18 Fun Facts About Rhubarb
By Larry Hodgson Rhubarb is a common garden plant, usually harvested in mid-spring as the leaves expand. Only the petioleContinue 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.
How to Grow Grains in Your Backyard
One of the benefits of being stuck at home is how it allowed us to discover new and interesting hobbiesContinue Reading
Lily Beetle Survey: Share Your Knowledge!
Two years ago I wrote an article about the decrease in lily beetle infestations in my area: Where Have All theContinue Reading
Should You Try to Save Plants from a Weed-Infested Bed?
By Larry Hodgson Question: One of my perennial beds is full of goutweed and I’ve decided to use the black tarpContinue Reading
50 Plants for a Perennial Hedge
By Larry Hodgson If you look back over the history of hedges, you’ll realize that, although today’s hedges always seemContinue Reading
10 Suggestions for DIY Landscaping
Follow these tips to create a home landscape that will rival the best professional plans. By Mathieu and Larry HodgsonContinue Reading
Lacy Phacelia: Possibly the Best Plant for Pollinators!
By Larry Hodgson If you grow fruit-bearing vegetables like squash, cucumbers, eggplant, okra or melons, you always need insect visitorsContinue Reading
Love-Lies-Bleeding: the Oh-So Edible Annual!
By Larry Hodgson Botanical name: Amaranthus caudatus.Common Names: Love-lies-bleeding, foxtail amaranth, pendant amaranth, pendant flower, kiwichaHeight: 3–8 feet (90–240 cm).Spacing: 18 to 24 inchesContinue Reading
Garden Myth: You Shouldn’t Compost Rhubarb Leaves
By Larry Hodgson As you harvest your rhubarb (Rheum × hybridum) stalks this spring, you’ll find many websites warning youContinue Reading
Rameal Chipped Wood (RCW) as a Mulch and Soil Amendment
by Edith Smeesters, biologist, author and speakerwww.edithsmeesters.org A few decades ago, I was given a book by Ida and JeanContinue Reading