Lawn and Garden

One of the oldest and most widely used materials in the world, baked clay or terracotta, can be found on roofs, in museums and in gardens all over the world.

By Carrie Whitney, Ph.D.

Curious to know how old those big trees are in your yard? We'll tell you how to use geometry to figure out their ages without risking their health.

By Stephanie Vermillion

If you don't already have a trellis working for you in your garden, you probably need one.

By Alia Hoyt

Despite being pretty in pink, oleander is a highly poisonous plant. And now it's being touted as a cure for COVID-19. We'll break down the facts from fiction.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky

This pretty flower has been known for centuries to have chemicals that can regulate your heartbeat but also poison you.

By Alia Hoyt

Sunflowers are incredibly tough and can be grown in almost any soil. Plus, it's hard not to smile when you see a field of these bright yellow rays.

By Wendy Bowman

For decades we've been told having houseplants can improve our indoor air quality. But is this true? And do you need to live in a veritable jungle to get better air quality?

By Patty Rasmussen

What vegetable is often mistaken for a fruit, has poisonous leaves but is still edible and is often harvested by candlelight? Yep, that would be rhubarb.

By Tara Yarlagadda

These showy pink, purple, red and white blossoms dazzle through the spring and summer and are ubiquitous throughout the southern U.S.

By Wendy Bowman

Lots of trees are losing their leaves this time of the year. But evergreens keep theirs year-round. What gives?

By Wendy Bowman

Stop bagging those leaves and putting them curbside to be hauled off to the landfill. There's a better way — for your lawn and the environment.

By Patty Rasmussen

Roundup is the brand name for the chemical glyphosate, which is the most widely used weedkiller today. Some hail it, some hate it, but what does it really do?

By Chris Pollette

And what happens if your dog pees on it?

By Carrie Whitney, Ph.D.

Cucamelons are about the size of grapes but they pack a big tart punch.

By Nathan Chandler

You've probably never seen one, but it looks like a waterbed in your yard. And trust us, if you do see one, you'll have an impulse to pop it.

By John Perritano

Its blooms are lovely. But to many, the Bradford pear tree's smell and invasiveness are anything but.

By Jamie Allen

Oh Christmas tree — how did you get your signature shape? These iconic symbols don't naturally grow into a perfect pyramid, but that doesn't stop us from expecting it.

By Laurie L. Dove

Whether you like to pile them up and jump in with abandon or rue the time of year when they fall, leaves are at the center of a heated debate.

By Laurie L. Dove

Don't be alarmed if you find a few of these funky mushrooms popping up in your yard right when the weather turns cool and wet.

By Shaun Chavis

At one time, tourists could drive through this mighty California icon. Then only hikers could traverse it. Now only worms and bugs will be able to pass through.

By Christopher Hassiotis

In Victorian times, only a few plants could stand up to the fumes from coal fires and gas lamps. Now, we have a wide variety of plants to choose from.

By Alia Hoyt

How many poinsettias have languished on high shelves so children and pets can't munch on their dangerous leaves? It may all have been for naught. The poinsettia's poisonous rep is a bit unfair.

By Colleen Cancio

Don’t have much space? That doesn’t mean you have to go without a garden.

By Blythe Copeland

Are you landscaping methods hurting the environment? Keep reading to discover new tips and tricks on eco-friendly lawn care.

By Josh Briggs

It'll save you money and help the environment. How can you grab water from your roof and your washing machine and use it to hydrate your plants?

By Clint Pumphrey