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Food Waste Facts An overwhelming majority of Americans do not compost their food scraps. Instead, we dump them in the garbage contributing to the amount added to landfills. Landfills, by the way, are finite. They do fill up and when that happens they close. Just as landfills are finite, so is the space on the planet for more landfills. The other big issue with dumping food scraps into a landfill is that they increase the amount of methane gas produced by the pile....

Growing Native Plants in Containers Native potted plants require a little more care than those you put in a bed. Consider these important factors as you create a container garden for species native to your region: Container Size Size the container to the plant type, about two to four times the size of the pot in which it arrives. In general, native plants need larger, deeper pots than the typical annuals you might normally use....

But what if you want a lush, tropical look with the added benefit of drought-tolerance? Here are 6 houseplants that will turn your home into a tropical rainforest–minus the rain. Dreams really can come true. 1. Heart-leaf Philodendron This one is straight out of the rainforest. Philodendrons, especially vining heart-leaf philodendrons, are easy beginner plants that don’t need much water. They can go at least two weeks without a drink and are perfectly fine....

In this article we will discuss some general growing guidelines that will keep your asters looking their best. Where Do Asters Grow? Answering the question, “where do asters grow best?” will vary slightly from one species to the next. Considering the overall appearance and bloom time will be key in crafting the most attractive growing space possible. Though many types of annual aster will look at home in formal flower beds, some species may be better suited for use in naturalized plantings....

Growing a Colorful Vegetable Garden If you have picky kids or a picky significant other like I do, incorporating some more colorful veggies into the meal plan might pique their interest. Colorful root veggies like rainbow carrots are a delightful surprise to children and adults alike. Adding some non-green vegetables to the garden helps keep the adventure of gardening interesting by adding splashes of color or simply changing out your routine potatoes, root veggies or greens to more colorful varieties....

While there are over 100 species of newts living in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia, they metamorphose in the same way. They start life as larvae living in water like freshwater ponds, marshes or small lakes. They move to land for their juvenile stage (when they are termed efts) and stay on land as adults, returning to water only to breed. Newt populations are in trouble in many regions....

Choosing Edible Landscape Plants Opting for plants that are not only attractive but edible is a win-win. Varieties of common edibles like fruit trees, berry bushes, and grape vines add a wild aesthetic while providing food for the table. But even annuals can lend elegance and double as ingredients. With varieties like “Bright Lights,” Swiss chard has a rainbow of colors reflected in its stems and steams up beautifully as a delicious side dish....

Raised beds can also be used in regions where growers have to contend with less than ideal soil conditions. The use of high quality potting soils, compost, and mixtures of various nutrient-rich amendments lets gardeners create viable beds that are certain to produce the desired results. Further, raised beds are valued for their ease of use, accessibility, and the overall reduction in time spent tending to routine garden maintenance tasks....

In July 2022, the world’s largest environmental network, IUCN, listed the migratory monarch as an endangered species. With numbers declining for years, conservation efforts have been ongoing, and many homeowners added milkweed, the only host plant for the monarch butterfly caterpillar, among their annual and perennial landscape choices. Milkweed Poisoning and How to Safely Grow Toxic Milkweed Milkweed is a favorite in butterfly gardens, not only because it is the host plant for the monarch and queen butterflies, but because the nectar is sought by many butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds....

Anatomy of a Seed When we think about it, seeds are pretty nifty devices, in that they can control when they come to life. For most species of plants, this transformation from seed to seedling occurs when certain conditions of temperature, moisture, oxygen and light are met. To understand the process of germination, let’s first look at the parts which make up a seed: Seed coat – Seed anatomy begins with the seed coat....

Growing Flowers From Seed I try to start seeds indoors, but they usually don’t survive. They start to come up but usually succumb to damping off disease. I have more success by waiting till the last frost has passed and then planting into the ground. So, that has become my pattern. In May, or when I get around to it, I sprinkle my easy-to-grow annual seeds in the bed reserved for those flowers....

Summer Squash vs. Zucchini: Similarities Zucchini and most types of summer squash belong to the same species (Cucurbita pepo). In fact, zucchini is technically a type of summer squash. The other main types of summer squash include straightneck, crookneck, and pattypan varieties. These types are marketed with the squash name, as in straightneck squash, crookneck squash, etc. On the other hand, the term “squash” is not always included when zucchini seeds, plants, or fruit are offered for sale in the United States....

There are several types of philodendron, including species and varieties with various appearances: heart-shaped, lance-shaped, or fiddle-shaped leaves, vining growth, self-heading growth, variegation, large leaves, and even pink coloration. Choosing the Types of Philodendron Plants for Home Growing All types of philodendron houseplants are tropical species native to Central and South America. Philodendron care is simple for all types: bright, indirect light, well-draining potting mix, warmth and humidity, and occasional fertilizer....

I was not one of those picky children who wouldn’t eat the green things on my plate (except lima beans), but heartily enjoyed any type of produce. Tomatoes, with their natural sweetness, were and still are one of my favorites. Flash forward many years, and I couldn’t wait to learn how to grow tomatoes. Over the years there have been successes and failures but I have learned quite a bit and can now confidently anticipate bumper crops of gorgeous fruit....

Space-Saving Vertical Vegetable Garden DIY Ideas Who can benefit from vertical vegetable gardening ideas? Anyone with limited space and a desire to grow their own veggies. 1. Grow Vegetables Upside Down A really unique idea for a vertical balcony vegetable garden or any type of small space is to grow veggies upside down. The idea is that the plants grow through drainage holes in a hanging pot. You can also use a bucket with holes drilled in the bottom or look for a kit specifically for a hanging vegetable garden....

Cheap Drought-Tolerant Landscaping Ideas Waterwise gardening through inexpensive landscaping will save on your utility bills and help fight water scarcity. Here are a few ideas on low-cost drought-tolerant landscaping to get you into the movement. 1. Choose the Right Plants Combining plants with the same water needs will avoid overwatering waste. Choose plants that will all thrive in the site and have similar care requirements. Opt for those that prefer your particular soil type, lighting, and other factors....

Balancing Green with Seasonal Color In a front yard foundation planting, I have an Emerald Spreader Japanese yew, plus the evergreen perennials hellebore and autumn fern, which all have green foliage. When I purchased a dwarf Japanese maple to include, I chose one with year-round burgundy foliage. A row of Bobo hydrangeas have green foliage with white flowers that fade to pink. In front of them, I have three bronze-and-pink-colored coral bells, Heuchera villosa “Carnival Watermelon....

Why Gardeners Should Try Lawn Alternatives Water conservation isn’t the only reason a lawn alternative might be a good choice for your landscape. Lawns are high maintenance and often rely on a slew of toxic chemicals which are not only costly but also detrimental to our ecosystem and pollinator population. Sure it’s nice for the kiddos to have grass to run and play on, not to mention Fido, but there are alternatives available that will combine the comfort of a lawn without the mess, labor, cost and deficit to the environment....

Select The Best Campanula Varieties for Your Needs The genus Campanula includes various cultivars of annuals, biennials, and perennials for you to choose from. So how do you know which types of campanula have the best chance of reaching their full potential in your beds, borders and containers? This selection includes flowering options for impact and longevity, prolific and extended flowering, height and compact growing. Plus, we explore the full range of colors to help you pick the perfect bellflower for your garden....

Hand Texturing Soil Soil texture is important. The texture of soil influences almost every aspect of gardening and is responsible for the presence of particular ecosystems. In fact, some scientists consider the texture of soil its most important property, impacting soil/water relationships, gas exchange, and plant nutrition. The term “texture” describes how rough or smooth an object is. With many materials, texture can be determined by touch. This is true of soil texture, which is a product of the proportion of sand, silt, and clay in the soil....