Meg Butler

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 Meg Butler

  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022

    How To Kill Grass Burrs

    How to Kill Grass Burrs. Grass bur, or field sandbur, is an annual grassy weed that often pops up in lawns. Most homeowners notice the infestation when they step on one of its pesky burs. There are methods for killing the grass bur plant, but that is no solace to your bare feet if the burs are already in the grass. To get rid of grass burs on your lawn, spread an old blanket over the grass. Then step on it or drag it over the lawn. The grass burs will become embedded in the blanket's fibers. After several passes, most of the grass burs should be gone.

    By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022

    How To Divide Lupine

    How to Divide Lupine. There are roughly 100 species of lupine native to North America. The bluebonnet, the Texas state flower, is one of the most well-known varieties. Perennial lupine plants are often planted in gardens and pots and is quite easy to care for. But even though it is technically a perennial, even with expert care the plant will only live around four years. One way to propagate your perennial lupine is by dividing it. The best time to do this is in early spring before the season's growth commences.

    By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022

    How To Kill Water Grass

    How to Kill Water Grass. Water grass (Paspalum dilatatum), is a tall perennial warm-season grass that commonly invades lawns. If you find tufts of water grass growing in your turf, there are several effective control methods that you can use to effectively eradicate it. But the best way to be rid of water grass for good is to improve the health of your lawn. Regular watering, mowing and fertilization will create densely growing turf that will resist weed invasions.

    By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Produce
    Produce By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022

    How To Use Whey For Watering Plants

    How to Use Whey for Watering Plants. Farmers and gardeners have used whey to water their plants for many years, with healthier plants as evidence that whey is beneficial for their plants. Whey contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and other minerals that are essential to plant growth. However, when watering your plants with whey, moderation is key. Small amounts of whey will fertilize your plants. But excessive amounts of whey in the soil can actually decrease the amount of nutrients available to your plant.

    By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022

    How To Water Plants With Sparkling Water

    How to Water Plants With Sparkling Water. Sparkling mineral waters, like club soda, are great for plants. Plants absorb nutrients best when they are dissolved in water. And sparkling mineral water takes carbon dioxide and a host of other essential macro-nutrients straight to their root systems. In fact, plants that are watered with sparkling mineral water grow faster and greener than plants watered with tap water alone.

    By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022

    The Best Non-Acidic Tomatoes To Plant

    The Best Non-Acidic Tomatoes to Plant. All tomatoes fall between 4.0 and 4.6 on the pH scale and there is no such thing as a tomato with no acid. However, there are many varieties of tomatoes that have a non-acidic flavor. The high sugar content of these tomatoes gives them a more balanced flavour and none of the acidic bite of other tomatoes. Those listed here are known for their big flavor and planting ease.

    By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022

    How To Prevent Brown On Rose Petals

    How to Prevent Brown on Rose Petals. Roses are beautiful, but notoriously difficult to grow. Even under expert care, rose bushes are susceptible to a number of diseases, pests and fungi. And any number of these afflictions can cause your rose's petals to brown. Most of these problems are relatively easy to fix with a few cultural changes or sprays. But if the problem crops up season after season, it may be a sign that you should plant a more resistant variety of rose.

    By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022

    How To Kill Mold In Wheatgrass

    How to Kill Mold in Wheatgrass. Wheatgrass is highly susceptible to mold. Its seed often contains mold spores. And because of its close-growing habit, wheatgrass often develops mold as it grows. The most common type of mold that grows is blue or green mold, which only grows on the surface and is nonpathogenic. Simply cut the wheatgrass above the mold and rinse it thoroughly before you juice it. But to prevent mold from cropping up in the first place, treat the seed and the growing plant with food-grade hydrogen peroxide.

    By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022

    How To Kill Hookworms And Roundworms In The Yard

    How to Kill Hookworms and Roundworms in the Yard. Hookworms and roundworms are common pet parasites. If your pet harbors these parasites, he will deposit their eggs in your yard. To effectively kill hookworms and roundworms in your yard, first treat the lawn and then treat your pets. Household pets should be checked for roundworms and hookworms by a veterinarian at least once a year and put on preventative medication.

    By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022

    How To Harvest And Eat Hickory Nuts

    How to Harvest and Eat Hickory Nuts. Hickory nuts are not always the easiest to harvest and eat. Their hard shells are tough to crack, and once they're open, the brittle meat is difficult to extract and so thin that it may not seem worth the effort. However, hickory nut lovers know that the rich buttery flavor of the nut warrants a bit of a struggle. The best time to harvest hickory nuts is when they begin to fall off the tree. However, you will have to pick them up quickly or you will lose much of your crop to the squirrels.

    By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022

    How To Kill Ants That Live On Orange Trees

    How to Kill Ants That Live on Orange Trees. Gardeners grow orange trees because they love its delicious fruit. But orange tree owners soon discover they aren't the only ones in love with oranges. Orange trees attract a number of insects, including ants. However, it is unlikely that ants are living in your orange tree. More often, they are attracted to the food available in the orange tree. They may be farming aphids, scales or white flies to feed on their honey dew. Or they may be after the oranges themselves.

    By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Flowers
    Flowers By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022

    Marigold Plant Diseases

    Marigold Plant Diseases. Marigolds are such cheerful little flowers, it's no wonder why flower gardeners love them. But, while relatively easy to grow, marigolds are not without issues. Perennial and annual varieties of marigolds are susceptible to a number of diseases, whether grown in greenhouses or out of doors. If you find that your marigolds repeatedly fall prey to a certain disease, consider planting a more resistant variety.

    By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022

    How To Treat Sow Thistle Bumps

    How to Treat Sow Thistle Bumps. Sow thistle plants grow wild all over the United States. Because their seed is numerous, quick to germinate and airborne, thistle plants can spread far and wide. When tackling these weeds in their garden, you may have the unfortunate luck to find out that you are allergic to it. Like poison ivy, sow thistle causes some people to break out in bumps or pustules. Even as little as brushing by the plant can cause an allergic reaction. Although inconvenient, itchy and sometimes sometimes painful, contact dermatitis is relatively easy to treat.

    By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022

    Care Of Blue Daze Flowers

    Care of Blue Daze Flowers. Evolvulus glomeratus, or blue daze, is a pleasant evergreen shrub that grows low to the ground. When mature, each plant will spread 2 to 3 feet and reach a height of 1 foot. And its pleasant blue flowers will bloom throughout the growing season. But blue daze cannot be grown anywhere. It is truly a tropical plant and fares best in USDA growing zones 8 to 11. Temperatures that remain lower than 40 degrees for a significant time may stunt or even kill the plant.

    By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022

    How To Use Mirrors To Increase Sunlight For Plants

    How to Use Mirrors to Increase Sunlight for Plants. Tenacious gardeners won't let a few heavily shaded garden spots prevent them from populating their plot with sun-loving plants. A few well-placed mirrors can bring light to darkened corners of a garden. And plants grow just as well under reflected light as they do under direct sunlight. By increasing the sunlight in your garden in this manner, you can expand your planting possibilities.

    By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Produce
    Produce By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022

    Angel Winged Begonia Diseases

    Angel Winged Begonia Diseases. The angel winged begonia is a favorite among flower gardeners and landscapers. An eye-catcher, this begonia gets its name from its unique leaves that resemble outstretched angel wings. The angel winged begonia is a tropical plant that needs high humidity, adequate air circulation, full sun and lots of water to thrive. When these needs are not met, the plant becomes more susceptible to disease.

    By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Produce
    Produce By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022

    How To Grow Dahlias In Tropical Climates

    How to Grow Dahlias in Tropical Climates. People love dahlias because of their beautiful large blossoms that come in a variety of colors and sizes. Beginning gardeners love them because they are quite easy to grow. However, dahlias are a cool-climate plant and are not traditionally grown in tropical climates. But if properly cared for and kept cool during the hot summers, certain varieties of dahlias can survive tropical temperatures. Ideal varieties of dahlia for tropical climates are heat-tolerant ones like Kidd's Climax, Juanita and Prince Noir.

    By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Flowers
    Flowers By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022

    How To Trim A Clethra Shrub

    How to Trim a Clethra Shrub. The clethra, an ornamental deciduous shrub, is also known as summersweet. Maybe it's because of its sweet white or pale pink flowers that bloom in late summer and last until early fall. Or because of its delicately sweet shape which is often flocked by bees, hummingbirds and butterflies, the symbols of spring. Clethra, like most shrubs, benefits from an annual trim but should be allowed to retain its shape. Trim clethra's old growth between mid-February and late April and it will bloom vigorously in summer.

    By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Trees
    Trees By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022

    Diseases Of Bradford Pear Trees

    Diseases of Bradford Pear Trees. The Bradford pear tree is an ornamental variety that is often used for landscaping. While beautiful, Bradford pear trees suffer from a host of problems. Because their quick-growing branches are made of weak wood and grow at narrow angles, they often break with age or under adverse weather conditions. When under this type of stress, Bradford pear trees are more susceptible to disease.

    By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022

    How To Make Gardenias Bloom All Year

    How to Make Gardenias Bloom All Year. The key to coaxing a gardenia bush to bloom all year is consistency. Only gardenias that are grown in an environment that is consistently warm and humid can be tricked into thinking that it is spring all year round. Gardenias are notoriously finicky plants, and it may take you a season or so to perfect your gardenia care. But the rewards are worth it. Few flowers rival the gardenia's beauty.

    By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022

    How To Cut Birch Tree Roots

    How to Cut Birch Tree Roots. Birch trees are tall beauties whose unique bark make them popular ornamental landscape trees. But these tall beauties put out an extensive network of roots in their search to fill their significant moisture needs. Unfortunately, many homeowners are unaware of this particular characteristic of birch trees before its too late. These strong roots can buckle concrete sidewalks and driveways, make mowing a pain or cause other problems that makes it necessary to cut a birch tree's roots. But this should only be done if absolutely necessary. Cutting a birch tree's roots weakens it, leaves it prone to infection and, if done improperly, can put it off balance enough to cause it to topple over.

    By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022

    How To Plant A Tree In The Same Place An Old One Was

    How to Plant a Tree in the Same Place an Old One Was. Now that your old tree is gone, you want to plant another one in its place. Planting a new tree in the same place as an old one requires less work than planting a tree on virgin soil, in some ways. If the tree was recently removed, the soil is already excavated and only needs to be worked a little before the new tree is planted. However, if the old tree died of disease or unknown causes, the soil must first be sterilized or the new tree may suffer the same fate as the old one.

    By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022

    What Causes Sticky Leaves On New Fruit Trees?

    What Causes Sticky Leaves on New Fruit Trees?. The sticky substance on your new fruit tree's leaves is almost certainly the work of common fruit tree pests. While this sticky substance is not dangerous, if left on the tree it can grow sooty mold which will impair the leaves' ability to absorb carbon dioxide and light. To remove the sticky substance, simply spray the tree's leaves with water. However, it is likely to come back unless you tackle the underlying infestation.

    By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Structures
    Structures By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022

    Leaving A Gunite Pool Empty

    Leaving a Gunite Pool Empty. Your in-ground gunite pool is designed to hold water. The pressure of the thousands of gallons in the pool's bowl helps the gunite hold its shape and anchors it in the ground. When you remove the water from a gunite pool and leave it empty, you run a significant risk of damaging your pool. The external pressure of water in the surrounding soil can collapse the gunite or even pop it up out of the ground. If at all possible, consult a local professional for advice about leaving your gunite pool empty.

    By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022

    How To Kill Wild Grass

    How to Kill Wild Grass. Certain species of wild grass are classified as weeds and can be quite difficult to kill. Perennial species of wild grass may send down extensive and deep networks of rhizomes that keep them coming back year after year even when their blades have been repeatedly cut back. Annual and biennial species put down prolific amounts of seed that may sprout for several seasons after their parent plants have been eradicated. To kill wild grass for good, repeated applications of herbicide may be necessary.

    By Meg Butler November 4th, 2022 Read More