Creeping Charlie, also known as ground ivy, was brought to North America by Europeans as a medicinal herb and ornamental plant. Since then, it’s spread across the country in disturbed sites, natural areas, and most commonly, in lawns. It can reproduce from any small...
What’s that black spot on the end of your tomatoes? It’s called blossom end rot, and contrary to appearances, it’s not a fungus or disease. It’s a condition caused by insufficient calcium uptake in your plants. It may affect squash, cucumbers, peppers, and melons, but...
Cats are no strangers to gardens. They’re some of the best natural pest controls around, most notably when it comes to mice. Perhaps it’s time to reward them for their efforts or maybe just to give your feline a special treat. A catnip planter is sure to make a buzz,...
How do you make blooms last longer? Once they wilt, it’s tempting to sit back, call it a success, and wait for their performance next year. But many plants are willing to bloom again if we manage them the right way. Deadheading, fertilizing, and even putting a...
It’s easy to be enraptured by the lilac blossoms of a wisteria, but these flowering vines are such vigorous growers that they can spread out of control. They’re known to choke out trees and damage buildings, but that shouldn’t stop us from growing them. Regular...
Peonies have been cultivated for thousands of years, and for good reasons. Their massive blooms are some of the most impressive of all the spring and early summer. It doesn’t take much know-how to make these perennials happy. In fact, they’re easy to maintain and they...