Kristina HicksHamblin

Are your homegrown carrots forked, branching, twisted, or knobby? While they may make for amusing photos, these deformed vegetables can make food preparation a challenge – try turning a twisted carrot into carrot sticks!These odd-shaped vegetables can also be a sign of serious garden problems. But what causes these d

Hey people, it’s time to talk about the elephant in the room.Or at least, an elephant that you’ll be happy to have in your

Supermarkets can provide an overwhelming selection of processed foods. But there are some simple pleasures they don’t usually offer, such as a lavish choice of shelling or dry beans.That’s when resourceful gardening skills can

If you love to eat artichokes, why not grow your own fresh supply? You can grow this highly ornamental plant in your garden or yard, where its silvery foliage can do double duty as a striking landscape feature.Even those of us with shorter growing seasons can grow these M

When you’re growing spinach in your garden for use in fresh spring salads or warming autumn stir fries, knowing when and how to harvest can help ensure you extend the growth of your crop, and enjoy more meals from your plants.Packed with nutrition, this h

It’s pretty easy and convenient to pick up a pack of tomato seedlings from your local garden center and plug them into the soil.So you might wonder, what are the advantages

Orchids are fascinating plants with incredibly attractive flowers. The blooms appear in a myriad of colors, shapes, and patterns on plants with many different foliage types.And luckily for those of us without the

Orchids make gorgeous houseplants and with the right care, they’re easy to grow.Learn about the different types of orchids and the bas

With their elegant flowers, orchids make enchanting houseplants.And since proper h

Cosmos flowers are gorgeous ornamental plants that flourish in less than ideal conditions.A boon to pollinators and other beneficial insec

Looking for something different for your yard? How about your very own Snow White in the form of a shrub?The bright, snow-white berries of snowberry bush will pro

If the thought of summer squash brings to mind images of yellow crooknecks and little else, get ready to make a new discovery – there are so many different types!These include straightnecks, zucchini, pattypans, ro

When you plant a crop like zucchini, it’s all about savoring the moment, and enjoying summer’s bounty. Growing winter squash on the other hand – that shows you’re thinking ahead.So, treat your future self to a feas

In my book, asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is king of the edible perennial garden.Producing tender spears early in spring, this veggie makes fo

Dragon fruit, also known as pitayas, are available in different sizes, shapes, skin colors, flesh colors, and flavor profiles. And these cultivars have different sun, heat, and cold tolerances.So, when you grow them at home, you’ll want

If the word “poinsettia” conjures up one color and one color only – red – you are in for a treat: a whirlwind tour of 35 different poinsettia cultivars, in many different beguiling hues.Poinsettias, the favorite holiday houseplant

Fall may make you crave all things pumpkin, but it’s also the perfect time to set yourself up for a generous crop of sweet and delicious berries come spring and summer.So finish up your pumpkin sp

Fall may be the best time for gardening – period.In fall, the days are cooler but the sun still shines. The ground is warm

With its multicolored foliage, bold patterns, and leaves that are raised and lowered every day, red-veined prayer plant isn’t one of those houseplants that will fade into the background of your home decor.On the contrary, in many ways, this tropical plant is begging to be

Epiphyllums, also known as orchid cacti, are large, succulent plants with long, flat, leafless stems that produce breathtaking blooms.There are many different species that go b

Have you ever seen a lawn or hillside dotted with nodding yellow and white daffodils in spring?Most likely, those lovely springtime flower

Poinsettias, Euphorbia pulcherrima, are gorgeous plants to have around during the holidays. And to keep them healthy, happy, and colorful for as long as possible, it’s important to prevent them from getting too cold.There are a few reasons you may wan

Growing my own veggies, flowers, and herbs means that there are a few necessities I can’t get by without – like seeds, good soil, water, and sunshine.And there is one other item that I consider essential: my gardening journ

Prayer plants have gorgeous, patterned leaves. They are also sensitive to their growing conditions and known to be a bit fussy.While the occasional brown leaf tip is to b

Goldenrods are late-season wildflowers bearing big sprays of beautiful golden blooms that are both a delight to behold and an important food source for birds and pollinators.And with over 120 different species, there’s one well-

When the seasons shift towards autumn, have you ever noticed a thick carpet of gold flowers gilding an old pasture or field?While it might look like the mythical King Midas had

With its trailing stems and plump, bluish leaves, donkey’s tail sedum makes a striking houseplant that’s easy to care for.We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you bu

Years ago, when I worked in a plant nursery, I wasn’t crazy about taking care of the poinsettias at Christmastime.I found them to be a bit fussy, and was always worried about

Once you’ve decided to add bush beans to your garden, there will likely be no going back.These veggies are so easy to gro

Prayer plants are loved, at least in part, for their charming habit of lifting their leaves heavenward as the sun goes down every night.But these houseplants are also cherished for the appearance of

If you’re on a quest to add a houseplant with striking foliage to your collection, look no further – you can take your pick from an array of gorgeous leaf patterns among the prayer plants.These dazzling plants – marantas, calatheas, stromanthes, and ctenanthes – have colorful, patterned leaves t

If you’re looking for a drought-tolerant perennial with a slightly quirky vibe, meet your new favorite prairie native – Mexican hat!We link to vendors to help you find relevant prod

Favas are a cool-season crop that produces a harvest of tasty, meaty beans – and they make excellent companion plants!Since there are different kinds

With its cheery mounds of yellow blooms, desert marigold is a waterwise species adapted to arid landscapes.This drought-tolerant native of the American Southwest can

Fava beans are a cool-weather crop that will provide a bountiful harvest of plant-based protein – while also fixing nitrogen in your garden!As a legume grown long enough that it’s

In spite of their reputation, poinsettias are not considered poisonous – there have been no confirmed fatalities from ingesting this plant.However Euphorbia pulcherrima,