Lauren Kurtz
Professional Gardener
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Co-authored Articles (49)
How to
Plant Amaryllis
Of all flowering bulbs, amaryllis is the easiest to bring to bloom. Because of this, they're an incredibly popular choice of plant for the beginner gardener. The amaryllis comes in many beautiful colors including various...
How to
Grow Mistletoe
Many people have grown up admiring mistletoe decorations each Christmas season and even sharing kisses underneath them. With a bit of work, you can grow mistletoe in your yard to admire and use throughout the year! The g...
How to
Grow Tulips in Pots
Tulips make for a beautiful indoor or outdoor potted plant that can bloom yearly if planted and cared for correctly. To grow tulips in pots, you’ll need the right pot, soil, and approach. Because tulips need to be dorm...
How to
Grow Watercress
Considered one of the oldest leaf vegetables consumed by humans, watercress is a close cousin of mustard greens, cabbage and arugula. Watercress offers lots of nutrients and health benefits, and can be used in salads, so...
How to
Grow King Oyster Mushrooms
King oyster mushrooms are the largest of the oyster mushroom species and have been described as having the taste and texture of abalone. One of the best parts about oyster mushrooms is that they’re easy for you to grow...
How to
Preserve Boxwood Cuttings
Boxwood is an evergreen shrub that is used as a decorative landscaping element in many countries across the globe. Boxwood leaves are often used in wreaths and floral arrangements to add a natural, attractive touch. To c...
How to
Get Rid of Clover Mites
Clover mites are tiny, long-legged arachnids that appear red when young and brown when fully grown. These creatures feed on common lawn plants and, though they are not harmful to humans or pets, they can become a major n...
How to
Feed Worm Farm Worms
Once you’ve set up a worm farm, you must provide your worms with the right kind of foods to ensure they thrive and remain healthy. Worms will eat many things, including fruits, vegetables, eggshells, coffee grounds, le...
How to
Plant Peonies
Peonies are a great, low-maintenance flower for gardeners who do not like to replant their gardens each spring. The plants are capable of blooming each year for decades without pause, or even for more than a century. Pla...
How to
Plant Wheat
You don’t need a lot of space to plant wheat, but you do need to plan for the crop carefully. Planning and timing the planting of your crop gives it the best chance of flourishing. You also need to prepare the area whe...
How to
Harvest Aloe
Aloe is easy to grow and harvest. Just cut an aloe leaf at the base of the plant and drain it of aloin -- the sticky, bitter sap inside. Then, using a sharp knife, strip the skin off the leaf. You’ll have a fresh, b...
How to
Grow Hydroponic Strawberries
Growing hydroponically means growing in a nutrient solution rather than in soil. Growing strawberries hydroponically ensures that weather is not a factor, and allows you to harvest them all year long. You need only a lar...
How to
Prune Vines
Whether you are growing honeysuckle, clematis, or grapes, it's important to prune your vines regularly. Pruning allows air and sunlight to reach the inside of the vines, giving them the, sunlight, air flow and nutrition ...
How to
Plant Loquat Seeds
A loquat is a type of fruit that tastes somewhat like papayas and guavas. It does better in warmer climates, particularly if you are looking to grow the tree for the fruit, but you can also use it as an ornamental tree. ...
How to Rake Leaves
Looking for easier ways to rake your yard? Wondering what you can do to take that pressure off of your back when it’s time to clean those leaves up? If so, you’re in luck! You may be surprised by just how many hacks ...
How to
Get Rid of the Whitefly
There are over 1,000 types of whiteflies, insects that look like small white moths or aphids. They group and breed in large numbers on the undersides of leaves. The nymphs and adults damage plants directly by sucking the...
How to
Grow Baby Carrots
Baby carrots come in two types: immature carrots that are harvested when they are still small in size, or miniature strains of carrots that are small even when mature. However, many grocery stores sell “baby carrots”...
How to
Grow Chocolate Indoors
If you’re interested in having your own cacao tree (or "''theobroma cacao''"), try raising one inside your home. You’ll have the best luck creating a humid, greenhouse-like environment for the plant, which will close...
How to
Disinfect Gardening Tools
Gardening tools used for trimming plants, pruning bushes, removing weeds, and digging soil should be disinfected regularly to prevent transmission of plant pests and diseases. Before you begin the disinfection process, c...
How to
Grow Pandorea
Pandorea, also known as the bower vine or ''Pandorea jasminoides'', is a native Australian climber with pretty trumpet-shaped flowers. It has tropical foliage that is beautiful even when it’s not in bloom. You can grow...
