Jessica Damiano

Brown patches in a lawn can result from drought, dog urine, fungal disease, fertilizer or pests, so homeowners should confirm a grub infestation before treating. Dig up a 3- to 4-inch-deep, 12-inch-square section overlapping healthy and damaged grass; fewer than 10 grubs per square foot is considered normal. If at least 10 grubs are found, treatment is most effective in late summer when the larvae are young. Milky spore powder targets Japanese beetle grubs but has mixed results, while beneficial nematodes—especially the Heterorhabditis bacteriophora strain—offer a broader natural option. Chemical treatments are discouraged because they can harm pollinators, wildlife, pets, earthworms and humans.

Garden vegetables should generally be harvested before they become overripe and lose flavor or texture. Tomatoes can be picked once at least half-colored and finished indoors, while cucumbers, green beans and zucchini require frequent checks because they grow quickly. Eggplants are ready when their skin is shiny; corn is ready when its kernels release milky juice; and peppers may be picked green or left to develop red, yellow or orange colors. Harvesting in the morning after the dew dries helps preserve moisture, sugars and texture.

Black spot disease on roses, caused by the fungus Diplocarpon rosae, can be managed by removing infected foliage, applying fungicides such as mancozeb, or using options like neem oil and copper fungicide after cleanup. Preventive steps include spring applications of neem oil or potassium bicarbonate, using baking soda treatments, companion planting, and improving air circulation and watering practices to reduce future infections.

Black spot disease, caused by Diplocarpon rosae, weakens rose plants and increases vulnerability to other problems. Infected foliage and debris should be removed and discarded to prevent reinfection. Fungicides containing mancozeb are most effective, while Neem oil and copper-based treatments offer environmentally friendly options. Preventive measures include early-season fungicide application, proper plant spacing, deep watering with soaker hoses, and avoiding wetting foliage. A baking‑soda horticultural‑oil solution can help prevent fungal diseases. Planting onions or tomatoes near roses may reduce infection risk, and selecting disease‑resistant rose varieties offers strong long‑term protection.

Leafy greens, many herbs, and some root vegetables can grow well with limited daily sunlight, making productive gardens possible in partially shaded areas. Starting seeds indoors, adding reflective surfaces, and mixing edibles into sunny ornamental beds help improve growth. Shade offers benefits such as reduced watering needs and fewer pests, making low‑light gardening both manageable and rewarding.

The White House Rose Garden has undergone repeated redesigns since its creation in 1913 by Ellen Wilson, with major overhauls in 1962 under Jacqueline Kennedy and horticulturalist Rachel Mellon, in 2020 under Melania Trump, and again in 2025 under Donald Trump. Changes have included replacing trees, addressing plant health issues, updating infrastructure, introducing new rose varieties, improving accessibility, and most recently converting the central lawn into a limestone patio with added lighting, furnishings, and statues. The garden continues to evolve while maintaining its role as a ceremonial and public-facing presidential space.

Growing a home herbal tea garden requires a sunny location, well‑draining soil, and light watering once plants are established. Chamomile, various mints, anise hyssop, lemon balm, and lemon verbena are highlighted for their suitability and flavors. Herbs should be harvested in the morning for optimal oil concentration, and can be brewed fresh or dried for long‑term storage. Drying concentrates flavor, requiring smaller quantities when steeping future teas.

Five tomato varieties are highlighted for summer growing, including Bull’s Heart, Rutgers, Big Boy, Sungold, and Brandywine, with notes on flavor, productivity, harvest times, and ideal uses. Each variety is described in terms of taste, size, and growing needs, emphasizing their reliability and appeal for home gardeners.

A horticultural expert highlights ten new plant varieties that performed exceptionally well during trialing, emphasizing traits such as bloom reliability, hardiness, disease resistance, and overall vigor. The featured selections include improved foxgloves, coneflowers, petunias, begonias, impatiens, and other annuals and perennials suited for various light conditions and climate zones. Several varieties demonstrated extended blooming periods, strong heat or frost tolerance, and appealing colors or forms, offering gardeners reliable new options for the spring retail season.

A gardening expert reviews trial plants newly arriving in garden centers, highlighting ten varieties that excelled in performance, resilience, bloom quality and overall appeal. The selected perennials and annuals—ranging from foxgloves and coneflowers to petunias, begonias and impatiens—were noted for strong growth, distinctive coloration, long blooming periods and, in some cases, disease resistance or weather tolerance. Each plant’s growing conditions, expected size and standout features are detailed to guide gardeners choosing new additions for the season.

Guidance on choosing heat- and drought‑tolerant flowers highlights varieties such as coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, blanket flowers, moss rose, lantanas and marigolds, noting their resilience and minimal water needs once established. Recommendations include both annuals and perennials that withstand high temperatures and dry conditions, with cautions about invasiveness in certain regions and mention of upcoming marigold varieties expected in garden centers by 2027.

Common gardening myths are corrected with evidence-based guidance, including avoiding vinegar as a weedkiller, skipping wound sealants on pruned trees, reducing or eliminating tilling, watering plants deeply rather than lightly and frequently, and replacing landscape fabric with organic mulch. The article emphasizes practices that protect soil health, support plant resilience, and prevent long-term problems in garden maintenance.

Mulching garden beds helps retain moisture, suppress weeds and regulate soil temperature, but certain materials such as gravel, plastic, shredded tires and dyed mulch pose risks to plants and the environment. Natural materials like wood chips and shredded bark provide the greatest benefits by improving soil as they decompose. Using 3 to 4 inches of mulch while keeping it away from plant stems prevents rot, and avoiding harmful practices like volcano mulching protects trees. Applying mulch after frost but before weed growth ensures optimal results and enhances garden appearance.

Microgardening can yield high harvests in small spaces by using fast-growing microgreens, compact herbs and vegetables, and vertical growing techniques. Succession planting ensures continuous crops, while multi-tiered and mixed plantings maximize limited balcony or windowsill areas. Decorative edible plants add both beauty and practicality to small gardens.

Explains the benefits of composting for improving soil quality and outlines how to choose a location, balance green and brown materials, maintain proper moisture, and turn the pile to speed decomposition. Provides guidance on what to include or avoid, how to screen finished compost, and ways to use it to enrich garden beds, containers, and lawns.

Zach Galifianakis brings playful, offbeat humor to a new six‑episode Netflix gardening series debuting on Earth Day, blending sincere curiosity with comic absurdity while learning from gardening experts. Short segments with elementary school students add additional comedic moments reminiscent of his “Between Two Ferns” style. Despite the jokes, the series highlights practical gardening instruction and promotes gardening as a healthy, grounding activity.

Recommends reducing plastic use in gardening to limit microplastic contamination by choosing alternatives such as soil-blocking kits, biodegradable pots, natural materials, composting practices, and durable reusable items. Emphasizes small, cumulative changes that minimize environmental impact.

Strawberry pots, traditionally used to grow strawberries in elevated pockets, can also serve as efficient planters for succulents, herbs, trailing flowers and vines. Arranging plants by size and type creates striking displays, while a perforated PVC pipe placed through the pot ensures even watering. Terracotta versions should be protected from freezing temperatures by bringing them indoors or storing them after seasonal use.

Using gravel gardens instead of organic mulch can reduce wildfire risk, improve drainage, limit runoff, and suppress weeds while requiring minimal maintenance. Although organic mulch is ideal for many situations, gravel is recommended in fire‑prone or drought‑prone areas, especially when paired with drought‑tolerant native plants. Proper installation involves preparing soil, laying several inches of aggregate, and planting through the gravel. Regular watering is needed only during the first growing season, after which established plants require little care.

Healthy soil supports plant growth by maintaining proper structure, moisture balance, nutrient availability and biodiversity. Improving sandy or clay-heavy soil with organic matter enhances drainage and fertility while minimizing disturbance protects microorganisms and prevents erosion. Monitoring pH and nutrient levels helps guide fertilizer use, and slow-release amendments are recommended over fast-release solutions. Avoiding soil compaction and covering bare areas with mulch preserves soil health and prevents weeds, promoting long-term garden success.

Creative household reuse can reduce the cost of gardening supplies, using items such as food containers for seed starting, lampshade frames as peony supports, and patio umbrella frames as trellises. Nutrient sources like fish scraps, aquarium water, vegetable cooking water, eggshell powder and dehydrated banana peels provide low-cost fertilizers. Leaving grass clippings on the lawn offers a free, effortless nitrogen boost.

Advice is provided on creating a productive front-yard vegetable garden, including evaluating sunlight, constructing raised or in-ground beds, preparing soil, adjusting pH levels, and maintaining an attractive layout. The guidance emphasizes checking local regulations, improving soil quality with compost and appropriate amendments, and keeping the garden orderly to enhance curb appeal and encourage neighborly interaction.

Explains common seed‑packet terminology, including planting timing, plant life cycles, sowing methods, germination rates, sunlight requirements, disease resistance, pollination types, heirlooms, hybrids, and seed preparation techniques, to help gardeners make informed planting decisions.

Explains how scarification helps seeds with tough outer coats germinate more quickly by imitating natural processes that break down protective layers. Outlines simple methods such as sanding, nicking and soaking, offers temperature cautions, and lists ornamental and edible plants that benefit from the technique, noting that it shortens germination time and improves seedling yield.

An array of unusual tomato varieties is highlighted as appealing alternatives for home gardeners preparing for seed‑starting season, with descriptions of their origins, appearance, flavor profiles and growing characteristics. Several heirloom and hybrid types, including Cherokee Purple, Black Krim, Black Beauty, Ananas Noire, Yellow Pear, Voyager and Green Zebra, are presented as flavorful and distinctive options for summer harvests.

Cold weather has increased the amount of fireplace ash available for gardeners to use, but ash should only be applied when soil pH and plant needs justify it. Wood ash can add nutrients and raise pH, benefiting plants that prefer less acidic conditions, but it can harm acid‑loving varieties and soils already at high pH. Gardeners are advised to test soil before application, avoid ash from treated or contaminated wood, follow conservative dosing guidelines, and ensure ashes are fully cooled and sifted. Excess ash should be disposed of cautiously to avoid soil and water contamination.

Plant stylist Hilton Carter encourages creating small “nature nooks” at home using a cozy chair, warm lighting and a few well‑chosen plants to promote relaxation and emotional well‑being. He emphasizes choosing a suitable corner, assessing natural or artificial lighting, selecting plants based on care ability and personal associations, and considering practical factors like growth, flooring and pet safety. Thoughtful plant combinations, meaningful décor and consistent daily use can create a calming personal retreat. The piece includes background on Carter’s own plant journey and his work in styling and media.

Snow acts as natural winter mulch that stabilizes soil temperature and protects dormant plants, while heavy snow can damage evergreens by weighing down branches. Snow should be gently removed from trees unless it has frozen into ice, which should be left to melt naturally. For deicing, magnesium chloride is recommended as the safest option for plants and pets, while calcium chloride is a secondary choice. Potassium chloride and sodium chloride should be avoided due to their harmful effects on vegetation, pets and infrastructure.

Guidance is provided for preventing houseplant pest infestations by inspecting plants before purchase, repotting them in sterile mix, applying diatomaceous earth to dry soil, and using bottom-watering to maintain effectiveness. Newly acquired plants should be quarantined for several weeks to protect existing houseplants.

A selection of visually distinctive succulents is profiled with guidance on ideal lighting, watering schedules and fertilization. The plants highlighted include Krinkle Kurl, Burro’s tail, Sweetheart plant, String of Dolphins and String of pearls, each described by their growth habits, appearance and care needs. Some varieties are noted as toxic to pets.

Indoor herbs require more attention than outdoor ones due to limited light and constrained root space. Herbs such as rosemary, sage, oregano, thyme and bay laurel can grow well indoors with proper drainage, bright light and careful watering, while basil, dill, fennel, lavender and chamomile are less suited to indoor conditions. Supplemental lighting, balanced fertilizer and close monitoring of soil moisture help maintain healthy growth. Fresh indoor herbs offer convenient winter cooking despite slower, smaller growth.

Improper disposal of live Christmas trees contributes to methane emissions and groundwater risks, but several alternatives can avoid environmental harm. Trees can be repurposed for mulch, firewood, wildlife habitat, or donated to community programs that recycle them for erosion control, fish shelters, or livestock feed. Removing decorations before reuse is essential, and local municipalities or farms may offer collection or recycling options.

Explains the symbolism, diversity and horticultural value of holly species while offering planting guidance and highlighting differences among popular varieties. Recommends several species suited to different climates and warns against planting English holly in regions where it is invasive.

Guidance on creating a simple year‑round garden retreat emphasizes low‑maintenance plants, sensory elements like fragrance and water sounds, and cultivating daily rituals that encourage relaxation and stress relief without requiring elaborate landscaping.

Guidance is given on extending the freshness of holiday greenery by maximizing moisture retention through proper cutting, soaking and placement of evergreen branches, wreaths and garlands. Recommendations include cutting stems in the morning, soaking branches before use, keeping outdoor arrangements moist and shaded, and avoiding indoor heat sources. Freshness ultimately depends on environmental conditions and the age of the greenery at purchase.

Cyclamen is highlighted as a lesser-known holiday plant with distinctive upside-down blooms that flower in winter. The article explains optimal light, temperature, humidity and watering conditions, emphasizing careful moisture management to avoid rot. It outlines fertilizing practices, how to manage the plant during summer dormancy, and how to encourage regrowth for future holiday blooms.

Instructions outline how to grow an avocado plant from seed, including preparing the pit, rooting it in water, transferring it to soil, and maintaining proper light, watering, and fertilizing conditions. Notes explain that indoor plants rarely produce fruit and that outdoor growing is only suitable for warm climates. Guidance also covers acclimating seedlings to outdoor planting and the variability of fruit from seed-grown trees.

Fall garden tasks such as removing weeds, clearing diseased plant material, disinfecting tools, and protecting young trees help prevent spring problems and reduce workload. Preparing new beds by smothering grass with cardboard and enriching existing beds with compost or manure improves soil for the next growing season. Planting bulbs and garlic before the ground hardens ensures timely blooms and harvests.

A selection of innovative gifts spans categories including travel, pet health, beach safety, children’s mindfulness tools, portable beverage carbonation, wireless in‑flight audio, at‑home cold‑plunge equipment and long‑lasting toilet paper rolls. Each item is presented with its key features, functions and price points to guide holiday shoppers seeking practical or inventive options.

Fallen leaves can be repurposed into leaf mould, a simple, single-ingredient material that improves soil structure, moisture retention, drainage and temperature regulation while supporting beneficial soil organisms. Most leaves are suitable except black walnut due to juglone toxicity. Leaves can be collected in wire enclosures, perforated plastic bags or compost bins, layered with water and optional nitrogen fertiliser, and kept lightly moist. By spring, the material becomes a humus-like substance that can be used as mulch or added to potting mixes to enhance plant health throughout the growing season.

Gardeners are encouraged to create soft landing zones under trees by avoiding compacted turf, allowing leaf litter to remain, and planting native groundcovers to support caterpillars and other beneficial insects. These practices help sustain food webs that support birds, reptiles, pollinators and overall ecosystem health.

Gardeners recount mishaps ranging from invasive plants and misapplied remedies to accidental seed spreading and misidentified insects, illustrating how small mistakes can escalate into persistent problems. Examples include mislabeled plants, cayenne pepper seeds overtaking vegetable beds, bamboo invading a neighbor’s yard, birdseed sprouting uncontrollably, and pest larvae ordered in error. A horticultural specialist also describes unusual cases brought to a diagnostic clinic. Collectively, the stories highlight how easily well‑intentioned garden efforts can lead to unexpected complications.

Guidance is given on when to transplant shrubs based on their blooming season, how to assess and dig up root systems safely, and how to prepare and plant them in a new location. Proper hole sizing, handling of the rootball, correct planting depth, watering practices, mulching and delayed fertilizing are emphasized to ensure successful establishment and long-term growth.

Guidance is offered on making use of edible plant parts that are often discarded, including beet greens, vegetable scraps for broth, young zucchini leaves, fig leaves for tea, edible flowers for garnishes, and pickled watermelon rinds. Techniques highlight reducing waste while creating flavorful dishes and beverages.

Guidance is offered on supporting birds as gardens go dormant, recommending high-fat foods, sugar-water for hummingbirds and leaving seed-bearing perennials standing through winter. Adding trees and shrubs that provide food and habitat is encouraged, along with keeping fallen leaves in beds to protect insects essential to the ecosystem. Reducing outdoor lighting helps prevent disorienting migrating birds, reinforcing that small seasonal actions can improve winter survival for local wildlife.

Technology such as autonomous mowers, plant‑care apps, soil sensors and indoor smart‑garden systems offers ways to simplify lawn work and maintain healthier plants without diminishing gardening’s calming benefits. Examples include robot mowers that navigate independently, apps that schedule care tasks and devices that monitor soil conditions, along with hydroponic or pod‑based indoor gardens for year‑round herb and vegetable growing.

Early morning offers the best conditions for watering, fertilizing, harvesting herbs and greens, and cutting flowers, helping plants absorb moisture and reducing disease risk. Evening is preferred for stress‑inducing tasks such as pruning, deadheading, planting, dividing and transplanting, as cooler temperatures aid recovery. Lawn mowing is ideal in early evening or mid‑morning, while wet‑grass mowing should be avoided. Weed removal is easiest after rainfall or following deep watering. Some activities, such as enjoying the garden, are suitable at any time of day.

Explains how to create kokedama, a Japanese method of growing houseplants in a moss-covered soil ball. Provides materials needed, step-by-step assembly instructions, watering guidance, and tips for displaying and maintaining the plants. Highlights ideal plant types, emphasizes proper hydration, and recommends annual pruning and minimal fertilizing to keep the kokedama healthy.

Guidance is provided on how to force spring bulbs such as hyacinths, tulips, daffodils and crocuses to bloom indoors during winter by potting them, establishing roots in cool conditions, then chilling them in a refrigerator before moving them into indoor warmth and light. Staggered chilling times can produce blooms throughout the season, and some bulbs can later be planted outdoors to return in following years.

Research in the US and UK links gardening to reduced stress, improved mood, increased physical activity and greater social connection. Experts highlight horticultural therapy and note that nurturing plants provides benefits beyond passive time outdoors, supporting mental and physical health. Studies show gardeners experience improved well‑being, higher fiber intake and lower risk factors for several illnesses, with gardening adaptable to all ages and abilities.

Espalier, a centuries-old method refined by Louis XIV’s gardeners, trains fruit trees to grow flat against walls, maximizing sunlight, improving cold tolerance and increasing yield in small spaces. Flexible-branch species such as apple, pear and fig adapt well to the technique. Successful training requires regular pruning, structural support and high-nitrogen fertilizer during the shaping years, followed by fruit-tree fertilizer once the form is established. Close monitoring is necessary due to increased pest and disease risks, but the method produces both a functional and decorative garden feature.

Guidance is provided on determining peak ripeness for common garden vegetables, including size indicators for zucchini and green beans, color and texture cues for peppers, cucumbers, melons and sweet corn, and visual signs for root crops such as garlic, onions, beets, potatoes and carrots. Tips emphasize optimal tenderness, flavor and timing while cautioning against leaving crops to overmature.

Guidance is offered for managing pests humanely without glue traps or harmful chemicals, emphasizing prevention, safe biological controls for insects, and humane eviction methods for wildlife. Recommendations include sealing entry points, removing standing water to limit mosquito breeding, using Bti products for larvae control, and employing snap traps for indoor rodents when necessary. Relocation of wildlife is discouraged due to low survival rates and possible legal restrictions.

Encouraging children to enjoy gardening begins with giving them ownership, such as choosing plants, designing their own plots or containers, and naming their gardens. Teaching them plant care, allowing mistakes, and involving them in watering and weeding schedules helps build responsibility, patience, and pride. Gardening also offers opportunities for healthy habits, hands-on learning, and meaningful shared time outdoors.

Native annual plants are often overlooked in home gardening despite their ecological value and adaptability. Limited availability in nurseries contributes to their low use, though they support native insects and wildlife and require less maintenance. The Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center provides a searchable database to help gardeners find suitable options. Seven recommended native annuals include partridge pea, American basket flower, forked bluecurls, California poppy, annual sunflower, Indian blanket flower and orange jewelweed, each described with its range and growing characteristics.

Growing degree days provide a reliable, weather‑based method for determining when pests and plants reach vulnerable or mature stages, enabling gardeners to time treatments more effectively than by using the calendar. Local extension offices and tools such as Syngenta’s GreenCast offer region‑specific GDD data to guide control measures for pests like Colorado potato beetles, euonymus scale insects and crabgrass. Heat‑loving crops such as tomatoes also follow predictable GDD ranges for ripening.

Landscape fabric is criticized for quickly failing to prevent weeds, inhibiting soil health and becoming difficult to remove as roots grow through it. It also creates heat pockets and restricts beneficial soil life. Plastic sheeting performs even worse by blocking water and air and contributing microplastics. Limited exceptions include use under gravel paths or temporarily to clear planting areas, though newspaper or cardboard are suggested as better biodegradable alternatives. Organic mulches such as bark, wood chips and straw are recommended for regulating soil conditions, supporting soil life and simplifying weed removal.

Small gardens can become productive and visually appealing by using vertical space, grouping containers creatively and choosing compact plant varieties. Edible plants with ornamental qualities can enhance mixed beds, and succession planting maximizes yields in limited vegetable plots. Layered planting can make even narrow or balcony spaces feel lush.

Fragrant garden options include powerfully scented lilacs, magnolias, Texas lilac, heirloom roses, star jasmine, common jasmine, hyacinths, sweet peas, heliotrope and flowering tobacco, with recommendations based on hardiness zones and bloom characteristics to help gardeners choose aromatic plants.

Common lawn weeds are described as indicators of underlying soil or sunlight problems, with each type pointing to issues such as compaction, nutrient deficiencies or excess shade. Solutions include core aeration, fertilizing, adjusting sunlight and improving soil conditions. Clover is presented as beneficial due to its natural nitrogen-fixing properties, though it can be reduced through regular watering and fertilizing. The overall message encourages healthier, more resilient lawns rather than striving for flawless appearance.

Human-generated noise from lawn equipment and other sources disrupts wildlife communication, feeding and reproduction, particularly for species with quieter vocalizations. Research shows noise can elevate stress levels in animals, highlighting the need for noise-reduction strategies. Experts recommend shifting noisy yardwork outside key wildlife activity periods, using quieter battery-powered tools, and planting dense vegetation as sound buffers. Community-level actions such as promoting noise ordinances and creating local sound sanctuaries can further support wildlife health and habitat stability.

The Chelsea Chop is a pruning technique applied to certain perennials in late spring to encourage bushier growth, sturdier plants and delayed flowering, extending the blooming season. Gardeners cut back stems by one‑third to one‑half their height and may selectively prune stems to stagger bloom times. The method varies by climate, with some late‑summer and fall bloomers benefiting from multiple timed cuts throughout the season.

A historic 409‑acre Long Island estate is being revitalized with a focus on biodiversity, native plantings and sustainable landscape design while preserving its century‑old craftsmanship and architecture. A new book highlights the estate’s layered history, from its origins under William and Mai Coe to its transformation into a public arboretum. Recent efforts include replacing aging non‑native trees, creating meadow habitats and commissioning a new garden by designer Piet Oudolf. Leaders emphasize stewardship of the property and encourage public engagement with the site.

Pollen from wind‑pollinated trees, grasses and weeds is identified as the main trigger for hay fever, with birch, oak, ragweed and several common grasses among the strongest irritants. Plants with heavier pollen or double flowers produce less airborne pollen and are more suitable for allergy sufferers, including certain fruit trees, female varieties of wind‑pollinated species and many common garden flowers. Choosing low‑pollen plants, keeping windows closed and avoiding mowing can help reduce symptoms.

Eight newly released rose varieties are presented as long‑lasting Mother’s Day gift options, with details on bloom color, fragrance, growth habits, size and climate suitability. The varieties come from several major growers and include hybrid teas, floribundas, climbers, groundcovers and edible roses, each noted for disease resistance, distinctive coloration and suitability for different garden conditions.

Guidance is offered on growing herbs such as mint, basil and lemon verbena for use in cocktails and mocktails, with tips on planting, watering and harvesting for optimal flavor. Additional suggestions include using strawberries, cucumbers and jalapeños in summer drinks, along with simple cocktail preparation ideas.

Oak trees are highlighted as the most effective species for supporting local ecosystems because of their long evolutionary relationship with native insects and their extensive range across North America. Entomologist Doug Tallamy emphasizes that oaks play a central role in converting solar energy into food that sustains wildlife, making them especially important for biodiversity. With numerous species adapted to different soils, climates and property sizes, suitable oak varieties exist for most landscapes. Planting an oak on Arbor Day is encouraged for its ecological benefits, particularly its ability to support hundreds of caterpillar species that serve as vital food sources for birds.

Guidance on planting asparagus emphasizes selecting sunny, fertile soil, using year-old crowns for faster results, and gradually filling trenches as shoots grow. After two full years of growth, harvesting can begin in the third year for a six‑week period, after which remaining stalks must be left to store energy. End‑of‑season fronds should stay in place until brown before removal, and onions or garlic should not be planted nearby due to their stunting effects.

Doug Tallamy emphasizes the importance of native plants for sustaining insects, birds and local ecosystems, explaining how habitat loss and widespread use of non-native species weaken food webs. He encourages homeowners to reduce lawn areas, choose native plants such as oaks and improve landscaping practices to support caterpillar survival. His new book answers common ecological questions and aims to increase public understanding of biodiversity. Tallamy highlights growing interest in native landscaping and stresses shared responsibility for conservation.

Native spring ephemerals offer early-season color and critical food for emerging insects, appearing briefly in early spring before going dormant. These plants grow quickly in the moist, sunny conditions beneath leafless deciduous trees and disappear without leaving unsightly foliage, freeing space for later-season perennials. The article outlines planting and care tips and highlights ten recommended native species, noting their ideal conditions, growth habits and cautions for pets and children.

Advice is offered on preparing houseplants for a summer outdoors by repotting crowded roots, waiting for reliably warm temperatures, and gradually acclimating them to light and wind. Plants benefit from natural conditions and increased nutrients but should not be fertilized when stressed. Certain varieties like African violets and low‑light houseplants require shade or should remain indoors. As temperatures cool late in the season, the acclimation process is reversed before plants are inspected and brought back inside.

A long‑running initiative urges gardeners to plant extra crops to donate to local food programs, a campaign begun by Jeff Lowenfels and expanded nationally through GardenComm International. Home gardeners have contributed more than 20 million pounds of produce since its launch, and readers are encouraged to join by planting additional rows or starting local campaigns. Resources for organizing donations and locating drop-off sites are provided through GardenComm and AmpleHarvest.org.