
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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Fungus Gnat Control – How to Spot These Tiny Terrors and Get Rid of Them Once and for All
Fungus 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 Marvels
Nitrogen-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 Pro
Nothing 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 Harvests
Don'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 Growth
Snake 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
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Pollinator Garden Kits Are the New Fool-Proof Way to Attract Bees and Butterflies – Here Are Our Faves
Stop overthinking your plant selection! We’ve rounded up the top pollinator kits that do all the legwork for you.
By Liz Baessler
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How to Grow Basil: a Complete Care Guide for Deliciously Fresh Homegrown Basil
Learning how to grow basil is simple and fun! This easy-care herb deserves a spot in every garden. Here's how to care for it in yours.
By Bonnie L. Grant
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Common Tomato Diseases Every Gardener Should Know – and How to Treat Them So You Still Get a Healthy Harvest
Tomato disease can be traced to one of four causes: fungal, bacterial, viral, and environmental. Learn to identify them and fight back.
By Amy Grant
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Pruning Basics: Why, When, and How to Prune for a Healthier Garden
Pruning isn't just about aesthetics – it’s vital for plant health. Learn how, why, and which way to prune to ensure your garden grows the best it can.
By Teo Spengler
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Sticky Leaves on Houseplants? These 3 Tiny Pests Could Be the Cause
Diagnose and destroy pests that are causing sticky leaves on houseplants. Then learn how to clean leaves the right way so they can keep growing strong.
By Teo Spengler
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Houseplant Root Rot 101: Symptoms, Causes, and Easy Fixes
Stop overwatering! Follow our expert guide to diagnosing root rot early and learn the essential tips for giving your plant a new life.
By Liz Baessler
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Growing Pothos in Water: The Complete Guide to Soil-Free Success
Want a clean, soil-free garden? Learn how to grow pothos in water permanently with the right containers, fertilizer, and placement.
By Liz Baessler
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Grow Lights – What They Are and How to Use Them
What's the difference between fluorescents and LEDs? Should you buy red or blue? How long should you leave them on? All your grow light questions, answered.
By Liz Baessler
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What Planting Zone Is Massachusetts? Understanding the USDA Hardiness Zones
Want to understand the Massachusetts hardiness zones? Here's the updated USDA map with detailed explanations from the Berkshires to the outer Cape.
By Liz Baessler
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How to Repot a Fiddle Leaf Fig: A Step-by-Step Success Guide
Fiddle leaf figs are famously finicky, but sometimes a bigger home is non-negotiable. Discover the repotting secrets that keep your leaves from dropping.
By Liz Baessler
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Aloe Vera Care: Everything You Need for a Healthy Houseplant
Master the art of growing aloe vera with this easy-to-follow guide. It's got everything you need to know about soil, light, and keeping your plant happy indoors.
By Liz Baessler
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Is Your Soil Toxic? The Easy DIY Test You Need to Do in January
Salts and herbicide residue may have been building up in your soil all winter. Before you plant anything, perform this simple kitchen test to check for toxins.
By Tyler Schuster
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Is Your Garden Zone a Lie? These Microclimate Factors Are Changing Everything
How confident are you in your growing zone? The truth is your garden might actually span two or more. Here's how to unravel it all.
By Tyler Schuster

