Today in the Garden

Why weeds explode in July

In today's episode, pull weeds on soft soil after rain or watering, removing entire plants before they set seed to prevent re-seeding. Portions of this program were crea

Mid-summer tomato rescue tips

In today's episode, I show how to gently remove old, yellow, or soil-touching lower tomato leaves to improve airflow and sunlight, reduce disease risk, and speed ripening

What crispy leaf edges mean

In today's episode, learn how to respond to brown, crispy leaf edges: check soil moisture, give a slow deep watering if dry, mulch and provide afternoon shade, and avoid

Backyard plants that impress guests

In today's episode, plant a single showy hydrangea as a focal point; choose a heat-tolerant panicle or oakleaf for warm climates or mophead/smooth for cooler nights. Site

Easy red, white, and blue flowers

In today's episode, create an easy red-white-blue container by planting one bold red, one soft white, and a blue/purple spiller in a well-drained pot with fresh mix; wate

Why summer plants suddenly stop blooming

In today's episode, we explain deadheading—pinch or snip off spent flowers just above the next healthy leaves or bud to prevent seed-setting and encourage more blooms. It

Watering tips before holiday travel

In today's episode, give your plants a deep, slow soak the morning you leave so water reaches the root zone and lasts while you're away; check the soil is cool and damp a

The easiest vegetables to grow in buckets

In today's episode, favor quick, shallow-rooted vegetables like salad greens and radishes for bucket gardening, use a drained bucket with light potting mix, sow or transp

Beginner mistakes with fertilizer

In today's episode, test your soil before adding fertilizer—collect a small sample or use your county extension—to know nutrients and pH; if testing isn't possible, add c

Plants that smell amazing in summer

In today's episode, make scent the reason you plant: place a fragrant plant where you’ll brush past it — near a door, an open window, or your favorite seat so its aroma b

Simple tricks to keep pots blooming

In today's episode, I show a simple deadheading habit for container plants: remove spent flowers so plants don't set seed and instead rebloom. Pick one pot you pass daily

Fast fixes for leggy plants

In today's episode, give leggy plants a gentle haircut: trim stems back to a leaf joint, re-root the soft tips in water or damp mix, and move the parent plant to brighter

Why your peppers aren't growing

In today's episode, learn how to revive stalled pepper plants by reducing afternoon heat and stabilizing root moisture — use light shade (cloth, sail, or companion plants

Easy flowers for mailbox gardens

In today's episode, I recommend planting petunias around your mailbox for low-effort, continuous color. Choose heat-tolerant varieties in hot climates, plant crowns level

The lazy gardener's pruning guide

In today's episode, I share the 'one-cut habit': make one clean cut on a stem just above a healthy outward-facing bud, then walk away. It's a gentle, quick way to tidy sh

Plants that thrive in terrible soil

In today's episode, pick plants that thrive in poor, well-drained soil instead of trying to fix it — think sedums, yarrow, lavender, ornamental grasses, or native wildflo

How to make your lawn greener naturally

In today's episode, topdress your lawn with a thin layer of finished compost—spread sparingly so grass shows—and lightly water, applying in cooler hours and testing a sma

Heat-loving flowers for full sun

In today's episode, plant zinnias in full sun for reliable summer color—start from seed or transplants, loosen soil and add compost, water gently, and deadhead spent bloo

Why your zucchini flowers fall off

In today's episode, learn how to hand-pollinate zucchini flowers: pick a male bloom, transfer its pollen to a nearby female blossom in the morning with a gentle touch or

Cheap garden upgrades from the dollar store

In today's episode, I show how to make a simple, inexpensive self-watering planter using a shallow plastic bin and a cotton wick to draw water into a pot, keeping contain