Here's How You Can Grow Spices in Your Garden and Save Money

This easy table modification all started because we live in cow country and where you have cows, you have flies. They drive me crazy in the summer so I am always looking for ways to deter them. The other day I was at OSH and the sales lady said that most herbs are a natural fly repellent. That got me thinking and this project was born. Now the jury is still out if this works on the flies but I love the end results anyway.

If it ever crossed in your mind to grow spices at home in pots or in your garden, this post is for you. Even if you live in a small condo, you can plant any of these spices and create a Container Spice Garden.

Philodendrons are quite versatile and come in different leaf shapes and colors that match with every decor. The best part is these plants (not just common heartleaf philodendron) are also quite easy to propagate as long as you know how to do it right! Check out the best Philodendron Varieties You Can Grow From Cuttings!

This article is part of our new 8-week, limited edition newsletter series, The Low-Water Gardening Guide, where we’ll walk you through what it takes to create a sustainable garden, from swapping in the appropriate plants to new irrigation methods to the tools you’ll need and more. Sign up here to get each installment straight to your inbox.

When I first installed raised beds in my garden, I often felt like a dolt and mistakes were thick on the ground. I’d neglect adding compost and then not understand why my raspberries weren’t thriving, for example. Or I’d forget to turn off my timer on a rainy day and kick myself for wasting water. I also assumed certain things that just weren’t true—like I couldn’t plant any summer vegetables after spring.  

When we talk about native plants, we’re often referring to landscaping, but what about growing your own edible native plant garden? Native plants have adapted to where you live, after all, and unlike, say, your usual tomatoes and strawberries, native edibles have new flavors and scents to try. Meanwhile, planting edible native plants helps to forge a connection between the way we live now, and the way communities in the West have existed for thousands of years. “Just growing these plants is a way to tap into the continuum of time,” says Evan Meyer, the executive director of the Theodore Payne Foundation. “By growing edible plants, your garden can become a much more meaningful place.”   

This article is part of our new 8-week, limited edition newsletter series, The Low-Water Gardening Guide, where we’ll walk you through what it takes to create a sustainable garden, from swapping in the appropriate plants to new irrigation methods to the tools you’ll need and more. Sign up here to get each installment straight to your inbox.

When I think of a plant hunter—as in, someone who goes to places like South Africa, Vietnam, China, and Nepal to find rare species and bring them back to the United States—I imagine a swashbuckling Indiana Jones type running through the mountains complete with hat and whip. And to hear famed plant collector, horticulturist, and botanist Daniel Hinkley tell it, there is a bit of daredevilry to the job. “I’ve had hard treks, bad knees, bee stings, and leeches hanging from my neck,” he says. “But if I am lucky, plant collecting offers me a bit of seed, and the resulting plant possesses all of the memories associated with it.”

Warm weather has finally arrived! Here’s what to do in your garden now.

Adding a water feature to the garden can be so exciting—not only do the dulcet tones of running water act like your own personal Calm app, but also the water helps pollinators, birds, and even bobcats who need a cool drink on a hot day.   

If you are looking for colorful annual flowering plants, then the brightly colored inflorescences of Celosia are what you should be adding to your garden. As the genus has more than 60 different species, we have picked out the best Types of Celosia for you!

If you have kept your refrigerator in a spot where it is exposed to bright sunlight, then it can be a great place to showcase your green friends! Here are some beautiful Houseplants You Can Grow on Top of a Fridge!