Harvest Beans Early and Often
Snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris and its close relatives) are usually harvested when they are still young and tender and when they “snap”Continue Reading
Author: Larry Hodgson
Garden writer and blogger, author of 65 gardening books, lecturer and communicator, the Laidback Gardener, Larry Hodgson, passed away in October 2022. Known for his great generosity, his thoroughness and his sense of humor, he reached several generations of amateur and professional gardeners over his 40-year career.
Thanks to his son, Mathieu Hodgson, and a team of contributors, laidbackgardener.blog will continue its mission of demystifying gardening and making it more accessible to all.
Watering in Full Sun Doesn’t Burn Leaves
Among the most persistent of the numerous gardening myths is the one that insists you should never water plants, andContinue Reading
55 Groundcovers for Shade
It’s hard to create an English-style flower border in the shade. There just aren’t that many shade plants that bloomContinue Reading
The Best – and Worst – Shrubs for hedges
There is no lack of good shrubs for use in hedges. Here is a list of the better varieties forContinue Reading
Oriental Poppy: Dormant but not Dead
The superb Oriental poppy (Papaver oriental), with its huge red, orange, pink or purple flowers, is spectacular when it blooms in late spring/earlyContinue Reading
Using a Weed to Your Advantage
Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) is a very invasive fern (yes, botanists have recently decided that it is no longer a “fernContinue Reading
Slug Resistant Plants
The true secret to controlling slugs easily is not to battle them with egg shell barriers, beer traps, or otherContinue Reading
Slug Treatments that Really Work!
Over the last two days, I presented two slug treatments of varying effectiveness. The eggshell barrier treatment does not work at all.Continue Reading
Trapping Slugs with Beer: Myth or Reality?
In yesterday’s blog, I explained why an anti-slug barrier made up of crushed eggshells is not effective. I received plenty of flackContinue Reading
The World’s Best Moisture Meter
You’re not sure whether it’s time to water your vegetables, your flowerbeds, your houseplants, etc.? I know the perfect moisture meter, oneContinue Reading