1. Carrot Tops You must have seen rabbits eating the carrot tops and leaves, and they are actually tasty food for humans as well. Carrot greens have a slight taste of carrots and can be used in salads and to make pesto and soups. Here are some surprising benefits of carrot greens. 2. Onion Skins Use onion skins in stock recipes. Add them to your broth for a deep amber hue....

Raw, this large purple vegetable doesn’t look anything like an egg. When cooked, it doesn’t taste or look egg-like either. When I hear the word eggplant (Solanum melongena), I immediately think of my all-time favorite Mediterranean dish, the smoky, garlicky baba ghanoush. The next thing I think of is eggplant’s famous color, that deep, gorgeous, intense shade of… white? White eggplant? Let’s explore, shall we? Have you ever wondered how our deep, dark purple eggplant got its rather vivid and seemingly meaningless name?...

It’s got a special place in my heart, so if my admiration for this colorful perennial seems a little biased… it is! Gaillardia spp. Of all the wildflowers I’ve worked with, Gaillardia is the one to never disappoint me. It puts on an effortless and long-lasting show of bright, lovely foliage for almost the entire growing season, and it seems only to require my admiration and endless fawning to keep on keepin’ on....

I’m going to guide you through the growing process for this leafy green, and recommend a few of my favorite cultivars. I’ll even tempt your taste buds with some preserving and cooking ideas. Brassica oleracea var. acephala ‘Lacinato’ Dinosaur kale, also known as Tuscan or Lacinato kale, is without a doubt my favorite type. Its long, narrow leaves make it such a breeze to cook with. And in my opinion, it is one of the most ornamental edible plants there is....

Frequent inspections help to identify early warning signs, and can curtail potential damage when you respond promptly and accordingly. Nothing beats the fresh taste of homegrown lettuce and sometimes it can feel like every animal and insect in the neighborhood agrees. Lettuce is one of the most commonly decimated plants in the home garden, attracting hungry creatures from miles around. On a sunny spring day, you can practically hear the sounds of munching coming from your plants…...

Want to grow plants that can make you more beautiful? Just learn about the plants you can grow for beauty therapies. Must Read! If you visit any beauty counter, you will see rows of products containing natural extracts for moisturizing, conditioning, cleansing, toning, and anti-aging. Even though some of them sound exotic, other plants like Green Tea, Rose, Chamomile, Aloe Vera, etc., can be grown in your garden (some of them can be grown indoors too) and they all have some great skin benefits....

But they’re a bit over the top if you only get the occasional, light snowfall. That’s when you might want to consider a smaller, single stage gas blower or even one of the electric models, which are also ideal for clearing decks and patios. Has the time come for you to think about buying a snowblower? With a variety of different sizes and power options available, there’s a lot to consider before you make your purchase....

One of the first herbs to appear in early spring, mints are vigorous plants that flourish through summer, providing a steady supply of refreshing leaves for cold and hot beverages, and sweet or savory dishes. Need fresh mint all year? Aromatic and flavorful, mint is a delightfully rewarding herb that’s easily cultivated in the garden. And it grows nicely indoors as well, providing mint lovers everywhere with much joy over winter!...

When all goes to plan, the process is pretty straightforward. But when funky stuff like ferning out early starts to happen, it can be perplexing. Growing asparagus can be a bit of a challenge if you’ve never done it before. These plants aren’t like squash or strawberries. You don’t plant them and then wait for the fruits to develop so you can pluck them off. With asparagus, you harvest the stems of the plant, and then you wait for more stems to return so you can do it again....

The plants have a basal mound of glossy green or variegated foliage, and slender leafless stems rise from the leaves. Calla lilies, members of the Zantedeschia genus, are not true lilies at all. These members of the arum family are cousins to the Jack-in-the-pulpit. Suited to year-round cultivation in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 to 11, they are grown as annuals in other temperate zones. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products....

Information Thinking of becoming a botanist or a horticulturist, but aren't sure what the difference is between the two? These two areas of study are both rooted in the study of plants, but have some distinct differences. In this article, we look at both disciplines, and what you can expect as you further your knowledge in each of them. By Jason White Last updated: September 1, 2021 | 8 min read If you are interested in gardening and plants, you may consider two professions closely: botanists and horticulturists....

Cichorium intybus Herbs and roots have been used in alternative medicine for centuries, and chicory is no exception. What is this mystical plant, and does it really boast legitimate health benefits? We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. Here’s what’s to come in this article: What Is Chicory? C. intybus is a perennial plant related to the dandelion that blooms with beautiful blue flowers....

Other tasters compare it to a stronger version of oregano, anise, fennel, or tarragon. It’s also been called spicy. Dysphania ambrosioides Show of hands – who’s ever heard of epazote? If you’re a fan of southern Mexican or Guatemalan food, you may be familiar with this ingredient, which is comprised of the leaves and stalks of the epazote (eh-puh-ZO-tay) plant. This plant is considered a weed by some, but proudly cultivated by others who treasure its unusual flavor, described by some as “earthy,” or as having lemony, acidic qualities....

Regardless, bay is the answer. It’s so versatile that you can grow it as a bonsai on a windowsill, or let it sprawl out into a tree for your patio in a half-barrel planter. Bay is one of those plants that attracts ornamental growers and herb gardeners alike. That’s because it serves as a beautiful addition to the garden, and it’s also one of those plants that’s essential for any serious home cook....

A well-shaped cascade requires both a consistent, steady guiding hand and an artist who knows how to shape a tree without leaving any trace of their work behind. A bonsai makes a dramatic artistic statement no matter what shape the artist chooses, but there is something so striking about the cascade style. That elegant arch and gracefully sweeping trunk evoke images of an old, wind-battered survivor clinging to the edge of a cliff....

It’s not as daunting as it seems! Each of us has to start somewhere, right? Mary, Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow? Good question – how does your garden grow? If you’re stumped on where to begin planning your vegetable plot, there are a few steps you’ll need to take to figure it out. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission....

The key phrase here is “that often.” You will still come across them now and then and when you do, it helps a lot to know what to look for and how to deal with the situation. There are a lot of reasons to love bleeding hearts, but being relatively uninteresting to pests is one of the best. Maybe they taste bad or something? I’ll have to ask the next mealybug I see....

In this article, we’ll delve into the common pests that can plague hellebores and offer some solutions if your plants become infested. Hellebores herald the arrival of spring, often blooming as early as January with delicate cup-shaped flowers in a wide variety of colors. These evergreen perennials don’t usually suffer from many issues with pests, and thanks to their toxicity, deer and rabbits avoid them. Our guide to growing hellebores covers the basics of how to cultivate these plants in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9....

Brown flowers have become a favorite of gardeners in recent times. According to Feng Shui, brown color indicates food, nature, and the circle of life. Several famous species of flowers like roses, cymbidiums, and chrysanthemums are available in shades of brown. Find out about the Types of Brown Flower Names! Check out our article on Pink flower names here Best Types of Brown Flowers 1. Angel Amber Kiss Pansy Botanical Name: Viola cornuta...

This cultivar is grown in a similar way to other varieties of kale, but I’ll provide the details for growing ‘Red Russian’ below. Brassica napus subsp. pabularia ‘Red Russian’ If you’re looking for a sweet and tender variety of kale for your garden, look no further than ‘Red Russian.’ This heirloom variety has large leaves that are softer than other varieties, making it a welcome change from fall greens that require lots of cooking....