Plant Care
California Gray Rush Near Water Can Support Dragonfly Habitat and Help You Manage Mosquitoes More Effectively
Somewhere between hope and gardening reality lives the idea that one plant near a backyard pond can call…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 25
Plant Care
How to Set Up Your California Yard to Help Backyard Birds Cope With the Next Brutal Heat Wave
When a heat wave rolls through California and temperatures push past 100 degrees, the birds visiting your yard…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 25
Plant Care
There’s a California Lizard Eating the Pests No Pesticide Can Touch, and Most Homeowners Toss It Out by Instinct
A small lizard basking on your backyard fence might be doing your garden a quiet favor. Most California…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 25
Plant Care
The Fragrant California Plants You Can Line Your Patio With to Keep Ticks Off the Paths Where Your Family Walks
Ticks love to hitch a ride on tall grass and shady garden edges, and that is bad news…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 25
Plant Care
When Tree Frogs Turn Up in Your California Garden, They’re Confirming Something Specific About Your Yard
Finding a small frog clinging to a plant stem or tucked under a pot in your California garden…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 25
Plant Care
The California Barn Owls Hunting Rats Better Than Any Trap, and the One Change That Keeps Them Nesting
Barn owls are one of California’s most effective natural allies against rodents, and plenty of homeowners want to…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 25
Plant Care
Local Plant Rules in California Are More Specific Than Most Homeowners Realize
Some plants that have lived in California yards for decades are now showing up on county lists with…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 24
Plant Care
This Common California Lizard Quietly Cuts the Lyme-Disease Risk in Your Yard, But Homeowners Keep Driving It Off
That small lizard doing push-ups on your backyard fence is probably a western fence lizard, and it plays…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 24
Plant Care
When Mourning Doves Pick Your California Yard to Nest, It’s Telling You Something About the Garden You Made
Finding a Mourning Dove nest tucked into a backyard shrub or balanced on a porch beam can stop…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 24
Plant Care
The California Native Groundcovers That Blanket a Slope Like Ivy but Won’t Feed the Next Wildfire
If you have a hillside in California, you have probably noticed how fast ivy or ice plant can…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 24
Plant Care
The California Native Shrubs That Do Everything Rosemary Does but Feed Wildlife and Never Go Woody
Rosemary earns its spot in so many California yards because it shrugs off drought and smells amazing, but…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 24
Plant Care
Plant These California Natives Near Water and Watch Dragonflies Move In and Thin Out the Mosquitoes Fast
Standing water in your yard can turn into a mosquito nursery fast, but nature has a built-in cleanup…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 24
Plant Care
The California Nurseries Serious Gardeners Drive Hours to Reach for Rare Native Plants Nobody Else Stocks
Big box garden centers sell the same handful of plants to everyone, but California’s native landscape holds hundreds…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 24
Gardening Tips
If Your Pepper Plants Grow Bushy but Set No Pods in the Heat, One Feeding Swing Is Usually to Blame
You step outside to check your pepper plants and find them packed with deep-green leaves, looking healthier than…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 22
Gardening Tips
Why Your Pepper Plants Are Bushy but Dropping Every Flower: Midsummer Heat Is Often the First Place to Look
You planted your peppers back in spring, watched them grow into full, healthy-looking bushes, and then waited for…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 22
Gardening Tips
Before You Chase Off Every Chipmunk, a Few of Them May Be Quietly Working for Your Garden
Chipmunks are easy to root for until one digs up your tulip bulbs or empties your bird feeder…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 20
Gardening Tips
If Your Blueberry Leaves Are Turning Red in Summer, It’s Not Necessarily Fall Color – Your Soil May Need Investigating
Seeing red leaves on your blueberry bushes in the middle of summer can stop you in your tracks.…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 20
Gardening Tips
Your Basil Bolts to Flower in July – It’s Not the Heat, It’s the Harvest Cut You’re Skipping
Basil is one of summer’s most rewarding herbs until the day you walk outside and find it covered…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 20
Seasonal Gardening
What to Start Indoors Now Before the Spring Rush Begins
Starting plants indoors before the busy spring season is one of the smartest ways to get a strong,…
By John Miller CA
·
Mar 11
Gardening Tips
17 Flowers You Can Start Now for Earlier Color in the Garden
Waiting all winter for spring blooms can feel like forever, but the good news is you do not…
By John Miller CA
·
Mar 9
Pruning
Don’t Prune Your Roses Until You Check This First
Don’t Prune Your Roses Until You Check This One Thing First Pruning roses is one of the most…
By John Miller CA
·
Mar 7
Backyard Farming and Livestock Care
The Prettiest Grass-Free Front Yard Ideas That Also Slash Water Use
Traditional lawns may look neat, but they demand constant mowing, feeding, and watering – especially during dry seasons.…
By John Miller CA
·
Mar 3
Plant Care
15 Hardy Plants That Survive Late Frost Without Damage
Late frosts can sneak up on gardeners and wipe out plants overnight, but some tough plants simply shrug…
By John Miller CA
·
Feb 28
Fruit & Veggies
12 Crops That Handle Arizona’s Full Sun Better Than You’d Expect
Arizona’s blazing sun is notorious for its intensity, making gardening a challenge. Yet, there are remarkable crops that…
By John Miller CA
·
Aug 2
Fruit & Veggies
10 Tough Veggies That Handle Colorado’s Thin Air and Blazing Sun
Growing vegetables in Colorado presents unique challenges due to its high altitude, intense sunshine, and varying temperatures. However,…
By John Miller CA
·
Aug 2
Fruit & Veggies
Grow Food With Less Water: 17 Drought-Tough Plants for Nevada Yards
Gardening in Nevada’s arid climate can be challenging, but with the right selection of drought-tolerant plants, you can…
By John Miller CA
·
Aug 2
Shrubs & Trees
Plant These 17 Perennials Once—They’ll Outgrow Illinois Clay Every Year
Gardening enthusiasts in Illinois often face the challenge of growing plants in heavy clay soil. However, with the…
By John Miller CA
·
Aug 1
Fruit & Veggies
Grow These 15 Leafy Greens All Winter Long in California’s Easy Climate
California’s mild winter climate provides a unique opportunity for gardeners to cultivate a variety of leafy greens. Whether…
By John Miller CA
·
Aug 1
Fruit & Veggies
Hard Soil? These 14 Vegetables Actually Love Georgia’s Red Clay
Georgia’s famous red clay might seem challenging for gardeners, but it can actually be a boon for certain…
By John Miller CA
·
Aug 1
Herb Garden
The Unexpected U.S. States Where Lavender Grows Like Crazy (And You Should Plant Some Too)
Lavender, with its soothing aroma and vibrant purple blooms, has found unexpected homes in various U.S. states. While…
By John Miller CA
·
Aug 1
Gardening Inspiration
A Fairytale-Like Garden Trail in Oregon That Feels Like Stepping Into a Fantasy Novel
Discover a hidden gem in Oregon where lush greenery and whimsical features create an enchanting experience. This trail,…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 31
Gardening Inspiration
The Most Beautiful Hidden Gardens in America You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
America is home to countless stunning gardens, many of which remain hidden gems waiting to be discovered. These…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 31
Pests & Diseases
16 Fragrant Plants That Keep Bugs Away in Alabama Summers
Alabama summers are known for their balmy weather and pesky insects. Fortunately, nature provides a fragrant solution to…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 31
DIY Projects
Backyard Features That May Require a Permit in California (Even If You Built Them Yourself)
In the Golden State, the allure of customizing your backyard can be enticing. Yet, before you grab your…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 30
Pests & Diseases
Plants You Can’t Grow in Florida Without Risking a Fine (And What to Plant Instead)
Florida’s unique ecosystem and climate create a delicate balance that supports a diverse array of life. Unfortunately, not…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 30
Watering & Soil
15 Gardening Tricks That Save Water in New Mexico’s Dry Zones
Gardening in New Mexico’s dry zones can be a challenging yet rewarding endeavor. With limited water resources and…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 30
Garden Plants
14 Easy Landscaping Plants That Love Wisconsin’s Changing Seasons
Wisconsin’s climate, with its distinct seasons, demands plants that are adaptable and hardy. This guide explores fourteen landscaping…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 29
Garden Plants
12 Beautiful Plants That Attract Pollinators in Pennsylvania Gardens
Pennsylvania gardens are vibrant ecosystems enriched by plants that attract pollinators. These plants not only enhance garden beauty…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 29
Gardening Tips
16 Raised Bed Mistakes That Are Common in Colorado (Especially With Altitude)
Gardening in Colorado can be a rewarding yet challenging endeavor, especially when dealing with raised beds at high…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 28
Gardening Tips
Why Arizona Gardeners Are Moving Toward Container Gardening – And How to Start
Container gardening is gaining popularity among Arizona gardeners, offering flexibility and control in a challenging climate. This article…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 28
Pests & Diseases
Don’t Plant These 5 Invasive Species If You Live in Ohio – Here’s What to Grow Instead
Ohio’s diverse ecosystem is constantly threatened by invasive species that can wreak havoc on local flora. Choosing the…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 28
Plant Care
I Killed 27 Jalapeño Plants Before Learning These 15 Game-Changing Secrets
My jalapeño growing journey was a disaster until I discovered what really works. After watching plant after plant…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 17
Plant Care
The Hidden Truth About Growing Shasta Daisies Nobody Talks About
Shasta daisies seem like the perfect beginner flower with their cheerful white petals and sunny yellow centers. Most…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 17
Plant Care
These 19 Garden Warning Signs Mean You Need Fertilizer Now
Your garden speaks to you every day, but are you listening? Plants have their own way of crying…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 17
Plant Care
These 17 Bell Pepper Secrets Will Transform Your Garden This Season
Bell peppers can be tricky to grow, but amazing harvests are possible with the right knowledge. Many gardeners…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 17
Plant Care
I Grew 17 Bee Balm Plants for 2 Years – These Secrets Create Bushiest Growth
Growing bee balm can be tricky, but after two years of testing different methods on 17 plants, I…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 17
Plant Care
17 Garden Plants Share One Secret – Deer Hate Them — Here’s Why
Tired of deer turning your beautiful garden into their personal buffet? You’re not alone in this frustrating battle…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 16
Plant Care
31 Ground Covers Have One Secret for Clay Soil Success – Gardeners Are Stunned
Clay soil can feel like a gardener’s worst nightmare, but it doesn’t have to be. Many beautiful ground…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 16
Plant Care
19 Perennials That Self Seed and Spread Naturally in Gardens
Growing a garden that fills itself year after year sounds like a dream, but it’s totally possible with…
By John Miller CA
·
Jul 16