Fertilizer | Backyard Gardeners Network
Most plants I grow need fertilizer. However, there are thousands of different fertilizers available, and finding the right one for my plants can be confusing. Reading the labels, I wondered, “What do these numbers on the fertilizer label mean?” Buying fertilizer is confusing enough when you are trying to find something to make your plants ... Read more| Backyard Gardeners Network
Gardening Tips You Can Trust Our Mission “Everyone should have the opportunity to grow and eat fresh, nutritious produce, no matter where you live or how much gardening experience you have. We are committed to making this a reality for all who visit our site.” – Backyard Gardener’s Network Our EDITORIAL team Backyard Gardener’s Network ... Read more| Backyard Gardeners Network
With hundreds of fertilizer options, selecting the appropriate option for your plants can be challenging. Do you choose an organic or synthetic option? Liquid or granules? What NPK ratio should you look for? We’re going to dive into what a 19-19-19 fertilizer consists of and also include some recommendations for how to use this fertilizer. ... Read more| Backyard Gardeners Network
When it comes time to choose a fertilizer for your lawn or garden, it can be difficult to choose between the plethora of options! One of the best places to start is by looking at the NPK ratio. A 12-12-12 fertilizer contains 12% of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. While it’s not suitable for every plant, ... Read more| Backyard Gardeners Network
Cantaloupe grows on sprawling vines that take up a lot of space in the garden. What does the plant go through between planting and harvest? Here is the answer. Important Cantaloupe Facts Scientific Name Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis Type of plant annual Part Eaten fruit Days to Harvest 70-100 days Season Grown Warm season Cooked or ... Read more The post The 6 Cantaloupe Growing Stages appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Strawberries are not only delicious, but they are also good for you. If you want more berries in your diet, this guide will show you the stages of growth of the strawberry plant. Important Strawberry Facts Scientific Name Fragaria × ananassa Type of plant perennial Part Eaten berry Days to Harvest 175 days from germination ... Read more The post The 7 Strawberry Growth Stages appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Blueberry bushes produce delicious fruit that birds, animals, and people love. The blueberry bush can live up to 50 years if taken care of, so plant one where it can stay for that long. Here is what you need to know about blueberry growth stages. Important Blueberry Facts Scientific Name Vaccinium (the second word varies ... Read more The post Blueberry Growing Stages appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Broccoli is a cool-season vegetable. It is grown for the unopened flower heads that form a clump at the top of the plant. Some broccolis also have side shoots that grow smaller heads after the primary head is harvested. Important Broccoli Facts Scientific Name Brassica oleracea var. italica Type of plant Biennial, grown as an annual Part ... Read more The post The 5 Broccoli Growing Stages appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Lemons are only hardy in USDA zones 8-11, so most parts of the country can’t grow them outside. There is a long tradition of growing lemon trees indoors, however, so don’t despair if you live in a cold area. Most people grow ‘Ponderosa’ or ‘Meyer’ lemons indoors. I will use Meyer lemons for this guide. ... Read more The post The 6 Lemon Growth Stages appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Mulch has a number of benefits for the garden. However, you need the right mulch to get the most benefits from it. Here is a guide to when and how to use hardwood mulch. What Is Hardwood Mulch? Hardwood mulch is the ground-up bark and wood of hardwood trees. It is often a by-product of ... Read more The post Hardwood Mulch – What Is It And How Do I Use It? appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Thyme is a popular culinary herb that is easy to grow. Here are the best and worst companion plants for thyme. Why Does Thyme Need Companion Plants? Here are the ways companion plants work with thyme. Repel Insects Thyme repels many common insect pests. Plants like the Alliums, chamomile, lavender, marjoram, oregano, sage, and rosemary ... Read more The post Thyme Companion Plants – The 15 Best and 5 Worst Plants appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Cantaloupes suffer from a lot of insect pests. The right companion plants can help that problem as well as others when planted around cantaloupe. Why Does Cantaloupe Need Companion Plants? Here are the ways companion plants help cantaloupe. Repel Insects Plants such as the Alliums and aromatic herbs repel insect pests with their scent. They ... Read more The post Companion Plants For Cantaloupe – The 15 Best and 5 Worst Plants appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Tomatoes are the most popular home-grown crop in the world. However, they are only able to grow in a narrow temperature range. Growing tomatoes indoors solves that problem. Why Use A Grow Light For Tomatoes? Light from windows is seldom sufficient to grow good tomatoes, whether you are starting seeds or growing the whole plant ... Read more The post The 3 Best Grow Lights for Tomatoes appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Tomatoes grow great in containers if they have the proper soil to grow in. What do you use? Here are my thoughts on potting soil for tomatoes in containers. Why Use Potting Soil For Tomatoes In Containers? The temptation is to just scoop some topsoil into a pot and plant your tomato in that. However, ... Read more The post The 5 Best Potting Soils For Tomatoes appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Tomatoes are grown in more home gardens than any other plant. What if you don’t have room to grow tomatoes? Consider using grow bags. Are Grow Bags A Good Way To Grow Tomato Plants? Grow bags are a great way to grow tomato plants if the grow bag is large enough. Tomato plants have extensive ... Read more The post The 5 Best Grow Bags for Tomatoes appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Lemon grass is used a lot in Asian food. In addition, lemon grass is used in many home remedies. It has a nice scent, as well. There are companion plants that benefit from growing near it and others that help lemon grass grow better. Why Does Lemon Grass Need Companion Plants? Here are the ways ... Read more The post Lemongrass Companion Plants – The 15 Best and 5 Worst Plants appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Bok choy is a popular type of Chinese cabbage. It is a member of the Brassica family, along with cabbage, broccoli, and others. Why Does Bok Choy Need Companion Plants? The idea of companion plants is that certain plants help or harm other plants. Helpful ones should be planted together, while harmful ones should be ... Read more The post 15 Companion Plants For Bok Choy – And 5 To Keep Separate appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Every Extension service recommends using mulch around trees, shrubs, and in landscape beds. However, there are so many mulches you may not know which one to choose. This guide discusses pine straw mulch and how and when to use it. What Is Pine Straw Mulch? Pine straw mulch is made from the needles of Long ... Read more The post Pine Straw Mulch – What Is It And How Do I Use It? appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Research has shown that mulching helps plant health. Each type of mulch has different uses. This guide tells you all about pine bark mulch. What is Pine Bark Mulch? When pine trees are cut for lumber, the branches and bark are removed before the tree is cut into boards. Pine bark mulch is the bark ... Read more The post Pine Bark Mulch – What Is It And How Do I Use It? appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Research shows that mulch stabilizes soil temperatures and moisture and helps protect from weeds. There are lots of different kinds of mulch, though, so what do you use where? Here is a guide to cypress mulch. What Is Cypress Mulch? Cypress mulch is the chipped-up trunk and bark of the bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) or pond ... Read more The post Cypress Mulch –What Is It And How Do I Use It? appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Every plant expert tells you to mulch your plants. There are so many mulches out there; how do you choose? This guide will tell you all about choosing and using mulch. What Is Mulch? Mulches are used to cover the exposed soil in landscape beds and vegetable gardens and around trees and shrubs. Advantages and ... Read more The post The 23 Best Types of Mulch in 2024 appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Growing your own cucumbers is very satisfying. Unfortunately, I get lots of cucumbers and can’t eat them all fresh. Canning the cucumbers into pickles is a good way to preserve them for later use. Here is a guide to the best cucumber varieties to grow for making pickles. Some of them also make good eating when ... Read more The post The 9 Best Pickling Cucumber Varieties in 2024 appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
When it comes time to select cucumbers for your garden, you’ll have hundreds of varieties to choose from. Where do you start? How do you pick? One way to narrow your options is by deciding what type of cucumber you’d like to grow. Do you want a short and squat pickler, a thin-skinned English type, ... Read more The post The 8 Best Slicing Cucumbers in 2024 appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Cucumber vines can be trained to grow up trellises, down from balconies, and in hanging baskets to save space and keep the fruit clean. They can also be allowed to sprawl on the ground if you have lots of room. In any case, you may wonder what the best vining cucumbers are to grow. Vine ... Read more The post The 9 Best Climbing (Vine) Cucumber Varieties in 2024 appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Cucumbers are a popular fruit to grow in the home garden. However, they take up a lot of space in the garden or have to be trellised to keep them healthy. If you do not have a lot of space or don’t want to mess with a trellis, a bush cucumber might be for you. ... Read more The post The 9 Best Bush Cucumber Varieties in 2024 appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
There seem to be two types of people: those who think cucumbers just taste like crunchy water and those who know these vegetables can be packed with flavor. No matter what camp you fall into, finding the best tasting cucumbers can change your opinion of these summertime treats. We’re pushing aside the bland, watery, and ... Read more The post The 7 Best Tasting Cucumbers in 2024 appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Cucumbers are grown by a lot of people. Unfortunately, cucumbers are plagued with a variety of problems. This guide will give you the most common reasons for your plants to wilt and die. When Will Wilting and Dying Happen? Cucumbers are most vulnerable to wilting and dying when they are seedlings. They do not have ... Read more The post Why Are My Cucumber Plants Wilting And Dying? appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Cucumbers can cause people to burp, which is embarrassing. However, breeders have created cucumbers that cause fewer burps, called burpless cucumbers. Here is everything you need to know to grow burpless cucumbers. Quick Growing Guide for the Burpless Cucumber Plant Type Annual Resistant to Varies by variety USDA Hardiness Zone 2a-11b Maintenance Moderate Season Late ... Read more The post What Are Burpless Cucumbers – How Can You Grow and Harvest Them? appeared first on Backyard ...| Backyard Gardeners Network
Next to tomatoes, cucumbers are the most common vegetable grown in home gardens. There are many varieties of cucumbers. ‘Kirby cucumber’ is a general term for pickling cucumbers. Quick Growing Guide for the Kirby Cucumber Plant Type Annual Resistant to Varies by variety USDA Hardiness Zone 2a-11b Maintenance Moderate Season Late spring through frost Soil ... Read more The post What Are Kirby Cucumbers – How Can You Grow and Harvest Them? appeared first on...| Backyard Gardeners Network
Cucumbers are one of the most popular things to grow in the home garden. They are very good for you when harvested and stored properly. Why Should We Harvest Cucumbers Properly? Cucumbers are harvested when immature. It can be a bit tricky to determine when to harvest them. However, you need to learn for three ... Read more The post How and When to Harvest Cucumbers? appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Zoysia grass is a warm-season grass that is considered a high-maintenance grass. It requires quite a bit of fertilization and care to thrive. Does Zoysia Grass Need Fertilizer? Zoysia needs more nitrogen and potassium than any soil contains. It also needs more phosphorus than most soils contain. Without proper fertilization, zoysia grass will not grow ... Read more The post The 5 Best Fertilizers for Zoysia Grass in 2024 appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Centipede grass is a warm-season grass with an apple-green color. It is slow growing and requires less fertilizer and mowing than other grasses. It is more tolerant of shade than Bermuda grass but less than St. Augustine. This article will cover everything you need to know about centipede grass fertilizer, let’s get started! Does Centipede ... Read more The post The 5 Best Fertilizers for Centipede Grass in 2024 appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
If you see slime trails in your garden, notice tender seedlings have disappeared overnight, or observe chewed holes in your plants, you may be dealing with slugs. These slimy mollusks can cause serious damage to vegetables, flowers, and other garden plants. Over the years, I’ve dealt with my fair share of slug outbreaks and tried ... Read more The post The Most Effective Ways to Control Slugs in the Garden appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Almost everyone with a lawn worries about the best time to fertilize. Fall is an important time to fertilize your lawn. This guide will tell you what to use and how to use it in the fall to set your lawn up for winter and early spring, regardless of your grass type. Do I Need ... Read more The post The 5 Best Fall Lawn Fertilizers in 2024 appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Lemon trees are fun to grow. Even if you live in a climate that is too cold to grow lemon trees outdoors, you can grow one indoors. This guide will tell you about the best fertilizers for your lemon trees. Why Fertilize Lemon Trees? Lemon trees are heavy feeders in the landscape and in pots. ... Read more The post The 5 Best Lemon Tree Fertilizers in 2024 appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Many plants benefit from an application of a high-nitrogen fertilizer. However, there are so many fertilizers to choose from you may have trouble knowing which one is best. This guide will help. What is a High-Nitrogen Fertilizer? A high nitrogen fertilizer is a fertilizer where the amount of nitrogen in the fertilizer is higher than ... Read more The post The 5 Best High Nitrogen Fertilizers in 2024 appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
There are hundreds of fertilizers for sale. This guide will tell you what 3-1-2 fertilizer is used for and how to buy the best 3-1-2 fertilizer. What Is 3-1-2 Fertilizer? A 3-1-2 has three percent nitrogen, one percent phosphorus, and two percent potassium. You can buy 3-1-2 fertilizer, but you can also buy fertilizer with ... Read more The post What is 3-1-2 Fertilizer Good For? – When and How to Use It? appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Lawns need fertilizer to grow and stay thick and lush. However, the many varieties of fertilizer can be confusing. Here are the best lawn fertilizers and how to use them. Types of Lawn Fertilizers Fertilizers come in many forms. Here are the most common forms of fertilizer that are used on lawns. Liquid Liquid fertilizers ... Read more The post The 10 Best Lawn Fertilizers of 2024 appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Growing any of your food is rewarding, but some crops offer a bigger payoff than others. And if you ask me, carrots are one of the most satisfying vegetables to grow yourself. First, pulling a carrot out of the garden is a rewarding experience. You plant the seeds, then wait months watching the above-ground greens ... Read more The post Carrot Companion Plants – The 5 Best and 3 Worst Plants appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Most people grow pumpkins to eat and enjoy. Unfortunately, while not all ants are bad, some sting like fire ants. So you may be wondering, “How do I keep ants off my pumpkin plants?” Fire ants hurt when they sting you as you work in your pumpkin patch. Other ants may protect pests that damage ... Read more The post How Do I Keep Ants Off Pumpkin Plants? ( 8 Solutions) appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum) is more closely related to leeks than garlic. Elephant garlic produces huge bulbs and is very tasty. But, you may wonder, “When do I harvest elephant garlic?” Elephant garlic is more like hard-necked garlic than soft-necked garlic. This is because the stalks are cut off after curing instead of being used to ... Read more The post How and When to Harvest Elephant Garlic? appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Most people have some indoor plants. They help clean the air and brighten up a room. You may be wondering which of the hundreds of fertilizers on the market are right for your plants. The right fertilizer depends on the plant. Here is a general guide to picking the best fertilizer for each plant you ... Read more The post The 10 Best Fertilizers for Indoor Plants in 2024 appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Whether you want to try your hand at making pickles or are looking for a refreshing snack to help you beat summer’s heat, cucumbers are the answer. And it’s hard to beat a homegrown cucumber. One way to grow healthy cucumber plants at home is by practicing companion planting. This involves designing your garden in ... Read more The post The 10 Best Cucumber Companion Plants appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Companion planting is growing more popular as a means to reduce the use of pesticides and attract pollinators. This is particularly true for small home gardeners. What Is Companion Planting? Companion planting (also called intercropping) is growing plants close together because of their ability to enhance each other. Planting the three sisters (corn, beans, and ... Read more The post Companion Planting – Everything You Need to Know appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Roses are a very popular flowering shrub. They do require a lot of care, but that is part of their charm. Here is all you need to know about fertilizing your roses to have them look their best. Why Fertilize Roses? Roses need a lot of nutrients to produce bloom after bloom. No soil can ... Read more The post The Best Fertilizer for Roses in 2024 appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
More and more people are growing their own vegetables. However, vegetables need to be fertilized, and the many fertilizers available can be confusing. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about fertilizing your vegetable garden. Why Fertilize Vegetable Gardens? Vegetables are heavy feeders because it takes a lot to make the vegetables ... Read more The post The Best Fertilizer for Vegetable Garden in 2024 appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
You can grow cucumbers even if you do not have a lot of land. Cucumbers can be grown in containers with a little care. This guide tells you how to do that. Types of Cucumbers to Grow in a Pot Cucumbers can be either pickling cucumbers or slicing cucumbers. Pickling cucumbers have bumpy skin. They produce ... Read more The post Growing Cucumbers in a Pot – How Do I Grow Cucumbers in a Pot? appeared first on Backyard Gardeners Network.| Backyard Gardeners Network
Applying fertilizer can be tricky. You want to apply the nutrients your plants need without applying more than necessary. And that means you need to choose the right type of fertilizer. The trouble is that hundreds of different fertilizers are out there, and it can be difficult to know when to use one versus the ... Read more| Backyard Gardeners Network
When it comes to growing zucchini, harvesting is an essential step in the process. Knowing when and how to harvest your zucchini will ensure that you get the most out of your crop. Zucchini is a versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to stir-fries, and even baked goods. ... Read more| Backyard Gardeners Network
Banana plants are tropical plants from Asia. They are now grown in tropical areas all over the world. In colder areas, bananas can be grown indoors. Important Banana Facts Scientific Name Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana Type of plant Perennial Part Eaten fruit Days to Harvest 10-20 months Season Grown All seasons Cooked or raw both Optimal ... Read more| Backyard Gardeners Network
Many gardeners consider tomatoes must-have plants. I mean, who doesn’t picture that juicy BLT or a pot of homemade spaghetti sauce when they think of summer? But here’s the scoop: getting those tomatoes to thrive isn’t as simple as sticking them in the ground and crossing your fingers. These plants are a bit high-maintenance. If ... Read more| Backyard Gardeners Network
Mulching your garden can help conserve soil moisture, prevent weed growth, and improve soil structure. And if you choose cedar mulch, you can also enjoy insect-repelling properties and a pleasant aroma. I’m going to introduce you to the benefits and advantages of cedar mulch and also cover how to apply it to your garden. What ... Read more| Backyard Gardeners Network
When you add a small plot of cut flowers to your garden or put in some landscaping to increase your home’s curb appeal, you’re probably looking forward to colorful flowers. But have you thought about the best types of mulch for flower beds? Adding mulch to your flower beds can help conserve moisture, keep weeds ... Read more| Backyard Gardeners Network
When you think of much, you may envision tidy flower beds surrounded with beautiful layers of brown or red mulch. But mulch also works well for vegetable gardens! Applying mulch to your vegetable garden can make it easier to manage while also increasing the aesthetic appeal. And when it comes time to select a mulch, ... Read more| Backyard Gardeners Network
When you think of home-grown veggies, tomatoes are likely the first thing to come to mind. And for good reason! Eating a juicy tomato fresh from the garden is nothing like biting into the sad excuse of a tomato you often find in the store. And this flavor difference is just one reason why tomatoes ... Read more| Backyard Gardeners Network
