Warm summer nights on the patio are loads of fun, but nobody likes waking up the next morning to itchy mosquito bites all over. Fortunately, as gardeners, we have the skills needed to find natural solutions to these irritating pests. Rather than using chemicals, we can grow plants that naturally and safely repel mosquitoes. [...]
Mulching is one of those amazing gardening techniques that requires a little bit of effort at first, but ends up saving you a ton of time and energy down the road. If you’re unfamiliar with mulching, it’s basically the application of a thick layer of loose material over a garden bed to cover bare [...]
Mint is by far one of our favorite summer herbs to grow in the garden, but did you know it’s actually a perennial? That’s right, this fragrant and delicious plant is incredibly hardy and will sprout back up year after year, for endless summers full of exotic dishes, mojitos & mint juleps, salads, and [...]
Most people are familiar with the concepts behind composting. Not only does it allow us to produce less landfill waste, but it’s also a way to use our organic household scraps to enrich our garden soil. Despite the benefits, many folks are hesitant to start composting. Generally, it’s due to a concern that our [...]
Trailing vines create such a beautiful effect in our gardens. Depending on how we set them up, they can create a lush backdrop against a fence or draw the eye upward with their draping effect. One of our favorite plants for creating beautiful vine features is the clematis vine, a gorgeous perennial and expert climber. [...]
Can you even call yourself a Midwesterner without a healthy love of potatoes? Whether covered in butter and cheese, made into french fries, or simply boiled with salt, these tubers are one of the most beloved vegetables on any household dinner table. However, before a potato can become the foundation of our favorite hearty recipe, [...]
With spring well on its way, our favorite fruit trees will soon be in full bloom, and before we know it, they’ll be loaded with deliciously sweet treats! Unfortunately, we’re not the only ones who like to enjoy the fruits of our tree’s labor. Many overwintering pests like to hide out in our trees all [...]
Starting your garden from seeds is one of those activities in which everyone wins. You’ll save money while you work on growing food (and flowers) from scratch, it’s good for your health, and we like to think of it as an important way to reconnect with our space at home and outside. Whether you’re looking [...]
Those of us with children are all too familiar with how fast they seem to grow. We’re also familiar with the constant struggle of supplying clothes that seem to fit one day, but are too small the next. While we (reluctantly) love to see them learn and grow every day, accommodating their steady growth spurts [...]
We hear regularly that people want to bring some life to their home or apartment, even their workspace, but they simply don’t have enough light. There are so many benefits to having fresh greens around all year long that it makes sense that everyone wants to have a little bit of it in their own [...]
