Harvesting basil from the garden is one of my favorite summer activities. We use the flavor-packed leaves in pasta, pesto, on pizzas, and in fresh salads like Caprese salad. Plus, surplus basil harvests can be frozen or dried for future meals. How and when you harvest basil can have a big impact on plant health, flavor, and production. Below you’ll get my tips on harvesting basil, including types of basil like Genovese, Thai, and lemon, to ensure you’ve got a non-stop supply of this popular herb.
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Shade ground cover plants for your yard
Shady areas can be challenging to grow in, but filling low-light areas with shade ground cover plants is a great low-maintenance option for gardeners. Thankfully there are a surprising number of options when it comes to shade-loving ground covers. In this article, I’ll introduce you to my favorites, along with sharing some quick tidbits of info on establishing these ground-hugging plants.
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Growing hens and chicks plants in gardens and pots
Hens and chicks plants make great low-maintenance options for dry, sunny gardens. And there are so many interesting cultivars available in a range of hues, from chocolate brown to green to bright orange and yellow. The common name may be confusing until you grow them yourself and realize it makes sense. One main rosette (mama hen) will eventually produce several offsets or babies (the chicks!). Though I’ve never heard them referred to by houseleeks, their other common name, the Latin name you’ll see on plant tags for these popular succulents is Sempervivum. They are members of the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae).
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Growing spinach in containers: A seed to harvest guide
Spinach is a popular green to grow in gardens, but it’s also an ideal vegetable to plant in pots. The compact plants don’t need a lot of root space and they’re very quick to go from seed to harvest. Growing spinach in containers just outside my kitchen door means I’ve always got a supply of the tender leaves on hand for salads and cooked dishes. The key to success for cultivating spinach in pots is to pick the best types of containers, fill them with a rich growing mix, and provide consistent moisture. Below you’ll learn everything you need to know about growing spinach in containers. Read on!
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Tomato flowers falling off? 6 reasons for blossom drop
There are few things in the garden that cause as much dread in the gardener as their tomato flowers falling off. One day, the plants are blooming like crazy, and the next, the flowers are shriveled up, laying on the ground next to your plant. You wonder what you did wrong and how to stop it from happening again. Rest assured, there are reasons why tomato flowers sometimes drop from plants and there are ways to prevent it from happening. In this article, I share 6 reasons for tomato blossom drop and offer practical solutions.
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How to care for a fuchsia hanging basket
Fuchsias produce really fascinating-looking blooms in various colors, with frilled or flouncy petals, some of which look as though they may take flight, and a spray of stamens bursting from the center. I think the trailing types are best displayed in hanging baskets so they can cascade over the edges, allowing you to look up and really admire the full flower. From a viewing perspective, they often point downwards. Luckily this isn’t a problem for bees and hummingbirds! Fuchsias also work well in pots and window boxes. In this article, I’m going to share some tips on caring for a fuchsia hanging basket throughout the summer months, so you can enjoy those otherworldly blooms right through until the first frost of autumn.
