All 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.

Companion planting pairs plants that help each other. Basil with tomatoes, marigolds with everything. But some pairs compete.

Container size determines yield. Tomatoes need 5 gallons. Lettuce needs 6 inches depth. Here's the minimum for every common vegetable.

Bottom watering keeps leaves dry and encourages deep roots. Top watering washes salt buildup and mimics rain.

Classroom gardening works with fast crops, simple setups, and clear timelines. Radishes, beans, and sunflowers are the best choices.

Fall is the best season for leafy greens, root vegetables, and brassicas. Plant 6-8 weeks before first frost for a fall harvest.

A beginner's cut flower garden needs 5-6 varieties that bloom at different times. Zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, and marigolds are the easiest.

Extend your season with row covers, cold frames, and cloches. A cold frame adds 4-6 weeks on each end of the season.

Damping off is a fungal disease that kills seedlings at the soil line. It's caused by wet soil and poor airflow.

Fertilizer is plant vitamins, not food. Use liquid fertilizer at 1/4 strength for seedlings, full strength for established plants.