Nikki Tilley
Nikki Tilley is named after a shoe… but that’s another story. She’s often called the crazy plant lady because she enjoys talking to all her plants and garden critters (bugs too). After working and raising a blended family of five kids, she’s now happily semi-retired and blessed with nearly ten grandchildren that call her Nana Kiki. With more time for gardening and writing, she’s excited to see where the next chapter takes her.
As a bona fide plant hoarder and garden addict, Nikki has over a hundred houseplants and there’s no telling how many more are out in the garden – currently residing within eleven different beds. Her backyard garden is a certified wildlife habitat, so there’s plenty of critters hanging around too.
While much of Nikki’s life revolves around gardening and writing, she has plenty of other interests. One of these is history, and she once dreamed of being an archeologist. She loves being creative through drawing, crafting or upcycling.
Her motto is “dare to be different” and, as such, anything weird or unusual fascinates her. This can often be seen in many of her artistic creations, including the garden.
Latest articles by Nikki Tilley
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Christmas Tree Water Intake: Why A Christmas Tree Is Not Drinking
Christmas trees often take the blame for destructive fires that occur during the holiday season. The most effective way to prevent Christmas tree fires is to keep the tree well hydrated. This article will help with that.
By Nikki Tilley
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What Is The County Extension Office? Access A Wealth Of Local Gardening Knowledge
Tap into a mine of gardening experience for free by contacting your local Cooperative Extension Service. Discover how to make the most of this vital resource.
By Nikki Tilley
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Planting Esperanza: Tips For How To Grow The Esperanza Plant
Esperanza goes by many names. Regardless of what you call it, the tropical native is easily recognized by its large masses of lightly scented, golden yellow flowers amid its foliage. Read this article to learn more.
By Nikki Tilley
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Soap For Garden Use: Using Bar Soap In The Garden And Beyond
Ever get tired of tossing out those small pieces of bar soap leftover from the bathroom shower or sink? Learn how to put them to use in gardens here.
By Nikki Tilley
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Understanding Plant Dormancy: How To Put A Plant Into Dormancy
Nearly all plants go dormant in winter. This period of rest is crucial to their survival in order to regrow each year. Learn more about the dormancy of plants in the following article.
By Nikki Tilley
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Plant Division: How To Divide Plants
Plant division involves digging up plants and dividing them into two or more sections. Discover the how and when of dividing plants in the following article so you can add more plants to the garden while keeping them healthy.
By Nikki Tilley
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Apple Maggot Prevention: Apple Maggot Signs And Control
Apple maggots can ruin an entire crop. In this article, you will learn how to recognize the signs and take appropriate preventative measures beforehand in fighting off these pests.
By Nikki Tilley
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Raccoon Repellent - How To Get Rid Of Raccoons And Keep Them Away
Got raccoons? These cute, but mischievous, critters can wreak havoc around your home and garden, especially in high numbers. But learning how to keep raccoons away is possible with this article.
By Nikki Tilley
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Fall Garden Guide: Basic Fall Gardening For Beginners
Whether raking the yard, cleaning the garden, starting a new garden, or prepping for next season, here are autumn garden tips to get it done.
By Liz Baessler
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Tomato Sunscald: What To Do About Sunscald On Tomatoes
Sunscald commonly affects tomatoes, as well as peppers. It's generally the result of exposure to sunlight during extreme heat, though may be caused by other factors as well. Learn what those are in this article.
By Nikki Tilley
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Tips For Cedar Apple Rust Control
If you're noticing unusual-looking, green-brown growths on your cedar tree, you may have been infected by cedar apple rust. Find out more about the disease and its management in this article.
By Nikki Tilley
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Tips On How To Make Willow Water
Did you know rooting cuttings in water can be sped up by using willow water? Willow trees possess a certain hormone that can be used to enhance root development in plants. Learn more in this article.
By Nikki Tilley
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Learn About Beaver Repellent - Beaver Control Information
When beaver activity gets out of hand, there are several control methods you can pursue - from preventive measures to fencing and physical removal. Learn about these in the following article.
By Nikki Tilley
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Tips For Bearded Irises Replanting And Dividing
When your irises become overcrowded, it's time to divide and transplant iris tubers. Generally, iris plants are divided every 3-5 years. For information on how to divide and transplant correcting, read this article.
By Nikki Tilley
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Growing Scallions - How To Plant Scallions
Scallion plants are easy to grow and can be eaten as is, used as flavoring when cooking, or as an attractive garnish. Read here to learn how to plant scallions in the garden and the difference between scallions and onions.
By Nikki Tilley
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Manure Tea On Crops: Making And Using Manure Fertilizer Tea
Using manure tea on crops is popular in many gardens. Manure tea, like compost tea, enriches the soil, adding vital nutrients for healthy plant growth. Let's look at how to make manure tea in this article.
By Nikki Tilley
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Composting Toilets - The Advantages And Disadvantages Of A Composting Toilet
Using composting toilets can help reduce water usage. This type of toilet consists of a well-ventilated container that houses and decomposes human waste. Read this article for more information.
By Nikki Tilley
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Tips For Peach Tree Borer Control
One of the most destructive pests to peach trees is the peach borer. These pests feed under the bark of trees, weakening them and leading to death. Read here to learn how to control peach tree borers.
By Nikki Tilley
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Scallion Picking: How Do You Harvest Scallions
While most people know that scallions are simply young, immature onions that are easy to grow, not everyone is certain about scallion picking or harvesting. This article will help with tips for harvesting scallions.
By Nikki Tilley
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Planting Cantaloupe - How To Grow Cantaloupe Melons
The cantaloupe plant, also known as muskmelon, is a popular melon that is commonly grown in many gardens. Learning how to grow them successfully is easy using the following information.
By Nikki Tilley
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Information On Plants Poisonous To Cats
Like dogs, cats are curious by nature and will occasionally get themselves into trouble on account of this. You should always be aware of toxic plants to cats in order to prevent any future issues. This article will help.
By Nikki Tilley
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Steps For Polka Dot Plant Propagation
Polka dot plant is a popular indoor plant grown for its attractive foliage. Being so popular, many people find themselves curious about propagating polka dot plants. This article will help.
By Nikki Tilley