When you see a caterpillar on dill in your garden—or other plants—you may be startled, grossed out, or annoyed that your plant is being systematically decimated. I get excited. Because I know it’s a black swallowtail caterpillar (Papilio polyxenes) that’s going to turn into a beautiful butterfly. And that butterfly is going to become one of many valuable pollinators in my garden.
What to plant in front of boxwoods for easy care
Boxwoods can be fantastically formal hedges or the basis of whimsical topiaries on their own, but, if you know what to plant in front of boxwoods, they’re also the perfect backdrop for a dazzling mix of companion plants. You can pair boxwoods with a combination of smaller shrubs, perennial plants, herbs, and even flowering bulbs. This supplies winter interest, attracts pollinators, keeps deer away, and more. No matter what effect you’re after, the plants you choose should play nicely with your boxwoods and fit in with your growing conditions as well as the size of your landscaping area. Keep reading for lots of beautiful ideas of what to plant in front of boxwoods.
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How to freeze broccoli from the garden
Looking at your latest bountiful harvest, you may realize that you need to learn how to freeze broccoli. This is a great problem to have! When your garden efforts pay off with a bumper crop, you can preserve your vegetables to enjoy year-round. There are several steps required to freeze broccoli, but it’s pretty easy. All you need is a good knife and cutting board, along with a large pot and a large bowl. In this article, you’ll read tips for harvesting broccoli, all you need to know to prep broccoli, and finally, how to freeze broccoli that you grew yourself.
When to harvest cauliflower and how to do it right
For the best cauliflower from your garden, it’s important to learn when to harvest cauliflower. This cool-weather brassica crop is joy to grow. Firm, often colorful cauliflower heads offset by large, green leaves—which are also edible—make a statement among your garden rows. Cauliflower growing in a container is also a pretty sight! Once the head starts forming, the countdown to the harvest begins. As you’ll learn in this article, cauliflower has similar growth habits, climate needs, and pest pressure as its brassica cousins, including broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and kale. The precise timing of when to harvest cauliflower is really what sets it apart from other garden vegetables.
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Tomato growing secrets for a big harvest
Tomatoes are a favorite crop for many home gardeners, and even beginner gardeners can have success when growing their very first tomato plant. But if you really want to improve your tomato-growing skills and see bigger and better yields than ever before, I’m going to let you in on a few “trade secrets”. As a former organic market farmer, I’ve had lots of experience growing thousands of tomato plants over the years. As a result, I’ve put together a list of 12 tomato growing secrets to use in your home garden for healthier plants, bigger yields, and less work.
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Herb gardening for beginners: How to get started
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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