
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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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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Growing Zucchini in Containers – The Ultimate Guide to Small-Space SquashDon't give up on your zucchini dreams just because you're short on space. Learn about compact varieties, container size, and more in this comprehensive guide.
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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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
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Pollinator Garden Kits Are the New Fool-Proof Way to Attract Bees and Butterflies – Here Are Our FavesStop 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 BasilLearning 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 HarvestTomato 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 GardenPruning 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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Everything You Need to Know to Grow Healthy Daffodils, Year after YearDaffodils are tough, deer-resistant, and low-maintenance. Master the essentials of soil drainage, bulb depth, and division to fill your garden with gold.
By Liz Baessler
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Sticky Leaves on Houseplants? These 3 Tiny Pests Could Be the CauseDiagnose 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 FixesStop 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

