2026

19 Minutes

Propagation & Seed Stewardship

How Mother Plants Create Endless Copies of Your Best Garden Performers

barbara February 21, 2026 0 Comment

Every time you snip a cutting from your favorite basil plant or divide a sprawling mint patch, you’re tapping into one of nature’s most efficient reproduction strategies: clonal colonies. These genetically identical plant groups...

22 Minutes

Inclusive & Adaptive Gardens

How Low-Vision Gardeners Navigate Their Gardens with Confidence

barbara February 20, 2026 0 Comment

Low vision doesn’t mean giving up the garden you love. With the right adaptive equipment, you can navigate your outdoor space safely, identify plants confidently, and continue cultivating beauty independently. Start by installing high-contrast tactile...

19 Minutes

Specialized Sustainable Applications

Turn Toxic Soil Into a Thriving Garden (Here’s How Plants Clean Contaminated Ground)

barbara February 20, 2026 0 Comment

Discover contaminated soil in your garden by testing for heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and cadmium through your local extension office or an accredited lab—costs typically range from $15-50 per sample, and results guide...

18 Minutes

DIY Builds & Projects

Build Garden Shade That Actually Survives Summer Storms

barbara February 19, 2026 0 Comment

Build a simple PVC pipe framework covered with shade cloth to cut your garden’s sun exposure by 30-70% within a weekend. This straightforward structure costs around $50-150 for a 10×10 foot area and requires...

17 Minutes

Water Management

Turn Your Yard Into a Rain-Catching Powerhouse (And Help Your Neighborhood Too)

barbara February 17, 2026 0 Comment

Redirect downspouts into rain gardens filled with native perennials like black-eyed Susans and coneflowers that absorb hundreds of gallons during storms. Install a rain barrel at each gutter downspout to capture runoff for watering...

12 Minutes

Tree and Shade Gardens

Why Your Shade Garden Stays Too Wet (And How a Moisture Meter Fixes It)

barbara February 17, 2026 0 Comment

Push your finger two inches into the soil beneath that struggling hosta. If it feels bone-dry while the surface looks damp, you’ve just discovered why shade gardening keeps so many of us guessing. Tree...

15 Minutes

Seasonal and Climate Considerations

Why Your Winter Lawn Needs Attention Now (Before It’s Too Late)

barbara February 16, 2026 0 Comment

Aerate your lawn in early fall when soil temperatures drop between 50-65°F, punching holes 2-3 inches deep to allow oxygen, water, and nutrients to penetrate compacted soil before winter dormancy sets in. This single...

17 Minutes

Garden Fundamentals

Your Trees Are Thirsty (But Overwatering Is Killing Them)

barbara February 15, 2026 0 Comment

Water deeply rather than frequently, delivering moisture 12-18 inches into the soil where tree roots actually grow—not just wetting the surface. A newly planted tree needs 10-15 gallons per week during its first growing...

21 Minutes

Seasonal and Climate Considerations

Transform Your Front Yard Into a Water-Wise Paradise

barbara February 14, 2026 0 Comment

Replace water-hungry grass with native groundcovers like creeping thyme or dwarf coyote brush that need watering only once monthly after establishment. These tough plants create living carpets that suppress weeds naturally while adding texture...

17 Minutes

Lawn & Turf Care

Why Your Yard Floods After Every Rain (And How to Fix It for Good)

barbara February 13, 2026 0 Comment

Walk outside after a heavy rain and notice where puddles form, where soil stays soggy, and whether water flows toward or away from your foundation—these observations reveal everything about your yard’s drainage story. That...