Savvy Gardening

Front garden design ideas: What to plant, eco-friendly options, patios, and more!

Front garden design ideas have really evolved in the last few years—and for the better. Walk through any neighborhood these days and you’ll see that the traditional turf grass and tidy foundation planting look is being replaced by contemporary elements that are more mindful of the environment. A good garden design will incorporate a few modern ideas, from vegetable gardens and seating to rain gardens and native plants, to create an eco-friendly, eye-catching space.

Growing tomatoes from seed: A step-by-step guide

Written by Niki Jabbour

Why start your own tomato seeds when you can pop into your local nursery and buy ready-to-plant seedlings? The biggest reason is variety! Your local nursery may have a dozen or so varieties of tomatoes, but growing your own tomatoes from seed allows you to choose from hundreds of heirloom, hybrid, and open-pollinated varieties available through seed catalogs. Plus, starting your own tomatoes can save money, especially if you have a large garden. Below you’ll find in-depth advice and step-by-step instructions on growing tomatoes from seed.

Pruning a rose of Sharon: When to shear seed pods and when to cut it back

Written by Tara Nolan

When I moved into my current home and started to get to know my garden, I discovered I had five rose of Sharon shrubs on the property. We moved in the fall and the trees had been meticulously pruned, so we didn’t need to worry about pruning them that first year. Fast forward to our second spring and I couldn’t figure out what all these tiny little weeds sprouting up in my lawn were. I soon discovered they were miniature rose of Sharon plants—dozens of them, trying to establish themselves in my garden. In this article, I’ll share tips on pruning a rose of Sharon, but also when to shear off those seed pods to avoid the misery of pulling up seedlings.

How to get rid of moles in your yard and garden

Written by Jessica Walliser

Discovering small, volcano-shaped mounds of soil in your lawn may at first lead you to believe a massive colony of ants has set up shop in your yard. Or that your neighbor’s kid did a really poor job trying to bury his latest report card. But those hills of freshly dug dirt were likely made by moles. While moles are solitary creatures, they sure can cause a lot of damage with their molehills. Learning how to get rid of moles often comes with a huge amount frustration. Today, I’d like to review how to properly ID these rodents and the damage they cause, and offer you some possible solutions.
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Dividing snake plant: How to get more plants for free

Written by Niki Jabbour

Need a houseplant that thrives on neglect and can survive challenging growing conditions? Look no further than snake plants. These resilient houseplants are popular for their eye-catching vertical growth and often variegated foliage. They are easy to care for, but occasionally you’ll need to divide your plant. Dividing snake plant not only encourages healthy growth for pot-bound plants, it’s also is the best way to get more plants for free. In this article you’ll learn all about when and how to divide your snake plants as well as get tips on other methods of snake plant propagation.

Planting garlic in the spring: How to grow big bulbs from spring-planted garlic

Written by Niki Jabbour

Most gardeners plant garlic in the autumn. There are a couple of reasons for this: 1) Garlic cloves need a cold period to trigger bulb development and 2) Fall planting also gives the cloves time to set roots before winter. When the weather warms in spring the plants can then shoot out of the ground and start putting on fresh growth. That said, if you missed the fall planting window, it is still possible to plant and enjoy a good harvest from spring planted garlic. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about planting garlic in the spring.