Savvy Gardening

When to water a snake plant and how to do it right

Snake plants are my all-time favorite houseplants thanks to their striking foliage and adaptability to a wide range of growing conditions. And while these are low care plants, knowing when to water a snake plant is important for providing the right type of care. Too much water and the roots will rot. Too little and it will fail to thrive. In this article you’ll learn what factors affect watering frequency, how to tell the best time to water, and how to do it right.

The 10 best plants for an east-facing window

Written by Jessica Walliser

There’s something I love about the way the morning sun pours in through a collection of plants in an east-facing window. For houseplant enthusiasts like me, this gentle light creates the ideal conditions for a wide range of beautiful and rewarding houseplants. But not every plant is suited for this specific orientation—choosing the right plants for your space can mean the difference between a healthy specimen and one that is struggling to survive. Whether you’re a seasoned plant parent or just starting your houseplant collection, I’d like to introduce you to the best plants for an east-facing window.

10 Vegetables still thriving in my zone 5 garden in November

Written by Jessica Walliser

There’s something special about walking out to the vegetable garden on a cold November day and finding fresh vegetables ready to harvest, especially when you live in a cold climate like mine. For home gardeners, the idea of harvesting homegrown veggies long after the first frost has arrived is deeply rewarding. Growing into the fall isn’t just about squeezing out a few more homegrown meals; it’s a way to make the most of your gardening efforts, stretch the harvest season, and experience the garden in a whole new light.

How to grow radish sprouts and microgreens indoors year-round

Written by Niki Jabbour

Before I started gardening year-round, I longed for fresh food during winter days and realized I needed to learn how to grow radish sprouts and microgreens. Sprouts and microgreens are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they’re different stages of growth, produced in entirely different ways. Radishes are quick crops to begin with, but when you pick up on how to grow radish sprouts and microgreens, you’re giving yourself all the nutrition and crunch of a radish in just a week or two. It doesn’t matter if you have a sprawling mansion or a college dorm room, you only require space enough to hold a canning jar or take-out container. In this article you’ll learn the difference between radish sprouts and microgreens and how to grow them, including needed supplies, the growing process, harvesting and storage, and other tips.

LED grow lights: The best systems for indoor plants and seed-starting

Written by Niki Jabbour

For me, one of the biggest challenges to growing plants inside my home has always been finding a space that offers enough light. For years I focused on low-light indoor plants, like snake plants, golden pothos, and spider plants. But now, thanks to my LED grow lights, I have expanded my indoor plant collection to include light lovers, like succulents, cacti, and jade plants. But it’s not just about houseplants, I also use my LED grow lights to start seeds indoors, grow microgreens and culinary herbs, and for plant propagation. In this article I’ll share my favorite LED grow lights and stands to help you grow an indoor jungle.

How to grow spotted bee balm from seed

Written by Tara Nolan

I have various plant obsessions, but spotted bee balm is my latest. My local seed library introduced me to this fascinating plant. I picked up some seeds, winter sowed them (along with a few other native plants), and was delighted by the result when they bloomed in summer. The flowers, which are pollinator magnets, are really hard to describe. Layers of bracts and flowers look like they’ve been stacked on top of each other, and encircle a bright green stem with long, narrow leaves. The sturdy-looking bracts that resemble petals are a light mauve or pink hue, while the delicate flowers, that look a bit like talons, are pale yellow with maroon polka dots (I’ve read that these are nectar guides). They remind me a bit of snapdragons or the pattern of a toad lily.