9 Tips For Pruning Jade Plants For Success

Tips pruning jade plants success with care tips from Tony O'Neill's houseplant guides at simplifygardening.com

Pruning your Jade plants is critical to eliminating diseased or dead foliage. Also, pruning helps promote healthy blooms and foliage and makes your plants resistant to pest infestations. Pruning can also add years to your plant’s life.

Late Summer Garden Maintenance: What To Do Now

Tony checking rhubarb growing in the vegetable garden at the correct stage for care or harvest

When summer’s warm light started to fade in my garden, I noticed it looked a bit worn out. This seemed like a usual bump in the road for many gardeners around this time of year. My mission to breathe new life into my cherished outdoor space led me down a path of discovery. I learned … Read more

How to Keep Bamboo in Check and Enjoy Its Beauty

Keep bamboo check — honest, systems-based gardening advice from simplifygardening.com

Bamboo is a highly aggressive, invasive exotic plant species. It owes its reputation to the fact that it is the fastest-growing class of grass on earth. Bamboo can choke natural vegetation in a brief period, effectively crowding out native flora. It is imperative to realize that it is challenging to get rid of bamboo once it has taken root.

Philodendron “Rojo Congo” Care Guide

Houseplant showing philodendron rojo congo care guide — growing and care advice at simplifygardening.com

The Rojo Congo is more prominent and broader than other red varieties, has deeper red leaves, and develops far more quickly. This tropical Philodendron may grow up to four feet tall and just as wide indoors. The Philodendron “Rojo Congo” is often listed among plants that can withstand neglect. The Rojo Congo’s new foliage will … Read more

How to Prune Bonsai for Shape & Structure

Prune bonsai shape structure — practical growing guidance from Tony O'Neill at simplifygardening.com

The development of a Bonsai tree is inextricably linked to pruning or pinching, the removal of roots and shoots to create a work of art. The objective of pruning is three-fold: shaping the stock, directing growth to underdeveloped areas, and boosting ramifications.

Anthurium Crystallinum – The Complete Care Guide

Anthurium crystallinum complete care guide — practical houseplant care guidance from Tony O'Neill at simplifygardening.com

Anthurium plants are some of the most spectacular houseplants you’ll find. Most gardeners know the popular flamingo flower, with its vivid spathe and contrasting spadix. The A. crystallinum, also known as the Ace of Spades, has large, heart-shaped leaves with striking veined patterns.

Why Are Pink Princess Philodendrons So Expensive?

Pink princess philodendrons so expensive — honest, systems-based gardening advice from simplifygardening.com

The price that can be charged for an object is subject to its perceived value (a rock vs. a gemstone), rarety (a gem vs. a diamond), and unique function. Prices for the Pink Princess vary and depend on the plant’s health, size, and variegation qualities.

Monstera Aerial Roots – How to Deal with Them

Houseplant showing monstera aerial roots deal them — growing and care advice at simplifygardening.com

Aerial roots, as their name suggests, are roots that grow on plants above the surface of the soil. These are completely normal and help the plant attach to tree trunks and support them in growing higher and attaining brighter light.

How Long Does it Take to Make Compost

Long take make compost from Tony O'Neill's composting guides, building healthy soil at simplifygardening.com

Composting, the managed decomposition of organic matter, depends on the availability or the right proportions of carbon, nitrogen, water, and air. The speed of composting depends on how optimal the environment is for microorganism activity (bacteria, fungi, and actinomyces).   

How to Compost in a Tumbler

Compost tumbler from Tony O'Neill's composting guides, building healthy soil at simplifygardening.com

Tumblers are an alternative to open hot composting piles, following a similar process and needing the same materials and elements. By adding a balance of brown (carbon) and green (nitrogen) materials at a 30:1 ratio and keeping the mix damp and aerated, tumblers can make quality compost.

Monstera pinnatipartita The Ultimate Care Guide

Monstera pinnatipartita ultimate care guide with care tips from Tony O'Neill's houseplant guides at simplifygardening.com

Monstera pinnatipartita:- Pinnatipartite, in botany, refers to leaves having lobes with fenestrations that extend more than halfway toward the midrib. Less deep fenestrations are called pinnatifid, while leaves with fenestrations to the midrib are pinnatisect.

Philodendron Verrucosum – Best Care Guide  

Philodendron verrucosum best care guide with care tips from Tony O'Neill's houseplant guides at simplifygardening.com

Philodendron verrucosum has pubescent (velvety) medium green leaves with lime green veining and maroon reverse coloring. As an epiphyte, verrucosums prosper if vined as early as possible. As light conditions improve, leaf size and colors improve, as does vein variegation.

Jade Plants, Are They Poisoning You?

Jade plants they poisoning you with care tips from Tony O'Neill's houseplant guides at simplifygardening.com

Jade plants have toxicity levels, but they are only poisonous to humans and cause diarrhea and vomiting when ingested with a hefty dose. On the other hand, house pets such as dogs and cats are the most susceptible to its poisonous effects.

Philodendron Birkin The Ultimate Care Guide

Philodendron birkin ultimate care guide with care tips from Tony O'Neill's houseplant guides at simplifygardening.com

The Philodendron Birkin is a hybrid of the Rojo Congo and Imperial Green cultivars, hybrids of Philodendron erubescens. One of its most distinguishing features is the dark-colored leaves with bright yellow pattern lines. It may revert to its Rojo Congo parentage, a dark red plant.

Variegated Monstera – Is Their Price Justified?

Houseplant showing variegated monstera price justified — growing and care advice at simplifygardening.com

The perceived worth of a variegated Monstera is measured by the price the market is willing to pay. Its actual value is escalated by emphasizing limited supply, aesthetic appeal, individual uniqueness, and the status awarded to those able to grow them successfully.

Philodendron Gloriosum – The Ultimate Care Guide

Houseplant showing philodendron gloriosum ultimate care guide — growing and care advice at simplifygardening.com

The species name, Philodendron, translates to tree-loving (Philo – friend; dendron – tree), but the Philodendron gloriosum is not a vining plant. In 2019 the IUCN classified P. gloriosum as vulnerable in its natural habitats in Colombia and the Hawaiian Islands.

Monstera Albo – The Ultimate Care Guide

Monstera albo ultimate care guide with care tips from Tony O'Neill's houseplant guides at simplifygardening.com

The claim that Monstera Albo is a mutation of the Monstera deliciosa var. borsigiana, presenting different petiole shapes and leaf spread, is contested by Plants of the World Online (POWA) – the global plant name index. The M. borsigiana is recognized only as a synonym of the M. deliciosa.

Watering Jade Plants: A Complete Guide

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You can water your Jade plants once every two to three weeks if you keep them indoors, more often if kept outdoors or in the summer season. Since they are succulents, they can keep water from their leaves for quite a while.

N’Joy Pothos: Care & Propagation Guide

Pothos njoy with care tips from Tony O'Neill's houseplant guides at simplifygardening.com

N’Joy Pothos (Epipremnum aureum aka E. pinnatum) is characterized by very compact growth and bright, distinctive green and white variegation. As a sub-cultivar of the ‘Marble Queen,’ it was patented in the United States, patent PP19,065, in 2009 after cultivation in Mumbai, India.

Fertilize Jade Plants For STUNNING Growth

Fertilize jade plants stunning growth — practical houseplant care guidance from Tony O'Neill at simplifygardening.com

Fertilizers are crucial to keeping your Jade plants healthy, with a balanced amount of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. With just something simple like water-soluble plant food, your jade plant will be looking its best.

How To Know What Monstera Variety You Have?

Know monstera variety you with care tips from Tony O'Neill's houseplant guides at simplifygardening.com

Monstera is distinguished by how the leaves are attached to the stem. Also, the size and shape of their holes. It is difficult to tell the un-variegated plants apart. However, as they gain fenestrations, you can see the variety and identify them.

What’s The Typical Cost Of Hiring A Gardener

Whats typical cost hiring gardener — practical growing guidance from Tony O'Neill at simplifygardening.com

We hire a gardener when we are short on time and lack the necessary skills, equipment, and enthusiasm. It’s easy to see why gardeners charge what they do, whether for seasonal landscaping maintenance, one-off work like bond cleans, or regular lawn care service.

Is It Better To Prune Trees and Shrubs in Fall or Spring?

Better prune trees shrubs fall spring — practical growing guidance from Tony O'Neill at simplifygardening.com

Trees and shrubs need to be pruned regularly to maintain optimum health, growth, and beauty. Fall pruning is encouraged for early blooming flowering trees. Evergreens rarely need pruning, while late blooming flowering trees and summer flowering shrubs need spring pruning.

Do Herbs Need Bright Sun to Grow?

Vegetable garden showing herbs need bright sun grow — growing guide at simplifygardening.com

Most of the herbs require at least six hours of bright sunlight each day for proper growth. Else, they will get leggy or spindly, and you will leave you with long stems and few leaves. However, some herbs may grow well in partial or dappled sunlight as well.

15 Dwarf Conifers Ideal For Your Garden

Kitchen garden with dwarf conifers ideal garden — practical layout and growing from simplifygardening.com

Most dwarf conifers have a height that is between two to six feet at maturity. They often add three to six inches annually. Other dwarf conifers will reach six to fifteen feet at maturity, growing at a rate of six to twelve inches annually.

15 Best Flowering Shrubs for A Colorful Garden

Best flowering shrubs colorful garden arranged for efficient crop rotation and productive seasonal vegetable growing

Whether you need an ornamental shrub (Roses) for enhanced privacy (Weigela) or to attract pollinators (Abelia), there is a shrub for everyone. Shrubs would not only offer sweet-smelling blossoms (Sweetshrub) or tasty berries (Beautyberry) but will also add upbeat accents to your garden.

What Are Grow Bags? Pros and Cons Of Using Them

Pros cons using grow bags — practical growing guidance from Tony O'Neill at simplifygardening.com

They are fabric bags that most people use to hold soil when gardening in limited spaces. They provide gardeners with an alternative to traditional containers that often occupy the largest space. With grow bags, you can maintain fresh soil for your plants to grow.

How to Mow Your Lawn (5 Different Patterns)

Mow lawn different patterns showing a well-managed vegetable growing space for maximum seasonal yield

Creating patterns in your lawn is your best bet to make things more interesting and achieve more beautiful lawns. The first step in attaining great lawn patterns is getting your tools ready. You will need a lawnmower with blades that are sharp enough.

Why Are Tomato Skins Tough? (How to Avoid it)

Vegetable garden showing tomato skins tough — growing guide at simplifygardening.com

So, what causes tomatoes to have tough skin? And how can we avoid this? Some of the possible reasons for tough skins on tomatoes are the variety, under watering, high temperatures during growth or too much sunlight, and diseases such as curly top virus or anthracnose.

Can Perennial Plants Spread and Become Invasive?

Perennial plants spread become invasive — honest, systems-based gardening advice from simplifygardening.com

Perennials are usually more difficult to control than annuals or biennials because they spread both vegetatively and by dispersing seeds. While some are invasive, others take a lot of space. However, perennials considered invasive in one area may not necessarily be invasive in other areas.

My aloe vera plant froze. Now what?

Aloe vera plant froze now — practical houseplant care guidance from Tony O'Neill at simplifygardening.com

Unfortunately, freeze damage is a severe problem for aloe vera plants. Whether it can recover depends on the amount of time the plant has been exposed to freezing weather. If the plant turns entirely brown with a squishy consistency, it is probably damaged beyond repair. However, if you can see some surviving green leaves, it might be recoverable.

How To Get Rid Of Aphids From Your Garden Plants.

Kitchen garden with rid aphids garden plants — practical layout and growing from simplifygardening.com

Insecticides, herbicides, and pesticides have been linked to cancer, congenital disabilities, autism, brain damage, and depression, to name a few. If you plant organically, you will not want to treat insects with any type of chemical. Fortunately, there are several ways to keep aphids naturally away from plants. These are some of the best natural ways to get rid of aphids.

How to Take Care of Your Aloe Vera Plant

Houseplant showing take care aloe vera plant — growing and care advice at simplifygardening.com

Aloe Vera prefers dry conditions with well-draining soil. Such as cactus mix, or add plenty of perlite to normal potting soil to achieve this. Aloe Vera requires a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. When watering, water deeply and saturate the soil, and do not water again until the soil has completely dried out. When feeding, select a feed high in phosphorus, something like 10-40-12.

Why Do Weeds Grow Faster Than Grass? (Solved)

Weeds grow faster than grass solved covered in Tony O'Neill's Simplify Gardening at simplifygardening.com

Weeds tend to grow faster than grass in your lawn or garden because:

Most weeds have a short life cycle ranging between 5-6 weeks. Thus, they cover their life cycle from seedling to flowering in a short time.

Weeds sprout from existing seeds or root systems in the soil. Dormant root systems store a lot of energy which enhances the fast growth of weeds in spring.

Weeds are often native plants in the ecosystem they thrive in, which further facilitates their growth compared to grass and other desirable plants which may not be native.

What Causes Powdery Mildew? How to get rid of it?

Causes powdery mildew rid — practical growing guidance from Tony O'Neill at simplifygardening.com

What Causes Powdery Mildew? Powdery mildew is a fungus caused by micro-organisms. It is problematic when there are damp humid conditions. This fungal disease can affect a wide range of plants leaving behind powdery substances that block the leaves from photosynthesizing.

How To Control Allium Leaf Miner. Protect Your Plants!

Control allium leaf miner protect plants demonstrating composting techniques taught by Tony O'Neill at simplifygardening.com

How to control allium leaf miner? The only surefire way to control allium leaf miner is to cover the plants before they are affected. Enviromesh, insect mesh or even fleece can be used with great effect. Prevention is much better than cure. If crops do have allium leaf miner the safest bet is to burn and destroy the plant to prevent its spread.

Proven Methods, How To Get THRIPS Off Your Plants

Proven methods thrips off plants — practical growing guidance from Tony O'Neill at simplifygardening.com

How To Get THRIPS Off Your Plants? Thrips can be controlled by timely pruning, good husbandry, good soil nutrition, along with ensuring good ventilation and watering habits. But one of the very best ways to get rid of thrips is to use predatory insects.

Deal With Septoria Leaf Spot On Tomatoes Leaves

Deal septoria leaf spot tomatoes leaves from Tony O'Neill's composting guides, building healthy soil at simplifygardening.com

Tomatoes suffer from all sorts of diseases. Septoria Leaf Spot on tomatoes is no exception. Caused by a fungus called Septoria lycopersici. It is very destructive to the foliage of your tomato plants. It is caused by damp humid conditions and is more persistent when this sort of weather persists for long periods of time.

How To Grow Tomatoes – A Mind-Blowing Guide

Grow tomatoes mind blowing guide growing in the vegetable garden at the correct stage for care or harvest

To grow tomatoes successfully, they require rich fertile, water-retentive soil. A bright and sheltered location with nighttime temperatures of 12˚C – 24˚C or 55˚F to 75˚F. Consider greenhouse growing in colder climates. Feed weekly with a high potash feed once flowering has started.

Gardening Jobs To Do in January

Gardening jobs january — practical growing guidance from Tony O'Neill at simplifygardening.com

If you’re making resolutions, let adding small activation steps to dreams be one of them. Small wins can build up to success; they are more potent than un-actuated big dreams. I’m including myself in this pep-talk. So the action points in this piece are for me as much as for the Simplify Gardening blog readers … Read more

Preparing Your Garden for Summer

Practical vegetable growing guidance from Tony O'Neill at simplifygardening.com

Making your garden ready for summer might feel like a huge job. I’ve faced the tough job of keeping plants lively under the blazing sun. After trying lots of different tricks and tips, I found out why it’s so important to get a head start in gearing up your garden for those sunny days. This … Read more

Gardening Jobs to Do in September

Gardening jobs september covered in Tony O'Neill's Simplify Gardening at simplifygardening.com

We’re fast approaching when the Earth’s tilt sees the Sun crossing the Equator toward the South, where it will only start its return journey on the 23rd of December (the start of winter). The second annual equinox, on September 23rd, marks the start of the cold half of the year, beginning with autumn. Each month’s … Read more

Gardening Jobs to Do in August

Gardening jobs august — honest, systems-based gardening advice from simplifygardening.com

It is mid-summer; for some, this means hot, dry days; for others, it means thunderstorms. For William Shakespeare, it is the season for weddings and fairies in his Midsummer Night’s Dream. I hope you are harvesting this month – and managing the heat. Below is a range of jobs you may have to consider. Please … Read more

Gardening Jobs to Do in July

We’re in the heat of summer, a bit of a lull in planting operations, but harvesting and getting ready for autumn planting is a priority. This month, we will get a little downtime to take stock of our achievements and look at what we have to show for our efforts over the past six months. … Read more

Gardening Jobs to Do in April

April gardening covered in Tony O'Neill's Simplify Gardening at simplifygardening.com

Spring has sprung, and there’s growth all over your garden. All your hard work over the last three months will soon pay off — some of it already is. Keep on top of the chores to ensure a productive garden and avoid a snowball of work as growth increases. Consistent smaller steps make the journey … Read more

Gardening Jobs to Do in March

Gardening jobs march — honest, systems-based gardening advice from simplifygardening.com

Finally, temperatures are starting to climb after a season of constant cold. In the gardening month-by-month calendar, March is a hectic month for sowing seeds, as the gardening season usually kicks off around now. Of course, if you are on the other side of the planet, the Southern Hemisphere, read this March gardening jobs-to-do page … Read more

Gardening Jobs to Do in February

Gardening jobs february — practical growing guidance from Tony O'Neill at simplifygardening.com

Gardening Jobs To Do in February We’re only in our second month of the year and have already accomplished so much. Temperatures remain relatively unchanged, but at least we’re edging closer toward the last frost date, the key indicator for outdoor planting. For those living in regions where the last frost date is around late … Read more

Gardening Jobs To Do in January

Gardening jobs january — practical growing guidance from Tony O'Neill at simplifygardening.com

Happy New Year! We have been given another year, one loaded with potential — a blank canvas to do great things in the garden. You’ll be glad to know that most of your January gardening jobs are indoors. It’s a season for dreams and visions and taking the first steps to make those a reality. … Read more

Gardening Jobs to Do in December

Gardening jobs december — practical growing guidance from Tony O'Neill at simplifygardening.com

The holiday season is here, and we’re feeling winter’s tentacles. As December arrives, it brings the start of winter, the shortest day of the year, and some of the coldest weather. It’s essential to bundle up and take measures to stay warm. Despite the chilly weather, there’s still plenty to do in the garden. Ensure … Read more

Gardening Jobs to Do in November

Gardening jobs november — practical growing guidance from Tony O'Neill at simplifygardening.com

As the weather gets colder and the days become shorter, it may be tempting to let your garden rest until spring. However, there are still many tasks, such as planting vibrant winter flowers, preparing your garden for next year’s seasons, and completing a general cleanup that you will appreciate later. Also, consider the wildlife that … Read more