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.

by Larry Hodgson August 12, 2021 0

Herbs Repel Insects… Sometimes!

By Larry Hodgson Have you ever noticed that herbs are rarely affected by predatory insects? Or even by mammals (rabbits,Continue Reading

by Larry Hodgson August 11, 2021 10

Composting Garden Myths

Garden Myth: You Shouldn’t Put Citrus Peels in the Compost

By Larry Hodgson This is an old myth dating back at least to when I started seriously composting 40 someContinue Reading

by Larry Hodgson August 10, 2021 8

Gardening Perennials

Berried Treasures: Perennials with Decorative Fruits

By Larry Hodgson Gardeners mainly grow perennials for their flowers (think of astilbes, daylilies, peonies, etc.) or, if not, theirContinue Reading

by Larry Hodgson August 9, 2021 3

Beneficial insects Gardening Harmful insects

Wasps in Your Garden: What to Do?

Social wasps (the ones that live in colonies) are usually striped yellow and black or white and black, a visualContinue Reading

by Larry Hodgson August 8, 2021 2

Annuals Cooking Gardening Vegetables Year of

Taste the Sunny Goodness of Sunflowers

Cheery, bright sunflowers: they’re the perfect plant to entice pollinators, add garden drama (the good kind, that is!), lure little onesContinue Reading