When and How to Fertilize Astilbe

Pear trees are favorites of home orchardists for countless reasons.Mouths are amused by that sign

APPARENTLY MRS. ANDRE’S TOMATOES succumbed to “tiny insect things that will not leave our garden alone,” we hear this week from Himself, who very sweetly shared the actual sympathy postcard he drew for Herself on the occasion of her lost tomatoes.

Many companies ship extra-early, based on rough frost-date estimates for each area that may not be exactly what’s going on at your place, but is that really when I want the starts to arrive? I asked for advice from Alley Swiss of Filaree Farm, a longtime certified-organic farmer in Okanogan, Washington, whose main crops—garlic, shallots and potatoes—are favorites in my garden, too.(You might recall the popular garlic-growing Q&A Alley and I did together, and our later garlic-growing piece in my column in “The New York Times.” I’ve learned a lot from our ongoing conversations–including that it’s OK to wait a little while for the seed potatoes to arrive.)how to grow potatoes, with alley swissQ. When is the right time to plant—is there a cue in nature to remind us, or a

Growing fruit trees isn’t always easy. The pests, the late freezes, and the skill necessary to prune them right can feel a bit overwhelming.It’s especially frustrating when someone

As a kid, I wasn’t a huge fan of asparagus, but now I can’t get enough of it.The reason? There weren’t any aspa

There is no surefire way to rid your garden of the possibility of a deer buffet.As the evening falls, the four-legged rats – *ahem

So your okra plant is flourishing and has started to bloom. Congrats! But when are the plants ready to harvest and how do you do it?We link to vendors to help you find relevant products.

Wherever it is in the garden, Amsonia (aka blue star) will hold interest.In bloom or not, this sun-loving perennial stands tall

It took me far too long to discover the beauty and special quality of the shade garden. Since I’ve always been into those tough, hard-scrabble plants that eke out a living in any condition, the idea of a garden full of particular and at times sensitive plants was not of interest to me.But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve discovered a keen appreciation for these gar

Growing rhubarb, Rheum rhabarbarum, is not for those who lack patience.Compared to something like a

As heavenly bamboo shrubs and my middle school yearbook photos can attest, there’s a fine line between an organic, natural look… and just being a mess.A well-pruned Nandina domestica man

Perennial asters have pretty, daisy-like flowers that bloom late in the season. Low-profile types add ribbons of color to borders while potted types make front elevations pop with curb appeal.Taller varieties make delightful bed