Savvy Gardening

Evergreen groundcover plants: 20 choices for year-round interest

Groundcovers are low-growing plants that serve many different purposes in the landscape. They limit weed growth, stabilize slopes, and add interest and texture to your yard. Plus, unlike lawn, groundcover plants don’t have to be mowed. However, in colder climates, many groundcovers die back and go dormant during the winter months. This leaves the ground bare and exposed, opening it up to potential weed issues and soil erosion. If you’d like to provide year-round cover for a particular garden area, turn to evergreen groundcover varieties for the job. These beautiful, hard-working plants have so much to offer.

Harvesting coriander: Save your cilantro seeds for your spice rack or to plant

Written by Tara Nolan

It’s so satisfying to pull out my mortar and pestle and grind seeds I saved because I thought ahead about harvesting coriander. I love fresh cilantro and use a great deal of it in my cooking when it’s in season. Coriander seeds can be used both fresh and dried (the latter often being ground into powder). In this article I’ll explain how easy it is to save cilantro/coriander seeds, how to store them for your spice rack or to replant, and how to use them in your cooking.

Basil leaves curling? 8 possible causes and solutions

Written by Jessica Walliser

If you’ve ever grown basil, you’ve probably seen your basil leaves curling downwards and wilting or basil leaves curling upwards and folding in on themselves. Sometimes you may even see basil leaves curling and also looking yellowed or otherwise discolored. Often, these symptoms are just your plants’ reactions to environmental stress such as extreme heat, cold, or high winds. But sometimes basil leaves curling indicates a need for significant intervention on your part. Fortunately, once you’re familiar with the telltale signs, you’ll know what your sweet basil is trying to tell you and you can act accordingly to fix the trouble.
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How often should you water new shrubs? Tips to care for a new planting

Written by Tara Nolan

Just how often should you water new shrubs—particularly during their first year in your landscape—so that you can be sure they’ll thrive? From the variety and size of the new plant in question, to your specific climate and soil type, there are a few different factors to consider. Even the hardiest of shrubs need a little TLC when they’re first planted! This article will provide guidelines on how much water your new shrub will require. The steps you take now will help it to hold its own during dry periods and put down strong roots to survive the winter.

When to fertilize strawberries for optimum growth and yields

Written by Niki Jabbour

I’m guessing you clicked on this article about when to fertilize strawberries because, like me, you want to grow as many of the largest strawberries as possible. I think these summer treasures are worth all the attention we could give them! First, you’ll want to determine the type of strawberries you’re growing. Once you have that information, this article will help you learn the reasons to fertilize strawberries, how and when to fertilize strawberries based on the cultivar type, and other ways to keep your strawberries growing strong.

When to harvest eggplant for the best flavor and texture

Written by Jessica Walliser

Timing when to harvest eggplant means the difference between enjoying a silky, tender vegetable and one with a tough, mealy texture. Eggplant doesn’t have a good reputation among people who have had experiences with the latter. I think this is a shame, because eggplant is a beautiful plant to grow and, when harvested and prepared properly, eating it is a treat. If you’ve been too intimidated to try growing eggplant—or you’re still learning when to harvest eggplant from your home garden—this article is for you. I’ll cover the signals that an eggplant is ready to harvest, how to pick eggplant, and also how to store eggplant.
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