Category: General Plant Care
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Meditative Gardening: How Tending to Plants Can Be A Tool for Personal Development and Growth
As the seasons change, it’s a perfect time for personal growth. Meditation gardening, also known as wellness gardens or zen gardens, offers a unique path for reflection and relaxation. By engaging the senses with vibrant plants, soothing scents, and soft leaves, a meditation garden can provide a space for contemplation and tranquility. Just like tending…
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Summer Grow to Autumn Glow: Plan Ahead and Seamlessly Transition Your Garden
As summer transitions to cooler temperatures, it’s crucial to assess your garden for fall. Evaluate plant health, soil condition, and consider a summer garden cleanup. Choose the right fall crops, time the planting, and prepare for the upcoming winter. By planning ahead and making small adjustments, your garden will thrive through the changing seasons.
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Post-Storm Garden Recovery: How to Revitalize Your Garden After Severe Weather
For gardeners, heavy summer storms highlight the importance of being prepared both beforehand and ready for quick and decisive post-storm garden recovery. This article offers guidance on assessing damage, immediate care, and long-term recovery. It emphasizes the importance of quick action, evaluating plant damage, removing debris, caring for broken stems, waterlogged soil, and considering fertilization…
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Bountiful Basil: Easy Tips for Growing Basil in Your Herb Garden
Basil is a delightful and rewarding herb to grow, offering immense culinary value. The tropical or sub-tropical plant can be a perennial in some zones and comes in various cultivars like Sweet Basil, Greek Basil, and more. It can be grown from seed or cuttings, with certain considerations for light, water, and pests. Harvesting basil…
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Natural Ways to Keep Chipmunks and Squirrels Out of Your Garden
Chipmunks and squirrels can wreak havoc on your garden, but there are ways to deter them. These rodents dig holes in search of food or to bury their own stash. You can deter them by offering a distraction of their preferred foods or using decorative stones to cover soil. Companion planting with marigolds may not…
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Pruning for Perfect Tomatoes
Tomatoes are easy to grow and pruning is essential for optimal plant health and fruit production. Pruning encourages fruit growth and prevents diseases by limiting leaf contact with the ground. Determinant (bush) tomatoes require minimal pruning, while indeterminant (vine) tomatoes benefit greatly from it. Prune when plants are about a foot tall. Be mindful of…
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Nourish to Flourish: A Gardener’s Guide to Fertilizer Labels
This article provides guidance on fertilizing your garden, starting with understanding your garden’s needs through soil testing. It delves into the significance of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in fertilizers, as well as how to interpret their percentages on fertilizer labels. The article also highlights the importance of other ingredients listed on the label and provides…
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Walking on Eggshells: Calcium for Your Garden
When you grow plants, they absorb nutrients and transform them into vegetables, fruit, and flowers. Harvesting removes these nutrients, so fertilizing your garden is crucial for its growth. Eggshells are an excellent source of calcium, vital for fruiting plants. Besides preventing issues like Blossom End Rot, eggshells benefit earthworms and help alkaline-loving plants. Sterilizing and…
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Gnats No More: Getting Rid of Fungus Gnats in Indoor Gardens
Fungus gnats may be tiny, but they can cause big headaches for indoor gardeners. These pesky insects are common nuisances in houseplants and indoor gardens, but with the right knowledge and strategies, you can effectively manage and eliminate them. In this guide, we’ll explore what fungus gnats are, why they’re attracted to indoor plants, and…
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Year of the Dragon: The Madagascar Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)
The Chinese New Year just started, marking the Year of the Dragon. To celebrate, a deep dive into the Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata) is offered. The author shares a personal connection with this plant and discusses its characteristics, propagation, care, common problems, and significance as a lucky plant. Through a personal anecdote, the acquisition and…