Hello! Question for the homeowner hive mind. My husband and I are in the process of overhauling our backyard. We knew this was a big project that we'd have to tackle when we purchased our house 3 years ago. We live in New England, as a point of reference for my description and questions. Our backyard is surrounded by large trees, mostly oak, some of which need to come down. The previous owner had a chain link fence installed. It looked like crap, and part of it was pulled over by this... Tree removal question ..read more

Hello there, I'm in the process of moving to a new house and want to ensure a smooth transition for my beloved plants. I've heard that relocating them can be tricky, and I want to make sure they thrive in their new environment. Do you have any tips or best practices for moving plants to a new home? Are there specific precautions I should take or recommended timeframes for the move? I want to make this transition as stress-free as possible for my green friends. Your experiences and... Transplanting Plants to a New Home - Seeking Advice ..read more

Hey everyone, I've got a fungi-related query that's been on my mind. Can anyone shed light on the role of fungi in soil ecosystems? I've read snippets about their importance in nutrient cycling and their symbiotic relationships with plants, but I'm curious to hear more insights or perhaps some specific examples. Do certain types of fungi play a more crucial role than others? And how do environmental factors impact their function? Any recommended resources for further reading would also... Fungi Question ..read more

Hi all, We have had our beautiful aloe vera for around it for around 3 years. It has grown around 4 times its original size in this time and we have repotted to accommodate its size each time, using soil specific to succulents (as advised by the garden center). It has always thrived but for the last couple of months, the leaves around the bottom of the plant are sagging and no longer full of gel/water as they were initially. However, as you can see, new leaves have grown up through the... Flopping Aloe vera leaves ..read more

New ground turned with a single bottom moldboard plow. It was hard packed dirt and turf. The plowed clumps are dried out now and I want to break them up. I've only ever used rototillers, even for new ground. It's also been several decades since I last worked a crop garden. I have a garden tractor with a sleeve hitch, Ingersoll 4020, and I want to avoid using a rototiller for this garden. I'd like to do any tillage/cultivating with fixed implements (non mechanical, pulleys/hydrolics/gears)... Tine or disc harrow after moldboard plowing virgin ground ..read more

Hello all. I'm in the process of revamping my outdoor space and I could really use some guidance on outdoor and garden lighting. I want to create a warm and inviting atmosphere in my garden, but I'm not sure where to start when it comes to lighting options. Should I go for solar-powered lights or low-voltage LED fixtures? How do I properly position the lights to highlight my garden's best features without overpowering the space? Are there any creative lighting ideas that you've tried... Outdoor and Garden Lighting Question ..read more

Hi all, We have had our beautiful aloe vera for around it for around 3 years. It has grown around 4 times its original size in this time and we have repotted to accommodate its size each time, using soil specific to succulents (as advised by the garden centre). It has always thrived but for the last couple of months the leaves around the bottom of the plant are sagging and no longer full of gel/water as they were initially. However, as you can see, new leaves have grown up through the... Flopping Aloe vera leaves ..read more

I brought this plant home from Terry's funeral over 11 years ago. Have only seen it bloom a few times (probably neglect on my part). But today it has 2 blooms on it. Will be watching it ..read more

Every year around mid-July, between the heat, crazy weed growth, and pest damage, I become completely overwhelmed and am unable to maintain the garden that I have been working so hard to create since January. In addition, I've had a lot of illnesses this year that have really gone past the point of no return. My heart bleeds to witness my gardens becoming more and more completely overrun every day. Does anyone else have this problem, and if so, how have you overcome it ..read more

Here are a couple photos of the seed planter I use. Bought it at an auction for $1 a few years ago. Works great especially on small seeds. Forgot to look on the back side for a brand name but I can check if someone is interested. It has 27 different vegetables listed on the large wheel with a letter under each one. You turn the red cup so the corresponding letter lines up with the pointer. Seeds are placed inside the red cover. Run it down the row and about 1/4 - 3/8 " of dirt will... Seed Planter ..read more