Growing Guides

Control aphids without chemicals using water spray, soapy water, neem oil, ladybugs, hand removal, or companion planting.

Balcony watering options include self-watering pots, drip irrigation, and ollas. For a small setup, self-watering pots are the easiest.

Cilantro bolts above 75°F. If yours bolted in 3 weeks, it was too hot. Plant in cool weather, provide afternoon shade, and succession plant.

Yellow basil leaves come from overwatering, cold, nutrient deficiency, or downy mildew. Check soil moisture and temperature first.

A balcony garden needs 4-6 hours of sun, pots with drainage, and varieties suited to containers. Start with lettuce, radishes, and herbs — they're the most forgiving.

Apartment gardening works if you have 4-6 hours of light (or a grow light), containers, and the right varieties. Start with herbs and lettuce.

Ants on plants are usually farming aphids for their honeydew. Control the ants to control the aphids.

You can control aphids without chemicals using 6 methods: water spray, soapy water, neem oil, ladybugs, hand removal, and companion planting.

Aphids are tiny, soft-bodied insects that cluster on new growth. They're the most common garden pest and one of the easiest to control without chemicals.

Bitter vegetables come from 4 causes: heat stress, bolting, uneven watering, or harvest timing. Most bitterness is preventable.

Black spots on basil are usually fusarium wilt or cold damage. Fusarium is fatal. Cold damage is cosmetic if caught early.

Brown leaf edges come from 4 causes: underwatering, over-fertilizing, low humidity, or salt buildup.

Zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, marigolds, and gomphrena are the 5 best cut flowers for beginners.

Cherry tomatoes, bush beans, lettuce, radishes, and peppers are the 5 best vegetables for containers.

Basil, parsley, chives, mint, and thyme are the 5 best herbs for a kitchen window. They tolerate indoor conditions and produce for months.