How to spot early nutrient deficiency in tomatoes from leaf patterns and fix it in three waterings
Tomatoes are my favorite summer thrill: a small green cluster that slowly swells and turns into a sweet, sun-warmed bite. But nothing punctures that joy faster than strange leaf patterns that whisper, "something's off." Over the years I've learned to read tomato leaves like a thermometer—spotting...
Featured
How to save leggy basil in pots: revive, prune and repot for a full summer harvest
I love basil for its scent, speed and instant reward. But every summer I see the same sad sight in...
When to cut back summer-flowering perennials to extend blooms and avoid winter die-back
Keeping summer-flowering perennials blooming longer while also protecting them from winter die-back...
Which cheap soil amendments actually fix compacted clay in place and how to apply them
I work a lot with small urban yards and stubborn clay soils, so I’ve spent years testing cheap,...
Exactly when and how to harden off seedlings on a windy apartment balcony without losing a tray
Windy balconies can feel like a battleground when you're trying to harden off tender seedlings. I...
Weeknight plan: turn three supermarket herb pots into a layered balcony herb garden that saves water
I love a quick, satisfying project that turns an ordinary weeknight into something green and...
Which organic nematode products actually control vine weevils and how to apply them for potted rhododendrons
I lost more than a few beloved potted rhododendrons to vine weevil a few years ago before I finally...
Latest News from Groupegarden
DIY Projects
How to turn heavy clay into fast-draining raised beds without hauling in tons of topsoil
I remember the first time I faced a yard full of sticky, smearing clay. I wanted raised beds that drained quickly and fed plants well, but the thought of hiring a truckload of screened topsoil felt wasteful and expensive. Over the years I’ve developed and refined a method that turns heavy clay...
Read more...
Garden Design
Which low-maintenance native hedges give year-round privacy for a small urban garden
I often get asked by readers with small urban plots: “How can I get reliable, year‑round privacy without endless pruning or toxic sprays?” Over the years I’ve learned that the smartest answer is to choose low‑maintenance native hedges. They’re adapted to local soils and climate, support...
Read more...
DIY Projects
Save week-long watering: set up a cheap ollas system for balcony pots
I’m a big fan of simple, low-cost solutions that make a garden feel cared for without demanding every spare minute of my time. On hot summer weeks when I want to leave town or just spend more time enjoying my plants than dragging watering cans, I turn to an old technique: ollas. These unglazed...
Read more...
Garden Design
Turn a shady 2x corner into a low-maintenance pollinator garden with native perennials
I turned a small, shady corner of my yard—an awkward 2x nook under an overhanging maple—into a low-maintenance pollinator haven using mostly native perennials. If you have a similar tight, shady corner that seems impossible to plant (too dark, roots competing, soil a little compacted), I’ll...
Read more...
Pests & Diseases
Fix blossom end rot on tomatoes in seven practical steps for container growers
I remember the first summer my patio tomato plants started showing small, sunken brown patches on the bottoms of the fruits — maddening when you’re nursing container tomatoes through heat, water and pruning. That problem was blossom end rot (BER), and once I learned to treat the cause instead...
Read more...
DIY Projects
Build an upcycled rain barrel filter that keeps mosquitoes out and delivers clean water to raised beds
I’ve been collecting rainwater for years, but one summer I noticed mosquito larvae wriggling in my old barrel—and I realized I needed a better system. I wanted something simple, budget-friendly and made mostly from upcycled parts that would both keep mosquitoes out and deliver relatively clean...
Read more...
Plant Care
Troubleshooting yellowing leaves: 7 specific causes and how to treat each
I always get a little pang when I see leaves going yellow on a plant I care about. Yellowing — or chlorosis — is one of those common garden signals that can come from many different problems. Over the years I’ve learned that the key is to look at the pattern of yellowing, feel the soil, check...
Read more...
DIY Projects
Step by step guide to grafting apple trees for better fruit and disease resistance
I still remember the first time I tried grafting an apple tree: my hands were sticky with sap, my bench was cluttered with budding scion wood, and I was alternately nervous and thrilled. That year the grafts took, and the satisfaction of watching a new cultivar thrive on a hardy rootstock hooked me...
Read more...
Pests & Diseases
Companion planting pairs that reduce pests and boost tomato yields
I’ve always treated companion planting as one of those simple garden strategies that rewards you over and over: a few smart plant pairings can cut pests, improve pollination and even increase tomato yields without reaching for chemical sprays. Over the years I’ve tried dozens of combinations in...
Read more...
Plant Care
How to use mulch correctly around shrubs to prevent rot and encourage deep roots
Mulch is one of my favorite garden habits — it transforms bare soil into a tidy, moisture-retaining layer, suppresses weeds and feeds the soil as it breaks down. But I’ve also learned the hard way that mulch can cause problems when used incorrectly around shrubs: too much or piled against the...
Read more...