Sophia Darby

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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 Sophia Darby

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    Produce
    Produce By Sophia Darby November 4th, 2022

    Alternatives To Sphagnum Moss

    Alternatives to Sphagnum Moss. Sphagnum moss (Spapillosum) is a byproduct of acid bogs in Germany, Ireland and Canada. It is capable of absorbing 10 to 20 times its own weight in water, making it a popular choice when amending overly-porous soil types, such as sandy soils. While sphagnum peat has many characteristics which make it a good choice for soils, its one drawback is the potential extinction of this growing medium due to excessive harvesting. There are some alternatives available that are sourced from more easily replenished sources.

    By Sophia Darby November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Sophia Darby November 4th, 2022

    How To Use A Tarp To Control Weeds

    How to Use a Tarp to Control Weeds. A plastic tarp can act as an effective and inexpensive weed barrier in gardens. The tarp can be used as a permanent soil cover, much like landscaping fabric, or a temporary aid when fumigating soil for weed control. When using a tarp as a permanent barrier, use a black plastic tarp. Black plastic, according to Ohio State University, is effective as it blocks out the most sunlight, prohibiting weeds from germinating in the soil.

    By Sophia Darby November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Sophia Darby November 4th, 2022

    How To Secure Landscape Timbers

    How to Secure Landscape Timbers. Landscape timbers are a popular choice of building material when constructing a raised flower bed, garden or when terracing a sloping landscape. To ensure your raised beds or terraces do not move, the timbers will need to be properly secured into place. Before adding soil to your raised beds, it is recommended to lay down a layer of landscaping fabric to inhibit the growth of weeds in your new garden.

    By Sophia Darby November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Sophia Darby November 3rd, 2022

    Plants For The South Side Of A House

    Plants for the South Side of a House. When planting on the south side of a house, you must be sure the plants you choose are suited to that much sun exposure. Plants with full day sun exposure likely need frequent watering to keep them hydrated through the heat of the summer. Setting a 2-inch layer of mulch on top of the flower bed's soil is an effective way to help the soil retain its moisture for longer periods of time.

    By Sophia Darby November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Sophia Darby November 3rd, 2022

    How To Grow A Black Cherry Tree From Seeds

    How to Grow a Black Cherry Tree From Seeds. The black cherry tree is most famous for its delicious, purplish-black fruit, though woodworkers prize the trees for their wood's appearance. A black cherry tree can reach a height of 60 to 90 feet, so it requires a large space if you are to grow one in your yard. Black cherry trees are best suited to grow in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 7, but grow well in both acidic and alkaline soils.

    By Sophia Darby November 3rd, 2022 Read More
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    Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Sophia Darby September 6th, 2022

    How To Spread Buffel Grass Seed

    How to Spread Buffel Grass Seed. Buffel grass is an annual to perennial grass reaching a height of up to 60 inches. It is an invasive grass with great drought tolerance, but is also known to withstand flooding with little to no damage. Buffel grass is often used as pasture grass in hot, dry climates of the world, but is most commonly found in North America in fields or on roadsides.

    By Sophia Darby September 6th, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Sophia Darby September 6th, 2022

    How To Use Tide For Roof Moss

    How to Use Tide for Roof Moss. Moss is often found on surfaces or in areas that are high in moisture with very little exposure to sunlight. Roofs that are heavily shaded for most of the day are prime targets for moss growth, along with decks and walkways. Tide laundry detergent, when applied to moss, acts quickly to dry out and kill moss, but this is likely a temporary fix. Long-term moss control relies on changing the affected area to make it inhospitable for moss.

    By Sophia Darby September 6th, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Sophia Darby September 6th, 2022

    Tomato Fertilizer Ingredients

    Tomato Fertilizer Ingredients. Using a fertilizer designed for the needs of tomato plants will help you grow stronger, healthier plants that, in turn, will produce more tomatoes. Tomato-plant fertilizers consist of three main components: nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Before planting your tomato plants, apply a tomato fertilizer to the garden's soil at a rate of 1 pound per 100 square feet. Work the fertilizer into the soil, to a depth of 6 inches, with a rototiller.

    By Sophia Darby September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Sophia Darby September 6th, 2022

    How To Grow Hydroponic Mint

    How to Grow Hydroponic Mint. Growing mint hydroponically is an alternative solution for those who, for various reasons, do not wish to grow mint directly in their gardens or in potting soil. Mint is well-suited for hydroponic growing and is, in fact, one of the first plants to be grown hydroponically in England in 1699, according to the University of Arizona Department of Plant Sciences. Fresh mint is used in a number of food recipes, as well as several beverages. When harvesting your mature mint leaves, hold the stem of the plant with one hand, while removing the leaf with the other. This will help avoid damage to the plant itself.

    By Sophia Darby September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Sophia Darby September 6th, 2022

    How To Grow Peas In A Greenhouse

    How to Grow Peas in a Greenhouse. Growing peas in a greenhouse allows you to have fresh peas all year round. Peas are well suited to wintering in a greenhouse, as they are much more cold-tolerant than other types of vegetables. In fact, warm weather often adversely affects pea pod production, so save the summer garden space for warm-weather plants instead. If you love peas and have a greenhouse, then this vegetable certainly deserves a place within it.

    By Sophia Darby September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Sophia Darby September 6th, 2022

    How To Troubleshoot My Grass Seed Not Germinating

    How to Troubleshoot My Grass Seed Not Germinating. There are many possible reasons why the grass seed you planted did not germinate properly. In order to grow healthy and lush grass, the temperature, soil conditions and moisture must remain within acceptable ranges. Typically, grass will begin to germinate within two to three weeks after being planted. If you have not seen any germination shortly after this recommended germination period, you will want to examine your growing area, as well as the grass seed used, for possible reasons.

    By Sophia Darby September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Sophia Darby September 6th, 2022

    Homemade Insect Spray For Lawns

    Homemade Insect Spray for Lawns. No one likes to see her beautiful lawn taken over by an insect infestation. Unfortunately, many of the insecticides on the market today contain harsh chemicals, which are harmful to the environment and any humans or animals that may come in contact with them. If you wish to rid your lawn of insects, but want to avoid turning your grass into a toxic hazard, a homemade insect spray, containing natural ingredients, is a safer alternative.

    By Sophia Darby September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Structures
    Structures By Sophia Darby September 6th, 2022

    How To Install Stone Garden Edging

    How to Install Stone Garden Edging. Adding stone garden edging to the perimeter of your flower beds creates a visually appealing border between your plants and lawn. The key to installing a long-lasting stone edging is to choose quality stones and proper installation. Spending the time doing it right the first time will save you time and money in the long run.

    By Sophia Darby September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Sophia Darby September 6th, 2022

    How To Tell If Plants Need Water

    How to Tell If Plants Need Water. Healthy plants require adequate water in order to prosper. Factors such as the amount of sunlight a plant receives, soil conditions and humidity levels all play a part in how much water your plants need to stay healthy. By knowing the water requirements of your plants, along with their individual signs of dehydration, you can ensure your plants receive the water they need.

    By Sophia Darby September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Sophia Darby September 6th, 2022

    How To Prune Common Hackberry

    How to Prune Common Hackberry. The common hackberry tree typically grows between 40 and 50 feet tall and wide. The tree requires regular pruning during the first 15 years of growth to avoid weak branches and multiple trunks. Because the common hackberry is prone to damage from storms, particularly ice storms, you must promote strong limbs through the regular pruning of weaker branches.

    By Sophia Darby September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Sophia Darby March 24th, 2022

    How To Winterize Succulent Plants

    How to Winterize Succulent Plants. Winterizing succulents and cacti is an important process prior to bringing them indoors. Greg Stack, a horticulturist with the University of Illinois, states that many succulents are quite content to live in our homes and will even survive a little neglect now and then. The key to winter survival is to trigger dormancy in succulents and cacti by slowly changing their environment.

    By Sophia Darby March 24th, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Sophia Darby March 24th, 2022

    How To Fertilize Cedar Trees

    How to Fertilize Cedar Trees. Fertilizing your cedar trees is an effective way to help heal an ailing tree. Causes of cedar distress can be lack of nutrients in the soil, poor drainage or disease. Before applying fertilizer, it is a good idea to first find the cause of the distress and correct it. Lightening heavy clay soils with peat moss will improve drainage. Diseases, such as the common cedar apple rust, can be treated with an application of fungicide. Problems such as these should be treated prior to the application of fertilizer.

    By Sophia Darby March 24th, 2022 Read More