Best for General Use

I like gloves with a latex covering on the palms and fingertips and a breathable fabric on the other side. The latex provides a good grip when weeding or digging, and also keeps my hands dry. You can often buy these gloves in packs of several pairs so you’ll have extra on hand if they get wet and you need a dry pair.

Bagged Mulch

If you don’t want to use leaves or don’t have any around, you can buy bagged mulch. Fornari recommends Coast of Maine Dark Harbor Blend Enriching Mulch for vegetable gardens. Its fine texture doesn’t suffocate young plants, and it decomposes by the end of the summer.

Garden Dome Three-Pack

Walmart’s greenhouse kit sale section has tons of different types of greenhouses to choose from. If you’re shopping for just a few plants, it’s worth checking out this garden dome three-pack. These plant covers work similarly to a greenhouse—they seal in heat and protect small plants from the elements while they germinate.

The best part? You can snag three of them for only $10 after a discount of 38%.

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One thing was sure: I needed an eco-friendly mosquito repellent for the yard that wasn’t going to harm me, my pets or the pollinators. Bees and butterflies are important to me, but the bugs that really bugged me simply had to go.

To protect myself, I resorted to wearing long sleeves, jeans, hats, and rubber boots up to my knees. As the summer temperatures rose, I knew this wasn’t sustainable and I needed to find a solution to my bug problem. This is where the Wonderside Flea and Tick Spray comes in the picture. 

What is Wondercide Flea & Tick Spray

Wondercide Spray kills and repels ants, fleas, ticks and mosquitos at every lifecycle stage. This yard spray also takes care of Japanese beetles, crickets and gnats without using harmful chemicals.

When you’re ready to use the eco-friendly Wondercide Spray, simply attach the nozzle to your garden hose. You’ll quickly cover 5000 square feet without having to wait for a re-entry period. It’s safe and non-toxic to wildlife, humans, pets, bees, and butterflies.

I love that a few women in Texas were on a mission to find a pet-safe alternative to the devastating side effects of pesticide exposure. They were invited to pitch their product on Shark Tank and now it’s available to us! 

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Wondercide Outdoor Pest Control Product Features

Wondercide Spray is a safe and natural product that won’t harm the environment, pets or people. It’s so safe that you can spray and play without any waiting time.

Wondercide also makes indoor pest control spray and personal insect repellent in four different scents; cedarwood, lemongrass, rosemary and my favorite, peppermint. Plus, the brand has tested their products for efficacy and they are on-par with conventional insect repellents.

The product is safe to use around lakes, ponds and creeks, but tuck your chickens in while you spray to protect their sensitive respiratory systems.

How We Tested It

The first time I ordered Wondercide Yard Spray, I also ordered sample sizes of the people and pet insect repellent as well as a bar of dog shampoo. 

As soon as the products arrived, I was chomping at the bit to try them out. Following the directions, I sprayed my entire lawn and the side of my house, including the window wells where spiders like to spin their webs. Per the instructions, I sprayed again a few days later. 

Good-bye tall boots and long pants and hello flip-flops and shorts! With a healthy coating of Wondercide Spray on my lawn, I could finally enjoy summer pest-free.

The real test, however, was at my lake cottage where the mosquitos constantly swarm. I was certain they were breeding in a massive colony under my shady deck. After spraying the Wondercide Spray, we were able to enjoy dinner on the deck without being bitten. Again, we repeated the process a few days later to take care of any stragglers, and once every month thereafter. We were impressed with the long-term results, and will continue to use the product to keep pests at bay. 

The sprayer covers a wide area, so treating your yard is fast and easy. Since it is recommended to avoid spraying while pollinators are active, I usually steer clear of the gardens and flower beds. Even though Wondercide is food-grade, I avoid the vegetable garden as a precaution.

For best results, be sure to use the product as directed, starting with two applications a few days apart. Avoid treating the area before rain, as this is a water soluble biodegradable product.

Pros

• Natural ingredients
• Repels and kills mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, gnats, chiggers, fruit flies and Japanese beetles
• Environmentally friendly
• Safe for pets, humans and pollinators
• Ready-to-use spray applicator attaches to a hose
• Quick and easy to use
• Fast results
• Immediately safe to walk on
• Smells great
• Made in the USA

Cons

• Several applications are needed

FAQ

How do I get rid of mosquitoes in my yard without harming pets?

To get rid of pests without harming pets, avoid chemical formulas with toxic ingredients. Using a natural product like Wondercide is the best option. If you’re unsure if a product is okay to use around pets, please consult with your veterinarian before using it.

Is there a lawn spray that is safe for bees and butterflies?

Yes, there is a lawn spray that is safe for bees and butterflies. The Wondercide Flea and Tick Spray does not harm birds, bees or butterflies. However, caution should be taken to avoid spraying while pollinators are active.

Can I spray my own yard for ticks?

Yes, you can spray your own yard for ticks. It is a cost-effective alternative to using a commercial pest control company. Most commercial pest control companies charge hundreds of dollars to treat your property. These companies are licensed to use toxic chemicals, which effectively kills mosquitoes and ticks.

However, these chemicals may pose a hazard to pollinators and pets. If you decide to spray your yard yourself, you’ll be able to pick a spray that meets your needs without breaking the bank or harming animals.

What Amazon Reviewers Had to Say

Jessica Seely reviewed Wondercide on Amazon saying, “I live in FL and bought this right before hurricane Ian to try to help with bugs because as I said…Florida. But THANKFULLY I waited till after the storm because we and everyone around has standing water in their yard. ABSOLUTE breeding ground for bugs. Felt very plague-ish, So yes I used double the amount needed but IT WORKS, maybe I didn’t need to go hog crazy but I am so happy with it, even having it on repeat order.”

“Works great on mosquitoes,” says SP, a verified Amazon customer. “We have a 1500 sq ft backyard with a swamp behind the yard. We get tons of black flies and mosquitoes after the sun goes behind the woods. We didn’t want to use any dangerous chemicals as we have a 7-yr old often playing in the yard. Wondericide worked amazingly. Sprayed only on the plants just beyond our yard and that itself was sufficient. For the first time in 4 years since we have been here, we were outside sitting on the garden bench after sunset.”

Michelle gave the Wondercide spray five stars saying, “This is the best product I have ever bought. I was skeptical about trying this but I’m so very happy that I did. I have 3 dogs and 1 cat and none of them have had a single flea or tick. It’s so much safer and cheaper than going to the vet for medicine for the fleas and ticks. I will definitely be buying this product again guaranteed”

Product Comparison Mosquito Repellent for Yard

You can find different types of pest repellents like sprays, candles, plants and ultrasonic devices that may help get rid of insects. However, a spray is the best option to treat the entire yard, especially if you have a lot of ground to cover.

Concerned about being eco-friendly? Wondercide encourages reusing the sturdy plastic spray bottle that the repellent comes in. Admittedly, I accumulated five empty bottles before I bought the concentrate and refilled the sprayers. I decided to bite the bullet and purchased the big 128-ounce concentrate, which lasted me through the summer and beyond.

To get started, consider buying the Refill Starter Kit bundle with the ready-to-use reusable applicator and the 16-ounce concentrate. This will give you three treatments and cover up to 5000 square feet. 

Want to save money? Shop for concentrates and bundles, or take advantage of the Chewy and Wondercide auto-ship plans.

Final Verdict

The Wondercide Spray isn’t just a mosquito repellent for your yard—it protects the entire family (including pets).

True confession: I am a Wondercide junkie. I keep a stash of my beloved spray tucked away in my basement (if you couldn’t tell by the many empty bottles in the cover image). With the help of this spray, I haven’t seen a spider in my house in a while, and I’m not afraid to show skin in the backyard. Plus, my gardens are buzzing with bees and butterflies, and the organic vegetables and flowers are thriving. You don’t have to compromise to get proper protection for your yard.

Where to Buy the Wondercide Flea and Tick Spray

I highly recommend Wondercide Flea and Tick Spray to eradicate pesky bugs in your yard. Test my favorite Wondercide product for yourself by purchasing it at retailers like Wondercide, Chewy and Walmart.

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What Are Heirloom Seeds?

Depending on who you ask, the definition varies, but most gardeners agree the following characteristics:

• Open-pollinated: That means they’re naturally pollinated from plants of the same variety. or they self-pollinate. So when you save the seeds, you’ll get the same variety when you grow them the following season.
• Grown for at least 50 years: There’s some wiggle room here. Some count varieties as heirlooms if they’ve been grown for 40 years. Others insist they must have appeared before the 1940s. Suffice it to say, many generations of gardeners have grown heirloom varieties.
• Seeds handed down from one gardener to the next: Saving seeds was once more common than it is today. Gardeners regularly collected seeds from their favorite flowers and vegetables, shared them with others, then grew them again the next year.

Types of Heirloom Seeds

They break down like this:

• Family heirlooms: If your parents or grandparents were avid gardeners, you might be lucky enough to inherit seeds from plants they once grew. Or, like me, you know which varieties they grew and buy new seeds for those varieties every year.
• Historical heirlooms: An historic connection to a certain variety makes for great marketing. Many historical sites, including Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia, sell heirloom seeds reminiscent of what gardeners might have grown there.
• Regional heirlooms: Some varieties adapt well to specific regional climates. Organizations like Southern Exposure Seed Exchange sell open-pollinated varieties that do especially well in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern states.
• Heritage heirlooms: If you trace back your family history to other countries, you can also find heirloom varieties they might have grown, like Italian Ribbed Zucchini or Red Aztec Spinach. Then grow those in your garden.

Benefits of Heirloom Seeds

Heirloom seeds are fun to grow. Besides history, good memories and good taste, they provide another benefit —  saving the bio-diversity of our vegetables and flowers for future generations.

Through organizations like the Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa, gardeners worldwide are saving open-pollinated varieties of vegetables and flowers that might otherwise be lost from our world.

Can Hybrid Seeds be Heirlooms?

Hybrid varieties of flowers and vegetables are made by pollinating one plant with the pollen of another. The resulting seeds will not produce that same variety the following year. So while some hybrid varieties like Burpee’s Big Boy tomato have been grown since 1949, they aren’t true heirlooms. I buy seeds for this tomato each year because it’s a good variety.

Many hybrid varieties include “F1” at the end of their name.

How Long Do Heirloom Seeds Last?

If you store your seeds in a cool, dry and dark place that’s protected from insects and mice, heirloom seeds will last for several years, depending on the type.

Where To Buy Heirloom Seeds

They’re available online and at local garden centers. When searching seed companies like Burpee and True Leaf Market, include “heirloom” in your search so you get exactly what you want.

Some organizations like Southern Exposure Seed Exchange and Seed Savers Exchange only sell heirloom varieties. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds is another source.

Many seed savers end up with more than they can possibly grow each year and are willing to share. You can find them through local garden clubs and online via social media. Even some public libraries free heirloom seeds in the spring to try in your garden.

Greenhouse Heater

To keep a greenhouse frost-free, the temperature must remain above 32 degrees Fahrenheit. During colder months, it’s wise to use a greenhouse heater to keep plants from freezing. This Bio Green heater heats spaces up to 120 square feet and comes with a digital thermostat. It’s made of durable stainless steel and is splash-proof, so you don’t have to worry about watering around it. Best of all, it’s inexpensive to operate!

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Wax Myrtle

Also known as southern bayberry because of its glossy olive-green leaves, wax myrtle is a multi-trunk evergreen with whitish-gray bark and leaves that are fragrant when crushed. It reaches 15 to 20 feet tall and wide but can be easily sheared into a hedge.

When male and female plants grow close together, female wax myrtle develops pretty pale-blue berries that birds love. Plants grow up to five feet a year and make great screens. This heat-loving shrub grows best in moist, acidic soil but is adaptable once established. It grows in part to full sun in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 7 through 11.

With more organic weed killers hitting the market every growing season, I chatted with an expert about what they are and how they work.

Meet The Expert

Heather Johnson is the lead horticulturist at Bachman’s Floral and Garden in Minneapolis, Minn., where she specializes in diagnosing and managing plant diseases in everything from turf to pine trees.

She discovered her love of gardening at a young age, which led her to a degree in plant biology from the University of Minnesota and a master’s in plant pathology from the University of California-Davis. Johnson says even in her spare time, she’s consumed by plants. “I currently have over 100 houseplants and spend a little time every day tending to them,” she says.

Choosing The Right Herbicide

Whatever the time of year or the conditions,  you can treat unwanted weeds or grass in environmentally friendly ways — from preemergent to post-emergent, selective and nonselective varieties. But read labels and choose products with care.

“A lot of the organic options are burn-down herbicides, meaning the roots will remain intact and be able to regrow new shoots later,” Johnson says. “[And] salt and vinegar can remain in the soil after killing the intended weeds, which can affect the growth of wanted plants in the area later on.”

To choose what’s best for your lawn or garden, Johnson suggests you start by answering these questions:

What Type of Weeds Are You Trying To Remove?

Common weeds Johnson say most homeowners struggle to control are dandelions, creeping Charlie and crabgrass. The first two are broadleaf weeds. “If your lawn is overrun with these, it’s more likely that the health of the lawn is being impacted, and lawn care besides just weed removal needs to be done,” Johnson said.

The crabgrass problem is so widespread that companies have developed entire lines of herbicides to eliminate it. Though toxic, these can be effective when used correctly. However, Johnson says, “same as with other weeds, if your lawn is overrun with crabgrass, then there are other health issues that need to be addressed.”

How Many Weeds Are You Targeting?

In cases where weeds haven’t overtaken the lawn or appeared in large clusters, Johnson prefers hand weeding with a tool. “It allows me to dig up the entire weed without the potential of damaging the lawn,” she says.

On the other hand, if the whole lawn is overrun with weeds, she suggests “reseeding along with testing the soil to understand the health of the grass and what nutrients may be needed to amend it.”

When Are You Applying the Weed Killer?

“Some weeds are best handled preemergence, and some weeds are best handled post-emergence,” says Johnson. “Crabgrass can be handled pre- or post-emergence, with the most effective time being preemergence, in April or May, to avoid harming the lawn.”

Broadleaf weeds are best ­handled post-emergence, she says, “as long as it’s before they flower and spread.”

Earth-Friendly Weed Killers Worth Checking Out

Espoma Weed Preventer Plus Lawn Food

Espoma Organic Weed Preventer Plus Lawn Food is the best environmentally friendly product for established lawns. It’s made of pure corn gluten meal, so it’s safe for children and pets to play on even immediately after application.

Besides inhibiting weed growth, this product also feeds the lawn, ensuring it stays green and healthy. Johnson says organic and preemergent lawn products are “typically a fertilizer or germination inhibitor that won’t kill already established grass but will prevent any new plants from germinating.”

For best results, apply the Espoma Organic Weed Preventer twice a year, once in early spring and again in early fall.

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A.D.I.O.S Selective Bio-Herbicide

A.D.I.O.S. Selective Bio-Herbicide is becoming increasingly popular in parts of the United States where conventional herbicides are restricted. Salt, its active ingredient, can be used against broadleaf weeds like dandelions, creeping Charlie and thistles.

A.D.I.O.S. meets all USDA organic standards and has been approved in commercial organic farming. But use sparingly. Overuse of salt-based products can negatively affect the quality of soil in the long run.

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Green Gobbler 20% Vinegar Weed Killer

Green Gobbler 20% Vinegar Weed Killer is a potent, nonselective vinegar-based product. It’s made from ethanol distilled from corn grain and a concentrated vinegar containing four times the acetic acid of traditional household vinegar.

Biodegradable and nontoxic, this Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) certified formula will safely remove all types of weeds from driveways, sidewalks and mulch beds.

Most environmentally friendly weed killers must be sprayed directly on a growing weed so the active ingredients are absorbed. Johnson suggests using “nonselective sprays such as this in an isolated area, where it’s easy to target individual weeds.”

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Make Your Own All Natural Weed Killer

A mixture of vinegar, salt and dish soap can be an effective spot treatment for weeds, according to Johnson. Concentrated vinegar works because it’s stronger than the household variety, usually at near 20% acetic acid.

The salt and acetic acid present in vinegar cause unwanted plants to dehydrate, wither and die. And the dish soap enhances the effectiveness by breaking down the plant’s outer layer (cuticle).

Mix one gallon of vinegar, one ounce of dish soap and one cup of salt in a plastic bottle and spray directly on weeds. Apply the mixture on a sunny day with no wind. Because vinegar-based products are nonselective weed killers, they will harm nearby plants if you don’t spray carefully. “If used in small amounts, this shouldn’t affect the soil long term,” Johnson said.

Eliminating Weeds Without Weed Killers

If you’re still feeling uneasy about using any weed killer, environmentally friendly or not, other means are available to do the job.

Try pouring boiling water on sidewalk, driveway or patio weeds. The water scalds the unwanted weed, and any runoff will cool on the impervious surface before it reaches other plants.

To eradicate weeds from nonflammable areas like cracks in sidewalks and gravel driveways, a propane torch is another effective alternative. Weeds growing on dry or combustible materials should never be torched. Nor should poison ivy or other poisonous plants because their smoke can cause serious allergic reactions.

For large areas of your yard, or between rows of vegetables in your planter boxes, consider solarizing or smothering the soil.

To solarize, place a transparent plastic tarp over the soil. The tarp prevents water absorption while heating the soil and ultimately killing all vegetation. To smother, place layers of newspaper or old shower curtains on the soil to block the sun and moisture.

One of the most effective ways to maintain a weed-free lawn is by following a lawn care schedule. Johnson recommends keeping a lawn calendar that outlines when to do each maintenance task, like mowing, fertilizing and thatching.

“Following those tips and hand-removing weeds when they are present is a good way to mitigate weeds without the use of any chemicals,” she says. If your lawn is more than 50% weeds, Johnson said it’s best to reseed the whole lawn.

Not only does Cub Cadet offer excellent quality machines at great price points, but they also carry both electric and gas-powered mowers. Cub Cadet’s gas-powered riding mowers are powerful enough for those with large yards and fields. On the other hand, electric Cub Cadet Riding Mowers offer a battery-powered function, which means a quieter ride with zero emissions.

To decide on the best option, consider the area you’ll need to cover and the cost of gas versus electricity. Regardless of the version you choose, Cub Cadet mowers come with a best-in-class three-year, unlimited-hour warranty.

What is a Cub Cadet Riding Mower?

Cub Cadet is an American company that manufactures and sells outdoor power equipment, including riding mowers. Currently, there are three Cub Cadet Riding Mowers types: lawn and garden tractors, zero-turn mowers and electric riding mowers.

Lawn and garden tractors are the highest-powered versions of riding mowers that Cub Cadet offers. They’re best for larger areas and come with various attachments and accessories for year-round versatility and utility.

Zero-turn riding mowers allow users to get mowing jobs done 50% faster and are engineered to handle a range of terrains. They can cover up to five acres, with steering wheel options that make the user experience easier.

Electric riding mowers offer the same powerful performance with zero emissions, thanks to a powerful and convenient lithium-ion battery. The absence of a gas engine makes these machines some of the quietest on the market.

How to Use a Cub Cadet Riding Mower

Cub Cadet Riding Mowers come in gas and electric versions, meaning you will either need to charge the batteries or fill the tank with gas before using it for the first time. Electric model batteries are fully charged in four hours and last up to one and a half hours or up to two acres. On average, gas-powered Cub Cadet Riding Mowers use about three gallons of gas for every 2 hours of use.

As with any new machinery, it’s essential to  thoroughly read the user manual before use. To help you learn how to use your Cub Cadet riding mower, we recommend viewing the instructional videos and troubleshooting tips on the Cub Cadet website.

Here are the stats on some of their most popular models that will help you decide which machine is right for your job:

Cub Cadet Electric Mini Riding Mower

The Cub Cadet Electric Mini Riding Mower has a powerful 56-volt max lithium-ion battery that can be charged using a standard 110-Volt outlet. The battery lets you mow up to one acre (or for one hour) on a single charge without power fade, and it recharges in about four hours. As with all electric machines, there’s no need for oil, filer or spark plug changes (which can become costly).

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Cub Cadet Zero-Turn Riding Mower

Cub Cadet’s gas-powered Zero-Turn Riding Mower has a premium 23-horsepower twin-cylinder OHV engine, which boasts commercial-grade power to meet the toughest demands. The dual-hydrostatic transmissions allow for a quick 7 mph forward (or 3.5 mph reverse) ground speed that leaves your lawn with a professional-quality finish. Its 50-inch AeroForce fabricated deck delivers a signature cut with fewer clumps, finer clippings and increased evenness.

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Cub Cadet Enduro Lawn and Garden Tractor

The Cub Cadet Enduro Series Lawn and Garden Tractor has a gas-powered, 23-horsepower Kohler 7000 Series twin-cylinder engine. It features a 46-inch stamped, 12-gauge twin-blade deck with 12 cutting positions. It also has an optimized steering system for responsive handling and a 16-inch turn radius with a zero-turn feel.

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The Best Cub Cadet Riding Mower Reviews

Five-star reviewer Clark R. says assembly of his Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro Gas Powered Riding Lawn Mower was “straightforward and painless.”

“After checking all fluids, pins, etc, some gas and fired right up,” he writes. “What use to take over an hour with the old 30 inch cutter now takes 20 minutes with far less gas consumption.”

J. Blair is on his second Cub Cadet Riding Mower (a CC30E Electric Mini Riding Mower) and says, “Cub Cadet never has disappointed. This is my second cub cadet tractor, and I believe there isn’t a better one out there.”

When it comes to using the electric version, Maeck Dude says, “The Cub [CC30E Electric] mini is amazing. It mows like a champ, even the thick stuff. The mulcher works like a charm, and the electric motor is easy to clean and lasts over an hour. I would highly recommend it for towing stuff as well. It will not mow steep hills and tends to want to slide on a steep slope but it’s really a marvel I’m so impressed with the quality of the machine.”

Where to Buy a Cub Cadet Riding Mower

You can buy a Cub Cadet Riding Mower directly from the company’s webpage, or from Walmart.

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Let’s walk through the steps you will follow to level up your flower planters this spring. From your must-have equipment to instructions on putting it all together, we’ve got you covered.

How Do You Turn a Filing Cabinet Into a Planter?

To make a flower planter from an old filing cabinet, we’ll follow a viral TikTok tutorial by @dawson.diy. Check it out yourself here:

@dawson.diy Bought the cabinet for $10 but honestly you could probably find one for free! #diytutorial #furnitureflip #patiomakeover #patiofurniture #planter #planterdiy ♬ Love You So – The King Khan & BBQ Show

Once you’re ready to attempt making your DIY filing cabinet flower planter, it’s time to round up your must-have equipment. For starters, you’ll need a filing cabinet. If you don’t already have an old one you can use at home, they’re easy to find at thrift stores or flea markets.

What You’ll Need

• An old filing cabinet
• Hammer
• Paint and primer
• Rust-preventative enamel
• Drill
• Spray foam flex seal
• Piece of wood if your cabinet has no bottom
• Heavy-duty glue

Directions

First, remove the drawers of the filing cabinet using a hammer. Be careful, as this portion of the process requires some serious precision!

Once the drawers are out of the filing cabinet, prime and paint it. For the best results, we suggest you use spray paint. If your filing cabinet has no bottom, take the wood and adhere it there using heavy-duty glue.

After you’ve successfully adhered the bottom and the entire cabinet is painted, grab your rust-preventative enamel and spray everything. We suggest a matte clear coat. This will protect your cabinet from rusting induced by the elements.

If your filing cabinet planter will be on a patio, you’ll also have to add a drainage hole with a drill. Then, take your spray foam flex spray to fill in any other holes or cracks. This ensures you don’t make a planter faux pas and accidentally flood your patio.

Last but certainly not least, lay it down, so the open portion faces upwards. Then, you can add plants. Yes, it is that simple! And if you need some suggestions for the best plants for container gardening, you can check out our comprehensive list, too.

If this DIY inspired you to create more planter boxes, here are 12 you can easily make in a day. Or, you can take your garden to the next level with a DIY trellis.

“Soil pH testing is vital for understanding your soil’s chemical makeup and how it affects plant growth,” says Greg Niewold of PowerPlanter.com. “Maintaining a neutral pH level is optimal for microbial activity and nutrient absorption by plant roots. Soil with a very high or very low pH may result in nutrient deficiency or toxicity.”

Because of this, testing your soil’s pH is the first step toward preparing your future garden. And while most plants prefer a pH of 5.5 to 7.5 (7.0 is considered neutral), it’s also good to remember there’s more to soil than dirt.

“It’s not just soil pH or nutrient levels that make a difference, but rather a complete balance of what Mother Nature intended,” says Kathy Glassey, director of renewable services for Monster Tree Service. “A diverse biological population does a great job of making nutrients available to the plant in a form that plants prefer.”

How To Test Soil pH With a Kit

You can test your soil’s pH with a home test kit, or send a sample to your local university extension office or an independent lab. Most home test kits offer instant readings, whereas lab tests can a few weeks, and they cost more.

“However, lab tests are the most accurate and provide very detailed information,” says Glassey. “For example, if you send in a soil test for an oak tree, they will make recommendations based on optimal needs for an oak tree.”

Most pH test kits are simple to use, with easy-to-follow instructions. Generally, the steps involve mixing a soil sample with a testing solution, waiting for the reaction, then comparing the results to a chart. Depending on the type of kit, there may be other steps involved.

“Soil pH testing kits for use by the homeowner can be very fast and inexpensive,” Glassey says. “However there are some things to know.”

Among them:

• Use distilled water. Tap water can skew your results.
• Follow the directions that come with the test kit precisely for a complete representation of your soil.
• Consider buying a soil pH meter, which lets you probe numerous areas and reveals if your soil is too compact.

How To Test Soil pH Without a Test Kit

Here are two DIY solutions for testing soil pH without a kit.

The pantry soil pH test

Place two tablespoons of soil in a bowl and moisten with distilled water. Add one-half cup baking soda. If the mixture fizzes, the dirt is acidic. On the other hand, if you add one-half cup vinegar to two tablespoons soil and the mixture fizzes, the ground is alkaline. If neither test elicits a reaction, that indicates a neutral pH.

Worm method

Plentiful earthworms reflect well on your soil. “If the ground has earthworms, it will likely have beneficial microbes for healthy soil and flourishing plants,” says Niewold.

To do a worm test, dig a hole one foot across and equally deep in somewhat moist soil that’s at least 55 degrees. Sift through the ground with your hands and count the earthworms. “If you find at least ten worms, the soil is in good shape,” Niewold says. “Less than that may indicate a lack of organic matter, or soil that is too acidic or alkaline.”

Are Soil pH Tests Accurate?

Yes, but they don’t always show the full picture. For more insight, test the microbial biomass of your soil, because fertilizers and other nutrients you apply are only effective if they break down into a useable form for plants.

“That process is largely determined by the chemistry that must be broken down before the plant can utilize it,” says Glassey. “Biological diversity helps to make this cycle extremely effective but also allows for less synthetic product usage.”

Cost of pH Test Kits

It typically varies from $10 to $50, with most lab tests in the $30 to $50 range. It might cost more if you’re researching complex soil issues like salt content or metals.

“The vinegar and baking soda method is the cheapest option for those who want to test their soil pH on a budget,” says Niewold. “However, it is also the least specific.

“If you’re willing to spend more money, a test strip kit can give you a more definitive result. A laboratory test is a way to go for the most precise information about your soil, but it’s also the most expensive option.”

Plus, mosses are so versatile that some species will grow on inhospitable soil, or even sun-baked stretches of asphalt and concrete. According to Martin, “There’s a right moss for every right place.”

What Is a Moss Garden?

A moss garden is any deliberately cultivated outdoor spot that features moss. A moss garden is not necessarily all moss, although it certainly can be. “You can be a purist, but I’m not,” says Martin. “I want my grandmother’s daffodils in there, too.”

You can also grow an indoor moss garden.

Why Grow a Moss Garden?

A moss garden is more than just beautiful. It tastes bad to deer, requires no mowing or fertilizer and thrives where many other plants cannot. Got gravelly or clay-rich soil? No problem. A moss garden will grow in both. But the environmental benefits truly make moss gardens desirable and important.

A pioneer plant, moss helps break rock into soil. It captures and recycles nutrients and controls erosion while providing habitat to salamanders and many types of insects. Plus, although sphagnum moss (peatlands) covers just three percent of the earth’s surface, these soggy areas store twice as much carbon as all the world’s forests combined!

You can grow moss as a grass lawn alternative.

Where Do Moss Gardens Grow?

Species of moss grow all over the world in all types of surprising places, including Antarctica. Generally, mosses are immune to cold and grow in all U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones. Whether you’re an urban or rural dweller with bright hot sun or a frozen landscape, there’s a moss species for your climate.

In her book, Martin highlights 25 species for the beginning moss gardener. Some prefer alkaline soil, some prefer acidic soil, some grow in mounds and some grow in sideways. Martin suggests doing some research about mosses for your area before starting a moss garden.

How To Grow a Moss Garden

It’s not as difficult as you might think!

How to find or buy your moss

• First, closely check your property. You might be surprised to discover moss already in your landscape.
• Then look in nontraditional places. Martin says she always has her moss radar running, and particularly delights in rescuing live moss from places where it’s certain to be destroyed. She has rescued moss from behind dumpsters, from sidewalk cracks, development zones and abandoned sites. She cautions to always get permission before harvesting moss from a private property. She also emphatically implores people to never steal moss from public lands or preserved areas.
• If you’re buying moss, Martin encourages purchases from a dedicated mossery, where the species are sure to be correctly identified. Don’t mistakenly buy dyed or dried/preserved moss sold in craft stores, she says.

How to plant a moss garden

Some avid moss gardeners convert huge areas to solid moss, but Martin advises beginners to think small. “Find a beautiful tree and give it a moss skirt or apron, or create a smallish moss focal point,” she says.

• If you find moss lurking under a patch of grass, remove the entire section, discard the grass and start a new colony with new moss fragments in similar sun/shade conditions.
• Remove all plant life from your chosen spot, then hard-pack the ground.
• Lightly score the ground with a stick, rock or pronged tool.
• Add the moss fragments and use a tamper to help moss rhizomes attach to the ground. If you don’t have a tamper, Martin advises walking on the fragments.
• Water your new colony three times per day for at least three minutes each session.

How to maintain a moss garden

• Water: What many people may think of as the “leaves” of a moss plant are likely the entire plant. A single moss plant is sometimes just one cell thick! That’s why frequent-but-short watering sessions are necessary for building up a robust moss colony. At her mossery, Martin waters each section three times per day for at least three minutes. She recommends a sprinkler system with a timer to make the watering task less onerous.

• Rake: That’s how you create more moss fragments and expand your colony. Use an actual rake or “finger-rake” with your hand. Pick up all the loosened fragments and you have the beginnings of a new moss colony. Start again by clearing a patch of ground, lightly scoring the surface and tamping the moss fragments into the ground, followed by short-but-frequent sessions of watering.

• Weed: Moss gets its nutrients from the sun and air, not the soil. That’s why you remove weeds, conifer needles, bark, deciduous leaves and other plant debris that lands on or grows up through the garden. Weeding moss can be a zen experience, says Martin. “Mosses are the oldest living land plants and weeding allows you to get up close and personal with these ancient plants,” she says. “To me, these tiny plants make my heart smile and my spirit soar.”

Step & Twist Hand Weeder

With spiky tines on its end, the Garden Weasel Step & Twist Hand Weeder removes scraggly sprouts and shoots with minimal effort. This revolutionary tool—invented in Germany in 1974—makes it easy to step, turn, pull and pop the weeds out of the ground.

Use the thumb release to extrude the weed plug into a compost pile or waste bin. You’ll never have to pull or pick up weeds by hand again. Plus, the Garden Weasel also makes it easy to plant new flowers, as you’ll have a pre-made hole ready to go where the weed once sat.

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Owning a wood chipper will save you time and money and make tree care easier in the long haul. Why wait to hire someone expensive when you could do it yourself?

What is the Power King Chipper Shredder Kit?

It’s no wonder owners call this powerful chipper a beast. The Power King Chipper boasts an impressive 14-horsepower, four-cycle Kohler engine. Plus, the heavy-duty blades can demolish lengthy limbs without incident.

With its large hopper, you can feed this hungry beast with ease. We also love the rotating shoot, which puts the finely shredded mulch wherever you want.

Perfect for homeowners with heavily-wooded or large properties, the Power King can roam your jungle (er, yard) for its next meal. This machine is easily towable with an all-terrain vehicle or small tractor. 

The Power King Chipper Kit includes an extendable wheelbase, a removable tool-free tow bar, a weatherproof cover and extra blades. Power King also offers a similar model with an electric start, but it is hundreds of dollars more.

Pros

• Easy recoil start
• 360-degree rotating exit shoot
• Removable tow bar
• Extended axle
• Comes with extra blades
• Weatherproof cover included
• 14 horsepower engine
• 3-year engine warranty

Cons

• Cannot be towed on the road

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How to Use the Power King Chipper

Safety first, please. Grab your goggles and gloves—this is a powerful machine. Place the chipper on a flat surface and adjust the exit shoot to direct the output of the pulverized material. Then, simply feed the branches with the large diameter side first. When the beast begins to chew, let go of the branch, as auto-feed should kick in.

It will be greedy for more, but don’t stuff it too full. Make sure to allow it to chew before adding additional material. With a little practice, feeding your beast will become your favorite chore. For more information, we recommend referring to the user guide for in-depth start up and maintenance procedures. 

The Best Power King Chipper Reviews 

Home Depot customer, David says, “A workhorse. Took care of everything I threw in it and then some from storm damage on 8+ acres. Towed great using the wide wheel base set up. Set up was easy but a second set of hands is needed. Solid piece of equipment.”

Ed Abel gave the Power King five stars, “Much Better than Hoped! I was hesitant to start with 2″ thick branches; I incorrectly assumed that the chipper must at least stall if the entire branch were tossed in. Whoa! It’s gone without any hesitation. At first I held onto, and slowly fed, the Juniper branches thinking that they would stall and jam the blades. The machine told me to “let go”; so I did and the chips flew out the chute. Again, no stall nor jam. Soon the 3″ and 4″ limbs were being chewed up and spit out. I could relax, ‘feed the machine’, and watch the brush pile disappear. Satisfied.”

BigDibbs echoes many user reviews, “This chipper is a beast, easy to put together and operate. I use a hand dolly with a hitch to move it around by hand and it is easy. Well balanced and easy to maneuver around. Shredded two large trees in one afternoon. Not designed for shredding smaller items but does chop it up a bit, though it prefers larger branches.”

Where to Buy the Power King Chipper

The Power King Chipper Shredder is poised and ready to help you tackle the toughest branches. Grab yours today at Home Depot or Walmart.

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If you’ve got a well-established lawn that’s starting to get a little yellow or tired, the problem might be thatch—a heavy mat of organic material that develops between the grass and the soil underneath. Thatch isn’t necessarily a bad thing! It can hold in water and nutrients, keeping grass healthy and resilient. But when the thatch gets too thick, it can hold in insects and weeds as well, and it can keep your grass from reaching moisture and nutrients in the soil below.

To check, dig a small test patch or take a core sample. If the thatch—the brown area between the green grass and the dirt—is more than 1/2-inch thick, you’ve got too much thatch. Dethatching your lawn can refresh your grass and get it ready for the hot, dry days of summer.

If the issue isn’t thick thatch, it’s still a good idea to clean debris from your lawn to give it a fresh start before summer arrives. That’s where a lawn sweeper comes in handy. The last of the fall leaves, twigs and sticks that fell in winter storms—and that thick mat of grass clippings from your first big mow of the season—might be too much for a bagging lawn mower to handle. A lawn sweeper replaces a rake, making quick work of cleaning up the grass and getting rid of things that might hamper good growth. You can also use some lawn sweepers to clean paved areas, like driveways or sidewalks.

What’s the Difference Between a Dethatcher and a Lawn Sweeper?

Sometimes dethatchers are called power rakes, but they’re not the same thing. Power rakes are heavy machinery used by professional landscapers, and can damage the grass if they’re not used correctly. A lawn dethatcher is a light-duty tool that’s easier to use. It acts like a rake with tines (sometimes called scarifiers) that get under the grass to pull out excess thatch.

There are three styles of dethatchers. Manual dethatchers look like big rakes that you pull across the grass. Tow-behind dethatchers can be pulled behind a riding lawn mower or yard tractor to clean up as you go along. Power dethatchers use a motor to drive the tines through your grass.

Lawn sweepers have rotating brushes with a catcher in the back for gathering debris. You push them across the lawn so the brushes can grab debris and toss it into the catcher. Like dethatchers, you can get lawn sweepers that are manual or motorized, or they can be pulled behind a riding mower or yard tractor. Lawn sweepers are similar to bagging lawn mowers, but some of them can handle heavier debris like small sticks, acorns, leaves and pine needles.

Pros and Cons of Dethatchers

Tow-behind or power dethatchers can be pricey, usually coming in around $130 to $150, and you need room to store them. If you’re willing to put in the work, a manual dethatcher like the True Temper dethatching rake is less than $100, and a fantastic investment for a healthier lawn.

Pros

• Wallet-friendly
• The 54-inch handle is made of sturdy hardwood with a cushioned end grip for comfort and control, and it’s long enough to be easy on your back
• The 15-inch rake head with curved steel tines is double-sided and designed for dethatching on one side and tilling on the other

Cons

• If you have a large yard and a lot of thatch, you may be better off renting a motorized dethatcher
• Dethatching manually can take several days

Pros and Cons of Lawn Sweepers

Tow-behind sweepers are usually in the $200 to $300 range, but they can be worth it if you have a large yard with big trees that shed a lot of acorns. An affordable option for smaller lawns is the Earthwise Push Lawn Sweeper.

Pros

• Sturdy and lightweight, so it’s easy to maneuver
• The 21-inch brush, with two brushes per section, is wide enough to cut down on the number of passes you’ll need to make
• Rake height is adjustable
• Significantly more affordable than a motorized or tow-behind sweeper
• Folds flat for easy storage

Cons

• It’s best for leaves and small debris; but can’t handle acorns, rocks or wet debris

How Long Do Dethatchers Last?

You shouldn’t dethatch your lawn every year. A little buildup of tchatch is good for your lawn, holding in nutrients of water. Since you only use a dethatcher once every three years or so, a good dethatcher should last for decades.

How Long Do Lawn Sweepers Last?

As long as you use it when the grass is dry and keep your lawn cut short enough not to produce large amounts of grass clippings, a lawn sweeper should give you years of use. To prevent wear and tear, you can also mulch grass clippings by mowing over them, so there’s less bulk for the lawn sweeper to handle.

The Bottom Line

If you have a large yard and lots of trees that drop nuts and debris, a lawn sweeper towed behind your riding lawn mower can save a lot of work. A push lawn sweeper is more affordable, and will probably be fine for smaller yards, particularly in areas where you don’t have to fight the squirrels to gather up acorns.

Dethatching depends on how much muscle you’re willing to put into it. You only need to dethatch a lawn once every two or three years, so it depends on whether you have space to store a tow-behind or motorized dethatcher. Before you buy, you can rent a dethatcher from many garden centers and home improvement stores, giving you a chance to find out if it’s something you’ll use, or which style is right for you.

Where to Buy a Dethatcher

Dethatchers are available at home improvement stores such as Ace Hardware or on Amazon. If you have never dethatched your lawn, this is a good year to start. Once you’re done, you won’t have to do it again for a couple of years!

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Where to Buy A Lawn Sweeper

Lawn sweepers are available at garden centers, at home improvement stores like Ace Hardware or on Walmart. If your garden shed is getting crowded, look for one that will fold flat easily.

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Sunflowers

Nothing says summer quite like sunflowers. They turn their heads towards the sun as it moves from east to west.

Shorter plants grow easily in the shadow of sunflowers, which tower over them in vegetable gardens and flower borders. Sunflowers look best when planted in large groups. In fall, harvest the seeds from each flower head for eating toasted or dried for trail mix.

Traditionally, sunflowers are grown from seeds planted in the spring. Look for newer varieties of multiflora sunflowers like Suncredible, sold as potted plants at garden centers in the spring. They produce smaller but far more plentiful flowers on two- to three-foot-tall plants from early summer until frost.

Figure A

Cutting List

Frame the Reservoir

Cut the reservoir frame sides (A) and ends (B) from 2×2 lumber and fasten the bottom piece of marine plywood (C) to form the base. Align the sides (D) with the ends of the base and fasten them to the 2x2s. Fasten the ends (E) to the 2x2s at the bottom with construction screws. Drive trim screws into the edges of the plywood toward the top.

Spirea ‘Goldmound’

There are many varieties of spirea, a full sun standout. Goldmound Spirea, Spirea japonica ‘Goldmound,’  often grown for its foliage, is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 3 through 8.

As its name suggests, new foliage in spring appears yellowish green. Leaves turn a brighter green in summer before changing again in fall to shades of red and orange.

Goldmound is a smaller shrub, one to two feet tall and two to three feet wide. Small pink clusters of flowers appear in early summer. The flowers form on new growth so you can prune this shrub back in late winter before it breaks dormancy. Some gardeners also cut off spent blooms so they won’t produce seeds and become invasive.

Types of Lavender

Most gardeners will encounter one of four types:

English lavender

With the botanical name Lavendula angustifolia, this variety is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 5 through 9. Named varieties like ‘Hidcote‘ and ‘Munstead‘ are easy to find. ‘Lady,‘ a 1994 All-America Selections winner, produces flowers the first year it’s grown from seed.

Spanish lavender

Lavendula stoechas is only hardy in USDA Zones 8 through 9. Varieties include ‘Madrid Lavish Purple‘ and ‘Primavera.‘

French lavender

French lavender generally refers to Lavendula dentata, hardy in Zones 8 through 11. Look for it by its botanical name to avoid confusion; some Spanish lavender is called French lavender.

Hybrid lavender

Many hybrids carry the botanical name Lavendula x intermedia and are sometimes referred to as Lavadin. They vary in hardiness, but most grow in Zones 5 through 9. Examples of hybrid lavenders include ‘Grosso,‘ ‘Phenomenal‘ and ‘Provence.‘

Where To Plant Lavender

All lavenders have the same basic requirements, derived from their native Mediterranean climate. They like to grow in drier, slightly alkaline soil in full sun.

Plant your lavender in a location where soil drains quickly after rain and strong morning sun quickly dries off dew. Give it room to grow so air can move freely around it. Many varieties grow up to two feet tall and wide.

Can you grow lavender in containers?

Lavenders can be grown in containers as long as you place them in full sun and don’t overwater. It’s is a great option for growing the less hardy Spanish lavender in colder climates.

Always use potting soil that drains quickly, and only water when the soil is dry. Adding sand to your potting soil mix can help with drainage.

Can you grow lavender indoors?

According to Susan Betz, author of Herbal Houseplants: Grow Beautiful Herbs — Indoors, lavender can be grown indoors with “plenty of light, excellent air circulation and space.” She recommends five to six hours of direct sunlight daily from a south-facing window.

Two other tips from Betz: Keep water off the leaves to avoid mold and pest problems, and allow the soil to dry out before watering.

When To Plant Lavender

In most climates, plant lavender in the spring. It won’t mind the hotter days of summer.

How To Plant Lavender

Planting lavender transplants (aka starts)

Most of us will purchase lavender plants instead of starting with seeds. Sizes can vary from tiny starts in three-inch pots to more mature plants in larger containers.

If you have time to wait, smaller plants cost less and will catch up to larger plants within a season or two. Plant the lavender at the same depth it was in its container.

When planting, be sure the soil is well-draining. If it’s not, build a small mound and plant your lavender on top of it. Many growers advise against adding a layer of mulch around lavender because it can retain too much moisture above the roots.

Planting lavender seeds

Bring your patience if growing lavender from seeds. Start seeds indoors six to 10 weeks before your expected last frost date.

Sow the tiny seeds in a container with a seed starting mix, cover lightly, then place the container under grow lights. Keep it covered with a clear plastic lid so the soil doesn’t dry out. It can take 14 to 28 days for the seeds to germinate. Placing the container on a heat mat may speed germination.

Once seedlings emerge with two sets of true leaves, carefully transplant them to individual containers and return them under grow lights. Before transplanting outdoors, harden off your seedlings by taking them outside a few hours a day when temperatures are above freezing. Then gradually increase the time outside each day.

How To Care for Lavender Plants

Watering

Only water lavender when completely dry. Overwatering is a sure way to kill it.

Pruning

Prune most lavenders twice each season, once in early spring as new growth emerges and again after it flowers.

Fertilizing

Generally, fertilizing isn’t necessary. It thrives in poor soils.

How To Dry Lavender

To pick lavender for drying, cut stems of flowers just as the bottom ones begin to open, down to the first set of leaves just after the dew dries in the morning. Tie the stems in small bundles and hang them to dry out of sunlight. In a few weeks, the lavender should be dry enough for potpourri mixes or other craft projects.

Does Lavender Have Superpowers?

According to this TikTok hack, you can use lavender to rid your home of cockroaches!

Create Space

When designing and building your Japanese garden, plan for lots of space between elements. The Japanese sensibility is rooted in various schools of Buddhism, particularly Zen, which is all about the silence between words and the space between objects — ma in Japanese.

You can create space by including a pond, always a welcome feature in a Japanese garden. If you don’t have room for that, consider gravel or sand, either as a walkway covering or prominent feature. Sand and gravel should be natural, without artificial coloring.

Pick a Happy Location

Before designing your garden, observe the amount of sunlight in your yard. Choose a sunny spot with easy access to a rain barrel or hose.

Then decide if you want to build raised beds or sow directly into the ground. Both have benefits. But if the soil has been heavily altered by construction or contamination, a raised bed might make more sense.

“Then you can curate your soil to be the ideal growing medium for your plants and know exactly what is in it,” says Carrie Spoonemore of Park Seed and co-creator of From Seed to Spoon.

Project Overview

Leg Detail

Cutting List

Choosing wood

Although pressure-treated lumber no longer contains arsenic, I still avoid using it where I’m growing food. Decay-resistant woods such as redwood and red cedar are alternatives that look great and last for years.

Luckily, there are a few tricks you can use to elevate their appearance. Here’s how to make fake plants look real without spending too much effort or time.

How to Make Fake Plants Look Real

Some ideas that’ll help you transform the look of your fake houseplants come from TikTok creator @amyepeters. In the TikTok video, Peters shares how to make your houseplants look real with a few materials. If you’re new to the world of faux greenery, you may want to know how to pick fake plants before you try these hacks. If you already have a few fake plants at home, you can use these tricks together (or separately).

@amyepeters Sharing a few tips to elevate your faux plants #homedecor #plantsoftiktok #fyp @Décors Véronneau ♬ Fake ID X Walking On A Dream Carter Walsh Remix – CarterWalsh

Buy a Larger Pot

Find a larger pot for your plants. It can be slightly or significantly larger, but the point is to make it possible to elevate your fake houseplant to a higher level. You can find a variety of pots at any home improvement store, like Lowe’s or The Home Depot, and chain or local garden centers.

You may also want to consider a wall planter for specific plants, like fake begonias or ferns. If so, try one of these wall planters for your home.

Elevate Your Plant to Make It Look Taller

To elevate your plant inside the large pot, put a plastic bucket or something similar inside the pot. Try to center it for the best results. Next, fill in the gaps of the pot with bubble wrap or a towel and place your fake plant on top of the bucket, so it sits higher. If you don’t have a bucket at home, you can buy a plastic paint bucket at a home improvement store.

Use Fake or Preserved Moss

One of the best touches you can add to a fake plant is moss. In the video, the TikTok creator uses a ring of cardboard to place around the base of the plant to keep the soil, rocks and moss elements isolated. You can buy fake or preserved moss online from retailers like SuperMoss or Amazon. You can also find fake or preserved moss at craft stores like Michael’s or Hobby Lobby.

Add Soil and Rocks

Adding fresh soil and rocks can take a fake houseplant from drab to the next level. When you put in these earthy touches, your faux plants will look more realistic—and prettier! The human eye is used to seeing real soil in potted plants, so when you place some soil in your faux greenery, it’ll look much more natural.

If you want to add some fresh greenery to your home but don’t know where to start, try placing an indoor herb garden planter in your kitchen. Herbs are low maintenance as long as you make sure you’ve bought the best indoor herb garden plants and have them in the ideal conditions.

It’s important to be aware of GMOs, because love ’em or hate ’em, an estimated 80% of processed foods in our grocery stores, like cereals and pastas, contain them.

When it comes to growing your own food, GMOs have mostly been a non-issue, since those seeds are only available to farmers. But that is changing. Last year the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved a genetically modified purple tomato, and its seeds will be available to home gardeners.

It’s likely the beginning of a trend that will escalate over the next five years, says Fred Gould, co-director of the Genetic Engineering and Society Center at North Carolina State University.

“There are companies that are trying to produce things using genetic engineering that maybe a gardener would want,” he says. (Think pit-less cherries and pathogen-resistant tomatoes.) “So as a gardener,” he says, “you have to decide.”

What Are GMOs?

GMOs — aka genetically engineered organisms — are any plant, animal or microorganism whose DNA has been scientifically altered.

This differs from traditional cross-breeding to make hybrid plants because it doesn’t involve natural evolution or cross-pollination. Instead, GMOs are the result of taking genetic material from one organism and inserting it into another. It can also feature gene editing within a single plant’s own DNA.

Currently, GMOs are used primarily in industrial and commercial agriculture. More than 90% of U.S. corn, soybean and cotton crops are GMO. Other crops in the U.S. with GMO varieties available include canola, papaya, sugar beets, alfalfa, potato, apple, squash, rice and pink pineapple.

The first GMO seeds hit the market in 1996. A lot of those crops feed cattle. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), more than 95% of animals used for meat and dairy in the U.S. eat GMO crops. Otherwise, they mostly end up in our homes through processed food containing corn, soy, canola, and others with corn syrup and sugar beets.

What are the Pros of GMOs?

It varies per crop type, but GMO varieties have been modified to give plants these traits:

• Higher yield;
• Enhanced nutrition (rice);
• Longer shelf life;
• Better taste;
• Resilience to environmental concerns (drought tolerance);
• Resistance to herbicides, like Roundup Ready soybeans;
• Resistance to certain pests and viruses (corn, cotton, papaya, squash).

A major National Academy of Sciences report concluded eating GMO foods is safe, says Gould, the chair of that report. “If you even throw out all of the industry [sponsored research],” he says, “the answer has been that plenty of tests have been done and the current corn, soybean and cotton GMOs are not found to have any measurable health effects.”

But while the FDA, USDA and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulate the safety of GMOs for human and animal consumption, they largely do not take into consideration many of the environmental and societal consequences of the crops.

What are the Cons of GMOs?

Because they are novel organisms present in our food supply for less than 30 years, many people question their potentially negative effects on human health and ecosystems. While GMO crops are widespread in the U.S. and Asia, at least two dozen countries — 16 in the European Union — have banned their cultivation.

Julia Ranney, from the Center for Food Safety, says, “Unfortunately, from our perspective at CFS, the potential GMO pros present as claims as opposed to scientifically proven truths. The cons are numerous. GMOs can pose serious risks to farmers, human health, domesticated animals, wildlife and the environment.”

Biodiversity damage

More than 80% of GMO crops are herbicide-tolerant, meaning that farmers can spray their fields with certain weedkillers without damaging them.

“It has resulted in a 15-fold increase in the application of weedkillers,” the Non-GMO Project, which certifies GMO-free foods, said in a statement to Family Handyman. That erodes ecosystems by killing beneficial insects and plants like milkweed, leading to a steep decline in monarch butterflies.

Impact on farmers

Non-GMO farmers suffer financially when GMO crops or associated chemicals contaminate their fields. Not only can weedkillers kill their crops, cross-pollination means they can also no longer sell them to non-GMO and organic markets. And Ranney says sometimes GMO companies with seed patents accuse farmers of “stealing their property.”

Also, Ranney says, “These companies can entrench farmers in systems of production that require them to buy the seeds every year and the related fertilizers/pesticides. It’s a very expensive venture that can displace traditional livelihoods and indebt farmers when the promises of increased yields fail.”

Food security

With three corporations owning 60% of the world’s seed, the biodiversity of crops farmers plant has diminished. This less-diverse food supply threatens food security in the face of a changing climate, unstable weather patterns and emerging crop diseases.

“There are also cultural risks for species that are central to the traditions of certain cultural groups,” according to the Non-GMO Project statement. “For example, corn is a very important traditional resource in Mexico so GMO contamination is a serious concern.”

GMOs and Your Garden

It’s unlikely you have GMO vegetables in your garden, or that any of the seeds and seedlings you’ll buy this spring will be genetically modified.

“The only way you could get GMOs in your garden is if you live very close to a commercial farm that grows genetically engineered corn, and the pollen from that corn gets on your corn,” says Gould.

Three GMO flowers are currently deregulated by the USDA: Petunia- A1-DFR, Rose- IFD-52401-4, IFD-52901-9 and Suntory Flowers Limited Chrysanthemum.

But mostly, GMOs in your garden are a question for the future. For this year, the more pressing questions to ask when buying plants and seed are:

• Whether or not they are organic;
• If they contain neonicotinoid pesticides;
• How to incorporate more native plants and flowers into your garden.

“A lot of gardeners who grow their own food are pretty conscientious about their seed sources,” says Heather Andrews, the Thoughtful Gardener. “The reason they’re growing their food is so they can control the process.”

Arborvitae

One of the best shrub arborvitaes is ‘Mr. Bowling Ball‘, Thuja occidentalis ‘Bobozam.’ This dwarf shrub only grows two to three feet tall and wide with feathery evergreen foliage that covers all the way to the ground.

As its name implies, it grows into a rounded shape without pruning. Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 3 through 8, it prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soils.

If you’re looking for a larger shrub arborvitae, up to four to five feet, try ‘Little Giant.‘

Colorful Spring Bulbs

Planting your containers with bulbs lets you enjoy all the different stages of growth and color in the blooming process.

This container by @bloom.and.grow.ali featured bulbs and palm fans to add height and depth. Remember, most spring bulbs should be planted six to eight weeks before the soil begins to freeze. That means mid to late October or early November in most U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones.

What Is a Tiger Lily?

Tiger lilies are known by two botanical names. The older name was Lilium tigrinum and the newer name is Lilium lancifolium. 

Native to China and Japan, tiger lilies are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 3 through 8. They grow from three to four feet tall and bloom, like mine, in mid-summer.

Types of Tiger Lilies

Most tiger lilies sold today are selections of the original variety, chosen for specific characteristics. They include:

• Improved Orange Tiger Lily (Lilium tigrinum splendens ‘Improved’): Known for larger flowers with darker spots.
• Yellow Star Tiger Lily (Lilium tigrinum splendens ‘Yellow Star’): If you want to grow tiger lilies but orange isn’t a good color for your garden, these are more yellow.
• Double Tiger Lily (Lilium lancifolium ‘Flore Pleno’): Extra petals make this type stand out in the garden.

How To Plant Tiger Lilies

In the ground

Tiger lilies are usually sold as bulbs in fall or spring. When purchasing bulbs online, most nurseries will ship in the fall, which is the best time to plant them. In the spring, plant as early as you can work in the soil. You don’t have to wait until your garden is frost-free.

Choose a spot with mostly full sun, although tiger lilies will also grow in partial shade, especially if it’s during the hottest part of the afternoon. All lilies need well-drained soil because the bulb could rot in wet ground.

Plant tiger lily bulbs so the tip of the bulb is two inches deep. Tiger lilies only grow six to eight inches wide so you can space them as close as eight inches apart. Remember, they’ll be tall, so put them in the back of the bed with other tall flowers.

In a container

Choose a large container with good drainage and fill with a potting soil that also drains well. If it doesn’t, add a mixture of about two parts potting soil to one part sand.

Plant the bulbs at least two inches deep. Tiger lilies need to be chilled before flowering, so plant in early spring and put the pot in a cold frame or unheated space. Bring it out once there is no danger of heavy frost.

How To Care for Tiger Lilies

Watering

Along with well-drained soil, tiger lilies prefer even moisture. Often, regular rainfall is enough. But during dry periods, especially in the first year of growth, water your lilies about one inch a week. To keep them from drying out, apply a light layer of mulch around them.

Fertilizer

If the soil is rich enough, you may not need to fertilize at all. If you’re unsure or the lilies don’t grow well, fertilize early in the year with any product formulated for flowering plants. You won’t need to fertilize tiger lilies in the ground as often as those in containers, which require weekly treatment as they continue to grow.

Pruning

You don’t need to prune tiger lilies except to cut off spent blooms. Allow the foliage to grow until it yellows.

You can also cut lilies for flower arrangements. Choose flowers that have just begun to open. They should last about two weeks in a vase with fresh water.

Overwintering

Tiger lilies will overwinter just fine in the ground. Once the stems and leaves have yellowed in the fall, cut them back at ground level.

For tiger lilies in containers, stop watering as fall approaches and cut them back when they turn yellow. Then move the container where it will stay cool and dry, like an unheated shed or garage, or even a cold frame. Tiger lilies may only last a few years in containers.

Are Tiger Lilies Poisonous?

Tiger lilies are poisonous to cats.

Can I Plant Other Lilies Around My Tiger Lilies?

You can, but some tiger lilies carry a disease called lily mosaic virus. It doesn’t hurt the tiger lilies, but if it infects other lilies it may distort their leaves.

What Is a Ranunculus?

Ranunculus grown in gardens or purchased as cut flowers are usually varieties of Ranunculus asiaticus, also known as Persian buttercups. The original species is native to southeastern Europe and parts of Asia.

Types of Ranunculus

Ranunculus colors range from white to red, pink, yellow and orange, and all shades in between. They’re considered tender bulbs, hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 8 through 10.

For those in USDA Zones 7 and colder, ranunculus are grown as cool season annuals because they go dormant in temperatures hotter than 75 degrees. The bulbs — actually tubers — can be dug up once dormant and stored for re-planting the following spring.

Depending on the variety, ranunculus can range from one to two feet high. Taller ranunculus may need to be staked or secured, because their big, rose-like flowers can be prone to flopping.

How To Plant Ranunculus

Where ranunculus are hardy

If you live in Zones 8 through 10, plant ranunculus tubers in the ground in the fall. Choose a location with full sun and well-drained soil.

When you first buy the tubers, they’ll look dry and shriveled. Some say they resemble tiny octopuses or the claws of a bird. Soak them for a few hours in room temperature water and they’ll plump up and be ready to plant outside. Plant about two inches deep with the claws pointing down, about three to six inches apart.

If you pre-soaked the tubers, they should sprout in a few days and bloom in approximately 90 days.

Where ranunculus are not hardy

If your winters are too cold for ranunculus to survive in the ground, plant them in spring.

Decide when you want your ranunculus to bloom, then count back 90 days to determine when to plant. Before planting, soak the tubers for a few hours in room temperature water, then plant in containers or pots. Put them in a cool location where temperatures will stay above freezing, like a cold frame.

Some gardeners like to pre-sprout their ranunculus tubers before planting. To do this, soak them for a few hours, then lay them out on a flat planting tray filled half-way with clean potting soil. Cover with more potting soil and keep in a cool location. The tubers will sprout new, white roots. At that point, you can pot them up to continue to grow.

Only plant ranunculus in the ground when there is no possibility of temperatures below freezing.

How To Care for Ranunculus

Watering

Water in containers when the soil feels dry. Overwatering can cause the tubers to rot. In the ground, there’s no need to water them after the initial planting.

Fertilizer

If you’re growing your ranunculus in the ground and amended the soil with organic material, you may not need extra fertilizer. If unsure, apply a liquid fertilizer as the plants begin to grow in spring. If growing ranunculus in containers, use a similar fertilizer and apply it to the ranunculus following the instructions on the label.

Pruning

Ranunculus do not need to be pruned. As temperatures warm, the foliage will yellow as the plants go dormant. Cut the foliage off at that time.

Overwintering

If you live in Zones 8, 9, or 10, your ranunculus will likely overwinter in the ground just fine. However, if the plants are growing and you get an unexpected spell of freezing temperatures, cover the plants to protect them.

If you garden in colder zones, dig up the tubers once the plants go dormant. Allow them to dry, then store them until the following spring when you’re ready to replant them. This is not always easy to do, so many gardeners treat their ranunculus as annuals and let them die in the ground.

Can I Just Buy Ranunculus Plants in the Spring?

Yes. If growing ranunculus from tubers seems like a lot of work or you’ve missed the chance to start yours, look for potted ranunculus for sale about the time garden centers begin selling violas and pansies. Ranunculus look great in containers with these other cool season annuals.

Cutting Ranunculus for Bouquets

If you’re growing ranunculus to enjoy as cut flowers, look for varieties with longer stems. Cut the flowers just as the color begins to show on the buds. They should last about two weeks indoors.

It’s been said that a weed is just a plant growing where you don’t want it to. Some are aggressive to the point of being invasive, while others have redeeming qualities you might want to consider before eradication efforts begin. (We’re talking about you, white clover.)

Download a PDF version of this chart.

What Kind of Weed Killers to Use

The best way to get rid of weeds once they’re growing it simply to pull them up. You can use your hands or, better yet, specialized tools for pulling weeds that help you get the plant at the roots and save some wear and tear on your back and knees.

You’ll notice that many of the weeds on this list can be taken care of with a broadleaf herbicide. If you choose to go that route, we recommend organic weed killers that are safe your family and pets, as well as the water and land around your home.

Read on for all you need to identify the most common yard and garden weeds, plus tips for treatment.

Powerful Pruner

Gifts for gardeners that upgrade their old tools and make their favorite hobby more efficient are always a smart idea. Give the the gift of reduced hand fatigue with this powerful Fiskars pruner. This bad boy cuts through branches that are 3/4 of an inch thick like butter. The contoured handle comfortably fits the natural mold of a hand and stays put with a no-slip grip.

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