Watering your plants is an essential chore to keep them healthy. However, if you've ever worried that your container plants aren't getting adequate hydration or seem to be struggling in some way, an expert with an especially green thumb may have told you to try bottom watering your plants. Bottom watering is an efficient way to provide water delivery, and it can be better for some types of plants. While it might not be quite as convenient as pouring water directly atop your plan into its pot, bottom water is worth the bit of extra effort because it's better for your plants. What Is Bottom Watering? Typically, when people water their container plants, they pour water into the top of...

There are thousands of edible plants, some with surprising medicinal and restorative properties. While the ancients seemed to understand what these botanicals had to offer in terms of support for health and nourishment, we modern people are attempting to learn the why and how these plants provide some unique health benefits. The following three weeds are quite commonplace, and you might have even tried to eradicate them from your landscape. But, they have some outstanding medicinal properties that might even benefit your own health. Dandelions (Taraxacum) Dandelions are the bane of lawn lovers everywhere, but these weeds with their jagged foliage and bright golden heads are eat...

Sod is a natural choice for property owners who want an instant lawn that's lush, green, and healthy. Once in place, sod boosts the property's curb appeal and possibly even its value! After all, a well-landscaped property supports property market value. With a new sod lawn in place, homeowners might be envisioning loads of outdoor living fun on their lawn--spring picnics and summer BBQs. But before you install your sod, be sure to note that the optimum time to plant sod is in early or mid autumn. Even as leaves begin to change colors and you feel those first cold snaps in the air, you'll want to remember that fall is the ideal time to plant sod--and here's why: Fall Is the Best Time to Pl...

Perennials are beloved garden plants for a myriad of reasons. Not only are they beautiful, interesting, and come in a wealth of varieties; they keep coming back season after season if you fulfill their care needs. Many perennials are low-maintenance and long-blooming. With Southern California's warm and sunny climate, many types of perennials thrive there. Use these plants to boost your home's curb appeal and enhance your landscape with natural beauty. Consider Your Climate For perennials to survive from one year to the next, they need a climate that supports their survival needs. Southern California provides a welcome climate for a wide range of plants, but it's not ideal for all...

While many annuals and perennials crave sunshine and need a sunny location for optimum health, there are a number of plants who not only tolerate shade well--they actually prefer it. If your landscape contains numerous trees and contains a wealth of shade, you'll want to choose plants that thrive in these types of conditions. The following are among the most gorgeous and interesting shade-tolerant plants to consider. Astilbe Hybrids Astilbe hybrids are perennials that boast fern-like foliage and delicate, shower flowers in shades of pink, red, or white flowers. Shade gardeners love them for t...

In these trying times, as COVID-19 alters our lives, many of us are finding ourselves with way more time on their hands than usual. Schools are out, businesses are closing and most of the activities that once filled our hours are no longer available. While there aren't many positives to be found in the current situation one opportunity it does offer is a chance for us to get back to our roots. Pun intended. It is a long established fact that even in an office environment having plants around us offers many mental and physical benefits. They increase productivity, lower sick time, increase general satisfaction and lower our stress levels. All of that is how they improve our lives sitti...

Many people know that various types of indoor plants have the ability to purify air, but did you know that some can actually absorb and eliminate electromagnetic radiation? Electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) emit radiation that can present various health risks. A wide array of modern gadgets, appliances, and even features of our city's infrastructure (electric power lines) expose us to EMFs. Cell phones, microwaves, wi-fi routers--many of the everyday devices we rely on are associated with low-level EMF exposure, and scientists are still unable to determine: how much exposure is too much? If you're concerned about this exposure and its potential health risks, simply adopt some plants that r...

During the winter, indoor plants require some extra attention and care. Whether you've brought tender plants indoors to weather the season or simply keep your plants indoors all year long, the winter season can still affect them. Dry air, drafts near windows, and reductions in natural light can take a toll on indoor plants. Use the following tips to ensure that your plants stay healthy so they can continue to enhance your decor and purify your indoor air. Water Your Plants Less Many plants go dormant during the winter and require less water. They're growing less so their needs become less too. Usually, you'll only need to water your indoor plants once per week. This may vary depend...

Packed with flavor and a signature aroma, ginger is one of the world's most recognizable spices. Its origins stem from Southeast Asia and, over time, its use spread throughout the world. Aside from its pungent taste, ginger imparts many health benefits, which makes it a great candidate to have on-hand in your kitchen. The best news? Ginger is extremely easy to grow indoors and doesn't require a lot of space or tending to flourish. Learn about the many ways ginger can benefit your health before discovering just how easy it is to grow at home. The Health Benefits of Ginger Ginger's strong flavor and aroma may have attracted ancient farmers to ginger, but it was the herb's positive imp...

You might think that the beginning of fall is the end of your gardening adventure for the year, but this simply isn't the case! There are some very tasty vegetables that can be grown in the fall and winter months with the right care. Check out our list of the top ten vegetables to grow this season. Asparagus As a gardener, you are already a patient person. If you have a bit more patience than most and extra space in your garden, consider planting asparagus. Male varieties of asparagus are more productive and, once established, asparagus can continue to produce for 25 years. Give your plants the right nutrients by using aged manure or fertilizer to maximize yield. Onions Oni...