Simple ways to save money while you garden
You can be a careful, kind, bird-loving gardener and still accidentally grow something that causes real trouble. Some plants are restricted because they’re invasive, some are prohibited because they’re toxic, and others are regulated because they spread crop diseases or create wildfire risk. The frustrating part is that the plant can be sold online, gifted…
If your basement smells a little “earthy” after a storm, your garden might be part of the problem. When rain can’t soak in where it lands, it follows the easiest path—often straight toward your foundation. A few innocent habits like piling mulch against the house, aiming downspouts at a flower bed, or building up soil…
You bring your plants inside for the winter, give them extra love, extra water, and extra attention—and suddenly, they start dropping leaves like they’re auditioning for a dramatic soap opera. One day your ficus is full and glossy, the next it looks like it’s quietly giving up on life. If this sounds painfully familiar, you’re…
If you’ve ever glanced at your favorite indoor plant and noticed tiny, irritating flies hovering above the soil, you’re not alone. Fungus gnats are the unwelcome guests that can turn a peaceful indoor jungle into a buzzing nightmare, and experts are pointing the finger at one surprisingly popular houseplant soil mix. For decades, potting mixes…
Bad soil is one of the most frustrating problems a gardener can face. You water faithfully, plant lovingly, and hope for miracles—only to end up with stunted plants, sad leaves, and dirt that looks more like construction debris than garden gold. But nature already built a solution, and it doesn’t come in a plastic bag…
It starts innocently enough. A few bags of leaves. A pile of grass clippings. Maybe some trimmed branches stacked neatly by the curb, waiting for pickup. Most homeowners assume yard waste is the easiest part of home maintenance — rake it up, bag it, and move on with your life. But here’s the surprise that’s…
A lot of gardeners plant “tough” ornamentals because they survive heat, drought, and neglect—and they look great doing it. The problem is that one common yard plant shows up in landscaping all over the southern US, and pets treat it like a chew toy, a snack, or a digging prize. When that happens, the bill…
Rain barrels have become the eco-friendly badge of honor for modern homeowners. They promise lower water bills, greener gardens, and a feel-good sense of sustainability that makes you feel like you’re doing your part for the planet. But behind that wholesome image, water authorities and environmental experts are raising serious red flags about what’s actually…
Something strange is happening in gardens, farms, and backyard beds across the country, and seasoned growers are starting to sound the alarm. Plants look healthy one week and suddenly struggle the next, harvests shrink for no obvious reason, and once-reliable soil starts acting like it has a mind of its own. Gardening experts aren’t pointing…