Lauren David

Weeds, also known as plants out of place, are part of gardening. Tiny plants crop up in areas where you least expect them or alongside other plants, where they compete for the same resources. Some weeds are easy to remove while others require more time and effort. If you have an organic garden or want to minimize using herbicides and chemicals in your garden, you likely spend ample time pulling weeds. And you may wonder if pouring boiling water is an effective option to kill weeds naturally.

You've likely heard that burying banana peels in your garden is a good way to add important nutrients to the soil to grow healthy plants. Banana peels do contain nutrients, but not as many as you may think. Plus, it's not as simple as placing them in the soil and skipping fertilizer or compost.

Have you ever wondered how often you should water your vegetable garden? Watering may seem straightforward, but there are some important considerations to think about before you get out your watering can or the garden hose. The way you water your plants is essential for them to grow and thrive. “Just like the sun, water is a key component to having a successful veggie garden,” says Nicole Shah, gardener and co-founder of Garden Girls, a garden design company in Houston, Texas.

Crocuses, calla lilies, dahlias, irises, and tulips are some classic flowers that don't grow from seeds but from bulbs, an underground structure. Bulbs have short stems, and fleshy leaves and go through a period of dormancy. Growing bulbs requires planning because you don't plant them in the same season the flowers bloom. For example, if you want to enjoy beautiful tulips in the spring, you'll be planting them in the fall.

Many annuals and perennials need plenty of sunlight to thrive. Whether you have sunny areas in your front, side, or backyard or a porch, patio, or balcony and want to add more plants that will come back year after year, there are plenty of sun loving perennials to choose from. Many full-sun perennials provide important food sources for bees, butterflies, birds, bats, and moths. While you're enjoying the colorful hues and curious and cool looking blossoms, you'll also get a pollinator show with their frequent visits.

If a cup of coffee (or several!) are part of your morning or afternoon routine, it's likely that you've tossed a lot of grounds. Coffee grounds are actually full of organic matter and are wonderful to add to the compost pile to create a nutrient-rich amendment. There have been some misconceptions about used coffee grounds and whether it's a good idea to add them directly to your soil, and your houseplants.

Want to grow perennials that have a long blooming period in your garden? Long-lasting perennials add color, height, and texture to the landscape. And equally important, many perennials provide important food sources for beneficial insects and pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and birds. Perennials can take some time to get established in the garden and the first year, they're typically focused on growing roots. They grow faster in the second and third year and you can enjoy them each year.

Planting fast-growing evergreen shrubs in your landscape is an easy way to create a privacy screen, reduce noise, and add beauty to your space. Evergreens provide year-long foliage so you don't have to worry about losing leaves in the late fall and winter seasons. Plus, many evergreen shrubs are native to the Southern region and provide food and habitat for bees and birds. Consider these expert recommendations for fast-growing evergreen shrubs to grow in your yard.

Growing vines is a fun way to add foliage and colorful flowers to archways, fences, posts, and trellises in your yard. Vines add depth, dimension, and texture to a landscape and create a visually appealing space. Choosing fast-growing vines means enjoying the beauty of the season quickly and often longer, whether it's the pretty leaves, blooms, or both. Plus, many vines attract important pollinators, such as butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Garden experts recommend their favorite vines to grow that will quickly transform your garden.

Have a shaded area in your garden and want to add more color, dimension, and texture? Grow perennials that thrive in the shade. Many perennials need an abundance of sunlight but there are plenty of plants that prefer partial or full shade. Shade perennials add vibrancy to your yard and many attract pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and birds, too.

Planting annuals in your garden provides continuous blooms throughout the season. Grow them directly in the ground, in raised beds, in pots, or even in hanging baskets to use vertical space. Annuals, unlike perennials, need to be planted each year. Growing annuals allows plenty of opportunity to experiment with what flowers you like and thrive in your geographical area and which blooms you want to have in your landscape year after year.

When it's time to harvest summer squash, whether it's for asummer squash casserole, squash cake, or stewed squash, gather all your best squash recipes because these plants produce abundantly. Before you count on your bounty a couple of months after planting, some insects may want to feast on the summer squash leaves and stems. This can negatively impact the plant if not kept at bay. Companion planting is a method that can help reduce pests in the garden as well ad attract pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and birds, to help increase summer squash pollination and put important nutrients back into the soil.

Drive through the neighborhood or the local park, and chances are you'll see the sprinklers in full force at various times of day, especially when temperatures increase. Lawn is known for being a water guzzler because it needs plenty of H20 to stay healthy. Yet leaving the sprinklers on for a long time doesn't mean it's better for the grass. Watering for too long, at the wrong time of day, or incorrectly costs money and wastes a precious resource. The way you water, how long, and when are all important factors that can ensure you're watering effectively and sufficiently to keep your turf green and your wallet happy.

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