7 min read
Carrots in Containers
A deep planter and a well tended seed row can produce straight roots even where there is no garden bed.
The plant
growing library
Practical planting guides for garden beds, balconies, and windowsills.
Featured guide
Growing Tomatoes in Containers
Choose a tomato that fits your space, set up a pot that holds moisture through summer, and learn what the flowers and fruit are telling you.
Read guideVegetables
From the first seed to the last harvest, make the most of a bed or a few pots.
All 10 guides
7 min read
Growing Cucumbers on a Trellis
Use a sturdy support to keep vining cucumbers within reach and make the most of a narrow bed.
7 min read
Keeping Lettuce on the Table Through Summer
Stretch the lettuce season with small sowings, afternoon shade, and a plan for the weeks when the plants want to flower.
8 min read
Basil for Repeat Harvests
Learn where to cut a basil stem and how to keep new leaves coming through the warm part of the year.
7 min read
Growing Mint Without Letting It Spread
Keep mint in a pot you can inspect, cut the stems that try to escape, and renew the plant before the roots fill it.
7 min read
Keeping Rosemary Healthy in a Pot
Give rosemary a sunny position and a root zone that drains, then adjust your care as growth slows in winter.
Houseplants
Read the leaves, check the roots, and find the right spot for plants at home.
All 10 guides
8 min read
How to Root Pothos Cuttings
A single vine can yield several new pothos plants if you cut at the right spot and give the roots time to branch.
7 min read
Repotting a Monstera Without Losing Its Shape
Check the root ball, choose a container that fits it, and set up a climbing support while the pot is open.
8 min read
When to Water a Snake Plant
Check the bottom of the pot, read the leaves, and learn how long a snake plant takes to dry in your particular room.
8 min read
Growing Zinnias for a Cutting Garden
Plan a short succession of sowings, pick stems at the right stage, and keep a small bed producing flowers for the vase.
7 min read
Sowing Cosmos for a Long Season of Flowers
Give cosmos warm soil and open light, then use thinning, support, and timely cutting to make its airy growth work in the garden.
7 min read
Sunflowers for a Small Patio or Balcony
Choose a compact variety, secure its container, and sow a second group if you want flowers after the first stems finish.
8 min read
Map the Light on Your Balcony Before You Plant
A pencil, a clear day, and a few observations at the height of your future plants can tell you more than a compass alone.
7 min read
Why a Grow Bag Can Stay Wet
A fabric container can drain freely and still keep its roots too wet. Work out where the water is going before you change the bag or the mix.
8 min read
Make a Container Garden That Can Take the Wind
Keep outdoor pots steady, protect the roots from drying out, and choose supports that move with a plant rather than working against it.
Soil & Care
Build better soil and solve the small problems that can derail a growing season.
All 10 guides
8 min read
How Much Compost Does a Raised Bed Need?
A raised bed can benefit from compost long after it is built, but the right amount depends on the soil you already have, what the compost contains, and where your plants will send their roots.
8 min read
Mulching Vegetables Without Smothering the Bed
Choose a mulch that fits the crop and the weather, then apply it in a way that lets the soil warm, breathe, and take up water.
8 min read
How to Read a Vegetable Garden Soil Test
Use the laboratory's ratings and your bed measurements to decide whether to adjust pH, supply a missing nutrient, or give the soil more time.