Latest articles by Mary Ellen Ellis
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Winter Is the Most Important Time to Clean Houseplant Leaves – My Homemade Spray Makes Them Shine and Also Repels PestsLeaf cleaning matters more in winter. Try my simple, homemade leaf shine spray for healthier, more attractive houseplants.
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Want Showstopper Trees? Grow these 7 Unique Beauties for Dramatic Bark Tone and Texture to Add Some Winter WowThink bark is boring? These 7 breathtaking trees prove otherwise, offering extraordinary textures, bold color and instant character that turn even winter into a showpiece
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How to Grow Fava Beans: Planting, Care, and Harvest Tips for a Successful CropGrowing fava beans is like four crops in one: flavorful fresh pods, both fresh and dry beans, and – surprise! – delicious greens to eat fresh or add to cooked dishes.
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These 7 Popular Houseplants Won’t Survive Without Extra Humidity – Do You Have One? Here’s How to Help Them ThriveDry indoor air can be tough on certain tropical plants. Here are 7 high-humidity houseplants you need to protect – and how to help your indoor jungle flourish
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I Was Losing the Battle With Houseplant Pests – Until I Started Growing These Herbs Beside ThemPlace these 10 pest repellent herbs next to your houseplants to protect them from beetles, fungus gnats and more.
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Craving Color? There's Still Time to Plant These 10 Shade-Loving BulbsIt's not too late to add some color! These 10 shade-loving spring-flowering bulbs thrive under trees and in dark spots. Get them in the ground before it freezes.
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11 Trees and Shrubs With Red Berries for a Bright and Cheery Winter LandscapeAdd a pop of festive color to the dreary winter landscape with one of these trees and bushes with red berries. They provide instant cheer that lasts all season.
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The Complete Poinsettia Care Guide: Planting, Pruning & Keeping It AliveDid you get a poinsettia for the holidays? Wondering how to take care of it? Our comprehensive guide will take you through the basics and beyond.
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Plants You Can Still Propagate in Winter (For Free Plants in Spring)Don't wait for spring to expand your plant family. Learn the key differences when propagating in winter and the 6 easiest plants to try rooting from cuttings.
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5 Bird-Magnet Shrubs for Containers – For Bright Native Berries and Happy Wildlife in WinterWhen the garden goes quiet, these vibrant winter berry shrubs burst with color and life. Grow these bird friendly shrubs for containers and you'll give your local wildlife a genuine winter treat
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2 Tasks I Never Skip Before Storing Garden Tools for Winter to Keep Them in Tip-Top ShapeMake sure your gardening tools last a long time by treating them right in fall. Here's what you have to do now before you put them away for winter.
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This Is the Easiest Way to Level Your Lawn – And It Only Takes 2 Items You Probably Already OwnGet a perfectly flat lawn with this simple guide. It only takes a couple items you probably already own to do it right.
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How to Care for Hydrangeas in Winter So They're Bursting With Beautiful Blooms Next SummerHow you care for hydrangeas in winter can determine whether your shrubs are bursting with blooms next summer or not. Here's how to protect them from the cold.
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Need More Privacy? These 8 Cold-Hardy, Evergreen Vines Will Shield Your Patio or Balcony Year-RoundForget bulky hedges – vines give you the privacy you want with minimal footprint. Our top 8 picks are cold-hardy evergreens, so they'll stay full even in the depths of winter.
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Finding More Holes in Your Yard Than Usual? Here’s How to Identify Which Animal Is Making ThemAnimal holes can pop up in the least expected place in the yard and it is hard to know what animal caused them. Learn how to identify holes and stop pests.
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This Simple Trick Stops Pots From Cracking in the Cold – Plus, the Worst Winter Storage Mistakes to AvoidProtect pots from cracking in the winter cold with this one free and easy trick.
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Do Your Houseplants Need Moving for Winter? Why Fall Chills Affect Indoor Plants, How To Tell – and What to Do NextFall can spell trouble for your favorite houseplants. Here’s how to spot the signs plants are too cold indoors – and where to put them to keep them happy
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Japanese Maples Aren’t Just for Fall – These Ultimate 4-Season Varieties Dazzle All Year LongJapanese maples are prized for their fall foliage, but they can look gorgeous all year round. Here are the best 4-season beauties for continuing Japanese maple color and character
