Journal

How to start a compost pile in a small backyardComposting turns everyday kitchen scraps and yard waste into a dark, crumbly soil amendment. Even a modest backyard can support a productive compost pile if…
When and How to Divide Overgrown PerennialsPerennials bring dependable color and structure to a garden, but many eventually become crowded, weak in the center, or too large for their assigned space.…
Caring for Knock Out Roses in the MidwestKnock Out roses are well suited to Midwestern gardens because they bloom repeatedly, tolerate a range of conditions, and generally require less maintenance…
How to attract hummingbirds with native perennialsA hummingbird garden can bring flashes of color and movement to even a modest backyard. These tiny birds seek dependable nectar, sheltered resting places, and…
What to Plant in a Raised Bed for a Continuous Salad HarvestA raised bed can produce fresh salad greens for much of the growing season when crops are selected for different temperatures and planted in succession.…
Growing Tomatoes in a Greenhouse Year-RoundA greenhouse can turn tomato growing into a dependable, extended-season practice rather than a short summer project. With protection from frost, heavy rain,…
How to Protect Tender Plants from a Late Spring FrostSpring weather can change quickly. A mild afternoon may encourage tomatoes, peppers, basil, annual flowers, and young vegetable seedlings to grow, only for…
The Best Perennials for Shade Gardens in Northern IndianaShade can be a valuable feature in a Northern Indiana garden rather than a limitation. Mature trees, north-facing walls, and woodland edges create cooler…
Choosing the right fertilizer for your flowering annualsFlowering annuals bring vibrant color to containers, window boxes, borders, and raised beds, but abundant blooms depend on more than sunlight and regular…
How to Harden Off Seedlings Before TransplantingYoung plants raised indoors enjoy steady warmth, filtered light, and protection from wind. Outdoor conditions are far less predictable, with stronger sunlight,…