I planted my garlic last week, and after tucking the 30 plump cloves into their bed, my thoughts turned to protecting them from freezing temperatures and stealth animals that dig them up every year and leave them on the soil surface to mock me. So, this year, I laid bird netting over the soil ...

If you’re in the market for new trees, consider planting natives. They are generally lower maintenance than exotic species, require less water, fertilizers and pesticides, and often cost less, too. Native trees also support our native wildlife, which evolved alongside them, so recognize them ...

If you’ve been pining to plant a tree, now is a great time. The season’s cooling temperatures and still-warm soil mean less stress on newly planted trees, which allows them to direct more energy into growing strong roots rather than struggling to survive the heat and drought often seen in ...

As gardeners, we spend a lot of time observing nature up close -- When will my tomatoes turn red? What’s eating my hosta? What’s that white stuff on my peonies? – and we react as needed to ensure our plants survive and thrive. But there are other, sometimes overlooked, garden residents ...

The best time to repot a houseplant is in spring, when its root system is actively growing and can quickly establish itself in its new home. But a fall repotting could be warranted if a plant has spent the summer outgrowing its container outdoors. Most species we consider houseplants are ...

Earthworms, as we know, are garden champions, cleaning the soil by eating their weight in organic matter every day and aerating it as they wriggle around, creating tunnels to ease root growth. They also improve soil moisture, remove fungal spores and stimulate microbial activity, which benefits ...