Simple ways to save money while you garden
Your neighbor’s beautiful oak tree might be costing you hundreds or even thousands of dollars, and you may not realize it until the damage is already done. Its roots are lifting your patio, branches are scraping your roof, and fallen limbs are destroying plants you’ve spent years growing. Naturally, you assume your neighbor should pay…
Every fall, one popular landscaping shrub puts on a spectacular show, turning such a brilliant shade of red that it almost looks like it’s glowing. You’ve probably seen it lining driveways, surrounding foundations, or adding color to otherwise ordinary suburban yards. But that gorgeous autumn display is hiding a problem. The plant is called burning…
What if you stopped mowing your lawn and let nature take over? You could save money on gas, reduce your water bill, attract pollinators, and spend your weekends doing something other than pushing a lawn mower. But depending on where you live, that decision could also result in a warning letter, an expensive fine, or…
Your basil is still producing beautiful green leaves, the parsley is overflowing its container, and the chives are growing faster than you can use them. Unfortunately, freezing temperatures are approaching, and those fresh herbs won’t last forever. Before you let the final harvest go to waste, there’s a simple way to preserve much of that…
Your tomatoes have stopped producing, the cucumber vines are turning brown, and the zucchini plants hav finally given up for the season. Before you start pulling everything out of the garden, there’s one important question worth asking: Should all those old vegetable plants go into your compost pile? Composting is one of the easiest ways…
Your herb garden has been producing all summer, but the growing season is coming to an end. The oregano is overflowing its container, your thyme needs trimming, and the rosemary has more fragrant stems than you could possibly use before winter. Rather than letting those herbs go to waste, you can preserve much of your…
Your basil has started looking tired, the tomatoes are slowing down, and the first chilly nights have arrived. But one herb in your garden might still be producing fresh green leaves while everything else prepares for winter. Parsley is surprisingly resilient when temperatures drop, making it one of the most useful herbs to keep growing…
Your basil plants have been producing fragrant green leaves all summer, but the weather forecast suddenly shows nighttime temperatures dropping into the 40s. You might assume there’s still plenty of time to harvest because freezing temperatures aren’t expected yet. Unfortunately, basil is one of those garden favorites that can suffer cold damage before an actual…
Your herb garden may still look beautiful in October, but one cold night could change everything. Basil leaves can turn black after exposure to frost, while rosemary, parsley, and other herbs may struggle when temperatures drop below their preferred growing conditions. If you’ve spent months growing fresh ingredients for your kitchen, letting them go to…