Expert Advice on Home Improvement

Sherry asks, “When I read about organic gardening, I see a lot of references to neem oil. What is it, and how do I use it in my garden?”

Neem oil is made from the seeds of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica) and is a popular choice for organic insect and disease control. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

Karen asks, “This year my garden was exposed to the late blight epidemic, and I lost most of my tomatoes. What do I need to do to prevent another outbreak?”

Late blight (Phytophthora infestans) is like the “flu” of vegetable gardens, and it can wipe out tomato and potato crops in just a couple of weeks. Follow these tips to prevent the spores in your garden. Read in full.

Trees provide a lifetime of beauty, clean air, shade, and shelter. If you’re shopping for trees for your yard, you may be overwhelmed by the hundreds of species and varieties available. One of the best ways to narrow down your choices is to determine the purpose of the trees in your landscape design. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

Around my house, fall means pumpkin carving time! Last weekend, we visited a local pumpkin patch and lugged home a carful of pumpkins for an evening of friends, mulled cider, pumpkin carving, and – of course – pumpkin cheesecake! Check out these scary guys – I’m sure they’ll keep away any Halloween goblins (and possibly frighten the mailman). Read in full.

It’s a magical feeling to encounter a graceful deer, peacefully browsing . . . unless your beloved hostas are what’s for breakfast! Whether you live in the country or the city, foraging deer can cause significant damage to landscapes and vegetable gardens. Read on to find out how to protect your yard or garden. Read in full.

The summer gardening season might be coming to an end, but did you know that you can continue planting and growing vegetables all the way through the fall? Many cool-season vegetables come into their heyday as temperatures drop, and some taste even better once they’re nipped by a light frost. Read on to find out how to plant a fall veggie garden in your yard. Read in full.

In a perfect convergence of circumstances, my recent love-fest with seasonal fresh peaches provided—in addition to sweet peachy bliss—a perfect laboratory for trying out a homemade gnat trap. Read on to find out how it worked. Read in full.

Mmmm, peaches – the ultimate taste of summer! My favorite way to eat a peach is outside on the porch, leaning over the edge, with peach juice running off my elbows. Mid- to late-summer is the best time to find tree-ripened peaches at your local farmer’s market or roadside stand. Read on for tips to finding the best ones. Read in full.

With so many yummy varieties available, tomatoes are the most popular vegetable in the gardening world. They’re easy to grow, nutritious, and bring a taste of summer to any dinner table. Here’s what you need to know to grow great tasting tomatoes. Read in full.

Blossom-end rot is a troublesome condition that primarily affects tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant. It’s easily identifiable as a soggy patch on the bottom (blossom end) of the fruit, which grows into a sunken, round, brownish or black area that soon becomes leathery and moldy. Here’s what you need to know to prevent and treat blossom-end rot. Read in full.