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Scarification: The simple seed-starting trick that helps tough-coated seeds sprout faster

I'm currently dusting off my seed-starting supplies and sorting through seed packets from years past. Seed starting is an annual ritual for many gardeners, but if you're new to the party, it would be helpful to know that not all seeds should be treated the same way. Many seeds only require ...

How refill stores are changing the way we reduce waste

Refilling a bottle instead of throwing it away has become a popular way for people to reduce waste — a small, tangible action in response to larger environmental problems. But whether refilling actually makes a difference depends on how these systems are used and what they replace. Scores ...

A kaleidoscope of oddball tomatoes to try as seed-starting season nears

Seed-starting time is right around the corner, and that means it's time to think about tomatoes. I can think of no better summer meal than a thick slice of a homegrown Oxheart between two slices of white bread, adorned only with salt, pepper and maybe a couple of basil leaves. I'm also ...

Fireplace ashes can have a use in garden

With record cold gripping much of North America this winter, many who find themselves with an abundance of fireplace ashes are wondering whether they can use them in the garden. Wood ashes from burned untreated wood can be beneficial for your plants — but with a few caveats. Ashes contain ...

Snow protects your garden beds, but trees might need some help

Shoveling in single-digit temperatures after the colossal winter storm this weekend, I dumped mounds of snow onto my garden beds, knowing it would protect my trees, shrubs and dormant perennials. When the ground repeatedly freezes and thaws, as it does over winter in cold climates, that can ...

Pest-free houseplants start at the nursery

If you grow houseplants, you probably know that sinking feeling you get when you notice the almost imperceivable movement of a dot, fine webbing between a leaf and its stem, or a leaf that just looks off. You thought (hoped!) the moment would never come, but the pests have moved in, and here ...