Gardening

You've worked hard to turn that brown thumb green, and you're finally seeing the fruits of your labor. But that weeklong vacation looms on the horizon, and you know that it could all go down the tubes if you don't have a plan in place.

By Emilie Sennebogen

Spring is a time of regeneration and renewal. Colorful evidence of this exciting time can be found in your garden. The bulbs you planted in cooler weather are bursting out of the soil. These 10 will infuse your plot with color, dimension and fragrance.

By Echo Surina

Natural bogs and their surrounding ecosystem can take hundreds of years to form on their own. But if you're a dedicated gardener which a penchant for exotic plants and lots of moss, it's possible to make a bog garden in your backyard.

By Gerlinda Grimes

Chili peppers can spice up a variety of dishes, making your mouth burn and your eyes water, but what makes these peppers so hot?

By M.J. Plaster

Flowers are a matter of pride for gardeners, a means of expression for lovers and they play a role in some of our most joyous and somber societal rituals. But not all flowers are bright colors and perfumed scents. Some are quite unusual.

By Heather Kolich

Now, more and more produce eaters are looking for produce grown even closer to home -- their own backyards. But it may not be as easy as planting the seed and watching it grow.

By Jessica Brown

Anyone who complains about having a brown thumb may simply be choosing the wrong plants to grow. Some plants are exceedingly sensitive and temperamental. But there are some plants that even the worst gardener would have a hard time getting rid of.

By Kathy Price-Robinson

Most cacti enjoy dry, hot environments, while orchids thrive in humid, tropical locales. Every plant has its ideal growing conditions, but sometimes Mother Nature does not cooperate. That's where man and greenhouses enter the picture.

By Jessica Brown

Greening your garden is not just about having the lushest lawn or the most vibrant rosebushes in the neighborhood. It's about having a garden you can enjoy that's also sustainable. But what's the big deal about going green anyway?

By Bambi Turner

Annuals are primed to germinate quickly when conditions are right, grow speedily, and then make loads of flowers, fruits, roots and seeds. Learn all about annual flowers by checking out this annual flower pictures image gallery. You may get some ideas.

By Marie Bobel

These blooming plants will dazzle you with color year after year. Sit back, smell the hibiscus and check out these photos of some of our favorite perennials.

By Marie Bobel

Creating a backyard wildlife habitat is a rewarding project for nature lovers. However, they might be surprised to find that making a home for neighborhood critters is as easy as it is worthwhile.

By Jessika Toothman

You may think of a land full of leafy green elephants when you hear the word "topiary," but you can train and shape plants in own back yard -- or even on your office desk.

By Tonyia Cone

Succulents manage to live with a lot less water than some of their thirstier counterparts. That doesn't mean you can just neglect them and expect them to thrive though.

By Jessika Toothman & Melanie Radzicki McManus

Whatever their medium, artists have been known to use any available resource in order to create a masterpiece. So what if they used nature not only as inspiration, but as instrument?

By Jessika Toothman

As you head to work, you notice that the nearby vacant lot has become a utopian garden overnight. Did biblical forces create this urban Eden, or was it the handiwork of guerrilla gardeners?

By Jessika Toothman

Forget those boring plots of fruits and veggies. Why sacrifice aesthetic appeal when growing your own food? Border your garden with lettuce, use mint as ground cover and encourage your kiwi vines to climb trellises.

By Cristen Conger

Planting a few trees in your yard certainly won't obliterate your entire carbon footprint. But it could cut your energy costs. How much carbon dioxide does the average tree absorb?

By Cristen Conger

What if you could shop for fruits and veggies in your own backyard? Not only would it save you a trip to the grocery store, it might save you some cash. How much?

By Cristen Conger

Gardens have lots of benefits, but what if you don't have any land to start your own? If you're strapped for green space, a community garden might be the answer.

By Jennifer Horton

When you spend all day in a cubicle, the idea of a lush green paradise of plants sounds like wishful thinking. But container gardening just might do the trick.

By John Fuller

What has bright, blooming flowers and a sea of flapping wings? A butterfly garden. Planting one will help you to attract and conserve these winged beauties.

By Jennifer Horton

HowStuffWorks answers your gardening questions. From planting to maintenance, you can create a gorgeous landscape. You don't have to have a PhD in agriculture, but you should be aware of what will guarantee you success. Find out how to cultivate your land.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

Dwarf deutzia, a shrub, produces white flowers that grow in an upright fashion, conserving space in smaller gardens. Arching branches bear double white flowers in spring and foliage that turns an attractive red in fall. Learn more about this shrub.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

Trumpet gentian is native to alpine environments, making it perfect for rock gardens. Trumpet-shaped flowers of an unusual hue (dark navy blue with darker, green-striped throats) sit on very short stems above spreading foliage. Learn more about this plant.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.