Latest articles by Amy Draiss
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These 5 Fast-Growing Plants Hide AC Units Beautifully and Reduce Sound – Without Blocking AirflowAC units may work hard to keep us cool, but these lush evergreens work harder, concealing ugly utility eyesores and muffling sound without blocking vital airflow
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Is Too Much Color Killing Your Curb Appeal? Try This 2-Color Plant Trick for Easy Style PointsIt’s easy to go overboard with summer displays and use every color you love, but the results can look jarring. This trick calms the chaos and boosts your street cred with high impact color
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Why You Shouldn’t Plant Purple in the Shade – And Why You Need to Grow These 5 High Impact Plants InsteadPlanting purple flowers in the shade seems like an easy way to add rich color, but in low light those lush tones can often disappear. Here’s why purple fails in the shade, and the plants you should try instead
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What Your Clematis Needs in July – 5 Vital Tasks to Fit in Before the Month Ends for Lush Growth and Masses of BloomsJuly is a make-or-break month for clematis, so give your queen of climbers the right care to help unlock the most impressive displays of blooms
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Take Cuttings From These 6 Plants in July and Get Dozens More for Free – Fill Out Your Garden Without Spending a Penny!July is a great time to take cuttings from these wonderful plants and get them rooting well before the fall. Expand your garden in the most budget-friendly way!
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These 5 Cottage Garden Flowers May Look Delicate – But They Thrive in Extreme Summer ConditionsDon’t let their pretty looks fool you: these deceptively dainty blooms thrive through drought, heat and poor soil, proving you can have breathtaking, old-world charm without the high maintenance
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A Heatwave Can Spoil Bird Bath Water Fast – This Simple Copper Trick Keeps It Fresher for LongerIf algae, cloudy water, and constant cleaning have become frustrating, this budget-friendly copper disc may be worth trying.
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Cut Back These 5 Flowers in July to Keep Gorgeous Blooms Coming Through Summer and Into FallA little July trim will ensure your flower garden has bountiful blooms for the rest of the season, plus more nectar for pollinators!
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Plant These 8 Herbs Around Your Bird Bath to Encourage More Birds and Deter PestsWorried your backyard bird bath isn't attracting enough visitors? Meet the hard-working herbs you need to plant near your birdy bathing spot
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What to Do with Cosmos in July – 5 Ways to Ensure Gorgeous Color and Bigger Blooms that Last for LongerThey are the darlings of the midsummer border, but a few quick measures are needed now to safeguard those glorious colors, keep them standing strong, and unlock continuous, prolific cosmos displays
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The Raised Beds We’d Actually Buy Are Finally on Sale for Amazon Prime Day – So You Can Grow More for LessLooking for a raised bed to enhance your backyard plot or maximize a tiny balcony? We’ve rounded up the absolute best Amazon Prime Day raised garden bed deals to suit every space and budget. Things are looking up!
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Double Your Growing Space with These 6 High-Low Showstoppers – For Harmony, Crops and Small Yard BeautyGrowing space in June is in high demand – so why not think both ways with your vertical growing? These clever high-low plant pairings make the most of every inch, so you can double your growing wins
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Does Nothing Grow in Your Soil? 7 Bulletproof Annuals That Turn Dry, Poor Spots into a Summer ShowstopperMany of us have that one annoying corner of the yard that seems doomed to an eternity of dusty, dry, parched soil. If this applies to you, these cheerful “desert chic” annuals are about to rock your world with vibrant, gloriously unfussy color
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What Your Tomatoes Need in June – 5 Quick Tasks for Better Plants, Bigger Harvests and Tastier TomatoesJune is a critical period for ensuring healthy tomato plants all season long. Don't skip these quick, but essential tomato care tasks.
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Azalea Care Made Easy: Your Complete Guide for Bright Blooms and Healthy Shrubs Year After YearMastering azalea care doesn't require much work, but you should know a few helpful tips for the best success. From planting to pruning, this guide has it all.
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Do You Know the Most Aromatic Plants for Every Time of Day? Why You Should Be Planting for Morning, Noon, and Evening FragranceYou may think of fragrant plants as always on, but the truth is some are more potent at certain times of day. If you are looking for a scent-soaked evening patio or a burst of morning balcony freshness, find out which plants are best for you!
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How to Help Your Backyard Birds in May – 7 Quick Wins That Will Keep Them Coming Back to Your Yard DailyMay can be a frenzy of bird activity with nesting and fledgling chicks so make sure your yard is ready for the rush. These little gestures will be hugely appreciated by your feathered friends and guarantee they keep coming back for more
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Should You Use Vinegar as a Weed Killer? 3 Things You Need to Know Before You Try This Popular RemedyIt’s often spoken about as some insider secret for weed control, but if you use vinegar as a weed killer it could be a serious problem for soil health. Make sure you know the risks – your backyard may very well depend on it
