Latest articles by Mary Ellen Ellis
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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.
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Scale Insect Identification and Control: Don't Let Your Precious Plants Get Destroyed By Creepy Crawlers
Scale insects are a threat for many plants in the home and garden, sucking sap and robbing them of essential nutrients. Identify and treat scale on plants.
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This Cheery Yellow Flower That Emerges in Early Spring May Look Cute, But It’s Highly Invasive – How to Identify & Remove Lesser Celandine
Don't be fooled by the bright and happy blooms on this invasive plant. Lesser celandine has no place in your garden.
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How to Make a Cheap In-Ground Worm Composter in Time for Spring – Just Add Worms!
A lush spring garden starts with this easy (and budget-friendly) weekend project. Here’s how to make a worm composting tower using unwanted scraps and a handful of worms
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Trout Lily Care Guide: How to Grow This Native Woodland Ephemeral
The trout lily only blooms 1-2 weeks per year, but it's worth it! Plant these gorgeous woodland wildflowers for a blanket of yellow every spring.
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How to Pick the Best Plants in the Clearance Section – and Which Ones You Should Always Leave Behind
You can find some great deals on plants in the clearance section, if you know what to look for. Don't waste money on a dud, follow these top shopping tips.
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Tackle Infestations of Aphids on Houseplants: 5 Effective Methods to Get Indoor Pests Under Control
They aren't just an outdoor pest. Aphids on houseplants can spell disaster if not treated quickly. Learn how to best manage an indoor infestation.
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Orchid Flower Spikes: How to Train New Spikes for Beautiful Blooms
An orchid flower spike is where all the drama and beauty is. Learn to train new flower spikes without breaking them to keep your orchid looking gorgeous.
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5 Underrated Annuals Worth Starting From Seed Now – for Beds That Are Bursting With Color by Spring
Your garden will be bursting with color by spring if you sow these overlooked seeds now. Here are the underrated annuals that deserve a spot in your plot.
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Cutting These 3 Shrubs Back to a Stump in February Delivers Stunning Summer Color – This Tough Love Trick Really Works
It might feel like garden sabotage, but giving these three summer flowering shrubs the chop now is the kindest thing you can do. Here’s the secret to dazzling summer color
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Is Your Garlic On Track? Don’t Skip this February Trick for Massive Summer Bulbs
The clock is ticking on the most important feeding of the year! Your garlic is about to wake up hungry. Discover how a late winter energy drink can help you cultivate massive, juicy cloves by summer
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6 Underrated Shrubs That Deserve a Spot in Your Garden
Stop overlooking these stunning, but underrated shrubs! It's time to plant one (or more) of these beautiful bushes for a unique addition to your garden.
