beneficial bugs

8 Insects That Actually Help in Fall Gardens

October 18, 2025 by Brandon Marcus Leave a Comment

Fall might seem like the time when gardens start slowing down, but don’t put away your gloves just yet—and definitely don’t swat at every bug you see. While we often associate insects with chewed-up leaves and plant damage, there’s an entire squad of tiny allies working overtime once the temperatures drop. These unsung heroes protect…

Ladybugs Versus Asian Lady Beetles

October 12, 2020 by Steph Coelho Leave a Comment

Gardeners—especially those new to the hobby—may find it tough to distinguish between bad bugs and beneficial insects. It can take some time to get a hang of which bugs to leave alone and which to squish dead. Unfortunately, some good garden bugs have evil lookalikes. Case in point: ladybugs versus Asian lady beetles. How…

How To Get Free Seeds From The Government by Amanda Blankenship Seeds might seem like a small expense, but any seasoned…
Should I Use Enviro Ice On My Plants? by Kathryn Vercillo Every week, I receive food from Hungryroot. It's a great…
From Trash to Treasure: Transform Shredded Paper Into Garden Gold by Amanda Blankenship Should you use shredded paper as garden mulch? It might…
What Happens to Plants If You Use Enviro Ice on Them? by Amanda Blankenship About a year ago, I wrote our first article about…

Can You Use Pruned Herb Stems to Start Free New Plants?

Fresh herbs already save money in the kitchen, but those trimmed stems can stretch a garden budget even further. Many common culinary herbs grow into entirely new plants from healthy cuttings, turning routine pruning into one of the easiest gardening tricks around. A handful of stems, a glass of water, and a little patience often…

Why Do Watermelons Split Just Before Harvest?

There is nothing more heartbreaking than walking into the garden, spotting a beautiful watermelon ready for picking, and finding a giant crack running through the middle. Watermelon splitting happens because the fruit grows faster than its skin can handle, often after sudden changes in water availability. Knowing why this happens helps gardeners protect their sweet…

7 Edible Perennials That Can Fill Awkward Garden Spaces

Tiny corners, narrow strips, and strange garden gaps often become the forgotten leftovers of a yard. Edible perennials offer a clever solution because they bring beauty, flavor, and reliable harvests without demanding a yearly planting marathon. Instead of staring at that awkward patch beside the fence or the empty area near the shed, gardeners can…

8 Ways to Keep a July Garden Productive Without Buying New Plants

July often brings a strange mix of excitement and disappointment in the garden. Tomato vines stretch toward the sky, cucumbers seem to multiply overnight, and then suddenly a few beds start looking tired, wilted, or downright lazy. Many gardeners assume the only solution involves another trip to the garden center, but the plants already growing…