Laura Miller
Laura's passion for gardening germinated when she was a young child. Limited by the types of pets her parents would allow, Laura turned to nurturing plants as a way to interact with other living entities. From growing radishes in her own garden space to raising cactus from seeds, what began as an excuse to play in the dirt transformed into a lifelong hobby.Much of Laura's early plant knowledge and gardening skill came from her parents. Each summer, her family grew a garden brimming with fresh vegetables. Laura fondly remembers the many mouthwatering recipes her mother would make using the vine-ripened tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, cucumbers, cabbage and Swiss chard from their home garden.To this day, Laura grows these same vegetables as well as many others in her garden. Some of her favorite garden veggies include English peas, long-green frying peppers and bi-color corn. Her two-acre property is also home to several types of berries, a robust asparagus patch and several fruit trees.Yet, it's her container fig trees which she cherishes the most. Grown from root cuttings, these figs trace back to trees which grew on her family's ancestral home in Italy. This has helped shaped Laura's view that plants can be a way of connecting with long-lost loved ones. Flowers, in particular, remind her of the matriarchs in her family tree.Trumpet vines and snap dragons undoubtedly bring a smile to Laura's face as she remembers hot summer evenings spent on her grandmother's porch swing. During their bloom time, Laura loves to cut a few spikes of gladiolus to bring inside as a reminder of her mother.Over the years, Laura has also shared her property with horses, domestic ducks and an ornery goat. Having these animals encouraged her to adopt organic lawn care methods and delve into large-scale composting of farm animal waste materials. Laura credits much of her gardening success to the compost which has amended the soil of both her vegetable garden and flower beds.In addition to sharing her home with dogs, cats and a cockatoo, Laura has nearly 50 houseplants and container fruit trees which spend the winters indoors. She has experimented with indoor vegetable gardening and hopes someday she can reduce her dependence upon store-bought produce by growing her own veggies year round.Laura still enjoys the challenge of raising cactus from seed. Even though she has been a gardener for most of her life and a homeowner for nearly four decades, Laura realizes there is still much to learn about plants. She has very much enjoyed sharing her gardening successes and failures with Gardening Know How readers.
Latest articles by Laura Miller
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Heirloom Cabbage Plants – How To Grow Charleston Wakefield Cabbages
If you're looking for a variety of heirloom cabbage plants, you might want to consider growing Charleston Wakefield. Although the heat-tolerant cabbages can be grown in almost any climate, Charleston Wakefield was developed for southern U.S. gardens. Learn more here.
By Laura Miller
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Carrots In The Heat Of Summer – How To Grow Carrots In The South
Growing carrots in the heat of summer can be difficult, as they are a cool-season crop. Ideally, carrots are sown when it's warm and mature when it's cool. Click here to learn more about growing carrots in warmer weather areas.
By Laura Miller
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Invasive Insects In Ohio Valley Gardens And The Central U.S.
Click here to learn about the most common pest insects in Ohio Valley gardens to look out for.
By Laura Miller
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Home Canning Mushrooms – Tips For Storing Mushrooms In Jars
Are you contemplating home canning mushrooms, but are nervous about safety? Click here to explore how to can mushrooms safely.
By Laura Miller
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Tips For Growing Shallots That Are Disease And Pest Free
Shallots are interchangeable with onions in cooking, but need a bit of attention in the garden. Read about what to watch for.
By Laura Miller
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10 Psychological Benefits Of Plants And Gardening
Take two houseplants and call me in the morning! Although studies correlating the mental health benefits of gardening have been around for decades, it’s still something of a new concept. Read on for more.
By Laura Miller
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Getting Rid Of Pepper Burn – What Helps Hot Pepper Burn On Skin
If you enjoy growing and consuming chili peppers, then you've likely experienced burn that accompanies them. What helps hot pepper burn? Click here.
By Laura Miller
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White Plant Photosynthesis: How Plants That Aren't Green Photosynthesize
If plants require chlorophyll to produce energy from sunlight, it's logical to wonder if photosynthesis without chlorophyll can occur. The answer is yes. Click on the following article to learn how plants that aren't green photosynthesize.
By Laura Miller
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Stem Splitting In Squash, Cucumbers, And Melons
Have you noticed stem splitting in your squash, cucumbers, or melons? Click here to learn about causes and solutions for splitting stems in cucurbits.
By Laura Miller
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Rustic Hay Bale Seating For Outdoor Entertaining
If you’re in search of affordable seating ideas for your next outdoor event, consider using hay or straw bales. Here’s how.
By Laura Miller
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DIY Felt Vegetables: Handmade Felt Vegetable Ideas For Christmas
If you're contemplating a gardening theme for this year's tree, consider crafting your own felt vegetable ornaments. Click here to learn how.
By Laura Miller
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DIY Gardening Gifts: Handmade Presents For Gardeners
Would you like to make your own gift for a gardener but need some inspiration? Click here for some ideas to get you started.
By Laura Miller
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How And When To Harvest Pumpkins In The Garden
Different weather conditions can delay or hasten pumpkin ripening. Know how to recognize when your pumpkins are ready to harvest.
By Laura Miller
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Regional To-Do List: December Tasks For Central States
Ohio Valley gardening tasks in December focus primarily on the upcoming holidays and preventing winter damage to plants. Learn more here.
By Laura Miller
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DIY Autumn Leaf Wreath – Crafting Fall Leaves In A Wreath
Are you looking for autumn leaf wreath ideas? A simple DIY autumn leaf wreath is a great way to welcome the change of seasons.
By Laura Miller
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Prickly Kale Leaves – Does Kale Have Thorns
Does kale have thorns? Most gardeners would say no, yet this question is occasionally asked. Click here to explore reasons kale is prickly.
By Laura Miller
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Fall Themed Fairy Gardens: How To Make A Mini-Thanksgiving Garden
If you're looking for a festive way to usher in the season, why not make a fairy garden for Thanksgiving? Click here to get some fun ideas.
By Laura Miller
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Indoor Salad Gardening – Growing Indoor Greens With Kids
Got a picky eater? Try indoor salad gardening with your children. It’s also a fun and educational family activity. Click here to learn more.
By Laura Miller
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Virtual Garden Design – How To Use Garden Planning Software
Garden planning software can make the job of garden design easier and help you avoid costly mistakes. Click here to learn more.
By Laura Miller
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Winter Vegetable Garden Tasks: Maintaining A Vegetable Garden Over Winter
What can be done with a winter vegetable garden? Click here for tips on vegetable gardening in winter for northern and southern gardeners.
By Laura Miller
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Winter Sunroom Vegetables: Planting A Sunroom Garden In Winter
Consider planting vegetables in a sunroom, solarium, or enclosed porch. These brightly lit rooms are perfect in winter. Learn more here.
By Laura Miller
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Herbal Treatment Tips: Growing Your Own Herbal Remedies
Long before pharmaceutical companies cranked out medications, people relied upon herbal remedies to treat maladies. Learn more here.
By Laura Miller