How To…

Not sure how to plant, prune or divide your plants? We’ll let you know how and when to tackle these tasks. We also have helpful advice on starting seeds, how to identify (and get rid of) weeds and save water.

Water & Feed

Garden Compost Basics

Garden compost has so many benefits. Let us show you how to make it!

Start Seeds

Learn how to start seeds here. We'll show you how to collect your own seeds, when is the best time to start seeds indoors, how to grow seeds indoors or outdoors and even how and when to transplant seedlings once you have them started. Learn which seeds you should start yourself, what seed-starting setup is best and what tips we use to improve seed-starting success.

Using a Heat Mat for Plants

Starting seeds this spring? You should probably be using a heat mat to speed up germination to get seedlings off to a good start!

DIY Plant Pots for Seed Starting

These DIY paper plant pots are inexpensive to make and biodegradable too!

Starting Seeds with Soil Blocking

Start seeds in simple soil cubes created by a soil blocker tool — no pots needed!

How to Start Celosia from Seed

Wondering how to grow celosia from seed? These exotic blooms aren't as difficult as you might think. Follow these tips for celosia seed-starting success!

Easy Setups for Starting Seeds Indoors

Budget-friendly and convenience-oriented, our tips for starting seeds indoors will get your garden growing with ease!

Seed-starting tips

Want to make starting seeds easier? Garden Gate readers share their favorite seed-starting tips.

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Plant

Learn how to plant anything, from trees to perennials, bulbs and even houseplants. We'll show you the best way to dig a hole, how to harden off tender plants, how to choose the best garden tools and even shopping tips and our favorite places for mail-order plants.

How to Plant Bulbs

Check out our handy guide on how to plant bulbs in fall for a beautiful garden bursting with spring-flowering bulbs next year.

Are You Using the Right Type of Mulch?

Find the right type of mulch for your garden and how to use it.

Types of Bulb Planters

Planting bulbs doesn't have to be a back-breaking chore; check out our favorite bulb planters and planting techniques to make things easier!

Can I Use Wood Chip Mulch From a Tree Service?

Think you can't use wood chip mulch from a tree service? The good news is, you can. Here's what you should watch for to make sure you use it correctly.

How to choose the right garden hoe

Check out our roundup of that essential garden tool, the garden hoe. Learn how to choose the right one for your situation.

3 Easy Steps for Planting Your Best Annuals

Annuals add color and flair to the garden, so make sure they start strong and keep getting better by following these 3 simple steps when planting annuals.

Water & Feed

Ever wonder what fertilizer to use on your plants? We'll show you how to choose fertilizer, when to feed your plants, the best watering tools for your garden and more.

Garden Compost Basics

Garden compost has so many benefits. Let us show you how to make it!

Compost Tea

Give your soil a healthy dose of beneficial microbes by adding brewed compost tea. We'll show you how to make it and use it in your garden here.

How to Change Hydrangea Color

If you’ve ever wanted to change your bigleaf hydrangea blooms to pink or blue, here's how to do it!

Watering Succulents

Watering succulents can be tricky — learn how to identify if you have been overwatering or underwatering.

How to Water Houseplants

Most houseplant problems are caused by watering. Use these tips to tell if you are overwatering or underwatering your indoor plants, then learn some tricks to water houseplants better.

Different Types of Garden Hoses

With all the different types of garden hoses available it's hard to know which one to get. Learn the pros and cons for each one and some tips for keeping this essential tool in great shape.

Prune

See exactly how and when to prune the plants in your garden to keep them healthy and looking their best. We'll show you how to deadhead perennials, how to prune trees and shrubs, our favorite pruning tools and more.

Root Pruning Container Grown Trees

Keep container-grown trees healthy for years by root pruning. We'll break it down into simple steps and show you how it's done in our helpful how-to video!

How to Deadhead Petunias

Not sure how to deadhead petunias? Jenny shares a few different methods to tidy up your petunias and her favorite tools for the job.

How to Deadhead Dianthus

Deadhead dianthus after they're done blooming to keep plants tidy.

How to Deadhead Geraniums

Learn how to deadhead geraniums to keep them looking tidy all summer and producing more blooms.

Best Tools for Deadheading

Discover the best tools for deadheading, keeping new blooms coming and helping plants look their best.

Ornamental Grass Cleanup in Spring

Watch our helpful video to learn tips for cleaning up different types of ornamental grass in spring!

Divide

Ready to share? Here's how to divide a plant. You'll see everything from succulents to perennials and even shrubs. Our guides to dividing plants show you the best tools and techniques to get more plants from your garden.

How to Propagate Coleus

Propagate coleus by taking leaf cuttings to get more of your favorite varieties.

How to Propagate Christmas Cactus

Here's how to get more holiday cactus by divisions or taking cuttings.

Dividing Siberian Iris

When your Siberian iris isn’t flowering as well as it used to it may be time to divide. Find out how to do this and get your new divisions off to a great start.

How to Propagate Rex Begonias from Leaf Cuttings

Rex begonias are not only beautiful and elegant, they’re also easy to propagate from leaf cuttings. Let me show you how to get more of these great plants practically free!

Dividing Plants in Summer

Need to divide a perennial in summer’s heat? No sweat. Find out which plants you can divide in summer and how to do it so they take off and look great.

3 Simple Ways to Divide Plants

Whether you’re looking for more of your favorite plant or just hoping to revive an overcrowded one, you’ll benefit from these easy tips for dividing plants.

Deal With Pests

Fight insects. Pull weeds. Solve disease problems. Insects chewing holes in leaves? We'll help you figure out what they are (and show you how to stop them). Not sure whether a plant is a weed? We help you identify weeds in your garden. Plants struggling? We'll help you figure out why a plant is turning brown and help you fix the problem. And of course if deer are eating your garden, we'll show you which products and techniques will deter deer.

Learn Something New

How To…