By Angelo Randaci, Earth’s Ally Horticulturist Angelo's passion for plants has led him to explore many areas of horticulture including research, grounds management, technical training, design and nursery management. Spring is the best time to start your garden. While tomatoes, peppers, beans, and squash highlight the summer harvest, there is a whole generation of cool-season crops to enjoy long before the hot days of summer.  Cool Season vs. Warm Season Crops Garden vegetables have preferences for growing conditions based on temperature and the number of hours of sun they receive durin ..read more

Written By Angelo Randaci, Earth's Ally® Horticulturist Rosemary Oil is a Highly Effective Alternative to Neem Oil with a Pleasant Smell Visit almost any online plant lover’s group and the most frequently asked question is, “How do I get rid of this bug that I found on my plant?” Most often, the answer offered by more experienced gardeners is neem oil. But did you know that there is an alternative to neem oil that is more effective and less smelly? More gardeners and plant plant parents are making rosemary oil a part of their pest management routine by using Earth's Ally 3-in-1 Plant Spray. Fo ..read more

By Angelo Randaci, Earth’s Ally Horticulturist Angelo's passion for plants has led him to explore many areas of horticulture including research, grounds management, technical training, design and nursery management. I’m an anthophile, a person who loves plants. It’s an addiction that knows no end and one that mostly involves working with soil; weeding, growing, grooming, and generally fussing over plants both inside and out. While this is not a hobby for everyone, most of us like having living plants within our living environment in some capacity. If your situation is such that you hav ..read more

By Angelo Randaci, Earth’s Ally Horticulturist Angelo's passion for plants has led him to explore many areas of horticulture including research, grounds management, technical training, design and nursery management. Extreme weather has dominated the news this summer with average worldwide temperatures hitting new highs. The heat index reached close to 110° F from Texas to Florida. If this cycle continues, consider replacing your garden with heat tolerant plants. Here are some suggestions: Related: Plant Heat Stress Symptoms & Prevention Vegetables Consider planting okra, eggplant, sweet ..read more

By Angelo Randaci, Earth’s Ally Horticulturist Angelo's passion for plants has led him to explore many areas of horticulture including research, grounds management, technical training, design and nursery management. Many of the most destructive insects are also the smallest. Thrips (the word thrips is used for both the singular and the plural) are one such small but mighty destructive pests that can cause havoc on your plants, inside and out. What are thrips? Thrips are small, tiny soft-bodied insects less than 1/20” long when fully grown. The nymphs look like a smaller version of the adult ..read more

By Angelo Randaci, Earth’s Ally Horticulturist Angelo's passion for plants has led him to explore many areas of horticulture including research, grounds management, technical training, design and nursery management. What can you do for your plants when the thermometer approaches 100° F? Plant growth typically slows down at 86° F and comes to a halt at temps above 100° F. As a result, plants go into survival mode during these unusual conditions. Heat stress occurs when plants are exposed to strong sunlight and heat for long periods of time. High temps for long enough to alter their ability t ..read more

By Angelo Randaci, Earth’s Ally Horticulturist Angelo's passion for plants has led him to explore many areas of horticulture including research, grounds management, technical training, design and nursery management. Our gardens inspire us. They create harmony, pleasure, and serenity. As stewards and guardians dedicated to making the most of our patch of land, we should include landscaping in a way that preserves the beauty of our garden while conserving our most precious and necessary gift: water. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that of the estimated 29 billion gallons of w ..read more

By Angelo Randaci, Earth’s Ally Horticulturist Angelo's passion for plants has led him to explore many areas of horticulture including research, grounds management, technical training, design and nursery management. “The moon, like a flower in heaven’s high bower,  with silent delight sits and smiles on the night.” -William Blake At the end of the day, after the cloak of darkness descends, after the evening meal is finished and the dishes are washed, nature comes alive with creatures and flowers along with the scents and sounds of nature at night. Between dusk and dawn, the world ..read more

By Angelo Randaci, Earth’s Ally Horticulturist Angelo's passion for plants has led him to explore many areas of horticulture including research, grounds management, technical training, design and nursery management. One person’s treasure is another person’s weed. Deciding whether a plant is a treasure or a weed is often determined by the location of the plant. If a plant is growing in the wrong place, like through concrete, cracks in the sidewalk, or unintentionally covering a garden bed, the location alone will dictate if it is a weed or treasure. Let’s talk about the plants we decide are ..read more

By Angelo Randaci, Earth’s Ally Horticulturist Angelo's passion for plants has led him to explore many areas of horticulture including research, grounds management, technical training, design and nursery management. Combining the principles of indoor plant culture with interior design lends itself to numerous decorative styles and choices when designing your own indoor plant displays. With many decorative motifs, your first task is to determine your personal favorites. You can be a creative adventurist trying new styles or combining eclectic pieces to create your own style. You can go over ..read more