Not everyone has a green thumb, but even those that do occasionally make mistakes. It doesn’t matter if you’re a total newbie, or if you’ve been growing your own food for twenty years– no one is perfect. No matter your skill level, if you’re looking for some basic tips to improve your vegetable garden and to grow better food, check out this post by Doug Jimerson at the Better Homes and Gardens Blog. Always avoid:
-Planting too early- be sure that there are no more freezing temperatures before you plant!
-Planting too close together- most plants need space
-Watering too much or too little- buy a rain gauge to see how much water your plants are truly getting
-Forgetting to improve the soil with compost
I absolutely love the flavor of fresh ginger. When mixed with spicy foods, it adds a wonderful sweet tang. It can also be used in baking (gingerbread cookies!), and will add flavor to just about any dish. The bonus is, it’s super easy to grow, and can be grown indoors. If you’re interested in adding ginger to your herb garden, check out this tutorial by 
Coffee is what gets most of us going in the morning. It wakes us up, gives us a caffeine kick, and the energy to start the day. But, did you know it can also have the same revitalizing effect on your plants? Coffee grounds can simply work wonders in the garden. For a list of different outdoor uses for coffee grounds, read this post by
If I had to pick, I’d say I have a “gray thumb”. Definitely not green, but not totally black. The plants I get usually last a little while and put up a good fight, but eventually die. The only three house plants that I’ve had for years and have consistently kept alive are: succulents, my aloe plant, and a Venus Flytrap (since he basically feeds himself). If you are ~almost~ hopeless at gardening like I am, but still love plants, check out this post by
Lavender has so many uses, especially if you’re crafty. I love making my own soap, cleaning products, candles, and bath products, and lavender has a wonderful fragrance that lends itself to all these items. Some people also use it in desserts, lemonades, and teas. Lavender oil can also be a natural sleep aid and stress reliever. But, a small packet of dried lavender can cost around $5 at a craft store, and it gets used up really fast. So, why not grow your own? If you are interested in adding some lavender to your flower or herb garden, check out these growing tips by 
I have very vivid memories from when I was a child of my dad’s backyard tomato garden. There’s really nothing better than growing your own juicy, red tomatoes, picking them yourself, and eating them on a hot summer day with a little salt. Delicious! However, tomatoes can be somewhat temperamental. They’re not SUPER difficult, but also a little challenging for a beginning gardener. That being said, your tomato growing journey will be much easier if you read this post of tips by 
Some plants are beautiful to look at, but poisonous to people and animals. Others are highly invasive, or attract bugs that will damage your lawn. Make sure you do your research before bringing new plants into your yard! Read