Kathy Burns-Millyard

Garden Guides Editorial Policies

Garden Guides uses a knowledgeable team of editors, writers, and experts to create all our content. We dive deep into the ever-evolving conversations surrounding gardening and landscaping, striving to deliver the most current and helpful tips, strengthened by expert insight and tutorials from our talented team.

As we cover many fields of expertise, we make it a priority to ensure every beat remains fresh and comprehensive. Additional information on our editorial process available here.

Stories By Kathy Burns-Millyard

  • Trees
    Trees By Kathy Burns-Millyard November 4th, 2022

    Late Blooming Fruit Trees

    Late Blooming Fruit Trees. Late blooming fruit trees are ideal for growing in areas of the country where it can still go below freezing late into the spring. They're an excellent choice for home gardeners who want longer harvest times too, because you'll continue having a variety of fresh fruit to pluck from your garden after the early fruits have been eaten. While fruit trees such as plum and apricot often start blooming in mid-February to early March, there are still many types of fruit trees that wait until April and even May.

    By Kathy Burns-Millyard November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Kathy Burns-Millyard November 4th, 2022

    How To Plant Asparagus In Arizona

    How to Plant Asparagus in Arizona. Asparagus is a nutritious, cool-weather perennial vegetable that can take two to three years to harvest the first time. One plant produces vegetables for 12 to 15 years total though, so the initial wait for harvest can be well worth it. Asparagus requires well-drained soil and thrives well in most parts of Arizona. Starting asparagus from seed takes the longest: You'll need to wait three full years before you can lightly harvest the spears. The best results come from planting healthy one-year crowns instead, because you'll be able to lightly harvest the following year.

    By Kathy Burns-Millyard November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Kathy Burns-Millyard November 4th, 2022

    What Plants Survive In The Desert?

    What Plants Survive in the Desert?. Many people associate the desert area of the southwestern United States with extreme heat and little to no water. However, plenty of plants have adapted to the harsh environment and will not only survive but thrive--even producing flowers and food in the process. Plants that survive in the desert do so by conserving water, storing water and reducing heat input, among other conservation techniques.

    By Kathy Burns-Millyard November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Kathy Burns-Millyard September 6th, 2022

    How To Plant Bamboo In Texas

    How To Plant Bamboo in Texas. Bamboo is an amazingly fast growing grass that has more than 300 cultivars. Some grow more than 40 feet tall and others will grow more than 1 foot per day. This fast growth is making bamboo a very popular plant to use for wind screens and privacy hedges. Since parts of Texas have poor soil and strong winds, it also helps to enrich the soil before planting your bamboo, and staking it for the first few weeks so it won't blow over in the wind.

    By Kathy Burns-Millyard September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Kathy Burns-Millyard September 6th, 2022

    How To Kill Grass With Cardboard & Newspaper

    How to Kill Grass With Cardboard & Newspaper. Spreading a thick layer of newspaper or cardboard on top of grass is an effective, non-toxic way to kill it without having to dig. This technique works by preventing the grass from being able to get sunlight, which causes it to die off over time. Killing grass with cardboard and newspaper will take a bit longer to accomplish than other techniques. Depending on the circumstances and how healthy the underlying grass is, it could take three to six months before the area is ready to be planted with something new.

    By Kathy Burns-Millyard September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Kathy Burns-Millyard September 6th, 2022

    How To Use A Vinegar & Water Solution On Plants

    How to Use a Vinegar & Water Solution on Plants. Vinegar is an excellent, safe solution for dealing with weeds in the yard and garden. It's not harmful to children or pets, and it's inexpensive enough to always have around. In addition to weed killing, vinegar can be a gardener's best friend because it helps kill slugs, can get rid of ants, neutralizes garden lime, cleans garden pots, and much more. Vinegar is excellent for acid-loving plants like gardenias, azaleas and hydrangeas but it also kills weeds when used at full strength so you need to be careful how you use it on plants you want to keep alive.

    By Kathy Burns-Millyard September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Kathy Burns-Millyard September 6th, 2022

    How To Spray Detergent & Water On Plants

    How to Spray Detergent & Water on Plants. Using soap and water on plants for pest control is an age-old remedy that's been passed down through generations. According to the Online Information Service for Non-Chemical Pest Management in the Tropics (OISAT), many soaps contain fatty acids and salts that act as selective pesticides. Using a simple solution of dishwashing detergent and water, you can reduce or eliminate many common pests from your garden including ants, aphids, fruit flies, spider mites, whiteflies, rust, powdery mildew and more.

    By Kathy Burns-Millyard September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Kathy Burns-Millyard September 6th, 2022

    How To Water Rye Grass Seed

    How to Water Rye Grass Seed. Rye grass is a popularly used in dry Western states during the winter. In Phoenix, Arizona, it's mixed with Bermuda grass for household lawns because Bermuda goes dormant in the winter and rye cannot handle the heat of the summertime in that region. Rye grass is also being used more for grazing lands and reclamation projects, because it sprouts quickly, anchors soil from erosion, and is highly nutritious forage for grazing animals. Rye is not a drought tolerant grass though, so deep irregular waterings will not help it survive long, dry spells. Instead, rye needs to be watered on a regular set schedule.

    By Kathy Burns-Millyard September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Kathy Burns-Millyard September 6th, 2022

    What Materials Should Be Added To A Composting Toilet?

    What Materials Should Be Added to a Composting Toilet?. Composting toilets use organic materials to cover the waste deposits, improve the composting process and to reduce or eliminate odors. Almost any type of organic material can be added to a composting toilet, as long as the final or top material is "brown" instead of "green"--carbon rich materials that do not smell as they decompose. Fruit and vegetable kitchen scraps can be added to the composting toilet for example, but since they will smell badly as they decompose you need to add other materials to neutralize those odors. The smaller your organic material is the better it will work for keeping unpleasant odors at bay and covering the waste deposits.

    By Kathy Burns-Millyard September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Kathy Burns-Millyard September 6th, 2022

    Can Washing Machine Water Be Used For Plants?

    Can Washing Machine Water Be Used for Plants?. Conventional top-load washing machines can use up to 40 gallons of water per load. Front loading machines use 20 to 25 gallons -- a great improvement, but that's still a lot of water going down the drain. In many parts of the United States you can put that water to additional use. Washing machine water can be used to water the plants in your yard and garden instead of being sent to the sewer drain. This is often the first and easiest step to creating a gray water system.

    By Kathy Burns-Millyard September 6th, 2022 Read More