Kimberly Richardson

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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 Kimberly Richardson

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    Flowers
    Flowers By Kimberly Richardson November 4th, 2022

    Flowers That Look Like Daffodils

    Flowers That Look Like Daffodils. Daffodil is the common term for flowers in the genus Narcissus. Although some gardeners consider daffodils to be the bright yellow flower so common in early spring, daffodils have a large range of shapes, colors and sizes. Paperwhites are a variety of daffodil, as are the cylindrical-leaved jonquils (Narcissus jonquilla) and the red-tipped poet's narcissus (Narcissus poeticus). Some daffodils, like the hoop petticoat daffodil (Narcissus bulbocodium), have wide trumpets and small, narrow segments, resembling a poppy more than the traditional daffodil flower. However, some entirely different species have startlingly similar daffodil-shaped blooms.

    By Kimberly Richardson November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Kimberly Richardson November 4th, 2022

    What Are The Examples Of Inorganic Fertilizers?

    What Are the Examples of Inorganic Fertilizers?. When manufacturers list a fertilizer as organic, it means the nutrients were once part of, or created by, a living plant or animal. Inorganic fertilizers, on the other hand, are nutrients that living sources didn't produce. Plants require 16 different elements, whether from an organic or inorganic source, in order to thrive. Nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium are the three most important nutrients, alongside trace elements such as iron, boron and zinc. These elements take many forms, but manufacturers commonly use the same nutrient-releasing compounds in their inorganic fertilizers.

    By Kimberly Richardson November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By Kimberly Richardson November 4th, 2022

    Hollyhocks: Biennial Or Perennial?

    Hollyhocks: Biennial or Perennial?. The confusion between the perennial or biennial nature of hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) revolves around two issues. First, common hollyhocks reseed easily, giving the biennial plant a perennial appearance. Second, common hollyhocks have a miniature doppelganger in hollyhock mallow (Malva alcea), a smaller perennial with hollyhock-shaped flowers. Both plants are useful in the garden, and may grow side-by-side.

    By Kimberly Richardson November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Trees
    Trees By Kimberly Richardson November 4th, 2022

    Peach Tree Varieties In Missouri

    Peach Tree Varieties in Missouri. Although Missouri hosts many fruit and nut crops, peaches do not produce reliably in the "Show-Me" state. Unpredictable spring frosts, winter freezes, ice storms and shallow soils take their toll on peach trees. Rains and humidity encourage bacterial leaf spot and fungal diseases, further limiting peach production. In fact, in Central and Northern Missouri, commercial peach growers harvest a full crop only 4 years out of every 10.

    By Kimberly Richardson November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Trees
    Trees By Kimberly Richardson November 4th, 2022

    Late-Flowering Apricot Trees

    Late-Flowering Apricot Trees. Apricot trees grow to manageable heights of 15 to 20 feet, are attractive and have bright fall color. The fruit is a summertime treat, but gardeners often resign themselves to late, bloom-killing frosts that destroy any hope of an apricot crop. However, apricots don't have to be an occasional bonus; plant a late-flowering cultivar and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

    By Kimberly Richardson November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Trees
    Trees By Kimberly Richardson November 4th, 2022

    Autumn Blaze Maple Tree Diseases

    Autumn Blaze Maple Tree Diseases. The aptly-named "Autumn Blaze" maple (Acer x fremanii) is a hybrid between the fast-growing silver maple (Acer saccharinum) and the showy red maple (Acer rubrum). The hybrid has the fast growth of silver maple without the silver maple's weak branch structure and inherited intense fall color from its red maple parent. Poplar Farms of Illinois introduced the autumn blaze maple in 1982 and homeowners embraced the new variety for the improved characteristics. However, certain diseases can affect any maple, including autumn blaze.

    By Kimberly Richardson November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Kimberly Richardson November 4th, 2022

    What Is Good For Cutting Grass On A Steep Slope?

    What Is Good for Cutting Grass on a Steep Slope?. The best tool for cutting grass on a slope is not the one that's best for the grass, but the one that's best for your safety. Slipping wheels, tipping decks and treacherous footing contribute to frustration, damaged equipment and accidents. Certain tools are better than others, but removing the grass entirely may be the best solution.

    By Kimberly Richardson November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Kimberly Richardson November 4th, 2022

    How To Plant Roses In Arizona

    How to Plant Roses in Arizona. Sunny Arizona has a large commercial rose economy, and for good reason. Heat prevents disease and insects that plague roses in cooler areas of the country, and the sunshine keeps roses growing year-round. But Arizona also has clay soil and sparse rainfall throughout much of the year, despite the summer monsoon. Planting a rose correctly keeps it happy and blooming, even in Arizona's triple-digit heat.

    By Kimberly Richardson November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Trees
    Trees By Kimberly Richardson November 4th, 2022

    Varieties Of Apricot Trees

    Varieties of Apricot Trees. A small tree, apricots are an ideal size for home gardens. Apricot trees grow just 12 feet high, and most apricot varieties are also available as dwarf or semi-dwarf trees. However, not all apricot trees are alike; some require separate pollinators and high-winter chill, while others bloom too early for cold-winter zones. The right apricot tree blooms and ripens at the right time, and as a bonus provides attractive foliage and fall color.

    By Kimberly Richardson November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Trees
    Trees By Kimberly Richardson November 4th, 2022

    The Differences Between Redwoods & Sequoia Trees

    The Differences Between Redwoods & Sequoia Trees. Botanists once shoehorned the sky-scraping coastal redwoods and the hulking giant sequoias into the same taxonomic family. The trees do share obvious characteristics; both are evergreen, grow in a similar range and reach awe-inspiring sizes. However, coastal redwoods and giant sequoias are quite different, even down to their genes--coastal redwoods have six sets of chromosomes to the giant sequoia's two.

    By Kimberly Richardson November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Kimberly Richardson November 3rd, 2022

    Tall Fescue Vs. Bluegrass

    Tall Fescue Vs. Bluegrass. Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) was once the reigning king of neighborhood lawns, and rightly so. The soft, dense turf and cool green color created a living carpet under bare feet in summertime. However, researchers developed tough, drought-resistant tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) roughly 50 years ago. Although the first generations of tall fescue were coarse and unsuitable for lawns, recent improved varieties are threatening to dethrone Kentucky bluegrass as the king of the backyard.

    By Kimberly Richardson November 3rd, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Kimberly Richardson September 6th, 2022

    Caliche Lawn Problems In Arizona

    Caliche Lawn Problems in Arizona. Often called hardpan, caliche is a four-letter word to Arizona gardeners. The pale layer is similar to concrete, poured by a whimsical giant with a twisted sense of humor. It spreads over large areas or remains localized to your backyard lawn. It often lurks inches or feet beneath the surface, only coming to light as your turf struggles against dehydration, waterlogged soil or nutrient deficiencies.

    By Kimberly Richardson September 6th, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Kimberly Richardson September 6th, 2022

    Miracle-Gro Facts

    Miracle-Gro Facts. The black-and-white circle of the Miracle-Gro logo is a familiar sight to gardeners. The liquid plant food filled an empty niche in a burgeoning market, and resourceful personalities drove the Miracle-Gro Company to success. It has been a top-selling retail fertilizer for decades, and continues to find a place in garden sheds and back porches.

    By Kimberly Richardson September 6th, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Kimberly Richardson September 6th, 2022

    Canadian Tomato Varieties

    Canadian Tomato Varieties. Although Canada is the largest producer of greenhouse tomatoes in North America, the nation's short growing season limits tomato choices for in-ground gardens. Luckily, Canadian growers developed their own cultivars, fast-growing tomatoes adapted to the short season and cool spring weather. Although many nurseries no longer grow most Canadian-developed tomatoes, some varieties are still available through seed catalogs and nurseries.

    By Kimberly Richardson September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Kimberly Richardson September 6th, 2022

    How To Kill Lawn Grubs In Ontario Canada

    How to Kill Lawn Grubs in Ontario Canada. A late-summer lawn attracts bare feet, backyard barbecues and scarab beetles. Scarab beetles, which include June bugs, Japanese beetles, and chafer beetles, move into Ontario yards in summer and are responsible for the white grubs that lurk under lawns, destroying tender roots as they feed. Although most of the scarab beetle family grow from egg to adult over a single year, May and June beetles require a three-year cycle and will overwinter deep under the insulating lawn. Gardeners can't eradicate these underground pests entirely, but they can bring them to heel.

    By Kimberly Richardson September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Kimberly Richardson September 6th, 2022

    How To Prepare Peonies For Minnesota Winter

    How to Prepare Peonies for Minnesota Winter. Peonies have been grown in Minnesota for more than 100 years. Pioneers carried peony starts with them as they settled the region, beginning a tradition of growing this herbaceous perennial in the cool Minnesota summers where peonies thrive. Cool summers also mean cold winters, however, and peonies die to the ground with the first hard frost. The hardy crown survives under the snow and sprouts readily the following spring, but despite their tough nature, peonies do need care when temperatures drop. Preparing your peonies for winter will keep them blooming next spring.

    By Kimberly Richardson September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Kimberly Richardson September 6th, 2022

    How To Cut Back Peonies In Minnesota

    How to Cut Back Peonies in Minnesota. Minnesota has a long history of peony culture. Oliver F. Brand established Brand Peony Farms near Richland, Minnesota, in 1867 and hybridized many varieties. Other nurseries followed, and growers founded the Minnesota Peony Society more than 100 years ago. Minnesota's climate suits peonies, which originally grew in temperate areas of Europe and Asia. In fact, some landscapes in the state are home to peony plants that have grown there for 30 years or more. Although these long-lived plants are tough and hardy, they require proper fall pruning to stay healthy. Wait until the first hard frost of autumn to cut down peonies. Even if there are no blooms, the foliage is still feeding the roots.

    By Kimberly Richardson September 6th, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By Kimberly Richardson September 6th, 2022

    Vinca Minor Vs. Vinca Major

    Vinca Minor Vs. Vinca Major. Vinca major and Vinca minor are evergreen plants that are at home in the woodland or shade garden. They are nearly identical, but Vinca major is often called greater periwinkle and the smaller version is sold as common, or dwarf, periwinkle. Both have attractive foliage and can be tenacious plants, despite their elegant appearance.

    By Kimberly Richardson September 6th, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By Kimberly Richardson September 6th, 2022

    Bushes Or Shrubs For Utah

    Bushes or Shrubs for Utah. With its snowy winters and sun-filled summers, Utah is a state of extremes. Selecting the right bush or shrub for a yard is not only a matter of personal preference, but also a matter of knowing the soil conditions, weather exposure, available moisture and space limitations. However, there are many varieties that do well in most areas and have the hardiness to survive whatever Mother Nature may send their way.

    By Kimberly Richardson September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Kimberly Richardson September 6th, 2022

    My Fern Fronds Are Turning Brown

    My Fern Fronds Are Turning Brown. Ferns are among the most popular houseplants, but not every house is suited for them. You may find your fern fronds turning brown within weeks of bringing the plant home from the nursery. Prevent browning leaves with a knowledge of your fern's basic needs.

    By Kimberly Richardson September 6th, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By Kimberly Richardson September 6th, 2022

    What Are The Dangers Of Miracle Grow?

    What Are the Dangers of Miracle Grow?. Miracle-Gro is a brand of garden products produced by the Scotts Company, LLC. The brand line includes water-soluble fertilizer, granular fertilizer, bagged soil, and garden hardware such as hose sprayers. The original Miracle-Gro product, first marketed in 1951, is a water-soluble fertilizer sold as a blue powder.

    By Kimberly Richardson September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Kimberly Richardson March 24th, 2022

    How To Grow Peach Trees In Arizona

    How to Grow Peach Trees in Arizona. In Arizona, gardeners in the low deserts around Phoenix and Tuscon successfully grow peach trees only if they select those with low winter chill requirements. Higher elevations, such as Prescott and Flagstaff, have greater leeway when selecting peach varieties, but may have late frosts. Arizona also throws strong sun, monsoon rains and alkaline soil at peach trees. With a little knowledge, however, you can grow juicy peaches nearly anywhere in the state.

    By Kimberly Richardson March 24th, 2022 Read More