I love to pull weeds. And I’m not afraid to admit it. Some of you will judge me. I can hear it already. “You love to pull weeds? You must be insane. That’s what Roundup is for.” Well, there’s no better way to remove weeds from a garden than to pull the weeds out, roots and all. I will save the discussion of using poisons in the yard where kids and pets play for another story. But even if you agree with my anti-poison bias, you still might think I’m crazy for enjoying the process of removing weeds. What Are You, Crazy? No. I am not crazy. Unless being an avid gardener makes me crazy. But I still think pulling weeds is awesome. What’s so awesome about going out into the yard and pulling weeds? Here’s my list of Top 5 Reasons Why I Love to Pull Weeds. Reason 1: I love to pull weeds because I love to dig in the dirt. There’s something wonderful about digging in the dirt. Just ask a scientist. Digging in the dirt stirs up the microbes in the soil. When you inhale … [Read more...] about Why I Love to Pull Weeds
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Best Gardening Gifts for the Holidays
Here's the Home Garden and Homestead list of the Best Gardening Gifts for the Holidays The holiday season may be the most wonderful time of the year, but the holidays bring their own stresses. What gifts do you buy for everyone on your holiday shopping list? Don't worry, We've got you covered--at least for the gardeners on your gift list. Here are our choices for the best gardening gifts for the holidays for all of the "green thumb gardeners" on your list! Editor's Note: Click on the photos in this story to buy any of these best gardening gifts for the holidays. Changshou Kumquat Tree Produces Edible Fruit Changshou Kumquat is a rare and hard-to-find plant that produces large juicy fruit. Fragrant white flowers bloom from May to September, and the fruit ripens year-round. Changshou’s pear-shaped fruit is larger than other kumquat tree varieties. Each delicious fruit usually has five or six segments inside the sweet, thin skin. Kumquats are among the hardiest … [Read more...] about Best Gardening Gifts for the Holidays
How to Grow Bell Peppers: Tips from a Master Gardener
Want to Learn How to Grow Bell Peppers? Here is Everything You Need to Know to Grow this Tasty Vegetable! Bell peppers are one of the most satisfying warm-season vegetables to grow in the home garden. I’ve been an active gardener for many years, and I love to recommend growing bell peppers to new and experienced gardeners. Bell peppers are right up there with tomatoes and zucchini when it comes to easy-to-grow veggies that produce lots of delicious homegrown produce. You might want to harvest shiny green bells for a fajita night. Or perhaps you want to wait for those same peppers to ripen into reds, oranges, or yellows for a sweet snack. Few crops are as colorful—or as versatile as sweet peppers. Here's everything you need to know to grow your own bumper crop of bell peppers. How to Grow Bell Peppers: Seed vs. Starter Plants Starting from Seed: If you like the challenge and control of growing your plants from the very beginning, starting bell peppers from seed is a … [Read more...] about How to Grow Bell Peppers: Tips from a Master Gardener
The Rule of Three in Gardening: A Simple Key to Visual Harmony
The Simple Rule of Three Makes Gardening Easier and Gardens More Interesting In the world of garden design, the “Rule of Three” is a foundational principle that enhances visual interest and balance. By planting in odd numbers—especially in groups of three—you can create more visual pleasing plant arrangements. Quite simply, using plants in groups of three, five, or seven looks better than symmetrical, even-numbered groupings. This technique works well in beds, borders, and containers, and is easy for both beginner and experienced gardeners to apply. Odd-numbered groupings, particularly trios, create focal points and draw the eye in a dynamic way. Below, we explore five popular plants that are especially effective when used in groups of three. We have also included growing tips and reasons to love these plants! Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea) and the Rule of Three in Gardening USDA Zones: 3–9Mature Size: 2–4 feet tall, 1–2 feet wide.Light Needs: Full sunSoil: … [Read more...] about The Rule of Three in Gardening: A Simple Key to Visual Harmony
Healthy Soil and Clean Water: What Every Backyard Gardener Should Know
If You Care About Healthy Soil and Clean Water, Here's What You Need to Know to Keep Your Garden and Landscape Free of Contaminants. Soil and water safety is an important topic for every gardener. That’s true whether you’re growing vegetables for your family or maintaining a backyard oasis of flowers. The long-term sustainability of a garden is based on understanding its building blocks: soil and water. For a garden to thrive, it must have healthy soil and clean water. It’s more complicated that you think. It goes way beyond “soil is dirty, and water runs clear.” And many gardeners don’t know what to look for. Soil and water contaminants can be sneaky critters, and this article will share what you need to know to keep your garden safe. Healthy Soil and Clean Water: What to Know About Soil Contaminants Unseen pollutants in soil pose serious risks to plants as well as people. Soil may look rich and fertile, but a closer inspection is needed to be sure … [Read more...] about Healthy Soil and Clean Water: What Every Backyard Gardener Should Know
