Latest articles by Mary Ellen Ellis
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These 7 Plant-and-Forget Container Combinations Thrive On Neglect and are Perfect for Effortless Gardening
Container gardening that you can set and forget? It’s not as far-fetched as it sounds, and these 7 gorgeous container ideas give joyful color and texture with minimal effort
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8 Fast-Growing Flowering Giants – For Easy Garden Privacy with Gorgeous Blooms
Before investing in expensive fencing, why not just big up your borders? These high-impact flower towers offer natural screening and jaw-dropping color
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Are You Watering Your Potatoes All Wrong? Here's How to Keep Spuds Properly Hydrated for Bigger, Healthier Harvests
Watering potatoes properly is the key to a big harvest. Here's how and when to water spuds for the best results.
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April Is a Make-or-Break Month for Spider Plants – Here Are the 3 Keys to Happy, Bushy Plants
Spider plant care changes as the weather gets warm and the sun is up later. Follow these care tips for healthier spider plants as we wade into spring.
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Sorry, But It’s Time to Toss Those Leggy Seedlings – Unless They’re One of These 6 Plants
Some leggy seedlings are doomed. But there are certain types of plants you can still save, even if they had a weak start. Here are the 6 you should never toss.
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Baby Bird Alert! This Surprising Kitchen Ingredient Will Encourage More Birds to Nest in Your Backyard
Want to make your backyard the ultimate nesting destination for birds? This modest kitchen scrap holds the secret to a yard full of healthy, singing bird families this spring
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There’s Still Time to Prune These 8 Plants in April for Stronger Growth and Better Blooms
Pruning plants in April prepares them for the big summer show. Flowering shrubs, perennials, and even grapevines will get a boost when pruned in spring.
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Why Does Your Lawn Look Like It’s Spitting? What to Do if You See Bubbles in the Backyard
What are those pops of foam on the grass, and what causes them? Meet the lawn resident that lives in a bubble bath, and find out what to do if you spot foamy eruptions
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Growing Bell Peppers in Containers for Months of Colorful, Easy Flavor in Small Spaces
Growing bell peppers in containers is easier than you think, and oh so rewarding. Here is how to get rainbow results and crunchy bell harvests even in tiny spaces
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Zone 8 Plants – The Best Zone 8 Perennials, Shrubs, Trees, Annuals, and Edible Plants
Here are the best Zone 8 plants for your garden whether you need trees, perennials, or edible garden additions.
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How to Grow Cilantro – An Expert Guide to a Longer, More Flavorful Harvest
Cilantro is a staple herb in many kitchens, loved for its fresh, citrusy flavor. It can be a little tricky to grow, but once you understand its needs, you can enjoy a continuous harvest right from your garden.
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When to Prune Forsythia and How to Do It Right – So You Don't Lose Any Blooms
Learning how and when to prune forsythia bushes is key to their care. Do it wrong and you may lose all your blooms. Here's how and when to make the right cut.
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Perennial Flowers: Zone 6 Picks for Vibrant Blooms and Gorgeous Greenery Year After Year
Zone 6 perennials are ready for hot summers and cold winters. Explore 9 favorites that will bring bold beauty to zone 6 gardens.
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Is Your Soil Ready for Planting? Try the 5-Second Squeeze Test To Find Out
The secret to successful gardening is literally in your hands. This easy-squeezy test helps to determine soil moisture so you can keep this year’s plants happy and healthy
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Why Petting Your Seedlings for 30 Seconds Each Day Can Make Them Stronger – It’s The Tickle Every Pro Gardener Swears By!
Want to avoid leggy seedlings? Your plant babies are craving a little Vitamin T – by which we mean, your touch. Here’s why you need to try a little tenderness and pet your seedlings
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6 Plant-and-Forget Shade Plants that Thrive with Neglect – For Flourishing Perennial Beauty
Looking for the ultimate “set it and forget it” perennial shade garden? These lovely shade garden plants don’t just survive in the gloom, they flourish with minimal care
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Plant This Stunning Lily Pot Lasagna in March for a Summer of Fragrant Beauty in Small Spaces
For a foolproof summer planting recipe to make your summer really pop, try lily lasagna bulb planting. This breathtaking triple threat promises a continuous summer of lovely lilies for lazy gardeners
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If Your Peonies Had Fungus Last Year, Spray Them With This Natural Remedy Now for Healthy Blooms This Spring
Fungal diseases on peonies can cause distorted blooms or no flowers at all. If your plants had problems last year, spray them now to ensure big blooms later.
