#Samantha#

Cranberry hibiscus is one of those plants that totally surprised me the first time I saw it — I honestly thought someone had planted a Japanese maple ...

Let me be honest — when I first heard about Mexican yam root, I assumed it was just another exotic vegetable you'd find at a farmer's market. Turns ou...

If you garden in the South, you already know — southeastern garden pests are tough, and they don’t play fair. I’ve been in your shoes: one day your pl...

Yes, maple seeds are absolutely edible — I know it sounds surprising, but those little helicopters you played with as a kid are actually a tasty, nutr...

Choosing the right southern fruit tree varieties is the most important decision you'll make for your home orchard. I've seen too many beginners pick a...

Growing shade trees in the South isn't just about planting a pretty tree — it's about survival during those sweltering summers. I've seen too many hom...

When you notice plants losing leaves, your first instinct might be to blame pests or diseases — but I'd encourage you to check the weather forecast fi...

What do heat zones mean? Put simply, heat zones tell you how many days per year your area gets above 86°F (30°C) — the threshold where many plants sta...

So, what exactly is a trellis? If you've ever seen a wooden lattice propped against a fence or a wire panel in a vegetable patch, that's a trellis in ...

If you’re looking for a fun and productive way to grow beans this season, a bean trellis house is exactly what you need. I’ve built two in my own gard...

If you're staring at your lemon tree wondering Why are my lemons soft?, I’ll give it to you straight: soft lemons on a tree are usually a sign of stre...

Magical Michael basil is a compact, award-winning ornamental herb that I’ve grown for years, and it’s a fantastic choice if you want a plant that look...

Heirloom vegetable varieties give home gardeners more options than what the grocery store offers — and Di Ciccio broccoli is the perfect example of wh...

So, should you use fertilizer for hosta plants? The short answer is: it depends on your soil — but in most cases, you really don't need much. I've lea...

Let's cut straight to it — the best garden party themes aren't the ones you find on Pinterest. They're the ones that come from what you already love a...

Are mushrooms good for the environment? The short answer is yes — in fact, I'd argue they're one of the most underrated allies we have in the fight fo...

Have you ever looked at a dark, north-facing kitchen windowsill and thought, There's no way I can grow anything here? I've been there, staring at a ba...

If you’ve ever tried gardening in West North Central gardens, you know it’s not for the faint of heart—scorching summers, bitter winters, and wind tha...