
Kathleen Walters
Kathleen Walters joined Gardening Know How as a Content Editor in 2024. She holds a bachelor’s degree in History from Miami University and a master’s degree in Public History from Wright State University. She grew up helping her mom in the garden and has learned a great deal about gardening from her sister. Before coming to Gardening Know How, Kathleen spent almost a decade as a Park Ranger with the National Park Service in Dayton, Ohio. The Huffman Prairie is one of her favorite places to explore native plants and get inspired. She got rid of her lawn and has been working to turn her front yard into a pollinator garden.
Kathleen’s experience as a Park Ranger included giving tours of the Huffman Prairie, which is the largest prairie remnant in the state of Ohio and has been lovingly restored over the last 40 years. She edited a book on the history and revitalization of the Huffman Prairie in 2018. Kathleen also served as the social media coordinator for Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park for seven years in addition to her ranger duties. She loves communicating topics like history, native plants, and pollinator gardens to people from all over the world and she is excited to continue that work with Gardening Know How.
When she’s not working, Kathleen can be found with her partner puttering around the raised vegetable garden he built for her (and trying to figure out how to keep the neighborhood groundhogs out!). She loves hiking and volunteering in her local parks and spending time with her cat.
Latest articles by Kathleen Walters
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ALDI Just Dropped Their New Mini Greenhouse – It is Under $8 and is Sure to Enhance Your Growing This Season
If I have learned anything these last few years, it's to not sleep on new ALDI garden products. Their new mini greenhouse is super affordable and already in my basket!
By Kathleen Walters
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Arborvitae Fertilizer Will Give Your Shrubs the Best Chance at Lush New Growth Year After Year
Beloved for their fast growth, arborvitae often require fertilizer to thrive. Learn how and when to apply the best fertilizer for arborvitae.
By Kathleen Walters
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3 Dollar Store Container Gardening Ideas That Prove You Don’t Have to Break the Bank to Have a Fabulous Garden
The dollar store might just be the best kept secret when it comes to container gardening.
By Kathleen Walters
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This $20 Organic Fix Could Be the Secret to Pest-Free Tomato Plants This Season
Don't let pests ruin your tomatoes. This affordable, natural product can help you banish pests from your tomato plants this summer.
By Kathleen Walters
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Want "Black Gold" Faster? This $10 Natural Compost Additive Cuts Your Composting Time in Half
Speed up your composting process with a little help from friendly microbes.
By Kathleen Walters
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Easy Ways to Wasp-Proof Your Porch This Spring Before They Begin Nesting – Plus, a Simple Product That Banishes Wasps Year After Year
Keep wasps away from your summer gatherings by preparing your porch in spring. These easy methods of deterring wasps will make your backyard barbecues safer.
By Kathleen Walters
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Shrubs for Shade: Zone 5 Options That Are Beautiful for Any Garden or Landscape
Choose the right shrubs for shade gardens in USDA Zone 5. Cool temperatures and shady conditions aren't right for many shrubs, but these picks will thrive.
By Teo Spengler
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How To Grow A Pineapple Top From Store-Bought Fruit – Unlock Tropical Vibes and Grow a Tasty Treat
Learn how to grow a pineapple top from a store-bought fruit. You can grow a pineapple plant in your very own home—no tropical travel required!
By Teo Spengler
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How to Attract Bluebirds to Your Yard – Create the Perfect Environment to Keep Them Happy, Healthy & Eating Bugs
Bluebirds are a joy to behold, and they help control insects that destroy your garden. Attracting bluebirds to your yard is a win-win for you and nature.
By Kathleen Walters
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What Herbs Can Be Planted Together In Containers? Delicious Combinations For Fresh Flavor in Gardens of Any Size
Wondering what herbs can be planted together in pots for your porch or patio? Our experts share their favorite herb mixes for a flavor-packed container garden.
By Amy Grant
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How to Propagate Aloe Vera: Rooting Leaves and Planting Pups for an Infinite Number of Plants
Propagating aloe vera is a fun and easy way to create more plants for free. There are three ways to propagate aloe so let's dig in!
By Bonnie L. Grant
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Not sure when it's time to plant? This Clever Tool Takes the Guesswork Out of Spring Planting
A simple soil thermometer can help you plan the perfect garden. Planting too early or late can lead to disaster, but this tool helps you pick the optimal time.
By Kathleen Walters
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How to Remove Grass From Flower Beds – Win the Battle Once and For All With These Simple Tricks
Don't let pesky grass ruin all your hard work in the garden. Learn how to remove grass from your flower beds before it completely takes over.
By Kathleen Walters
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Don't Waste Money Using a One-Size-Fits-All Fertilizer — Here's What I Buy Instead for All My Spring Fertilizing
Don't waste your money using a fertilizer that doesn't actually do what your plants need it to. Specific fertilizers for specific plants will yield better results.
By Kathleen Walters
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How To Use Insecticidal Soap To Get Rid Of Pesky Pests – Plus, 3 Foolproof Homemade Recipes
Insecticidal soap is an old-fashioned, but effective way to get rid of pests. Learn all about how to use this organic pesticide, plus 3 recipes to try yourself.
By Bonnie L. Grant
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Are You Sabotaging Your Soil Health? 5 Disadvantages of Landscape Fabric That Might Make You Reconsider
Don't accidentally ruin your garden by falling for the lure of a product that eliminates weeds forever. Landscape fabric can be incredibly damaging.
By Kathleen Walters
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The $10 Product That Turns Pruning Scraps Into New Plants - It's The Easiest Way To Get Free Shrubs This Spring
Spring pruning scraps can be turned into dozens of new, free shrubs with the help of a little trick. Let's dig in!
By Kathleen Walters
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How to Grow Rosemary for a Flavorful and Ornamental Addition to Your Garden
Growing rosemary plants can bring fresh, aromatic flavor to your favorite dish or visual appeal as a gorgeous groundcover in a Mediterranean-inspired garden.
By Bonnie L. Grant

