Inside a Post and Beam House in the Topanga Mountains

Hopefully you don’t think of soil as just dirt.Soil is actually an incredibly complex ecosystem, with billion

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of crawling into bed with freshly washed sheets. And while the actual laundry process might not be as fun (especially when it comes to folding those fitted sheets), it’s necessary for that ultimate cozy sleep experience.

Upcycling old clothes and textiles in your garden can be a great way to find new life in old materials, and keep those items from waste streams. Making use of these old materials can also help us reduce the things that we may need to buy to maintain our gardens and transform them into the productive and attractive places we want them to be. 

My first memories of a vegetable garden are of large sunflowers (Helianthus annuus and cvs., annual) growing in our backyard when I was about five years old and my mom was working diligently to feed our growing family. A healthy and productive garden needs attention. In the midsummer, this involves keeping a watchful eye out to get our plants through the heat, unpredictable rains, and various pests that challenge us in the Midwest. Here are some maintenance tips to add to your summer garden to-do list to keep your edible plants healthy and productive.

We’re approaching the hottest few days of the year, and some of the flora in our gardens are beginning to show it – after all, growing plants in an area fully exposed to the hot sun can be challenging unless you choose perennials that simply prefer the heat. Luckily, in this respect you have all sorts of options: “There are plenty of hardy varieties that thrive during the intensity of July and August and into September,” says Kate Karam, editorial director at Monrovia, a national grower of ornamental plants. Once spring gardens fizzle out, low-maintenance perennials planted at the start of summer give a huge burst of colour that won’t fade in the relentless heat. Many have adapted to grow in harsh conditions and are drought-tolerant – and we’re not talking about succulents. Whether the climate is hot and dry or hot and rainy, these plants need just minimal attention and care within reason.

Daylilies and I go way back. Hardy, drought-tolerant, profuse bloomers: what’s not to like? Add to that their eagerness to spread and multiply, and you’ve got yourself an easy addition to your home and garden.Because of its popularity, the daylily is available in a staggering array of co

Japanese beetles are invasive little creatures with an insane appetite. If you’re a gardener, you are bound to encounter them sooner or later. A simple way to prevent them from attacking your flower and vegetable garden is to sprinkle a baby powder on the plant leaves. This will repel the offenders and keep them off for some time or at least till the next downpour. Learn more here!

If you’re looking for an easy and creative way to add a rustic touch to your yard, try making some DIY Rope Projects And Ideas For The Garden from the list below.

Slugs and snails are the least kind of visitors you want in your garden. These pesky critters can finish up your vegetable and flower garden in a week’s time. Read on to know the bestSlug Prevention tips and put an end to your doubts on How to Prevent Slugs and Snails in the Garden!

Give your houseplant a lustrous makeover to boost your lively home decor with these excellentDIY Leaf Shiner Recipes for Lush & Glossy Houseplants that’ll leave your plant foliage with a shine like never before!

The following items should not be put on your compost heap : Citrus fruit peelings –  they re

There is no point in growing salads at ground level in our garden – they disappear overnight as platoons of slugs and snails emerge from their hiding places in walls and terraces to feast on my efforts. Rather than spend a fortune on wool pellets and nematodes (I keep these for other crops) I grow my salads in containers that can be kept out of their reach. In the kitchen courtyard where I like