Katie Leigh - Garden Guides

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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 Katie Leigh

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Produce By Katie Leigh November 4th, 2022

How To Use Orange Peels To Kill Ants

How to Use Orange Peels to Kill Ants. There are quite a few types of commercial insecticides used for killing ants in and around the home. However, these can be toxic and aren't always the best choice for those who have pets or small children. Making orange peel insecticide is a natural alternative to commercial sprays and powders. The citrus oil in the peels gets rid of ants and keeps them from returning. It's best to apply the solution to the anthill early in the morning so that the majority of the ants are still inside.
By Katie Leigh November 4th, 2022 Read More
Flowers

Flowers By Katie Leigh November 4th, 2022

How To Dry Carnations

How to Dry Carnations. Carnations are often present in special-occasion floral arrangements, such as wedding bouquets and table centerpieces. There are two main ways to preserve carnations, and the method you choose depends on the result you wish to achieve. The air-drying method can be used to dry several flowers at once, but the blooms will be discolored. Drying carnations in the microwave generally preserves their color and shape, but the flowers must be dried one at a time.
By Katie Leigh November 4th, 2022 Read More
Trees

Trees By Katie Leigh November 4th, 2022

What Apple Trees Grow Well In Georgia

What Apple Trees Grow Well in Georgia. The apple season in Georgia generally spans mid June through early December. Many different varieties of apples can be grown in Georgia. However, it's best to select the type of trees to propagate based on region of the state because weather conditions and temperature fluctuate, depending on the area. The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension addresses this issue by dividing the state into apple zones, then assigning the most suitable varieties to each zone.
By Katie Leigh November 4th, 2022 Read More
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Produce By Katie Leigh November 4th, 2022

How To Grow Tomatoes In Sandy Soil

How to Grow Tomatoes in Sandy Soil. Growing tomatoes in sandy soil can be a bit difficult. This is because sandy soil cannot hold water and nutrients well, making it a tough environment for tomato plants. If sandy soil is a problem in your area, you can improve the soil by working compost into the garden bed. Compost increases soil density and nutrient levels. Fertilizing thoroughly is also important when dealing with sandy soil. Giving the plants the nutrients they require will help them produce healthy fruit.
By Katie Leigh November 4th, 2022 Read More
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Produce By Katie Leigh November 4th, 2022

How To Care For A Bridal Veil Hanging Plant

How to Care for a Bridal Veil Hanging Plant. Bridal veil hanging plants are popular houseplants that are fairly simple to care for. They require very infrequent watering and pruning. This makes them an excellent choice for someone who may not be able to give them much care (such as a person who travels frequently). The most important thing to remember is that bridal veil plants are very sensitive to moisture. Over-watering them or planting them in pots without drainage holes can kill them.
By Katie Leigh November 4th, 2022 Read More
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Produce By Katie Leigh November 4th, 2022

Vegetables That Grow In The Winter In San Diego

Vegetables That Grow in the Winter in San Diego. Because San Diego has such a temperate climate, there are quite a few vegetables that grow in the winter. However, because there is still a chance of frost in that area, hardy vegetables are the best choices when planting during cool weather. These hardy vegetables can be split into several sub-groups, depending on their structure, edible features and growing time. All of these hardy winter vegetables have shallow to medium root depths, making them easy to harvest even if the ground is slightly frozen.
By Katie Leigh November 4th, 2022 Read More
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Produce By Katie Leigh November 4th, 2022

How Much Water Do Bell Peppers Need

How Much Water Do Bell Peppers Need. When it comes to water intake, bell peppers can be delicate. If the pepper plants do not get enough water, the bell peppers could rot on the vine or become very bitter. If bell pepper plants are sitting in soggy soil, they may also fail to produce edible vegetables. While there is no set daily amount of water bell pepper plants should receive, it's fairly simple to regulate their intake by monitoring the soil moisture and watering the plants on a schedule.
By Katie Leigh November 4th, 2022 Read More
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Produce By Katie Leigh November 3rd, 2022

What Are The Causes Of Yellow Leaves On Tomato Plants?

What Are the Causes of Yellow Leaves on Tomato Plants?. When a tomato plant's leaves become droopy, dry or discolored, it often points to a problem that will affect the plant's fruit productivity. Yellow leaves in tomato plants can be cause by a variety of fungi, viruses and insects. Some of these issues can be treated, but others will destroy the plant.
By Katie Leigh November 3rd, 2022 Read More
Flowers

Flowers By Katie Leigh November 3rd, 2022

What Causes Leaves On Rose Bushes To Turn Yellow?

What Causes Leaves on Rose Bushes to Turn Yellow?. When the lower leaves on rose bushes turn yellow and drop off, that's not necessarily cause for alarm. This is perfectly normal for most varieties of rose bushes, and happens when older leaves outlive their usefulness. However, this natural process should only occur with those leaves that are closest to the ground. If leaves at the top part of the bush's lower section show similar symptoms before the leaves below them have fallen off, that could indicate a magnesium deficiency.
By Katie Leigh November 3rd, 2022 Read More
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Produce By Katie Leigh September 6th, 2022

Tomato Varieties For Louisiana

Tomato Varieties for Louisiana. Growing tomatoes in Louisiana can be a difficult task because of the extremely warm temperatures the state experiences during the spring and summer. It's important to choose tomato varieties that can withstand both heat and dry spells. There are several types that grow very well in Louisiana, despite these issues.
By Katie Leigh September 6th, 2022 Read More
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Produce By Katie Leigh September 6th, 2022

Citric Acid & Canning Fruits

Citric Acid & Canning Fruits. Citric acid is often added when canning fruits at home so that the preserved fruit is safe to eat. Though most fruit has some acid, a specific pH balance is required to kill harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning. Citric acid helps kill those bacteria.
By Katie Leigh September 6th, 2022 Read More
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Produce By Katie Leigh September 6th, 2022

How To Plant Carrots Under Plastic Mulch

How to Plant Carrots Under Plastic Mulch. Carrot seeds require warm, moist soil to germinate and thrive. In areas where the weather is a bit dry during the spring and summer planting season, providing an ideal environment for the seeds can prove difficult. Covering the garden bed with a layer of plastic mulch is one way to keep the seeds warm and and damp while they grow. Plastic mulch also tends to block weed growth, which can be helpful when the delicate seedlings are just forming.
By Katie Leigh September 6th, 2022 Read More
Trees

Trees By Katie Leigh September 6th, 2022

How To Treat Bonsai Tree Fungus

How to Treat Bonsai Tree Fungus. Treating bonsai tree fungus can be tricky. Because bonsai trees are so small and delicate, fungus can overtake and kill them very swiftly. Inspect your bonsai tree for signs of fungal infection every day so that, should one develop, you can catch it early. The main types of fungus that attack bonsai trees are all related to moisture and ventilation, and treatment is the same for all of them. Providing your bonsai tree with an ideal growing environment can really cut back on these incidents.
By Katie Leigh September 6th, 2022 Read More
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Produce By Katie Leigh September 6th, 2022

How To Use Coffee Grounds As House Plant Food

How to Use Coffee Grounds As House Plant Food. When used as a plant fertilizer, coffee grounds can replenish the soil acidity that is often lost in potted and in-ground plants. Coffee grounds work best when used on plants that require an acidic soil environment to thrive, such as rose bushes, blueberries, azaleas and tomatoes. The nitrogen in coffee grounds also raises the temperature of the soil, which can kill weeds and curb pests. Coffee grounds can be converted into solid and liquid fertilizers.
By Katie Leigh September 6th, 2022 Read More
Flowers

Flowers By Katie Leigh September 6th, 2022

How Are Flower Bulbs Made?

How Are Flower Bulbs Made?. True flower bulbs are underground structures that store and protect a plant throughout cooler seasons. Flower bulbs contain a blossom as well as leaves that will burst through the ground during the growing season. This miniature plant is protected by layers of leaves called scales that contain nutrients. Additionally, bulbs have lateral buds around their bases that can develop into offsets called bulblets. Offsets can be used to produce new plants (and cultivate new bulbs).
By Katie Leigh September 6th, 2022 Read More
Flowers

Flowers By Katie Leigh September 6th, 2022

About Lavender Roses

About Lavender Roses. Lavender roses are quite rare when compared to the more common red, pink and yellow varieties of the flower. Because of this, the light-purple petals of these blooms are often prized for their unique beauty. Lavender roses are fairly easy to grow and maintain in a home garden and generally have a sweet scent.
By Katie Leigh September 6th, 2022 Read More
Flowers

Flowers By Katie Leigh September 6th, 2022

How To Dry Bird Of Paradise Flowers

How to Dry Bird of Paradise Flowers. Bird of paradise flowers are tropical blossoms that have brightly colored petals. These flowers can be very difficult to dry properly because they are incredibly delicate. According to gardening expert Linda Yang, the best way to preserve bird of paradise flowers is to gently remove their moisture with silica gel. For best results, dry these flowers when they are still fresh and vibrant; if they begin to wilt and lose color, they are much more difficult to dry successfully.
By Katie Leigh September 6th, 2022 Read More
Lawn Care

Lawn Care By Katie Leigh March 24th, 2022

How To Get Rid Of A Sour Soil Smell In The Lawn

How to Get Rid of a Sour Soil Smell in the Lawn. A sour smell in a lawn is most often be attributed to sour soil. Sour soil has far too much acid in it, making it difficult for grass to grow. Areas with sour soil will usually be covered in moss, which needs to be removed before you can apply the soil treatment. By amending the soil's acidity, you should be able to get rid of the sour smell and get your lawn back to health.
By Katie Leigh March 24th, 2022 Read More
Produce

Produce By Katie Leigh March 24th, 2022

How To Grow Aloe Plants With Dying Leaves

How to Grow Aloe Plants With Dying Leaves. Aloe vera plants can develop problem leaves that appear brown, thin and curled. Though these dying aloe vera leaves indicate there is an issue with the plant, their presence usually doesn't mean the plant itself is dying. It's possible to grow aloe plants with dying leaves if you take steps to identify and address the reason the leaves are dying. This process is usually completed in a trial-by-error setting, but should eventually help you solve the problem.
By Katie Leigh March 24th, 2022 Read More