When it comes to herb gardening for beginners, it’s easy to end up in the weeds. After all, there are countless articles on specific herbs and their medicinal properties. Some of these might even include a few growing tips. But what if you have no idea which herbs you should try to grow—let alone know how to grow them? We’ve got you! This quick-start guide on herb gardening for beginners includes suggested plants, notes on site selection, spacing your plants, harvesting fresh herbs, and more, so you’ll be able to plan and plant an herb garden tailored to you.
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When to harvest garlic (and garlic scapes!) and how to store it for the winter
Garlic is one of my favorite vegetables to grow. I love that I get two harvests from the bulbs I plant in the fall. The first harvest, because I plant hardneck garlic, is the long, loopy garlic scape. Then a few weeks later, I pull the garlic bulbs to dry and store through the fall and winter. In this article, I’m going to share tips on trimming the scapes, as well as when to harvest garlic.
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Leaf mulch: How to make and use leaf mulch in the garden
Using leaf mulch in the garden is one of the best ways to build soil, reduce weeds, retain moisture, and insulate plants. Plus, you can turn mulched leaves into leaf mold which saves money on buying compost and other soil amendments. In this article I’ll show you three easy ways to make leaf mulch and how to put it to work in your garden.
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Our 7 favorite pruning shears for gardening
Pruning shears are a gardener’s best friend when nurturing a healthy and visually appealing garden. In our gardening journey, we’ve found them indispensable for making precise cuts, shaping plants, and removing dead or overgrown branches. When selecting the ideal pair of pruning shears for your gardening toolkit, always prioritize quality and durability over cost. A well-crafted pruner can save you money in the long run by avoiding the need for frequent replacements.
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How to grow chickpeas: From seed to harvest
Hummus lovers rejoice: You can learn how to grow chickpeas in your vegetable garden. Chickpeas, also called garbanzo beans, cecci beans, and Egyptian peas, are a staple in diets across their indigenous Mediterranean region. And like other legumes, they’re easy to grow and the plants improve the soil. Plus you can enjoy chickpeas fresh from the garden, much like shell peas, or harvest them at the end of the growing season for drying. In this ultimate guide for how to grow chickpeas, you’ll learn all about growing chickpeas on a small scale. Read on for tips on sowing, caring for, harvesting, and enjoying these tasty and nutritious beans.
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Little Lime hydrangea: A care guide
Perfect for landscapes with smaller footprints, Little Lime hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Jane’) provides the look and feel of an old-fashioned hydrangea without the need for a huge parcel of land to accommodate it. While many hydrangeas can grow to be 20 feet tall or more, Little Lime hydrangea reaches a comparatively diminutive 3-5 ft. These compact shrubs are suitable for use in hedges, foundation plantings, and even in cut flower arrangements. True to its name, Little Lime hydrangea initially produces lime-colored blooms on strong stems. Over the growing season, the flower color changes to white and, eventually, to a stately burgundy.
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