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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Weaving A Basket Pot: How To Build A Basket Planter
Once you build a basket planter, you may find it a relaxing way to spend a blustery day or pass time in quarantine. Learn how here.
By Laura Miller
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Decorating with Pinecones – Crafty Things To Do With Pinecones
Whether you're looking for fun things to do with pinecones this holiday season or elegant pinecone decorating ideas, these DIY pinecone crafts will help.
By Laura Miller
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Herb Bundle Bouquet – How To Make An Herbal Bouquet
Have you ever considered herbs for bouquets? They make great bridal bouquets and gifts. Click here to learn how to make an herbal bouquet.
By Laura Miller
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November Gardening Tasks – Ohio Valley Gardening In Autumn
Need an Ohio Valley to-do list for November gardening tasks left to be done in the region? Click the following article for help with that.
By Laura Miller
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Frost Tolerance Of Vegetables From Least To Most Hardy
How cold can vegetables tolerate? Knowing which veggies will survive frosts and freezes is essential for the success of your garden. Click here for more.
By Laura Miller
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Pumpkin Mosaic Virus: How To Treat Pumpkins With Mosaic Virus
You didn't intentionally plant “ugly” pumpkins, so if you suspect your pumpkins have mosaic virus, what do you do? Click here to find out.
By Laura Miller
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Moving Established Peonies: How Do You Transplant A Peony Plant
Over time, peonies may fail to bloom as before. Moving established peonies is one solution, but can you transplant peonies? Find out here.
By Laura Miller
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Indoor Edible Gardening – Creative Ways To Grow Food Indoors
What if you could find ways to grow food indoors and still keep a pleasing home décor? You can with these creative edible garden ideas.
By Laura Miller
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Hobby Farm Ideas – Tips For Starting A Hobby Farm
Starting a hobby farm can be an exciting adventure. Click here for some tips and ideas to help get you started with this fun endeavor.
By Laura Miller
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Low-Light Edibles: Growing Vegetables In The Dark
Have you ever tried growing vegetables in the dark? Growing edibles in low light is possible and has its benefits. Learn more here.
By Laura Miller
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Hydroponic Spinach At Home: Growing Spinach Using Hydroponics
Hydroponic spinach can become bitter. How do you grow hydroponic spinach that tastes good? Click here for helpful information on this topic.
By Laura Miller
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Potato Compost Hilling: Will Potatoes Grow In Compost
Potato plants are heavy feeders, so it's only natural to wonder if growing potatoes in compost is feasible. Click here to find out more.
By Laura Miller
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October Gardening Tasks – Ohio Valley Gardening In Autumn
Before you head outdoors, organize your chore chart with this regional to-do list for October tasks in the Ohio valley.
By Laura Miller
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Desert Rose Seed Saving – When To Pick Desert Rose Seed Pods
If you enjoy the desert rose plant and want to add more to your collection, then harvesting its seed pods is for you. Learn how to propagate them here.
By Laura Miller
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Make Your Own Mushroom Coffee From Homegrown Fungi
What is mushroom coffee? Can you make your own mushroom coffee at home? Click here to learn more.
By Laura Miller
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Indoor Edible Problems – Issues With Growing Veggies Inside
Growing an indoor garden is a good way to have veggies year-round. But be aware of indoor vegetable problems beforehand. Click here for info.
By Laura Miller
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Edible Indoor Plants – Best Edibles To Grow Inside
What are the best vegetables to grow indoors? If this sounds intriguing, click here for the most productive and easiest edibles to grow.
By Laura Miller
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Putting Plants In A Coffee Table – How To Make A Terrarium Table
Have you ever considered growing plants in a coffee table? If this sounds intriguing, here's how to make a terrarium table for your indoor living space.
By Laura Miller
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Ohio Valley Gardening: What To Do In September Gardens
The Ohio Valley gardening season begins to wind down this month, leaving gardeners wondering what to do in September. The answer is plenty.
By Laura Miller
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Astragalus Root Use: How To Grow Astragalus Herb Plants
If you plan on growing Astragalus, be sure to acquire seeds or plants from a reputable source. For more information on this herb, click here.
By Laura Miller
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Identifying Ladybugs – Asian Vs. Native Lady Beetles
While most ladybug species are considered beneficial, the Asian lady beetle has earned a reputation as a nuisance bug. Learn how to tell the differences between lady beetles here.
By Laura Miller
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Arctic Raspberry Groundcover: Tips For Growing Arctic Raspberries
If you have an area that's difficult to mow, you can eliminate the problem by filling that space with groundcover. Raspberry plants are one option. The low-growing, dense matting attributes of the arctic raspberry plant make it a sensible choice. Click here to learn more.
By Laura Miller