How-To's Archives - Garden Gnome Academy

Practical Solutions for Common Raspberry Problems

May 29, 2024Lindsay OlinBerries & Fruit, How-To'sberries, edible gardening, gardening, gardening tips, growing food, homegrown, pest control, plant care, plant disease, raspberry

Raspberries are usually straightforward to grow in home gardens. Nonetheless, they can sometimes be prone to a few pests and plant disease issues. Whenever possible, it’s best to try cultural controls and natural remedies before using harsh chemicals. Doing so helps to protect the populations of beneficial insects and soil microbes that keep your garden and the surrounding environment healthy and thriving. Here are some practical solutions for some of the most common raspberry problems.

5 Super Simple DIY Potting Soil Recipes

Feb 25, 2024Lindsay Olin17 CommentsHow-To'scompost, container gardening, DIY, edible gardening, garden soil, gardening, gardening tips, homegrown, plant care, planting seeds, potting soil, soil amendment, vegetable garden

High-quality potting soil is an essential element for success in container gardening, seed-starting, and growing houseplants. However, it can be quite costly to buy at your local plant nursery or garden supply store. Making your own potting soil will cut down on your gardening costs and allow you to customize your potting soil blend for various uses. Learn all you need to know about how to make DIY potting soil that’s perfectly tailored to your specific gardening needs.

How To Prune Houseplants: 5 Valuable Tips

Jan 28, 2024Lindsay OlinHouseplants, How-To'scontainer gardening, gardening tips, houseplants, indoor gardening, indoor plants, plant care, pruning

Discover essential tips and tricks about how to prune your houseplants. Occasional pruning keeps your houseplants looking their best. Some plants can handle getting pruned frequently and vigorously, while others should only get an occasional, light trim at specific times of the year.

How To Start Composting

May 10, 2023Lindsay Olin27 CommentsHow-To'scompost, composting, DIY, fertilizer, gardening tips, mulch, plant care, soil amendment, vegetable garden

Home composting is an excellent way to reduce waste, improve soil health, save money, and promote environmental sustainability. Learn how to start your own compost pile and have a positive impact on both your garden and the planet. When used correctly, compost makes your garden soil more stable and drought-resistant and helps your plants grow and thrive.

4 Easy Steps to Winterize Garden Beds

Oct 30, 2022Lindsay OlinHow-To'scompost, cool-season, fall cleanup, gardening, gardening tips, mulch, plant care, winterize

Learn how to winterize garden beds. Staying on top of your fall garden cleanup is crucial for maintaining the health of your perennial plants, shrubs, trees, and soil. However, clearing away every scrap of plant matter is not necessary or beneficial. In this post, you’ll find out how to winterize a garden while helping pollinators and other wildlife.

Easy Treatments for 5 Common Zucchini Pests

Jun 1, 2022Lindsay Olin1 CommentHow-To'sedible gardening, gardening, gardening tips, growing food, pest control, plant care, vegetable garden, zucchini

If you feel disheartened by a seemingly endless list of garden pests, don’t worry. There are plenty of simple solutions for most zucchini plant problems. Learn safe, natural ways to get rid of zucchini pests before they can damage your squash.

8+ Simple Remedies for Yellow Leaves on Tomato Plants

May 23, 2022Lindsay Olin4 CommentsHow-To'sedible gardening, fertilizer, gardening, gardening tips, growing food, homegrown, plant care, plant disease, plant problems, tomato, vegetable garden, watering, yellow leaves

There are numerous potential reasons for tomato leaves turning yellow. This post covers some of the most common reasons for yellow leaves on tomato plants, how to resolve the problem, and ways to prevent these issues in the future. Whatever the cause, rest assured that there is usually a straightforward solution for the problem.

4 Super Easy DIY Plant Fertilizer Recipes

May 12, 2022Lindsay Olin36 CommentsHow-To'scompost, DIY, edible gardening, garden soil, gardening, gardening tips, homegrown, houseplants, plant care, plant fertilizer, plant food, vegetable garden

One of the most crucial aspects of gardening success is ensuring that your plants get the right balance of nutrients. This post will cover ways to make easy, inexpensive, organic DIY plant fertilizer as an alternative to buying pricey and potentially harmful commercial products.

How to Build a DIY Cold Frame

Apr 5, 2022Lindsay Olin14 CommentsHow-To'scold frame, cool-season, DIY, gardening, gardening tips, greenhouse, growing food, planting seeds, vegetable garden

Cold frames are small, portable, solar-powered greenhouses. They protect plants from adverse weather conditions like cold temperatures, excessive rainfall, and hail. Learn how to make a cold frame with simple, readily available materials.