Three Things I Do to Protect My Plants Before a Freeze
Much of the U.S. is entering freeze season—and I’m not talking a light morning frost, but a full-on freeze, which is a transformative event for your garden. While ideally we’d…
The Difference Between Hardwood and Softwood, and When to Use Each
Photo: Foryoui3 (Shutterstock) If you’ve recently gotten into home DIY projects, you’ve probably noticed that there’s a lot to learn. This not only includes picking up new skills, but also…
How to Choose the Best Fall Fertilizer for Anything in Your Garden
Fall is one of the three times of year you fertilize. When plants are ready to wake up in spring, you surprise them with a brunch of nitrogen-rich plant food…
It’s Time to Get Wood Chips for Your Yard
The streets in my neighborhood are dotted with piles of wood chips every few houses, as everyone prepares for “the wintering.” Me, too—I always try to make sure I get…
Don’t Prune These Bushes in the Fall
Fall brings out my outdoor neat freak. I feel an intense need to get things buttoned up in the yard before the cold hits. After the annuals and vegetables have…
The Best Trees to Plant in the Fall
Photo: Peter Turner Photography (Shutterstock) Spring may be the season we associate with planting new additions to our gardens and yards, but some flowers, vegetables, and other greenery are better…
The Fall Yard Cleanup Tasks You Should Tackle in September
Fall is majestic. Don’t get me wrong, I live in anticipation of summer and the growing season, but Fall is the season that never lets me down. In the Pacific…
The Best Ways to Keep Plants Alive During a Heatwave
When I left Arizona for the Pacific Northwest thirteen years ago, I anticipated never needing air conditioning again. Now, I sit at the intersection of an A/C and two fans,…
Avoid These Mistakes When Planting Trees in Your Yard
Photo: Maria Sbytova (Shutterstock) Though we tend to think about landscaping in terms of lawns, shrubs, and flowers, there are plenty of reasons to consider planting trees in your yard…
Do These Things to Make Your Yard Fire-Resistant
In the hot, dry months of summer and early autumn, your landscaping might not be the first thing that springs to mind in terms of wildfire preparedness. But choosing a…