Mountain View, CA

Tomato hornworms, Manduca quinquemaculata, are large green caterpillars that devour tomato plants along with other nightshades including peppers, potatoes, and eggplant. They can also be a little intimidating, as garden pests go, due to their large size. A tomato hornworm can grow up to 5 inches long and as fat as your index finger. They have V-shaped, yellowish-white markings and a black 'horn' or spur on their posterior segment.

Should You Kill Tomato Hornworms? Why Pros Say They Can Help Your Garden Thrive

Discover four reasons Why You Should Never Fertilize Your Herbs like other plants; instead, treat them just the way you fertilize succulents. Overfeeding your herbs with fertilizers has many drawbacks, so it is important to reduce fertilizing. If you ask why—we’ve explained everything below. Read on to learn why it’s better not to feed herbs very often and what you should do instead!

Why You Should Never Fertilize Your Herbs

You may already know that celery is the unsung hero of the snack world (it's the perfect vessel for dips like peanut butter, vegetable spreads, and hummus), but did you also know that when you're done with it, leftover celery can also become a windowsill propagation project? All you need is a celery heart, a cup of water, and a little bit of sunshine to give the vegetable a second life. We talked to two garden experts to find out everything you need to know to take your used celery heart from compost to cultivation.

How to Regrow Celery From Scraps

While mushrooms are a natural part of the ecosystem and a sign of healthy soil, they may not be healthy for children or pets. To figure out how to get rid of mushrooms in your yard, first you'll need to understand why these fungal fruiting bodies are popping up. Then you'll be able to strategically use the best natural methods explained in this guide to deal with your shroom situation.

How to Get Rid of Mushrooms in Your Yard: 4 Natural Solutions

Sweet, juicy tomatoes are summer’s prize—in a fresh green salad, layered with basil and mozzarella and drizzled with balsamic, and on a simple slice of sourdough. So, if your tomato plants aren’t producing the bumper crop you expected, you might be tempted to nourish them with Epsom salt, a gardener’s secret weapon.

When to Use Epsom Salts for Tomato Plants—and When Not To

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably been treating your pepper plants as annuals, pulling them out at the end of each growing season. But here’s a little secret: peppers are actually perennials! Native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, pepper plants can live for several years if they’re protected from frost and cold weather. Overwintering your peppers is not only possible, but it’s also a fantastic way to get a head start on next year’s growing season. Imagine harvesting peppers from a plant that’s already established and ready to produce! It’s a game changer, and I’m here to walk you through how to do it.

Your Peppers Are Perennials! Here’s How To Overwinter Them

Homes & Gardens

If your hydrangeas go brown before their season is up, it's an indication something isn't quite right

Why are my hydrangea flowers turning brown? Experts share 5 common causes

Seeing hummingbirds delight at backyard feeders is one of the many joys of birders across the South, but making sure they are kept happy–and staying at your feeder–can be an overwhelming thought. Depending on where you live, the hummingbird feeder can be put out as early as late...

The Best Time To Take Down Hummingbird Feeders, According To Experts

Gardening Know How

High summer is synonymous with deadheads and straggly growth, so it’s tempting to reach for the cutters. But here are the plants you should not prune in summer – and why

Don’t Trim These Plants Before Fall: 7 Plants You Should Not Prune In Summer

These are the best and most unexpected uses for the petroleum jelly in your medicine cabinet. Did you know that Vaseline goes way beyond soothing chapped lips and wounds? Also referred to as petroleum jelly, which is the primary ingredient of Vaseline, it was invented during the 1800s as a cure-all balm and has become a household staple since. For that reason, the multitasking ointment can usually be found in every medicine cabinet. However, it can also save you in many household situations if you know how to use it to its full potential.

15 Surprising Uses For Vaseline

Fall planting ensures spring bulbs develop strong roots before cold weather for a vibrant spring display. Crocuses, fritillaria, grape hyacinths, red spider lilies, and allium are ideal choices for September planting. Proper soil prep, planting depth, sunlight, and watering are essential for these bulbs to thrive in various climates. The...

5 Spring Bulbs You Should Plant in September

Kentucky State

There's nothing that crisps up a dish (or drink) faster than fresh, raw celery. But you won't get that trademark crunch if your celery is wilted, limp, and otherwise past its prime. To make sure celery stays fresh for as long as possible, we consulted Southern chefs on their tips and advice.

The Best Way To Store Celery So It Stays Perfectly Crisp For Longer

Can you reuse old potting soil? At the end of the growing season, the soil in containers can become compacted, depleted of nutrients, and less effective at supporting plant growth. Starting with fresh potting soil each time you plant is ideal, but it can be expensive. Follow these steps to refresh your old potting soil, use it for another season, and save money.

How to Refresh Old Potting Soil and Save Money

There’s no shortage of old-school beauty tips that have been passed down from the department store counter and previous generations of loved ones—whether we’re talking about how to wear heavy earrings without stretching your earlobes or how to keep your perfume lasting all day—and we’ll happily listen to the savvy tricks of those who have been perfecting their skills for decades. One such tip addresses the pesky issue of dealing with loose threads on your clothing.

The "Controversial" Trick Southern Grandmas Use For Getting Rid Of Loose Threads On Clothes

September is here, and with it comes one of my favorite garden events—the leaves changing color and gently falling to the ground. I know it can seem like a chore to rake them all up, but don’t be so quick to bag them up and send them off! Fallen leaves are absolute gold for your garden, offering a wealth of benefits if you know how to use them. Whether you’re looking to enrich your soil, protect your plants, or create a cozy habitat for beneficial creatures, those leaves are just what you need.

How to Use Fallen Leaves in Your September Garden

Filling a raised bed with new soil can be costly. These inexpensive solutions will enable you to get the most out of your growing space while being more sustainable.

How To Fill A Raised Garden Bed: Cheap And Free Solutions You Need To Start Now

With plenty of light and warmth, you can have indoor-grown green onions in no time

How to grow green onions indoors – 5 expert tips for these homegrown veggies

If you live in a warm climate, sowing seeds in late summer and early fall brings sweet pleasure as the seasons transition. In cold climates, sow selections to nurture over the winter for planting out in spring. These will get a jump start on flowering with sturdy stems and leafy growth.

13 Annual Flower Seeds to Plant in September

Curious about watering orchids with ice cubes? Learn the benefits and drawbacks of this popular method to keep your plants healthy and thriving.

Should You Water Orchids With Ice Cubes? Discover The Pros And Cons Of This Controversial Method

As summer ends and cooler temperatures approach, lawns begin their transition into the fall season. Dethatching lawn areas is one of the most critical tasks to do in order to keep healthy grass during this time of year. On a lawn, thatch is a coating of decomposing grass, roots, and other organic material that may build up over time. Problems such as poor absorption of water and a greater likelihood of diseases and pests may arise from this buildup.

Dethatch Grass This September For a Healthy Fall Lawn

NewsBreak

Should You Use Banana Peels In The Garden? Experts Weigh In

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...

Should You Use Banana Peels In The Garden? Experts Weigh In

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