
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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Costco Now Has a Keyhole Garden Bed That Will Boost Plant Growth While Breaking Down Kitchen Waste – Maintenance-Free Composting at its Finest!An easy, effective gardening technique that is sustainable and great for plants. Can't get much better than that!
By Kathleen Walters
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How to Keep Weeds from Growing Between Pavers – The Ultimate Trick for Weed-Free Paths and Patios so You Can Actually Enjoy Your Space This Summer Instead of Weeding ItPrevent weeds from taking over your patio or pathways with a simple project that even beginners can do.
By Kathleen Walters
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Here's What's On My Mom's Garden Wish List: 18 Mother's Day Gifts for Garden-Obsessed MomsMother's Day is just around the corner, so my mom and I teamed up to create the ultimate Mother's Day gift guide for you and the mother-figures in your life!
By Kathleen Walters
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How to Tell if a Plant is Underwatered: Don't Let Lack of Water Ruin Your Hard Work in the Garden or Kill Your HouseplantsUnderwatering plants can be devastating. Wilting, brown leaf tips, and a lackluster appearance are major warning signs. Don't wait any longer.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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What to Do With Fig Trees Before April Ends – 3 Spring Tasks You Need to Do Now for Healthy Trees and Tasty Harvests This SummerDon't wait any longer on these critical care tasks or your fig harvests will suffer.
By Kathleen Walters
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What is Winter Burn? How to Prevent and Treat Winter Damage to Evergreen Shrubs and TreesWinter burn can damage or even kill your evergreens. Learn why it happens, how to prevent it in autumn, and how to treat it in spring.
By Kathleen Walters
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Surprisingly Invasive Herbs – Don’t Let These 6 Delicious Botanicals Take Over Your Yard or Ruin Your GardenInvasive herbs are sneaky. You plant them for their wonderful flavor and then they take over your whole garden. Learn what herbs are invasive and how to control them.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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Jalapeño Pepper Plant Care Guide: Everything You Need to Know to Grow Flavorful Jalapeños for Garden-Fresh HeatJalapeño plants are easy to grow and make a wonderful addition to any vegetable garden. Grow alongside tomatoes, cilantro, and garlic for a salsa garden!
By Susan Patterson
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What to Do With Lemon Trees in April for a Juicy Boost This Summer – 3 Easy Tasks To Do Now Before the Crucial Care Window ClosesA few simple tasks done in April will help your lemon tree shine this summer.
By Kathleen Walters
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Arborvitae Fertilizer Will Give Your Shrubs the Best Chance at Lush New Growth Year After YearBeloved 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 GardenThe 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 SeasonDon'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 HalfSpeed 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 YearKeep 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 LandscapeChoose 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 TreatLearn 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 BugsBluebirds 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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Don't Let Bugs Ruin Your Raised Beds! Try These 4 Simple Non-Toxic Tricks For Pest ControlKeep your raised vegetable garden beds healthy and happy by using these clever barriers and natural pest control tips.
By Kathleen Walters

