Kim Hoyum

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 Kim Hoyum

  • ...
    Flowers
    Flowers By Kim Hoyum November 4th, 2022

    How To Companion Plant Salvia

    How to Companion Plant Salvia. The types of salvia include blue salvia, autumn sage, meadow sage and scarlet or lilac salvia. Most make great companion plants because of their hardiness and drought tolerance. Consider the characteristics of your specific salvia plant when looking for good companion plantings. Salvias are also often recommended as companion plants for larger, taller or showier flowers or plants like roses or irises. Different varieties of salvia have different cold hardiness ratings and sun requirements, so be sure you are choosing plants that all grow well in similar conditions. Also consider the different colors and heights of salvia when planning your landscape design.

    By Kim Hoyum November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Flowers
    Flowers By Kim Hoyum November 4th, 2022

    Rhododendron Toxicity

    Rhododendron Toxicity. Chemicals in rhododendron leaves, flowers and nectar make the plant toxic. It can poison many species, from humans to horses, birds and insects that ingest it. For that reason, it can't be controlled by grazing, as is often the case with other aggressive shrubs. Most cases of human poisoning come through eating honey made with rhododendron nectar, resulting in a condition sometimes known as mad honey disease or honey intoxication. The shrubs are sometimes known as "lambkill" or "calfkill" because young animals have not learned the toxicity of the plant and eat it in large quantities.

    By Kim Hoyum November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Kim Hoyum November 4th, 2022

    How To Make Shredded Newspaper & Grass Seed Mix

    How to Make Shredded Newspaper & Grass Seed Mix. Mixing grass seed with shredded newspaper and other ingredients can really help grass seed thrive long-term. A wet mixture like this is sometimes called hydroseed, and you can mix in not only seed and the paper, which serves as a kind of mulch, but also fertilizer and nutrients to help the seed grow. The increased stickiness of the mixture also makes it much easier to spread on slopes or uneven ground than dry grass seed alone.

    By Kim Hoyum November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Kim Hoyum November 4th, 2022

    How To Tell If Asian Pears Are Ripe

    How to Tell If Asian Pears Are Ripe. Whether buying Asian pears in a supermarket or harvesting them from your own trees, there are a few indicators that you should pay attention to in order to tell if they are ripe. Asian pears also have other names, including Japanese pear, African pear, Nashi pear, Nashi apple, Korean pear, Taiwan pear, bae li, bapple, sand pear, pear apple and papple. They take the apple parts of these names from their round shape rather the usual pear shape.

    By Kim Hoyum November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022

    How To Care For Bermuda Grass In Alabama

    How to Care for Bermuda Grass in Alabama. Bermuda grass is a common choice for lawns, yards and athletic fields in the southern United States because of its toughness, lush color and quick growth. It is a warm-season grass that tolerates drought and heat well but dies off in the winter, going into a dormant period. Bermuda grass lawns should be in full sunlight, and you should maintain them with regular mowing. They prefer soil with a neutral pH, between 6.0 and 6.5.

    By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Produce
    Produce By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022

    The Best Crops To Grow In Northern Michigan

    The Best Crops to Grow in Northern Michigan. Northern Michigan has a highly variable climate by season, with snowy winters and moderate summers, as well as distinct spring and fall seasons. For agricultural purposes, northern Michigan includes the uppermost part of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan as well as most of the Upper Peninsula. Appropriate crops depend on your local microclimate, as some areas of northern Michigan are great for cherries and corn, while others produce apples, potatoes or blueberries better. Generally, northern Michigan gardeners and farmers work within USDA cold hardiness zones 3 to 5. See the zone map in the Resources section to be sure which zone you are in.

    By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022

    Landscaping Around Propane Tanks

    Landscaping Around Propane Tanks. There's really no way to incorporate an above-ground propane tank into an attractive landscaping scheme. They're inherently ugly items, but they are necessary to the home, so finding ways to camouflage, hide and de-emphasize them will be the key to successful landscaping around them. Rather than planting beds of bright flowers at the base of the tank, which only draws the eye, use screens, shrubs and good design principles to work around the propane tank.

    By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022

    What Plants To Plant On An Outdoor Rock Waterfall

    What Plants to Plant on an Outdoor Rock Waterfall. Having a waterfall over rocks in your backyard or as part of your landscaping is a feature growing in popularity because of its beauty, serenity and appeal. There are many types of plants that will add greenery and color, whether flowering or not, to the landscape around an outdoor rock waterfall, making a pleasing contrast to the rocks and water. You should look for water-loving plants that naturally grow by water elements, such as pond and stream plants.

    By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022

    How To Kill Garden Bermuda Grass Without Chemicals

    How to Kill Garden Bermuda Grass Without Chemicals. Bermuda grass is a very sturdy and hardy grass that is favored for its toughness. It's often planted as a lawn grass for this characteristic, especially in warm-weather climates. It is a pretty hard plant to kill, but your garden is definitely not the right place for it. This can pose a problem, since the most common way to kill Bermuda grass is with herbicides that contain harsh chemicals you probably don't want near your garden. If you need to stop an invasion of Bermuda grass, and you don't want to use chemicals, your best chance is to use the old household standby, vinegar. Alternately, you can use boiling water, which kills weeds and also Bermuda grass.

    By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Trees
    Trees By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022

    Ornamental Pear Tree Propagation

    Ornamental Pear Tree Propagation. There are many ornamental pear trees across the globe, and the pear family is a diverse one. Ornamental pears are cultivated more for their appearance than their fruits, and the pears they produce are not always like the ones in the grocery store. Note that in some areas, some ornamental pear tree varieties are actually considered invasive because of their easy seeding and quick growth. Consult a local agricultural extension agent before planting.

    By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Produce
    Produce By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022

    Herbs To Grow In The Michigan Climate

    Herbs to Grow in the Michigan Climate. Michigan climates range from temperate at the southernmost border to sub-Arctic in the Upper Peninsula. Herbs, however, are among the easiest things to grow in a Michigan garden, if you choose the right plants and pay attention to cold tolerance. Herbs that do well with cool nights and warm days are perfect for gardens in the Michigan climate. However, check both the cold hardiness of individual plant varieties and your local gardening zone to be sure the herbs you choose are suited to your area. And in some cases, you can grow herbs that are perennial in other climates, but simply become annuals in Michigan climates.

    By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022

    Shrubs That Look Like Privet

    Shrubs That Look Like Privet. The term "privet" applies to a large variety of small shrubby trees that make good hedges, and mostly come from the plant genus Ligustrum. However, many are aggressive and spread quickly, and have fallen out of favor for hedges because they require such maintenance. Some locales even ban the sale or planting of privet, as it can take over large areas of wild land. There are other shrubs that look like privet, but are less invasive, easier to maintain, and in some cases may even be native to your area.

    By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022

    How Do I Take Care Of St. Augustine Grass In The Winter?

    How Do I Take Care of St. Augustine Grass in the Winter?. St. Augustine grass is a very popular Southern lawn grass due to its toughness and lush green growth. It thrives in hot weather and can even withstand saltwater in coastal areas. Conversely, it doesn't survive well in cold temperatures and dry areas. True winter with frost and snow will damage St. Augustine grass, one reason it is found mostly in Southern climates. However, you can help St. Augustine grass survive mild winters with proper preparation and year-round care.

    By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022

    How To Water Plants With Orange Juice

    How to Water Plants With Orange Juice. Orange juice has some components that are beneficial to house or garden plants, such as natural sugars and citric acid, which is especially good for acid-loving plants like roses, azaleas, and many others. However, it can also attract bugs with its sweetness, and too much acid can damage plants, so it's best used in diluted form, and infrequently. Adding a few spoonfuls to your watering can once a month is the best way to use orange juice in the garden. Watering plants with diluted orange juice and other common drinks is a popular student science project.

    By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022

    How To Make Greenhouse Soil

    How to Make Greenhouse Soil. How you approach making soil for your greenhouse will depend on what you want to grow. If you want to use one soil for a greenhouse with a variety of plants, like flowers, herbs and vegetables, you will need to make a balanced blend. If you are only growing tomatoes in your greenhouse, you will want a moist, rich soil. Research what type of soil will best suit your plants before beginning to mix a soil for your greenhouse.

    By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022

    How To Plant Male & Female Holly Bushes

    How to Plant Male & Female Holly Bushes. For hollies to cross-pollinate and bear fruit, male and female holly bushes must be planted near each other. The male and female are slightly different and should be clearly labeled when the seedlings are acquired. Male plants bear no fruit but can pollinate several female trees. There are several species of holly, and males and females of the same species are needed to get fruit.

    By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022

    Uses For Tea Tree Oil In Gardening

    Uses for Tea Tree Oil in Gardening. Tea tree oil is a strong essential oil derived from the Australian melaleuca tree. It is commonly used for a variety of household applications, but its best garden use is as an insect repellent.

    By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022

    How To Propagate Red Cedar Trees

    How to Propagate Red Cedar Trees. Red cedar is best propagated by seed collection and planting. Some types also can be propagated by cuttings, but seeding is a reliable method for all kinds of red cedar. This tree is most commonly found in the northern and eastern United States and into Canada, and is also called Eastern red cedar, or Juniperus virginiana. Another tree also referred to as red cedar is the giant Pacific Northwest tree named Thuja plicata, which can be propagated in much the same way.

    By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022

    Things That Kill Duckweed In Ponds

    Things That Kill Duckweed in Ponds. Duckweed grows in ponds that are stagnant, contain fertilizer or manure runoff, or don't have enough agitation and aeration from wind, waves or running water. It can be quite a nuisance in decorative ponds and can take over the entire surface without some form of duckweed control. Options to kill it include herbicides, aeration and adding creatures that eat the duckweed.

    By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Produce
    Produce By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022

    The Best Days To Plant Vegetables

    The Best Days to Plant Vegetables. Planting at certain times and days, according to the phase of the moon, gives better results than others. The best way to understand when to plant vegetables is to remember that when the moon is growing from new to full, vegetables and other plants will grow better. However, in modern times, our lives don't center on moon phases and agriculture anymore, so you may not be able to follow this ancient wisdom. The best days may have to be those that fit into your schedule.

    By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022

    How To Lower PH In A Pond

    How to Lower PH in a Pond. A pond's pH, or level of acid, should be right around 7 on the pH scale, or neutral. The higher the acidity in a pond, the lower the pH. If you want to lower the pH, you must add acidic substances to the pond, or the surrounding soil if the pond is unlined. When changing pH in a pond, consider the existing animal and fish inhabitants, as well as the plants in and near the pond.

    By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022

    How To Collect Dahlia Seeds From Plants

    How to Collect Dahlia Seeds From Plants. Collecting seeds from these dense, many-petaled blooms takes a little patience and timing. If you want to have seed from your dahlias to start a new bed in the spring, you must help them go through their natural seeding process. If you have a reserved indoor spot or greenhouse, this is the best place to keep cut dahlia pods to dry.

    By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Produce
    Produce By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022

    Rotation Of Tomato Plants

    Rotation of Tomato Plants. Gardeners who practice crop rotation often are working in poorer soils or planting crops that are heavy feeders of specific nutrients. Rotating your tomatoes and other vegetables will help keep the soil producing well and ensure that each plant has the nutrition it needs. Tomatoes should be moved or rotated each year, which works well for most gardeners because they are annuals in most climates.

    By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022

    How To Plant Turmeric In Michigan

    How to Plant Turmeric in Michigan. Turmeric is a valuable and rare tuberous plant used in Indian cooking. It provides a unique flavor to many dishes but can be difficult to grow in cold climates such as that of Michigan. It is a subtropical plant, so a turmeric in Michigan will have to be started indoors in a greenhouse-like setting. Turmeric can be put outdoors during the warmest part of the summer but is unlikely to reach the size and yield of one grown in natural hothouse climates.

    By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022

    Controlling Powdery Mildew Organically In An Apple Tree

    Controlling Powdery Mildew Organically in an Apple Tree. Powdery mildew affects many plants, from roses to green beans. Fruit growers have a particular interest in keeping it off their trees, as the fungus can damage fruit and leaf growth, especially on new growth. The fungus that causes powdery mildew is called Sphaerotheca pannosa, which thrives in cool, wet and humid conditions. Prevention is key to controlling powdery mildew, but there are also organic measures you can take to stop infestations on your apple or other fruit trees.

    By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Produce
    Produce By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022

    Home Remedy Weed Killer

    Home Remedy Weed Killer. Making weed killing remedies from household ingredients is easy and inexpensive, and you can stop worrying about nasty chemicals on your lawn or garden. Natural home remedies that kill weeds include salt, vinegar and dish detergent. Weed killers made from these will allow you to control and kill weeds without as much weeding by hand, which can be time-consuming and hard work.

    By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Produce
    Produce By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022

    How To Make Black Currant Wine

    How To Make Black Currant Wine. Black currant wine can be a good way to use up these berries which otherwise can be difficult to use in the household. This wild berry wine is a tradition in northern European countries and has a unique, rich flavor. Black currants make a sweet, strongly flavored wine, but aren't as easy to process as softer fruits, because of their tough skins. Keep in mind that if you adjust various steps of this method, you can make a fuller-bodied wine or a light, dry wine depending on the winemaking process. This recipe will make about a gallon of black currant wine at a time, but you can repeat the process as many times as you like to make more.

    By Kim Hoyum November 3rd, 2022 Read More