Page 2 of 16 · 185 guides
Stop squirrels and chipmunks digging in pots with wire mesh, a rock layer, deeper bulb planting and resistant bulbs. Methods ranked, with extension sources.
September 13, 2026
Buying guide Is neem oil a horticultural oil? Yes, one plant-derived kind. See how neem and mineral horticultural oil differ, which to use by pest and season, and safe spray temperatures.
September 13, 2026
Buying guide Peat moss vs coco coir compared on pH, water holding, rewetting, salts and sustainability, plus how coco peat and sphagnum moss differ from both.
September 13, 2026
Buying guide Perlite adds air and drainage. Vermiculite holds water and nutrients. Compare the two side by side, with mix ratios for seed starting and container potting mix.
September 13, 2026
Keep beds and pots watered while you travel. Pick deep watering and mulch, shade, a wick, or a hose timer by trip length, with settings from extension sources.
September 13, 2026
Vegetables to plant in August for fall: lettuce, spinach, radishes, turnips, kale and more, with planting windows and the frost-date formula to time them.
September 13, 2026
Plant garlic cloves 1 to 2 inches deep in fall, pointed end up and 3 to 6 inches apart, from late September to November. Depth, spacing and timing by state.
September 13, 2026
Cucumbers taste bitter when heat, drought or cold pushes cucurbitacin from the vine into the fruit. See the causes, how to salvage a bitter one, and how to prevent it.
September 13, 2026
Basil plant turning yellow? Tell downy mildew, wet roots, low nitrogen, high soil pH and cold nights apart by the pattern of yellowing, then apply the matching fix.
September 13, 2026
How to winter sow seeds in milk jugs: cut and fill the jug, what to sow from December to April, how cold stratification works, and when to open the jugs in spring.
September 13, 2026
Zucchini flowering but not producing fruit? Tell male from female flowers, spot the signs of poor pollination, and hand-pollinate squash in the early morning.
September 13, 2026
Buying guide What makes a good cold frame: a 3 by 6 foot size, a sloped south-facing lid and easy venting. Plus row cover weights compared by frost protection.
September 10, 2026