For many pet owners, it is a small comfort to lay their beloved companion to rest in their own garden. This also allows children to say goodbye in a peaceful and familiar setting. “Rest in peace, little friend.” The loss of a cherished pet—be it a dog, cat, or rabbit—can be incredibly painful. Even the […]
Pet burial: burying a deceased dog in the garden Read More »
The Piss-Off Plant: How to Keep Dogs and Cats Away from Your Garden Dogs and cats tend to avoid the so-called “Piss-Off Plant”—here’s how to use it to keep pets out of your garden. No gardener enjoys finding cat feces or dog urine in their flower beds or vegetable patches. Unfortunately, both pets and wild
Piss-off plant: planting and caring for the cat repellent Read More »
How to Protect Wildlife from Easter Bonfires For many, the Easter bonfire is a cherished spring tradition: friends gather around the blazing wood, children marvel at the flames, and sparks dance into the night. However, what brings warmth and community to us can quickly turn into a deadly trap for wildlife. Bonfire Night in the
Bonfire death trap: How you can save animals’ lives Read More »
Wild Herbs Quickly Take Over Bare Spots in the Garden – Plant These Beautiful Ground Covers Instead Ground covers are an excellent way to suppress weeds while requiring minimal maintenance. One of the most stunning options is Phlox, which creates a beautiful carpet of flowers. The Benefits of Ground Covers Under the canopy of trees
What is the best groundcover to choke out weeds? Read More »
How to Successfully Combat Powdery Mildew If the leaves of your vegetable or fruit plants appear dusted with a white coating, chances are they have powdery mildew. Learn how to fight this fungal disease effectively using natural remedies like baking soda or vinegar in this guide. What is Powdery Mildew? Roses, delphiniums, cucumbers, and gooseberries
How to Successfully Combat Powdery Mildew Read More »
Borage is an ancient culinary herb that was also traditionally used for medicinal purposes. This annual plant, with its striking blue star-shaped flowers, is easy to grow. Here’s how to plant, care for, and harvest this flavorful “cucumber herb.” Borage develops hairy buds that bloom into beautiful blue to violet star-shaped flowers. It is also
Growing, Caring for, and Harvesting Borage Read More »
Large nasturtiums should be a staple in any organic garden. This spice plant, with its beautiful flowers, proves to be extremely useful, for example, in repelling aphids and ants. Almost all parts of the plant are edible. Nasturtiums Bring Color to the Garden! The large nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) originates from South America and brings vibrant
Growing and Using Large Nasturtiums Read More »
Natural Pest Control and Soil Health Benefits Tagetes, also known as marigolds, are a great addition to vegetable gardens. They act as slug traps, repel various fly species, and eliminate nematodes (root-knot worms), improving soil health. Why Plant Marigolds in Your Garden? These colorful summer flowers not only add beauty but also help keep pests
Tagetes (Marigolds) – A Valuable Companion Plant in the Vegetable Garden Read More »
Flea Beetles: Small Pests with a Big Appetite for Brassicas Flea beetles especially love munching on vegetables from the cabbage family. Flea Beetles: Holes in Arugula and Radishes Holes in the leaves might not be a big issue for radishes, turnips, or kohlrabi, but who wants perforated Asian greens, arugula, garden cress, or Chinese cabbage
Holes in Leaves – The Right Way to Combat Flea Beetles Read More »
Companion Planting: Natural Pest Control for a Healthy Garden It is no secret that certain plant combinations can positively influence plant health and pest resistance. Some plants attract pests such as cabbage flies, bean aphids, or gall mites, while others naturally deter them. If you plant these pest-repelling species next to the vulnerable ones, you
9 Plants That Naturally Keep Pests Away From the Garden Read More »
Mice, like this house mouse, are hard to drive out of the garden if they find plenty of food there. Mice in the garden aren’t necessarily a bad thing. Where there’s nibbling, rustling in the leaves, or shadows darting by, biodiversity thrives. Especially in natural gardens, these little creatures find food and shelter. Most of
How to Keep Mice Away: Prevention and Deterrence Tips for Home and Garden Read More »
Not all hydrangeas can withstand frost. Here’s which types need protection and how to help them survive winter. Which Hydrangeas Need Winter Protection? If you have older hydrangeas in your garden, you usually don’t need to worry much about winter protection. Panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) and smooth hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens) are particularly hardy and often
How to Overwinter Hydrangeas Safely in the Garden and Pots Read More »
While a white blanket can protect plants from frost, delicate shrubs risk breaking under the weight.The first snowfall transforms the garden into a winter wonderland. Yet while some plants and animals benefit from the white splendor, it can harm others. With the right measures, you can help your garden safely survive the winter. What You
Snow in the garden: remove it or leave it? Read More »
Readers ask, gardeninguru answers Winter-Hardy Parsnips Question:“This year, I grew parsnips for the first time. They handled the unpredictable weather much better than our carrots. They don’t split as easily and don’t taste as harsh even if they get a bit dry.How much frost can the roots tolerate, and when is the latest I should
Are Parsnips Hardy and Can They Tolerate Frost? Read More »
The most important tips for healthy garden soil In spring, one of the first steps in the garden is to prepare the beds. This lays the foundation for healthy plants and a rich harvest. Soil activators, rock powders and lime help you to get the garden soil going in a completely natural way. You can
Why soil conditioners can be important helpers in the garden Read More »
The three most common tomato diseases …how to recognize them, combat them, and prevent them You recently planted your young, healthy tomato plants in the bed – but now the leaves are spotted or you’re struggling with pests? As popular as tomatoes are in organic gardening, they are unfortunately also susceptible to diseases and pests.
The three most common tomato diseases Read More »
…and how to avoid them – for a rich cucumber harvest! Cucumbers are very popular in organic gardening – especially the classic Salad cucumber, also known as Snake cucumber. However, this member of the pumpkin family is demanding and sensitive in cultivation and care. To achieve a bountiful harvest, we’ll discuss the most common mistakes
Cucumbers: 7 common growing mistakes Read More »
It grows quickly, overruns other plants, and depletes the soil of nutrients and water: weeds are a significant problem for gardeners and farmers. But what helps against weeds? There are various methods for weed control, ranging from manual techniques like pulling weeds to chemical herbicides and professional machinery for large-scale weed eradication. Each option has
How Can You Ensure That Weeds Don’t Grow Back? Read More »
The Nordmann Fir (Abies nordmanniana) is widely regarded as a good tree for various purposes, and its popularity is attributed to several positive characteristics. 1. Aesthetics: Nordmann Firs are known for their attractive appearance. They have glossy, dark green needles with a soft texture, and their symmetrical shape makes them a popular choice as a
Is Nordmann Fir a good tree? Read More »
Pruning a Nordmann Fir (Abies nordmanniana) can be a beneficial practice when done with care and consideration for the tree’s growth habits. Nordmann Firs are known for their symmetrical and attractive shape, but occasional pruning may be necessary for various reasons, including shaping, removing dead or diseased branches, or controlling size. 1. Timing and Frequency:
Can you prune a Nordmann Fir? Read More »
Why is my potted Christmas tree dying? Several factors could contribute to a potted Christmas tree showing signs of distress or dying. Here are some common reasons and potential solutions: What happens if my cat eats my Christmas tree? While many Christmas trees are non-toxic, some can be harmful to pets, including cats. If your
Can you keep a Christmas tree small? Read More »
Decorating a small tree to make it look bigger involves employing visual tricks and using decor elements that enhance the perceived height and fullness. Here are some tips to make a small Christmas tree appear larger: By incorporating these tips, you can transform a small Christmas tree into a visually appealing and elegant centerpiece that
How do you decorate a small tree to make it look bigger? Read More »
It’s not advisable to place any Christmas tree, whether real or fake, directly in front of a radiator or any other heat source. While fake Christmas trees are typically less flammable than real ones, they are often made of materials that can be sensitive to heat. Placing a fake tree too close to a radiator
Can you put a fake Christmas tree in front of a radiator? Read More »
It’s not advisable to place a real Christmas tree near a radiator or any direct heat source. Real Christmas trees, such as the popular Nordmann Fir or Fraser Fir, are natural plants that can be sensitive to extreme temperature changes and dry conditions. Placing a tree near a radiator can lead to the following issues:
Can you put a real Christmas tree near a radiator? Read More »
The Leyland Cypress (× Cuprocyparis leylandii) is often considered one of the fastest-growing Christmas trees in the UK. It is a hybrid species created by crossing the Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) and the Alaskan Cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis). Leyland Cypress is known for its rapid growth, making it a popular choice for those who want a
What is the fastest growing Christmas tree in the UK? Read More »
The growth rate of Nordmann Fir (Abies nordmanniana) trees can vary based on factors such as soil quality, climate, and local growing conditions. Generally, Nordmann Fir trees are considered to be moderate to slow growers. In optimal conditions, they might achieve a growth rate of 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 centimeters) per year.
How fast do Nordmann Fir trees grow? Read More »
The best Thuja species for privacy largely depends on your specific preferences, climate, and site conditions. Several Thuja species and cultivars are commonly used for creating privacy screens or hedges due to their dense foliage and upright growth habits. Here are a few popular Thuja options: When choosing a Thuja for privacy, consider factors such
What is the best Thuja for privacy? Read More »
The choice of what is “better” than Leyland cypress (× Cuprocyparis leylandii) depends on your specific landscaping needs, preferences, and the characteristics you prioritize. Leyland cypress is often chosen for its fast growth and ability to create privacy screens, but it has some drawbacks, such as disease susceptibility and potential size issues. Here are a
What is better than Leyland cypress? Read More »
The genus Thuja includes several species commonly known as arborvitaes, which are often used as ornamental shrubs or trees in landscaping. While they are not generally considered highly invasive, their invasive potential can vary depending on the specific species and local conditions. In some cases, certain species of Thuja can spread and become weedy if
Are Thuja invasive? Read More »
Epsom salt, which is magnesium sulfate, can be used to flush plants in certain situations, such as when you suspect nutrient imbalances or salt buildup in the soil. The amount of Epsom salt to use for flushing depends on the size of the plant, the type of plant, and the specific issue you’re trying to
How much Epsom salt do I use to flush my plants? Read More »
