Plant care has gotten complicated with all the conflicting advice flying around. As someone who killed my first three tomato plants before finally figuring things out, I learned everything there is to know about keeping plants alive and thriving. Today, I will share it all with you—organized by plant type so you can find exactly what you need.
Growing Vegetables
Start with our first vegetable garden guide. It covers easy crops that forgive beginner mistakes (because we all make them). Once you’ve got the basics down, try specialized techniques.
Potatoes work beautifully in small spaces. Try our potato box method or the potato tower technique. Both maximize yields without taking over your yard.
For pickle lovers, timing is everything. Learn when to pick pickling cucumbers at peak crispness. Our complete cucumber growing guide walks you through the whole process.
Want something different? Check out unique root vegetables. Colorful carrots, unusual tubers—they make your garden more interesting and dinners less predictable.
Herbs for Every Kitchen
Fresh herbs change everything about cooking. Our kitchen herb garden guide covers 12 essentials every home cook should grow. Most do fine in containers if you’re short on space.
French tarragon adds sophisticated flavor to sauces and chicken. You can’t grow it from seed—only divisions—but the flavor’s worth it.
Keep your harvest fresh longer with our guide to storing cilantro properly. And for year-round herbs, check out our thriving herb garden guide.
Beautiful Flowering Plants
Flowers bring color and fragrance that makes being outside actually enjoyable. Top fragrant flowers perfume your space naturally without those fake air fresheners.
Rose people (you know who you are) will like our carpet rose guide—low-maintenance ground cover that blooms continuously. And learn when to prune roses so you don’t accidentally cut off next year’s flowers.
Tulips brighten spring better than almost anything. Even without ground space, you can grow them using our guide to planting tulip bulbs in pots.
For pollinator-friendly options, try fava bean flowers that feed bees and your family. Nasturtium companion planting adds color while keeping pests away naturally.
Ground Covers and Foliage
Not every garden spot gets full sun. Lots of beautiful plants actually prefer shade. Our full shade ground cover guide shows what works in those difficult spots.
Creeping myrtle creates evergreen carpets where nothing else will grow. For fragrant coverage, creeping rosemary works as both decoration and ingredient.
Our shade garden ground cover comparison helps you pick what fits your conditions. For year-round interest, explore evergreen ground covers.
Statement Plants
Some plants just demand attention. Purple elephant ears create dramatic tropical vibes even up north. They’re not as fussy as they look—check our guide for details.
Japanese maples need specific pruning to keep their elegant shape. Master this and you’ll preserve these expensive specimens for decades.
Want bold foliage? Large leaf plants transform ordinary yards into jungle-like spaces. Many grow fine in containers so you can move them around.
Perennials for Lasting Beauty
Plants that come back every year save you work and money. Our perennial garden planning guide helps you choose varieties that actually perform reliably (not all of them do).
Try yellow corydalis for bright color in shade. Yarrow handles tough conditions while feeding pollinators for months.
Catmint varieties bloom forever and deer won’t touch them. Ninebark shrubs look good year-round with colorful leaves and interesting bark.
Season Extension
Cold weather doesn’t have to end everything. Hardy winter plants provide color even when it’s freezing. Combined with protection methods, you can harvest fresh food almost year-round in many climates.
That’s what makes gardening endearing to us plant people—there’s always something new to try, always another technique to learn. Browse through these guides and find what speaks to you. Your garden will thank you for it.
