For gardeners who can hardly wait to start the vegetable garden in spring, broad beans (Vicia faba) are very interesting. Their seeds germinate at just a few degrees above zero and the care of the plants is uncomplicated. After four to five months it is time to harvest. The annual broad beans are legumes, which […]
Are Broad Beans Easy to Grow? Read More »
It is really fascinating what unusual mechanisms carnivorous plants use to hunt insects. The Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) from the sundew family (Droseraceae) is one of them. The fancier plant is definitely an attraction for the sunny windowsill and offers a great natural spectacle. Contents1 Growth and appearance2 Flowers and leaves of the Venus flytrap3
Venus Flytrap: Insect Hunter for the Windowsill Read More »
The pitcher plant (Nepenthes hybrids) belongs to the carnivorous plants, called insectivores or carnivores. It cleverly forms its leaves into bulbous traps from which there is no escape for small insects once they have fallen in. So the plant only has to wait to catch the insects. The pitcher plant looks very good in a
How Does Pitcher Plant Catch the Insect? Read More »
Most maple species do not like pruning, and they naturally grow very harmoniously and form well-proportioned crowns. However, even the most beautiful maple needs to be pruned, either because it overgrows the garden fence or to remove damaged branches. Unlike many other deciduous trees, this should not be done in spring, but at the beginning
When Should You Prune Maple Trees? Read More »
The table is richly laid for bees and bumblebees in summer, but at the end of the most beautiful season it usually looks rather sparse: In many gardens there is a yawning void of flowers in autumn. Late-flowering shrubs can alleviate the insects’ plight. Compared to perennials and summer flowers, they also offer more flower
Late-flowering Autumn Plants That Will Help Bees Read More »
Whether with bright autumn colours or in wintergreen splendour: there is a semi-shady spot in every garden for the many fern species available. We would like to introduce you to wintergreen ferns and explain what to look out for in terms of location and planting. Wintergreen ferns Love for ferns rarely begins at first sight.
How Do You Plant a Fern? Read More »
The bishop’s cap owes its quirky name to its somewhat whimsical, almost spherical growth form. This thornless cactus comes from the Mexican desert and scores points as a small houseplant with its charm. But although the survival artist is very frugal, there are a few things to keep in mind when caring for it. We
How Do You Care for a Bishop’s Cap Cactus? Read More »
If you don’t want to do without aromatic greenery at home, you are well advised to use herbs for the windowsill. However, not all species that succeed in the bed and balcony box are suitable for year-round indoor cultivation. But with the right selection, the spicy abundance is amazingly diverse. Herbs for the windowsill provide
What Herbs Grow Well on a Window Sill? Read More »
If you are still in the middle of the busy planting season by the end of November, you should not forget that you should also prepare your garden for winter in good time. This includes, among other things, arming frost-sensitive plants, beds and lawns or even garden tools against the cold, damp weather. We explain
How Do I Winterize My Outdoor Garden? Read More »
The capabilities of the plant world never cease to amaze us. The metabolic processes of our indoor plants also benefit us: they produce oxygen, increase humidity and thus make our environment more liveable. Some can even filter pollutants from the air. However, this effect turns out to be rather small under everyday conditions, as has
5 Air-purifying Plants That Encourage You to Breathe Deeply Read More »
Don’t shy away from familiar sizes: a grafted walnut tree fits into the home garden and bears fruit much earlier than a seedling tree. Specialist editor Arne Janssen explains what is important for successfully planting and pruning a walnut and introduces you to varieties for different garden sizes. Walnuts from your own house tree A
Walnut Tree: Planting, Care and Pruning Read More »
The pampas grass grows quickly, reaches impressive heights and can be used in a variety of ways. Thanks to its simple elegance, it fits perfectly into a modern and restrained garden design. But the imposing grass giants also look great in containers on balconies or terraces. We tell you how to plant pampas grass so
What Conditions Do Pampas Grass Need? Read More »
Leeks (Allium porrum) refine stews, soups and stir-fries of all kinds with their spicy aroma. Once you have chosen the right varieties of the white-green vegetables, you can harvest them all year round. Whether summer leeks, autumn leeks or winter leeks Contents1 A vegetable for every season1.1 Location and soil1.2 Sowing leeks2 Leek varieties for
How to Grow Big Leeks Read More »
Which tool is suitable for my garden? Every garden has its own lawn mower. Apart from personal preferences, which device is the right one depends on factors such as the size and condition of the lawn. In addition to the classics with petrol or mains-powered electric drive, there are battery-powered mowers, the classic reel mower
Which Mower is Best Battery, Electric, Petrol or Robotic Mower? Read More »
On the beautiful forest dwellers with lush leafy fronds some do not even get involved, because they are considered delicate and somewhat difficult to care for. Too bad, because there are also more robust fern species. We reveal what requirements are important in the location and care. Ferns have a fascinating effect on us, because
What Kind Of Ferns Thrives Indoors? Read More »
Feeding robins in the winter is generally not necessary, and it may even be counterproductive in some cases. Robins are migratory birds, and many of them head to warmer climates during the winter months. The robins that remain in colder regions during winter are often those that can adapt to the conditions and find natural
Should You Feed Robins In Winter? Read More »
Will our vegetables in the future no longer be cultivated in fields, but in skyscrapers? In any case, the principle of vertical farming promises progressive agriculture that can save space and conserve resources. However, the idea that lettuce, tomatoes and the like will grow on a large scale in urban centers, making traditional farming obsolete,
Vertical Farming: Advantages and Disadvantages Read More »
Fruits in bright orange and silvery foliage: the sight of a sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) brings back memories of sunny vacations by the sea for many. Numerous varieties suitable for gardening not only have a high ornamental value, but also score points with a lush yield. We explain what is important when cultivating the wild
Sea Buckthorn in the Garden: Plant, Care & Harvest Read More »
Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) is highly valued by gourmets. The seasoning plant goes perfectly with sauces, salads, fish or vegetable dishes – and growing it yourself is worthwhile. Whether in the garden or on the balcony: With our tips, the culinary herb develops splendidly and even survives the winter without any problems. Contents1 Origin and growth2
Tarragon How to Grow in a Pot Read More »
You picked up another pot of basil at the supermarket or garden centre – and as usual, it didn’t survive long? Annoying, but unfortunately predictable. Because if the plants are as close together as in the supermarket herb pots, it is rarely possible to have more than two harvests. But that doesn’t have to be
How Do I Keep My Supermarket Basil Plant Alive? Read More »
Plants that grow under woody plants do not have it easy. They have to withstand drought, shade and the pressure of large roots. Anyone who wants to plant under trees therefore faces a special challenge. This starts with the choice of plants: Not all ground covers and perennials are made for strong competition. Especially under
What Plants Are Good for Underplanting Trees? Read More »
In summer, there is nothing better than meeting a few friends at a lake with a cool drink. Insects such as mosquitoes and horseflies, which like to bite and sting, are not invited, but usually part of the party. But gardeners don’t have to endure the itching afterwards without help. We reveal which plants soothe
Plants Against Itching – That Helps With Insect Bites Read More »
Real lavender is the Mediterranean garden classic par excellence. It blooms for weeks in countless gardens and spreads its lovely fragrance. The characteristic flower spikes, usually violet but also bright blue depending on the variety, are of course a highlight of the garden season. To ensure that the semi-shrub remains compact and always flowers diligently,
How Often Should Lavender Be Pruned? Read More »
What is taken out of the garden soil by crops or ornamental plants must be returned to the soil sooner or later so that it is not permanently leached out. A particularly ecological method of revitalising the soil is green manuring. Green manuring in autumn has many advantages and should also always be preferred to
Green Manuring in Autumn: For Ecological Soil Improvement Read More »
From August onwards, the flowering of the Jerusalem artichoke delights the eye and serves as a food source for insects until autumn. We humans have to be patient a little longer before we can enjoy the fine, nutty aroma of the root tubers. The Jerusalem artichoke is not ready for harvesting until October, and from
How Do You Care for Jerusalem Artichokes? Read More »
They come in all kinds of shapes and colours, are therefore hard to imagine an atmospheric decoration without them, and it is their taste that delights from sweet to nutty or fruity to buttery: pumpkins enrich our gardens and kitchens, especially in autumn. But what exactly should we pay attention to when harvesting and storing
Harvesting and Storing Pumpkins Read More »
If you look back to Holland in the 16th century, you will see that tulips were highly sought-after objects of love, which for a time even triggered the wildest speculation. Today, it is impossible to imagine our flower beds without these colourful lilies, and the variety of cultivars is enormous. Our article explains how to
Planting Tulips: When and How to Plant the Bulbs? Read More »
As soon as the season starts, they are again in abundance on market stalls and in the vegetable section of the supermarket: pumpkins. But which ones are also suitable for eating and don’t just look pretty? We would like to introduce you to the most popular varieties and show you how to tell the difference
Edible Pumpkins: Varieties for Every Taste Read More »
Gardening makes you happy. This is not only confirmed by science, every hobby gardener feels it when caring for plants. For many people, the home garden means much more than just exercise in the fresh air and lovingly tended plants. Above all, it stands for peace and relaxation. Besides the home, the garden is also
Gardening in Old Age – How to Create a Low-maintenance Garden for Seniors Read More »
The fact that insects have become increasingly rare in recent years can be confirmed above all by those who have owned a car for several decades. Twenty years ago, the windscreen still had to be cleaned very regularly from flattened flies and co. Today, insect-smeared windscreens are no longer a big issue. This is partly
Do It Yourself: Building An Insect Hotel From Old Pallets Read More »
