Weekly Tips

Get Smart Gardening tips and advice right here, right now.

Zone Pushing

usda hardiness map

I have a pair of plants that are “marginally hardy” in my climate zone. What are their chances of making it through the winter and how can I help?

Fall Lawn-care Reminders

lawn

Here’s a rundown of fall tasks that will improve a lawn made up of cool-season turfgrasses, such as fescues, Kentucky bluegrass and ryegrass:

Gardening With Wildlife

No matter where you garden, you very likely share your space with some kind of wildlife. Here are some of our favorite articles and resources for attracting beneficial wildlife and deterring animals that cause damage.

Odd-shaped Rose Bushes

I planted some rose bushes last spring and they’ve grown well, but with an odd shape. They each have one stem that’s much taller than the others, creating a weird shape. Can I cut it off?

Winter Annuals

Sweet William

Gardeners in warm-winter climates can rely on these annuals to bloom through most of the winter. If you’re starting from seed, get them in the ground around Labor Day.

Garden Design in Black and White

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There are many factors to consider when choosing plants for your garden. Once you’ve narrowed the list to plants that do well in your environment, it’s common to start choosing plants by the color of their flowers or foliage. However, some garden designers argue that it’s better to choose plants first by shape, then worry about color.