How to Grow

Have you always wanted to know how to grow a garden but never took the plunge? Well you're in the right place. The Hometalk community of garden enthusiasts will get you started with all you need to know about growing everything, from cucumbers to roses, and all the materials, tools, and techniques in between. Happy gardening!

What do you want to grow?

Top Projects for Growing

Are you ready to check out the top how-to growing projects on Hometalk? Look around.

Here Are 10 Gorgeous Designer Tricks for Your Dollar Store Pots

You know these cheap Dollar Store flower pots?

Hometalk Highlights

Fix Burnt Grass & Dog Urine Spots With This Easy Solution!

Summer is a beautiful time of year to sit out and relax in your yard. But the suns rays can do some major damage to your lawn. And what about those furry friends? Experts say, certain PH levels found in dog pee can leave unsightly brown spots that stick out like a sore thumb! Solve both of these problems in snap.We want to help you DIY, so some of the materials in this post are linked to sellers. Just so you know, Hometalk may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page.Watch the video below to see how much my grass had improved in one week!

Julien K., Hometalk Team

Ladder Herb Garden

I’m pretty obsessed with ladders right now. I have blanket ladders in almost ever room of my house. I recently made a potting bench out of old pallets and had a leftover portion of a pallet that resembled a ladder! It was far too rough to be used in the house, but it was too rustic chic to not be taken advantage of! I’ve gotten into herbs lately, and though my green thumb is still young in its development, I decided this would be the cutest little ladder garden! This ladder would be quite easy to duplicate if you don’t happen to have a pallet ladder just laying around! I’ll go over that here as well! This is the perfect little garden if you are limited on the amount of green space you have available! You really could plant just about anything in here you wanted, flowers outdoors, house plants indoors, herbs inside or out! I love how versatile this is!

Red's Rustic Rehab

Tomato Cage Cloche

The cloche adds a bit of whimsy to your display pieces. Whether fairy lights or plants, they beg you to take a closer look and see what’s inside. They also protect delicate treasures from well-meaning but overly curious noses (watch the video at the bottom of this project to see why...). Make a farmhouse style version with a tomato cage and chicken wire.

OnTheFly...DIY

Moving a Leafed Out Hosta With the Help of a Belt and Some Tape

Denial-that is what I am in every time I plant a Hosta. I know it is going to grow and get big I just don't believe it at the time. This is probably because I usually purchase bare root Hosta from online retailers and they usually have only a few leaves and 1 or 2 eyes (eyes are what growers call a Hosta division). They seem so small that when I go to plant them I lose all sense and end up putting them where I will eventually have to move them.

Rhonda B

Epsom Salt for Your Plants - Inside and Out

Did you know you could use Epsom salt for your outdoor plants and your houseplants? It says so right on the label!!

Alicia W

Homemade Roach Spray (Good for Ants and Other Bugs Too)

Do you know what the number one question was we were asked this summer? How to get rid of roaches! One of our popular posts is our homemade ant spray, so readers want to know about other insects too. Especially roaches!I just used a bunch of this homemade spray because a random trail of ants showed up on my front porch, and I didn’t want Amelia to get in it. I spray it to safely kill the ants and and things like roaches. It was safe for her, safe for the dog, and killed the ants.

Alexis @ Chemistry Cachet

DIY Flower Tower

We made these self watering flower towers for the Moms in our family for Mother's Day. It incorporated two ideas we had seen online. The Flower Tower and a watering feature. The towers were a hit with the moms/wives. Now that it has been about a month since we made them, they have really filled out and look great.

Dan330

Got Hosta Questions? I've Got Hosta Answers.

Hosta. It's one of the most popular perennials. They grow in any zone, in sun or shade and are easy to take care of.

Alicia W

Pretty As A Picture Succulent Planter

Colourful succulents, with their beautiful, complex shapes look like mini works of art. Here we show you how to plant a succulent pot to make your own piece of garden art, inspired by the still life paintings of the Old Masters.

Craft Invaders

Here Are 10 Gorgeous Designer Tricks for Your Dollar Store Pots

You know these cheap Dollar Store flower pots?

Hometalk Highlights

Fix Burnt Grass & Dog Urine Spots With This Easy Solution!

Julien K., Hometalk Team

Ladder Herb Garden

Red's Rustic Rehab

Tomato Cage Cloche

OnTheFly...DIY

Moving a Leafed Out Hosta With the Help of a Belt and Some Tape

Rhonda B

Epsom Salt for Your Plants - Inside and Out

Did you know you could use Epsom salt for your outdoor plants and your houseplants? It says so right on the label!!

Alicia W

Homemade Roach Spray (Good for Ants and Other Bugs Too)

Alexis @ Chemistry Cachet

DIY Flower Tower

Dan330

Got Hosta Questions? I've Got Hosta Answers.

Hosta. It's one of the most popular perennials. They grow in any zone, in sun or shade and are easy to take care of.

Alicia W

Pretty As A Picture Succulent Planter

Craft Invaders

Here you'll find slideshows of gorgeous growing and gardening DIY projects.

Growing Videos

We've got the DIY video tutorials to get you started in the world of gardening.

Goodbye Spiders & Flies

Say Goodbye to those annoying Spiders & Flies! Here are some easy ways to have less encounters with those scary spiders🕷 and annoying flies🪰!Spring is finally here (PTL because I’m so sick of the cold!).Spring & Summer are for sure my favorite times of the year! I love being outside, working in the flower beds and garden, and lounging by the pool. BUT I DO NOT love all of the spiders and flies that come with it.Last year was the worst for both!

Danya @avintageflarefarmhouse

Decorative Rain Chain

Rain chains are so lovely to have hanging outside and today I want to show you how to create one with just a few things you probably have at home.

Theartge

How I Diverted Water From the Gutter Downspouts

I don't know about you, but I never really worried about where the water from our gutter downspouts flowed. Not that I started to worry, but since I've been landscaping around them, I've been paying more attention to those areas. Also, we had our gutters cleaned out recently AND it's been really rainy here this Spring! I ended up creating a rock river for three of the downspouts - the 4th one lands in a bark bed and waters the plants close by.

Jeanne

How to Make Grass Grow Fast & Fix Bald Spots

Here's a video and simple how-to instructions showing you how to make grass grow fast and fix bald spots in your lawn. It's been working great in my yard for years. The key is to let the seeds germinate in the saw dust or peat moss and to keep watering once spread on the bald spots until the grass takes hold. I use the fine saw dust from the table saw as the base, but peat moss works just as well.

Jon Peters

Hometalkers' Favorite DIY Growing Projects

We've collected the best how-to-grow and garden DIY projects for you here.

DIY - Shabby Chic Flower Pots - Tutorial

For this easy but very beautiful project you will need a couple of things from your granny's sewing basket unless.

Victoria

How to Prevent Birds From Hitting Windows With a Few DIY Tricks

By Judy SchumerSuperstition abounds when it comes to birds hitting windows. The most popular theory is that if a bird hits your window, it signals death. The truth is, it does—for the bird. Almost one billion birds die in the United States each year by window collision accidents, and most of those deaths happen from birds hitting windows on private homes.If you’ve ever experienced this at your home, you know how heartbreaking it can be. Fortunately, you can take steps to prevent it from happening again. If a bird has never hit one of your windows, now is the time to stop this preventable accident from happening.This guide will walk you through not only how to prevent birds from hitting windows, but we’ll get to know birds’ behaviors a little more and detail a few reasons why bird-window collisions are so common.

Judy Schumer

Cheap & Easy Homemade Ant Spray

One of the most viewed chemistry tips post on Chemistry Cachet is this homemade weed killer (link in blog post below). Readers love how effective and easy it is to make. I have also used it to kill bugs! It works amazing to kill ants especially.Over the last few months, I have modified it up a little to be an amazing and easy homemade ant spray!The reasons I changed it up is to make it a little better for killing ants on any surface without leaving as much of a residue. Although this homemade weed killer is fantastic for killing bugs outside, it can leave a little salt residue behind in the home.Remember! This for ANTS! For the weed killer, Click blog post link (at the bottom of this post it says check out our website with the word GO you click on) and we have it linked in article numerous times. We keep having readers asking why we don't share the weed killer, we have!!! Just click the blog post at the bottom.

Alexis @ Chemistry Cachet

How to Grow Asparagus That Tastes Better Than Store-Bought

By Sharon BrandweinAnyone who’s ever tended their own garden will probably tell you there’s no sweeter fruits or vegetables than the ones you pluck from the vine or pull from the earth with your bare hands. Maybe it’s the absence of chemicals and pesticides, or maybe it’s the extra heaps of love and attention, but either way: homegrown veggies never seem to disappoint.Asparagus is one of those delectable veggies. These guys may be a huge lesson in patience, but they’re always worth the wait. While they typically take a couple of seasons to yield a generous harvest, you’ll find that asparagus is the gift that keeps on giving. These perennial plants can keep producing for many years—sometimes upwards of 15-20 years.Ahead we take a deep dive into the world of asparagus. We tackle all the details of how to grow asparagus, including whether to start from a seed or crown, choosing male versus female plants, how and when to plant asparagus, and finally, how to care for and harvest them.

Sharon Brandwein

Turn Plastic Plant Pots Into Beautiful Painted Lace Decoupage Décor

A while ago I purchased some plant pots for a DIY project I had in mind. The project did not work out. Sometimes that happens. I was now stuck with these inexpensive plant pots that frankly, looked like they were inexpensive. You know the kind. They are made of plastic, come in basic colours like black, brown and in this case a fake looking terracotta colour.

Time With Thea

A Complete Guide on How to Lay Sod Yourself

By Stacey KelleherA lush, green yard is the perfect way to highlight your home. If you're working with dirt, or your lawn is sparse or filled with weeds, a lackluster yard can detract from your home’s curb appeal. Sod is a quick and affordable way to get beautiful green grass in as little as a day.Keep reading to learn what sod is, how to lay down sod, and how to care for it to ensure that it stays vibrant and healthy for years to come. Laying sod yourself is probably much easier than you might expect!

Stacey

DIY - Shabby Chic Flower Pots - Tutorial

For this easy but very beautiful project you will need a couple of things from your granny's sewing basket unless.

Victoria

How to Prevent Birds From Hitting Windows With a Few DIY Tricks

Judy Schumer

Cheap & Easy Homemade Ant Spray

Alexis @ Chemistry Cachet

How to Grow Asparagus That Tastes Better Than Store-Bought

Sharon Brandwein

Turn Plastic Plant Pots Into Beautiful Painted Lace Decoupage Décor

Time With Thea

A Complete Guide on How to Lay Sod Yourself

Stacey

Popular Growing Discussions 44570374

Come see the discussions we are having about growing and gardening.

What is the best method for killing grass around trees?

/> Danielle Segev

Hi, I would like to know how to kill the grass around the base of a tree without harming the tree itself. Any information is greatly appreciated, thank you.

What is the best method for killing grass around trees?

View discussion

How can I revive a barely alive gardenia bush?

/> Colleen Sturma Reynolds

I have a gardenia bush that is in a planter, it was one of my mothers prized plants. It's barely hanging in there...any suggestions?

View discussion

How do you remove a large rootbound ficus tree from a huge ceramic pot

/> Cha17778244

View discussion

What is the easiest way of getting gravel out of grass?

/> Rivka Hellendall

We removed a deck in our backyard and now the lawn next to it is full of gravel. I tried using a rake but that did not work well. I would love any advice on an easy way of getting gravel out of grass please.

What is the easiest way of getting gravel out of grass?

View discussion

New Growing Projects

Want to see what's hot in the world of growing and gardening? Check it out.

A Complete Guide on How to Repair Patchy Grass

Fixing a spotty lawn is typically a DIY job, though a lawn care service can level up the lushness factor of your lawn, too. Sometimes it’s just a matter of throwing down seeds, watering, and letting nature take its course. Other times, a little more elbow grease is needed.No matter the case, our guide will help you decide how to repair patchy grass so the whole lawn doesn’t turn to weed.

How-To Guides

How to Get Rid of Gnats Inside and Outside Your Home

By Stacey KelleherRegardless of how clean, organized, and tidy your home and yard may be, you may still encounter areas that are infested by pesky gnats. Gnats are so common because they are drawn to substances we all have in our homes: moisture and organic materials like food and soil. And while gnats are not necessarily dangerous, they certainly are a nuisance.Keep reading to learn more about gnats, why they invade our homes, and some natural and effective ways to get rid of gnats indoors and outside.

Stacey

How to Get Rid of Fungus in Mulch for Good

Mulch adds a refined look to your landscape while keeping pesky weeds at bay and the soil beneath it properly moisturized. The downside to mulch is the unsightly and sometimes damaging fungus that often appears.While some types of fungus in mulch are easy to get rid of, others seem determined to become a permanent part of the scenery.If your mulch beds are growing fungus and you’re not sure how to get rid of it, you’ve come to the right place.This guide will walk you through the common types of fungus mulch falls victim to, and how to get rid of the fungus using four different methods.Why Does Fungus Form in Mulch?Dampness is the number one cause of fungus in wood mulch. Because mulch is naturally decaying, bacteria feed on it, and fungi then feed on that bacteria and become visible in your mulch as the spores created by fungi grow.And think about the purpose of mulch; it’s there to cover your garden beds, which inevitably get wet due to rain, and watering plants via a watering can or sprinkler.If the environment around the mulch remains in certain conditions—it’s shady, humid, and/or temperatures linger between 80 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit—mulch doesn't dry out and mold is likely to form faster.

Judy Schumer

How to Aerate a Lawn by Hand

By Stacey KelleherIt takes time and hard work to grow and maintain a lush, green lawn. But the results are worth it. Healthy green grass prevents soil erosion from water and wind, helps to cool your property in hot temperatures, and of course, it adds to your home’s curb appeal.Aeration is the process of perforating the soil so that air, water, and nutrients can reach down to the roots of the grass. If you’re skipping this step, your lawn won’t look or feel its best. Learn why aeration is so important and find the best method to aerate your lawn without having to buy a fancy machine.

Stacey

How to Get Rid of Chipmunks Around Your Garden

For many of us, our yards are our oasis—where we spend time with friends and family, where we soak up the sun, where we grill, drink, and simply enjoy what the seasons have to offer. Your home’s green space is also the perfect place to show off your gardening skills, all while admiring the wildlife and the beauty of nature.If your yard is something you take pride in, then it can be disheartening when it’s damaged by pests. Digging animals, like chipmunks, often make homes in the well-hidden spots in our yards, and while we’d like for them to stay in their natural habitat, their activity can seriously harm our property if they get out of control.Luckily, there are plenty of ways to get rid of the little critters without harming them, and this guide will show you how.

Hannah Twietmeyer

A Complete Guide on How to Grow Cucumbers From Seed

By Brooke RessellCucumbers are one of nature’s most perfect foods. They’re easy to incorporate into any healthy diet and, because of their mild, almost sweet flavor, they make a great addition to salads, dressings, soups, dips, cocktails, and smoothies. Plus, they have anti-inflammatory properties which is why spas often incorporate them into facials.It’s no wonder that consumers love to stock up on cucumbers every time they hit the grocery store, farmer’s market, or road stand. In fact, 550,000 metric tons of cucumbers are grown just for pickling each year in the U.S. alone—making them the number one pickled vegetable by far.And there are so many delectable, sought-after varieties of cucumbers that you can’t even find in your local area and have to scour the internet for. So many gardeners love to grow and harvest their own cucumbers at home and try all of the cucumber selections nature has to offer.Ready to try your hand at planting cucumbers in your garden this year? We’ll show you how to grow cucumbers from seed so you can enjoy the crunchy taste of homegrown cucumbers this season—or to pickle and enjoy later.

How-To Guides