Ben Barkan
Garden & Landscape Designer
Education
- Associate Degree in Sustainable Food and Farming, Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Professional Achievements
- He has over 15 years experience leading HomeHarvest LLC
Certifications & Organizations
- General Contractor's License
- Permaculture Design Certificate
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Forum Comments (1)
Co-authored Articles (573)
How to
Care for Peace Lilies
Peace lilies are one of the most popular varieties of houseplants. They're easy to maintain, and they can make a lovely addition to your home. By properly caring for your peace lilies, you'll have beautiful houseplants f...
How to
Propagate Bamboo
Bamboo is a thick, woody grass used in furniture and flooring. In your garden, they can be used as large ornamental plants or as a dense privacy barrier. If you already have bamboo, you can easily propagate with cuttings...
How to Kill Weeds with Vinegar + How Long It Takes to Work
Make your own DIY herbicide with expert tips & household itemsIf you want a natural alternative for getting rid of weeds in your yard or garden, vinegar is the perfect option. The acids in vinegar kill whatever part of t...
How to Kill a Tree with or without Chemicals
Fast and easy ways to remove a problematic tree Trees are great as long as they aren’t in the way, but they can become a nuisance if they’re at risk of damaging your property. While you can always pay a professional ...
How to Make Your Lucky Bamboo Houseplant Thrive
A guide to growing your lucky bamboo indoors in soil or in standing waterCaring for a lucky bamboo plant is a relaxing pastime that's great for reducing stress. This houseplant is simple to take care of, and it's believe...
How and When to Apply Weed & Feed to Your Lawn
What you need to know about preparation, application, and aftercare Got a lackluster lawn with wild and wicked weeds? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Weed and feed products can be a helpful tool for eradicating ...
How to
Build a Lean to Shed
A lean to shed is a great structure to keep in your backyard and fill with gardening supplies, landscaping tools, or whatever else you need to store. You can build a lean to shed relatively inexpensively with materials p...
How to
Prune Kalanchoe
The kalanchoe is a genus of plants with 125 species. This vibrant flowering plant requires minimal maintenance and can be grown indoors or out. Indoor kalanchoes may need a little extra care to keep them from growing too...
How to
Prune a Schefflera Plant
Schefflera, or Umbrella plants, are common houseplants that are easy to grow because they can thrive in artificial or moderately bright light conditions and are susceptible to few pests. However, they may require pruning...
How to Replace Your Weed Eater String
Straightforward steps on restringing your weed wackerIf your weed wacker keeps getting caught on thick overgrowth or the string on your trimmer keeps getting tangled up, it may be time to replace the wire. This is typica...
How to Dry and Decorate with Pussy Willow Branches
How long do cut pussy willow branches last, and do they need water? Your questions answered Pussy willow branches are the perfect way to bring Spring into your home and shoo winter out the door. But before you can proudl...
Self-Watering Planters: How to Use Them & How They Work
If you want to add some lush plants to your decor but don’t have the time to water them, then a self-watering pot may be a good fit for you. Self-watering pots absorb as much water as they need from reservoirs on the b...
How to
Grow Lotus Flower
Sacred to Hindus and Buddhists, the Lotus is the national flower of India. This hardy aquatic plant is native to southern Asia and Australia, but they can be grown in nearly any temperate climate under the right conditio...
How to
Prune Dracaena
There are over 40 types of dracaena species, and you can easily prune all of them with a pair of garden shears and a few snips! While pruning is not required, it is fun and gives you control over the shape of the plant. ...
How to
Level Dirt
Leveling is the first step in many lawn-improvement projects, such as building a deck, paving a patio, or putting in a vegetable garden. “Level” isn’t the same thing as “flat,” however, which is why it’s impo...
6 Ways to Make a DIY, Natural Rooting Hormone
Effective, safe rooting tonics for healthy growth and propagation If you’re worried about the synthetic chemicals in commercial rooting hormones or just want to take your green thumb to the next level and make your own...
When and How to Prune an Olive Tree: Your Questions, Answered
A guide to pruning and shaping olive trees Olive trees make for fantastic additions to orchards and gardens. But you’ll need to prune them if you want to keep them healthy. This guide will teach how to do this, step by...
When and How to Trim Marijuana Plants
Expert gardeners explain wet vs. dry trimming, when to prune your weed, and more Trimming cannabis plants is something of an art. With all the right cuts, you’ll have a compact, high-yield crop, with extra trimmings le...
How to Plant an Acorn & Grow an Oak Tree
A guide to collecting, germinating, and planting acorns It’s hard to imagine that a mighty oak tree can come from a tiny acorn, but with enough patience and care, you can grow one yourself! Simply look for a healthy ac...
How to
Prune a Magnolia Tree
Magnolias are beautiful but dense trees that can grow to magnificent heights. It may be tempting to prune back an overgrown magnolia, but generally, magnolias don’t respond well to heavy pruning. In fact, removing too ...
