How to save leggy basil in pots: revive, prune and repot for a full summer harvest
I love basil for its scent, speed and instant reward. But every summer I see the same sad sight in containers: tall, floppy stems with sparse leaves—basil that’s “leggy.” If your pots look like that, don’t pull them out yet. With a few straightforward steps you can revive leggy basil,...
Featured
When to cut back summer-flowering perennials to extend blooms and avoid winter die-back
Keeping summer-flowering perennials blooming longer while also protecting them from winter die-back...
Which cheap soil amendments actually fix compacted clay in place and how to apply them
I work a lot with small urban yards and stubborn clay soils, so I’ve spent years testing cheap,...
Exactly when and how to harden off seedlings on a windy apartment balcony without losing a tray
Windy balconies can feel like a battleground when you're trying to harden off tender seedlings. I...
Weeknight plan: turn three supermarket herb pots into a layered balcony herb garden that saves water
I love a quick, satisfying project that turns an ordinary weeknight into something green and...
Which organic nematode products actually control vine weevils and how to apply them for potted rhododendrons
I lost more than a few beloved potted rhododendrons to vine weevil a few years ago before I finally...
How to stop early blight on tomatoes using copper fungicide and practical cultural fixes
I remember the first season I lost half my tomato crop to early blight — those telltale brown...
Latest News from Groupegarden
Plant Care
Exactly when and how to harden off seedlings on a windy apartment balcony without losing a tray
Windy balconies can feel like a battleground when you're trying to harden off tender seedlings. I learned the hard way during my first urban gardening season: a gust sent an entire tray of brassicas sliding across concrete and left me replanting seedlings that never recovered. Since then I've...
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DIY Projects
Weeknight plan: turn three supermarket herb pots into a layered balcony herb garden that saves water
I love a quick, satisfying project that turns an ordinary weeknight into something green and useful. Recently I took three inexpensive supermarket herb pots—those basil, parsley and chive plants that look a little tired in their plastic cups—and turned them into a layered balcony herb garden...
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Pests & Diseases
Which organic nematode products actually control vine weevils and how to apply them for potted rhododendrons
I lost more than a few beloved potted rhododendrons to vine weevil a few years ago before I finally turned to biological control. After reading studies, testing products in my own patio pots and talking to other gardeners, I now use nematodes as a regular part of my pest-control kit for containers....
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Pests & Diseases
How to stop early blight on tomatoes using copper fungicide and practical cultural fixes
I remember the first season I lost half my tomato crop to early blight — those telltale brown target-shaped spots on lower leaves, the rapid defoliation, and the slow dread as the main stems weakened. Since then I’ve learned that stopping early blight takes patience and a mix of smart cultural...
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Plant Care
How to force spring bulbs in pots on a radiator or sunny windowsill for early blooms
I love the little magic of forcing bulbs indoors: a handful of cool, dormant bulbs turning into fragrant flowers while it’s still grey outside always feels like a small celebration. Over the years I’ve forced dozens of bulbs on sunny windowsills and even on warm radiators when space was tight....
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Seasonal Planting
Which bee-friendly annuals bloom through summer heat and exactly when to sow them for nonstop pollinator visits
When summer arrives and temperatures climb, many gardeners worry that blooms — and the pollinators that rely on them — will fade. Over the years I’ve learned that a mix of hardy annuals, timed sowings and a little summer care will keep nectar flowing from early June to late September. Below I...
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Pests & Diseases
How to stop root rot in containers: diagnose the cause and save plants in five targeted steps
I hate losing a favourite container plant to root rot. Over the years I’ve rescued tomatoes, geraniums and even a beloved potted hydrangea by spotting the problem early and acting decisively. Root rot in containers is one of those silent killers: the top growth can look only slightly droopy while...
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Plant Care
Which compact drip irrigation timers work best for balconies under 20 litres a week (tested recommendations)
I tested a handful of compact drip irrigation timers on my own balcony to find practical, reliable options for container gardens that need very little water — I’m talking under 20 litres a week for a small set of pots. Containers behave differently than beds: they dry fast, need short bursts...
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Garden Design
Create a year-round scented border with lavender, scented geraniums and a cheap drip timer for evening fragrance
I love an outdoor border that greets me at dusk with a gentle, lingering perfume — the kind that makes you pause with a glass of wine or calls you outside with the kids to look for fireflies. Over the years I’ve learned you can create that effect reliably by combining a backbone of lavender...
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Plant Care
How to rescue overwatered succulents: a step-by-step plan for roots, soil and repotting with perlite
I once thought succulents were indestructible. Then I overwatered a tray of sedums and watched them go from plump and glossy to translucent and mushy within a week. Since then I’ve learned how to rescue overwatered succulents reliably — and how to prevent the panic in the first place. If...
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