11 Perennials You Can Cut Back Hard in September
These 11 perennials can handle a hard September cutback—if you wait for the right cue. Here is exactly when and how low to cut each one.
Gardening
Why I Cut My Pepper Plants Back Hard Before Winter
Hard pruning turns a sprawling pepper plant into a compact framework that is easier to inspect, store, and keep alive indoors until spring.
Stop Wasting Your Sage Leaves: 8 Smart Ways to Use and Preserve Them
Put extra sage leaves to work with eight practical ideas, from crispy fried sage and brown butter to safe freezing, drying, and herb vinegar.
20 Fussy Plants People Keep Buying—Even Though They’re Hard to Keep Alive
These 20 popular plants are beautiful, widely sold, and surprisingly hard to keep alive. Learn why they are fussy—and what they actually need to thrive.
Should You Cut Back Peonies After They Bloom? Here’s the Answer
Should you cut back peonies after they bloom? Learn what to deadhead, what to leave alone, and when to cut peony foliage for healthier plants and better blooms next year.
11 Flower Seeds to Sow in August for a Head Start on Spring
Start planning next year’s garden now with these 11 flowers to sow or start in August. Get practical tips for pansies, foxgloves, sweet William, columbine, lupines, poppies, and more.
Stop Throwing Away Potato Peels—They’re a Secret Weapon for Your Garden
That bowl of potato peels is not kitchen waste—it is the beginning of your next garden win. Before you toss another handful, consider this: potato peels are moist, biodegradable, and …
You Can Help Save the Monarch Butterfly by Collecting and Growing Milkweed Seeds
Every fall, monarchs begin one of nature’s most improbable journeys: a tiny orange-and-black butterfly heads south on a route it has never flown before. The trip looks magical from a …
10 Trees You Should Never Plant Too Close to Your House
A tree can make a house feel finished. Until the trunk gets too big, the roots start lifting the walk, and the “cute little sapling” becomes the most expensive thing …
How to Propagate Lavender From Cuttings: The No-Fuss Method That Actually Gets Roots
Learn how to propagate lavender from cuttings with a practical, low-fuss method that covers the right stems, rooting mix, moisture, troubleshooting, and when to pot up.