lawn layouts, tough plants by zone, cl...
small yard landscaping ideas
Small Yard Landscaping Ideas That Fit Real Spaces
Small yard landscaping ideas built on mature plant width, not photos: dwarf shrub picks by zone, layout moves ...
soil ph for tomatoes
Soil pH for Tomatoes: What the Right Range Actually Does
Tomatoes want soil pH 6.2 to 6.8. Here's why that range controls nutrient uptake, how to test and adjust it, a...
solomon seal deer resistant
Is Solomon Seal Deer Resistant?
Is Solomon seal deer resistant? Yes, it rates in the rarely damaged tier. See why deer skip it, which species ...
how to get rid of spider mites
How to Get Rid of Spider Mites
How to get rid of spider mites: they explode in hot, dry, dusty air, so water and humidity beat sprays. Includ...
spider plant care
Spider Plant Care
Spider plant care in plain terms: bright indirect light, water when the top inch dries, the real causes of bro...
square foot gardening
Square Foot Gardening
Square foot gardening explained: the full plants per square chart for 1, 4, 9, and 16 per square, the real soi...
squash vine borer
Squash Vine Borer
Squash vine borer: once the vine wilts, the borer is already inside. Learn the moth's flight window, the butte...
star jasmine deer resistant
Is Star Jasmine Deer Resistant?
Is star jasmine deer resistant? Partly. Deer skip older leaves but browse soft new shoots. See which growth ge...
star jasmine hardiness zone
Star Jasmine Hardiness Zone: Where It Survives Winter
Star jasmine hardiness zone is 8 to 10, root hardy at the zone 7 edge. Cold damage by temperature, container o...
succession planting
Succession Planting
Succession planting turns a glut into a steady harvest. Learn all four methods, sowing intervals by crop, and ...
tomato blight
Tomato Blight
Tell early blight, late blight, and Septoria apart in 60 seconds, then treat tomato blight correctly. Late bli...
tomato hornworm
Tomato Hornworm
Tomato hornworm control starts with a UV flashlight: they glow at night, so picking them takes minutes. Plus t...
tomato leaves turning yellow
Tomato Leaves Turning Yellow
Tomato leaves turning yellow? Where the yellowing appears tells you the cause. A diagnostic table for all 8 pa...
how to treat powdery mildew on roses
How to Treat Powdery Mildew on Roses
Prune it off, spray on a 7 to 10 day schedule, then fix the airflow. Here is how to treat powdery mildew on ro...
types of christmas trees
Types of Christmas Trees: How to Choose a Real One
The main types of Christmas trees are firs, spruces, and pines. Here's how to tell them apart by needle, scent...
vegetable garden fertilizer schedule
Vegetable Garden Fertilizer Schedule: Feeding Chart by Crop
A vegetable garden fertilizer schedule by crop: what to work in before planting, the growth stage that trigger...
vegetable garden for beginners
Vegetable Garden for Beginners
A vegetable garden for beginners: start small, pick forgiving crops, fix the soil first, and follow a full fir...
venus fly trap plant care
Venus Fly Trap Plant Care: Light, Water and Feeding
Venus fly trap plant care in four rules: distilled water only, 6+ hours of direct sun, a cold winter dormancy,...
watering schedule for bermuda grass
Watering Schedule for Bermuda Grass
A watering schedule for bermuda grass: about 1 inch a week in one or two deep soaks, more in heat, almost none...
watering schedule for a newly seeded lawn
Watering Schedule for a Newly Seeded Lawn
A watering schedule for a newly seeded lawn: light water 2 to 3 times daily until sprouting, then fewer and de...
what do potato plants look like when they sprout
What Do Potato Plants Look Like When They Sprout?
Potato sprouts emerge as thick purple-green shoots with tightly folded crinkled leaves, 14 to 30 days after pl...
what do pumpkins look like when they first start growing
What Do Pumpkins Look Like When They First Start Growing?
Pumpkin seedlings open two thick oval seed leaves 5 to 10 days after sowing. See every stage from sprout to ba...
what do sunflower seedlings look like
What Do Sunflower Seedlings Look Like?
What do sunflower seedlings look like? Two thick, smooth oval seed leaves on a stout stem, 7 to 10 days after ...
what does garlic look like when growing
What Does Garlic Look Like When Growing? A Stage-by-Stage Visual Guide
What does garlic look like when growing? See every stage, from grass-like fall sprouts to browning harvest lea...
what does grass seed look like when it sprouts
What Does Grass Seed Look Like When It Sprouts?
What does grass seed look like when it sprouts? One hair-thin pale green blade, a quarter inch tall. See the d...
what to plant in april
What to Plant in April
What to plant in April, zone by zone: hardy seeds outdoors up north, warm-season crops down south. Vegetable a...
what to plant in august
What to Plant in August
What to plant in August by zone: last sowing dates for fall vegetables, how to get seed up in hot soil, and th...
what to plant in july
What to Plant in July
What to plant in July: fast summer crops up north, fall brassicas started now, heat lovers down south. Zone li...
what to plant in june
What to Plant in June
What to plant in June: warm-season crops up north, heat-tolerant crops down south. Zone-by-zone vegetable and ...
what to plant in may
What to Plant in May
What to plant in May, zone by zone: warm-season crops once frost has passed, hardy greens up north, heat lover...
what to plant in october
What to Plant in October
What to plant in October depends on your zone: garlic and bulbs up north, full fall vegetable gardens in the S...
what to plant in september
What to Plant in September
In September, cold zones plant garlic and bulbs, warm zones start fall vegetables. Here's what to plant in Sep...
when are sunflowers in bloom
When Are Sunflowers in Bloom?
When are sunflowers in bloom? Most bloom 55 to 110 days after sowing, so July through September in most of the...
when do cucumbers flower
When Do Cucumbers Flower? Timing and What to Expect
When do cucumbers flower? Male blooms open 30 to 40 days after sowing, females 7 to 10 days later, and fruit f...
when do potatoes flower
When Do Potatoes Flower and What Does It Mean?
When do potatoes flower? Usually 7 to 9 weeks after planting, just as the tubers start bulking. Here is what t...
when do tulips bloom
When Do Tulips Bloom?
When do tulips bloom? March in zone 8, April in zone 6, May in zone 3. Early, mid and late classes stretch tha...
when does annual ryegrass die
When Does Annual Ryegrass Die Out?
When does annual ryegrass die? It browns out once daytime highs hold above 85F, so May in the South, and it of...
when does grass stop growing
When Does Grass Stop Growing?
When does grass stop growing? Cool-season grass quits near 50F soil temperature, warm-season near 60F. Here is...
when does muhly grass bloom
When Does Muhly Grass Bloom?
When does muhly grass bloom? Late September into November, with peak pink in October for most zones. Get your ...
when is it too late to plant grass seed
When Is It Too Late to Plant Grass Seed?
When is it too late to plant grass seed? Cool-season seed needs 45 days before your first hard frost, warm-sea...
when is it too late to transplant tomatoes
When Is It Too Late to Transplant Tomatoes? The Cutoff
When is it too late to transplant tomatoes? Count back days to maturity plus 21 from your first frost. Zone by...
when to aerate your lawn
When to Aerate Your Lawn
Aerate cool-season grass in early fall and warm-season grass in late spring. Here's when to aerate your lawn b...
when to apply pre emergent weed control
When to Apply Pre-Emergent Weed Control
When to apply pre emergent weed control: about 2 weeks before your last frost, when soil at 2 inches hits 55°F...
when to apply prodiamine
When to Apply Prodiamine
When to apply prodiamine: about 2 weeks before your last frost, once soil at 2 inches holds 55°F. Plus the fal...
when to cover strawberries
When to Cover Strawberries for Winter Protection
When to cover strawberries: wait for two or three hard freezes and frozen topsoil, not the first freeze. Zone ...
when should ornamental grasses be cut back
When Should Ornamental Grasses Be Cut Back?
When should ornamental grasses be cut back? Late winter to early spring, before new shoots reach 2 inches. Get...
when to cut down tulips
When to Cut Down Tulips After They Bloom
When to cut down tulips: snap off the spent flower right away, then leave every leaf for at least six weeks un...
when to cut sunflowers
When to Cut Sunflowers
When to cut sunflowers: early morning, right as the outer petals lift off the disc and before pollen shows. Th...
when to fertilize after overseeding
When to Fertilize After Overseeding
When to fertilize after overseeding: starter fertilizer the day you seed, a second nitrogen feed at 4 to 6 wee...
when to fertilize cucumbers
When to Fertilize Cucumbers: The Full Feeding Schedule
Fertilize cucumbers at planting, again when the vines start to run, then every 2 to 3 weeks once fruit sets. F...
when should new sod be fertilized
When Should New Sod Be Fertilized?
When should new sod be fertilized? Starter fertilizer under the sod, then the first real feeding at 4 to 6 wee...
when to fertilize onions
When to Fertilize Onions
When to fertilize onions: feed nitrogen every 2 to 3 weeks from 3 weeks after planting until the bulbs start t...
when to fertilize potatoes
When to Fertilize Potatoes: A Simple Feeding Schedule
When to fertilize potatoes: feed at planting, again at first hilling, and once more at tuber set. Then stop ni...
when to fertilize rhododendrons
When to Fertilize Rhododendrons
When to fertilize rhododendrons: once in early spring as buds swell, and again right after bloom if needed. St...
when to fertilize tomatoes
When to Fertilize Tomatoes: Seedling to Fruiting Schedule
When to fertilize tomatoes: feed seedlings at true leaves, add 5-10-10 at transplant, then side dress every 3 ...
when to fertilize tulips
When to Fertilize Tulips for Bigger Blooms Next Spring
When to fertilize tulips: feed once at fall planting and again the day shoots break ground in spring. Zone dat...
when to fertilize your lawn
When to Fertilize Your Lawn
When to fertilize grass depends on the type: cool-season lawns feed in fall, warm-season in late spring and su...
when to fertilize zoysia
When to Fertilize Zoysia Grass
When to fertilize zoysia: start about four weeks after your last frost once the lawn is fully green, repeat ev...
when to harvest bulb onions
When to Harvest Bulb Onions
Harvest bulb onions when 50-80% of the tops fall over and yellow. Learn the readiness signs, harvest windows b...
when to harvest cucumbers
When to Harvest Cucumbers
When to harvest cucumbers: slicers at 6 to 8 inches, picklers at 3 to 4, while the skin is dark green and firm...
when to harvest garlic
When to Harvest Garlic
Harvest garlic when the lower 2-3 leaves turn brown but 5-6 stay green, usually June to August. Learn exactly ...
when to harvest potatoes
When to Harvest Potatoes
Dig new potatoes 2-3 weeks after flowering, and storage potatoes 2-3 weeks after the vines die back. Learn exa...
when to harvest pumpkins
When to Harvest Pumpkins
When to harvest pumpkins: once the rind is fully colored, the stem is dry and corky, and your thumbnail won't ...
when do strawberries bloom and ripen
When Do Strawberries Bloom and Ripen?
When do strawberries bloom and ripen? Blooms open in spring, and berries ripen 28 to 35 days later. Get bloom ...
when to lime your lawn and how much to apply
When to Lime Your Lawn and How Much to Apply
When to lime your lawn and how much to apply: test first, spread in fall, and figure 50 to 60 lb per 1,000 sq ...
when to mow new grass after seeding
When to Mow New Grass After Seeding
When to mow new grass after seeding: wait for blades to reach 3 to 4 inches, usually 3 to 4 weeks. Get the hei...
when to overseed lawn in fall
When to Overseed Lawn in Fall
Overseed cool-season lawns 45 days before your first fall frost, usually late August to mid-October. Here's wh...
when to overseed your lawn in spring
When to Overseed Your Lawn in Spring
When to overseed your lawn in spring: once soil at 2 inches holds 50 to 55°F, usually March through May by zon...
when to pick chili peppers
When to Pick Chili Peppers
When to pick chili peppers: at full size and glossy for green heat, or 2 to 3 weeks later at full color for sw...
when to pick garlic scapes
When to Pick Garlic Scapes (the One-Curl Rule)
Pick garlic scapes when the stalk makes one full curl, usually in June. Learn exactly when to pick garlic scap...
when to pick red bell peppers
When to Pick Red Bell Peppers (and How to Tell They Are Done)
Pick red bell peppers when the skin is fully red with no green streaks, glossy and firm, about 2 to 3 weeks af...
when to pick squash blossoms
When to Pick Squash Blossoms
Pick squash blossoms early in the morning, the day they open, while the petals are still flared. Learn when to...
when to pick tomatoes
When to Pick Tomatoes
When to pick tomatoes: the breaker stage, ripe color for red, pink, yellow, purple and green types, why heat s...
when to pick watermelon
When to Pick Watermelon
Wondering when to pick watermelon? The tendril nearest the fruit turns brown, the field spot goes creamy yello...
when to plant bermuda grass
When to Plant Bermuda Grass
Plant bermuda grass in late spring to early summer, once soil temperature holds above 65-70°F. Here's when to ...
when to plant carrots
When to Plant Carrots
Direct sow carrots 2 to 3 weeks before your last frost, and again in midsummer for a sweeter fall crop. See wh...
when to plant cucumbers
When to Plant Cucumbers
Direct sow cucumbers 1-2 weeks after your last frost, once soil hits 65°F. See when to plant cucumbers in your...
when to plant garlic
When to Plant Garlic
Plant garlic 2-6 weeks before your first hard frost, once soil drops below 60°F. Find exactly when to plant ga...
when to plant grass seed
When to Plant Grass Seed
When is the best time to sow grass seed? Fall for cool-season at 50-65°F soil, late spring for warm-season at ...
when to plant onions
When to Plant Onions
Plant onion sets 2-4 weeks before your last frost and start seed 10-12 weeks earlier. When to plant onions by ...
when to plant peppers
When to Plant Peppers
Start pepper seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost and transplant once nights stay above 55°F. See exactl...
when to plant potatoes
When to Plant Potatoes
Plant potatoes 2-4 weeks before your last frost, once soil hits 45-50F. See when to plant potatoes in your zon...
when to plant pumpkins
When to Plant Pumpkins for a Halloween Harvest
Pumpkins need 90 to 120 days. Count backward from Halloween: sow late May through early July once soil hits 70...
when to plant strawberries
When to Plant Strawberries
Plant bare-root strawberries in early spring, 4-6 weeks before your last frost. See when to plant strawberries...
when to plant sunflowers
When to Plant Sunflowers
Direct sow sunflowers after your last frost once soil hits 55-60°F. See when to plant sunflowers by zone, plus...
when to plant tall fescue
When to Plant Tall Fescue
Plant tall fescue in late summer to early fall, about 45 days before your first frost. Learn when to plant tal...
when to plant tulip bulbs
When to Plant Tulip Bulbs
Plant tulip bulbs when soil drops below 60°F, about 6-8 weeks before the ground freezes. Get exact months for ...
when to plant winter rye grass and ryegrass
When to Plant Winter Rye Grass and Ryegrass by Zone
When to plant winter rye grass and ryegrass: sow cereal rye 4 to 8 weeks before first frost, and ryegrass once...
when to plant zoysia sod
When to Plant Zoysia Sod, Seed or Plugs
When to plant zoysia sod, seed or plugs: about three weeks after your last frost, once soil holds 65 to 70F. H...
when to prune strawberry vanilla hydrangea
When to Prune Strawberry Vanilla Hydrangea
When to prune Strawberry Vanilla hydrangea: late winter to early spring, before buds break. It blooms on new w...
when to roll your lawn
When to Roll Your Lawn
When to roll your lawn: early spring on damp soil, after frost heave, and after new sod or seed. Never on wet ...
when to spray dandelions
When to Spray Dandelions
When to spray dandelions: mid-September through early November gives the best kill, because the plant hauls he...
when to start tomato seeds
When to Start Tomato Seeds Indoors
Start tomato seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost, then transplant 1 to 2 weeks after it. Here's ...
when to transplant cucumbers
When to Transplant Cucumbers
Transplant cucumbers 3 to 4 weeks after sowing, once soil hits 65°F and nights stay above 55°F. Learn when to ...
when to transplant seedlings
When to Transplant Seedlings
Transplant seedlings once they have 2 to 3 sets of true leaves and 7 to 10 days of hardening off. See when to ...
when to transplant tulips
When to Transplant Tulips
When to transplant tulips: lift them in summer dormancy once the leaves yellow, cure and store, then replant i...
where to get your soil tested
Where to Get Your Soil Tested
Where to get your soil tested: your state land-grant university lab through cooperative extension. Here is how...
why are my seeds not germinating
Why Are My Seeds Not Germinating?
Why are my seeds not germinating? Usually cold soil, seed that dried out for a few hours, or sowing too deep. ...
grass seed not growing
Grass Seed Not Growing?
Grass seed not growing? Pre-emergent still in the soil, seed on thatch, washout, shade, birds or old seed. Rea...
winter blooming shrubs
Winter Blooming Shrubs
Winter blooming shrubs by zone: witch hazel, wintersweet, winter jasmine, edgeworthia, mahonia and cold hardy ...
winter daphne
Winter Daphne Care
Winter daphne care that keeps the plant alive: sharp drainage, high siting, no root disturbance, and the pruni...
winter sowing
Winter Sowing: How to Start Seeds Outdoors in Milk Jugs
Winter sowing lets you start seeds outdoors in milk jugs from December through March, no grow lights or harden...
winterberry plant care
Winterberry Plant Care: Growing Ilex for Red Berries
Winterberry plant care that gets berries: one male per five females within 50 feet, matched bloom times, acidi...
witch hazel deer resistant
Is Witch Hazel Deer Resistant?
Is witch hazel deer resistant? Mostly. Deer seldom ruin established plants, but winter twig browse costs flowe...