Whether you're nurturing a backyard plot or managing a large garden, stay in the know with the latest in gardening. From planting trends to eco-friendly methods and seasonal tips, this section brings you news and inspiration to help your garden thrive all year long.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/pizza-garden-basil-getty-0823-4bb3c081bf284a06b27a4203d31c455d.jpg)
Aug 30, 2025 - 13:01 GMT
Harvesting basil regularly by pinching leaves from the top or cutting stems above leaf nodes encourages bushy growth and prolongs the plant's productivity until frost. Fresh basil can be stored in water like cut flowers, wrapped in damp paper towels, frozen in ice trays, or dried for long-term use.
Aug 29, 2025 - 17:52 GMT
Coffee grounds don't drastically change soil pH, but they do add mild acidity, nutrients like calcium, magnesium, and potassium, and feed beneficial microbes that improve soil health. Many plants - such as azaleas, hydrangeas, Japanese maples, African violets, philodendrons, potatoes, and eggplants - thrive with small amounts of coffee grounds mixed into their soil or compost.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/GettyImages-2173914927-a62f46934f1f4f6199f908490eded333.jpg)
Aug 28, 2025 - 14:01 GMT
Earwigs - often called "pincher bugs" because of the small pincers on their tails - love damp, shady spots. They're most likely to sneak inside bathrooms, basements, or kitchens when outdoor conditions send them looking for food and shelter. While they rarely cause serious damage, no one wants these creepy crawlers hanging around the house or nibbling on garden plants. The good news is that with the right steps, you can prevent earwigs from moving in and clear them out quickly if they do.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/GettyImages-1268636053-bdf8151fd8a74632bc8ee0fe25737a8f.jpg)
Aug 28, 2025 - 08:21 GMT
Fire ants are more than just a backyard nuisance - they sting, damage plants, and disrupt your garden's ecosystem. From inspecting potted plants and maintaining your yard to using targeted baits, diatomaceous earth, and ant-repelling plants, there are safe and effective methods to remove colonies. For larger infestations, professional treatments ensure long-lasting control and protect your landscape from recurring damage.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/GettyImages-2180333865-ed7f4495fdff42569a0ac785800656e0.jpg)
Aug 27, 2025 - 16:52 GMT
Cutting back perennials depends on plant type and timing??"fall trimming helps control pests and disease, while spring cleanup protects wildlife and tender crowns. Use sharp, clean tools to make angled cuts about two inches above the soil, and avoid pruning too early or too hard to ensure healthy regrowth and blooms next season.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/low-maintenance-perennials-busy-gardeners-coneflower-getty-0623-0d09e841cc544b4c85e0a93d63c90abc.jpg)
Aug 27, 2025 - 13:01 GMT
Late summer is the perfect time to plant hardy flowers like coneflowers, beardtongue, catmint, hellebores, asters, coral bells, and lungwort, which establish well in cooler weather and often attract pollinators. With the right care??"proper sun, soil, and watering??"these blooms will bring vibrant color into fall and even return in future seasons.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/GettyImages-1324540227-d69f4bc79a2946f5ad961fb859704c08.jpg)
Aug 26, 2025 - 20:07 GMT
Lawn fungus shows up as brown, yellow, or white patches and can destroy grass, but natural treatments like neem oil, baking soda, and vinegar can help eliminate it. To prevent fungus from returning, maintain your lawn with sharp mower blades, proper drainage, morning watering, and disease-resistant grass seed.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/GettyImages-2169561064-786c574e7c6548f989957a99123e5187.jpg)
Aug 26, 2025 - 16:01 GMT
Grow these plants in the slow-draining areas of your landscape.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/GettyImages-1334780427-af82c098940148709792198d29a7898d.jpg)
Aug 25, 2025 - 09:22 GMT
Perennials can be divided in either spring or fall, with spring-blooming varieties best split in fall and late-summer or fall bloomers better divided in spring. Both seasons have pros and cons, but the key is to divide when weather is cool, water consistently, and give plants enough time to establish roots before extreme temperatures arrive.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/GettyImages-2229572666-0cf25eaa0ef74045b3cc2b87f3a48cb8.jpg)
Aug 24, 2025 - 14:27 GMT
Squash bugs often survive winter in soil, leaf litter, and plant debris, so fall cleanup??"removing and destroying infested plants, tilling deeply, and rotating crops??"is key to preventing reinfestation. Strengthening soil, encouraging natural predators, and using row covers in spring further protect cucurbits and help ensure a healthier harvest.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/SPR-rice-water-for-plants-8575029-08-e76d1dd80c3d4b0383492d2722507eb6.jpg)
Aug 24, 2025 - 07:36 GMT
Rice water contains starch and nutrients that can boost plant growth, especially when fermented, and can be made by rinsing, boiling, or fermenting rice. However, it should only be applied about once a month to avoid mold, pests, or soil issues, and should never be used in hydroponic systems.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/ms-tomato-on-the-vine-getty-4852c95e449840f989507272619aa11e.jpg)
Aug 22, 2025 - 18:00 GMT
Tomatoes can lose flavor when grown in poor soil conditions, with the wrong pH, too much nitrogen, inadequate sunlight, irregular watering, or if harvested too early. Experts recommend choosing flavorful varieties, maintaining balanced soil and watering practices, and allowing fruit to ripen on the vine for the best taste.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/GettyImages-1732987613-f0d24277b555485b8b9abc65a0a2b165.jpg)
Aug 22, 2025 - 16:02 GMT
Sweet potatoes are ready to harvest about 90 to 120 days after planting, once vines yellow, and should be carefully dug up with a garden fork on a dry day to avoid damaging their delicate skins. For the best flavor and texture, cure them in a warm, humid environment for 7??"10 days, then store in a cool, dark, ventilated space (never the refrigerator).
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/GettyImages-21954932051-343a808ad1214606b04592ee34240d60.jpg)
Aug 22, 2025 - 13:00 GMT
Letting a fruit tree grow wild without pruning leads to smaller, lower-quality fruit, dense canopies prone to pests and disease, and a weakened structure that makes harvesting difficult. Experts stress that regular pruning ensures better airflow, stronger branches, and consistent, high-quality yields.
Aug 21, 2025 - 19:48 GMT
Getting rid of a tree stump can be challenging, with options ranging from natural remedies like Epsom or rock salt, to physical removal by digging, grinding, or burning, or using commercial stump killers. Each method has pros and cons in terms of cost, effort, speed, and environmental impact, so the best approach depends on your yard conditions, local regulations, and how quickly you want results.
Aug 21, 2025 - 15:43 GMT
Defining "native plants" isn't simple??"there's no universal timestamp for when a plant became native, and what's native to one Texas region may not survive in another. The takeaway: use "native" as a flexible category, balancing true natives, nativars, and adapted species to conserve water, support ecosystems, and create sustainable, intentional landscapes.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/ms-rosemary-plant-care-primary-1dac9548e9ea4cda8dce85f91c38d86e.jpg)
Aug 21, 2025 - 13:00 GMT
Rosemary is a hardy, fragrant herb that can be propagated indefinitely through cuttings, water rooting, or layering, allowing gardeners to expand a single plant into many. With proper care, these propagated plants develop strong root systems within weeks and can thrive for years, providing a continual supply of fresh herbs.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/GettyImages-1327738996-1d53d3a7db24481d941a1e8b6b6cf831.jpg)
Aug 21, 2025 - 09:11 GMT
Banana peels add organic matter to soil but don't provide enough nutrients to serve as a reliable fertilizer for roses. Experts recommend using organic options like alfalfa pellets, blood meal, bone meal, or fish emulsion??"applied carefully according to instructions??"for healthier growth and better blooms.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/GettyImages-2196482051-0f9abdf5ab02462fb1104044055b07a8.jpg)
Aug 21, 2025 - 07:39 GMT
The most important fall gardening task, according to experts, is testing your soil early so you can amend it in time for spring planting. Along with adjusting pH and nutrients, fall is also the best season to weed, remove dead plants, and plant bulbs, setting your garden up for a healthier, more vibrant growing season.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/GettyImages-2153651409-2a3255c8f77c4bcca45c2136f9627fc2.jpg)
Aug 20, 2025 - 16:01 GMT
Winter squash, including varieties like butternut and spaghetti squash, require warm soil above 65°F and 80??"120 days to mature, meaning planting times range from March in Southern climates to May or June in the North. For best results, give them plenty of sun, space, nutrient-rich soil, consistent watering, and protection from pests to ensure a healthy harvest before fall frost.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/GettyImages-1022092454-add6a24b57164188a367e347b76af295.jpg)
Aug 19, 2025 - 20:00 GMT
Feeding fruit trees the wrong fertilizer can reduce fruit production.