
Liz Baessler
The only child of a horticulturist and an English teacher, Liz Baessler was destined to become a gardening editor. In 2007 she graduated cum laude from Brandeis University with a BA in English. In 2014 she earned an MA in English from l'Université de Genève in Geneva, Switzerland.
She began writing for Gardening Know How in 2015 and never left. Over the years she has been promoted through the ranks of the editorial staff, most recently to Senior Editor in 2020.
For years Liz lived in one apartment or another, doing all of her gardening in containers, community gardens, and holes in the sidewalk. She served for several years on the board of her community garden, where she also worked as a beekeeper. In 2017 she completed her Master Gardener certification at the University of Rhode Island, and attended every class offered by the Rhode Island Beekeepers Association.
Liz has since moved to a tiny patch of land she can call her own outside Boston, where she is systematically digging up the lawn and replacing it with vegetables and native pollinators.
Latest articles by Liz Baessler
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Why Isn't My Lilac Blooming? 6 Common Reasons and Easy FixesIs your lilac all leaves and no flowers? Here are the likely reasons it's not blooming, and how to fix it.
By Caroline Bloomfield
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Holes in Basil Leaves: How to Identify and Stop Common Garden PestsDon't let pests ruin your pesto! These are the most common culprits behind holes in basil leaves.
By Amy Grant
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Durable, Breathable, or Stylish? How to Pick the Right Garden Gloves for YouAre you a heavy-duty weeder, or more of a fashion-first sower? Why not both? No matter what kind of gardener you are, we've got the gloves for you in this buying guide.
By Liz Baessler
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Want a Huge Crop of Tomatoes in August? Do This in May.May is make-it-or-break-it time for tomatoes. Treat your plants right now and you'll be overrun with fresh tomatoes this summer.
By Liz Baessler
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This Flower Glows in the Dark. No, Really! Here's How You Can Grow the World's First Bioluminescent Plant.The world's first bioluminescent plant is finally affordable! Snatch yours up before they sell out.
By Liz Baessler
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Ditch the Red Feeder – This Totally Unique Flower Evolved Just to Attract Hummingbirds, and It's Incredibly Easy to Grow!This vine's snail-shaped flowers are specially designed to fit a hummingbird's tongue. There's still time to plant it this spring and get hoards of hummers!
By Liz Baessler
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Succession Planting Is Your Secret Weapon This Season – Harvest Twice the Vegetables You Did Last YearSuccession planting is the art of maximizing your garden's soil, getting continuous vegetables all season long. You'll be amazed at how much you can grow.
By Liz Baessler
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Plant Fertilizer 101: Kick Your Garden into the Next Gear with the Right Nutrients at the Right TimeMaster your garden's nutrition with our ultimate fertilizer guide. Identify nutrient deficiencies, get the perfect timing, and decode those mysterious NPK numbers.
By Liz Baessler
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Watch Out for Leggy Seedlings – Here's How to Save the Ones that Are Already Spindly, and How to Keep It from Happening AgainAre your seedlings tall and floppy? There's a simple reason why. Learn how to even out growth and maybe even save the ones you think are too far gone.
By Liz Baessler
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How to Grow Onions in Containers – Get a Bumper Crop with Hardly Any SoilOnions have such shallow roots they look like they're just sitting on top of the soil. Harness this oddity of the garden world to get a huge container harvest.
By Liz Baessler
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The Secret to Growing Chives – Everything You Need to Know about These Purple-Headed BeautiesChives are more than just a garnish. Here's how to grow, harvest, and appreciate this ultimate low-maintenance herb.
By Liz Baessler
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Growing Tomatoes on a Budget? Here's Where to Splurge and Where to SaveDon't get upsold on tomato gear! I'll break down which things are worth spending a little extra for, and which ones you can diy with stuff you probably already have.
By Liz Baessler
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This Is the Best Container to Grow Tomatoes on a Budget – Plus It Keeps Them HealthyWant the taste of homegrown tomatoes but don't have a yard? These containers are cheap, easy to store, and actually great for plants.
By Liz Baessler
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Fungus Gnat Control – How to Spot These Tiny Terrors and Get Rid of Them Once and for AllFungus gnats can spell problems for your plants, and they'll drive you crazy while they do it! Here's how to identify and get rid of these pesky pests.
By Liz Baessler
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Nitrogen-Fixing Plants – Improve Your Soil Naturally with These Symbiotic MarvelsNitrogen-fixing plants are a gardener’s best friend. Here's how these plants use bacteria to grow faster, and how your whole garden can benefit.
By Liz Baessler
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How To Grow Tomatoes Like A ProNothing much compares to the juicy taste of a red, ripe tomato straight out of the garden. These delectable fruits not only taste great but are quite easy to grow. Get tomato growing tips in the article that follows.
By Caroline Bloomfield
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Ditch the Flimsy Cages – These 6 Aesthetic Tomato Trellises Actually Support Big HarvestsDon't let your tomatoes fall victim to flimsy, ugly wire cages. These trellises will keep them standing tall and look good doing it.
By Liz Baessler
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How Often to Water a Snake Plant for Perfect GrowthSnake plants are great at neglect, but overwatering can actually kill them. Here's how to make sure you're watering yours right.
By Bonnie L. Grant

