Home Garden Tips

Gardening is a fun hobby, but it can be hard to get started. Home Garden Joy strives to make it easy and fun to begin your new garden. This section is devoted to many how-to tips: watering, soil, seed starting, composting, USDA hardiness zones, and all the things I've learned as I grew up with experienced gardeners by my side. You'll find tips and tricks, and plenty of practice advice, too.

An assassin bug, blending into the roadway

Assassin Bugs – Scary Looking, But Beneficial Insects

We meet the strangest neighbors while walking the dog. This assassin bug was strolling across the pavement on a hot summer’s evening when we walked our dog. At first, I thought it was a wolf spider, but the leg arrangement, plus the narrower body, made me decide to snap a picture and use Google Lens…

A close up of American burnweed flowers about to bloom.

American Burnweed, the Weed That Signals Fall Is Here

I was walking my dog along the wood’s edge right near where we cleared land to build our greenhouse when I did a double take. There, like Jack’s magical beanstalk, had grown overnight this gem: American burnweed. Also known as fireweed or American burn weed, it grows rapidly – and I mean, rapidly. Like I…

What Can You Make with Summer Squash?

It’s that time of year when everyon asks, “What can I make with summer squash?”. The time when neighbors sneak bags of summer squash onto porches. When farmer’s markets are brimming with yellow and green squash, zucchini, and all manner of Cucurbitaceae, the plant family that gives, and gives, until it can’t give anymore. If…

Growing Marshmallow Plant

Growing marshmallow plant has been on my gardening to-do list for quite some time. I’ve read about it in herbal books and grown its cousins in the Malvaceae family from seed. The dark purple mallow plant I have thrives in my little garden by the shed, so I thought, “Why not grow marshmallow there?” I…

The Only Garden Design Tip You’ll Ever Need!

Why Do Spring Flowering Trees Bloom in the Fall?

Fall Garden Update and Dealing with Drought

Fast Growing Shade Trees: An Interview with Davey Tree Experts

Save Water in Your Home

Keeping Birds Out of the Garden

Five Reasons Gardeners Should Get a Tetanus Shot

Outwitting the Insects

Trench Composting

Gardening for Health: Can Doctors Prescribe Gardening?

Summer Gardening Tasks

The New Composting System Is Done!

Are You Stuck in a Gardening Rut?

My First Water Garden

Avoid Touching Hairy Black Cress Weed

Assassin Bugs – Scary Looking, But Beneficial Insects

American Burnweed, the Weed That Signals Fall Is Here

What Can You Make with Summer Squash?

Growing Marshmallow Plant

Home Garden Tips

Footer

Let’s Connect!