Expert Advice on Home Improvement

This summer, I am loving the mulberry trees in the back yard! The ripe fruit is sweet, juicy, and lightly tart, making it an irresistible summer afternoon snack, and the lush trees turn my back yard into a summertime rainforest. Here are some tips for growing and enjoying mulberry trees. Read in full.

John asks, “Why do my tomatoes split open, and what can I do about it?”

Splitting usually happens after a hard rain, and it’s caused by the sudden change in moisture. You can’t totally prevent this, but splitting will be reduced if you take steps to keep moisture levels consistent within the plants. Here’s how. Read in full.

Crop rotation is a simple process that is vitally important to the health and productivity of the garden. From disease prevention to nutrient balancing, the benefits of crop rotation make it worth the extra bit of planning required. Here’s an easy-to-remember crop rotation plan for any size garden. Read in full.

Barbara asks, “I have trouble growing tomatoes in the heat of the Deep South. Are there any varieties you recommend?”

Once temperatures get above 90° F during the day (or above 75° at night), tomato plants are very susceptible to blossom drop, resulting in a poor crop. Here are some ideas that might help. Read in full.

Summer vegetables are grown primarily for their fruits (rather than leaves or roots), and many will continue producing throughout the season with a little care. If you’re new to gardening, summer vegetables can be a great way to get started with a small garden plot or a few patio containers. Here are information and tips about growing warm-season vegetables. Read in full.

Bill asks,“My tomato leaves have white lines on them. What causes this, and what should I do about it?”

Those white squiggly lines are caused by leaf miners. Leaf miners are insect larvae which hatch from eggs deposited between the upper and lower surface of plant leaves. The hungry larvae munch their way around the leaf, leaving a telltale white trail or tunnel. Read in full.

This past weekend was the opening day of my hometown farmer’s market! It’s one of the highlights of the growing season – local organic honey and jams, fresh flowers, herbs and potted plants, bluegrass pickers under a shady tree, and the produce-laden tables offer a feast for the senses with the best of small-town flavor. Read in full.

Though we tend to regard summer as the heyday for growing vegetables, cool-season crops in the spring and fall can be just as rewarding. The cool daytime temperatures and occasional light frost yield the sweetest, crispest, most flavorful vegetables around. Read on to find out how to grow 10 popular cool-season vegetables in your yard. Read in full.

One of the biggest worries of gardeners is the threat of freezing weather and frosts that can harm or kill plants and damage crops. Here’s what you need to know to protect tender plants when the mercury drops. Read in full.

Growing vegetables can be a great way to save money, improve your diet, get exercise, and enjoy the outdoors. And the best part about vegetable gardening is that you can do as much or as little as you want. Read more to find out how to start your own backyard vegetable garden. Read in full.