Savvy Gardening

What to do if you find spots on zinnia leaves

I love snipping zinnias as cut flowers in the summer. However, it can be frustrating when unsightly spots on zinnia leaves diminish their wow factor. From the most common white powdery spots to more serious cases of brown lesions and wilting, these and other zinnia problems are usually manageable if you catch them early. In this article, learn what to look for, what different symptoms likely mean, and what you can do to help your zinnia plants thrive. You’ll also find tips for preventing some of the conditions that cause the various types of spots on zinnia leaves that sometimes show up.

How to freeze zucchini: Preserve your harvest to enjoy later

Written by Tara Nolan

To me, there’s nothing worse than letting a crop go to waste in the garden. This can happen when a few different vegetables are ready to pick all at once—or when you’re on vacation. But in the case of zucchini plants, once they start producing fruit, sometimes it’s hard to keep up with the harvest! Learning how to freeze zucchini is a helpful way to preserve your harvest to enjoy later.

Choosing the best bee plants for a pollinator garden

Written by Jessica Walliser

It’s time to take pollinator gardening to the next level by meeting the best bee plants for providing both nectar and habitat for native bees. With numerous North American native bee species in dramatic decline due to habitat loss, forage scarcity, pesticide exposure, and other negative impacts, bees are in desperate need of a helping hand. Thankfully, many gardeners are now stepping up to the plate, creating pollinator gardens for these incredible insects and providing them with much-needed nectar forage. However, our native bees need more than just nectar to survive. Well-equipped pollinator gardens are also designed with bee nesting habitat in mind.
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Parsley growing tips: Harvest this flavorful herb and kitchen staple all year

Written by Tara Nolan

Parsley is probably the herb I use the most in my cooking. I add this tasty ingredient to soups and stews, I snip it into fresh lettuce or quinoa salads, I whip it into salad dressings, and I stir it into pasta dishes. I regularly have a few plants growing at a time. Not only do I plant parsley in my raised beds, I also sneak it into my ornamental containers for some fragrant, edible foliage. Here, I’ve gathered some parsley growing tips to help you encourage a bountiful harvest.

Growing Carrots in Raised Beds

Written by Jessica Walliser

Carrots are one of the most rewarding crops to grow in your garden, bringing plenty of color and sweetness to your plate. Raised beds provide the ideal environment for cultivating the perfect carrot, from shorter Nantes types to long ‘Sugar Snax’ to vibrant colored ‘Purple Haze’. With proper preparation and care, you can enjoy an abundant harvest of these nutrient-rich orange roots. In this article, I share information about growing carrots in raised beds and teach even beginner gardeners how to do it with success.
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Growing basil from cuttings to get more plants fast… and cheap!

Written by Niki Jabbour

Most gardeners grow basil by sowing seeds or transplanting seedlings into their garden beds or containers. There is a third option, however, and it’s far quicker than waiting for seeds to grow! Growing basil from cuttings is a fast, easy, and cheap way to maximize your crop of homegrown basil. You can root basil stems in water or in a high quality potting mix. Keep reading to learn all about growing basil from cuttings.