Mint is a longtime garden favorite in the Midwest that is chosen for its culinary value and hardiness. Although common, this perennial herb deserves attention and a place in every garden. If you already grow mint, consider adding a new flavor this year. If mint is new to you, try a few ...

Sweet potatoes are unique in the gardening world in the way they are started and planted. While most vegetable crops are planted from seed or rooted transplants, sweet potatoes are planted from bareroot sprouts called slips. Starting your own slips is an easy project that is also fun and ...

Onions are a staple in many U.S. households and are easy to grow in the Midwest with proper timing and a little knowledge of planting methods. Give them a try this year, or use these tips to improve production if you have tried them in the past. Plan to plant anytime from now to late April in ...

Though Carl Edwards had always admired the home he and his husband now own, he didn’t like the way its then-green paint concealed the building among the trees in the front yard. “The house just sunk back into the darkness,” he said. But now, the brick home with its blue paint, red ...

Companion planting is a centuries-old practice of planting one or more crops near each other for singular or mutual benefit. New gardeners hearing the term for the first time might wonder which practices are best; experienced gardeners might wonder if it really works. Some companion planting ...

The bitter cold that accompanied recent winter storms in the Lawrence area will likely have long-lasting effects on certain trees and landscape plantings. And while many gardeners think the silver lining of the cold is a decrease in insect and mite populations, the actual effect is difficult ...