Seasonal Inspiration November 26, 2025
🥕 5 Vegetable Plants You Can Grow in January (With USDA Zone Tips)
Discover 5 vegetables easy to grow in January by USDA zone. Use our USDA hardiness zone map to plan winter crops that thrive in the cold.
Garden Journal
From Rita's Garden
Practical advice, seasonal inspiration, and expert guidance to help your garden thrive year-round.
Featured Articles
Seasonal Inspiration October 23, 2025
Winter-Proof Your Space: 10 Best Indoor Plants by USDA Zone
Discover indoor plants and winter plants that thrive across USDA zones, plus easy ideas for seeds, light, and care.
Tips & Tricks October 21, 2025
12 Seed-Starting Tips by USDA Zone (So You Never Miss the Perfect Planting Window)
Find out when and how to start your seeds indoors or outdoors based on your USDA zone. Get zone-specific planting tips, frost date calendars, and timing guides for perfect germination.
Beginner Guides February 6, 2026
• black-walnut-tree, juglone, tree-care
21 Things to Know About Black Walnut Trees
Thinking about planting a black walnut tree? Learn how juglone affects nearby plants, what to grow under it, and how to manage nuts, cleanup, and long-term care.
Read article
Beginner Guides January 25, 2026
• allium, bulbs, perennials
Allium: How to Grow, Design, and Care for This Architectural Garden Favorite
A clear, beginner-friendly guide to planting and designing with ornamental alliums, with zone-aware tips, care basics, and variety ideas.
Read article
Beginner Guides January 24, 2026
• roses, beginner gardening, container gardening
Pet Roses: The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Growing Roses Like a Living Companion
A gentle, practical guide to growing roses in small spaces: light, soil, watering, easy fixes, and zone-aware care for indoor or patio pet roses.
Read article
Garden Design January 23, 2026
• garden-design, color-theory, flowers
Designing Flower Color: How Science Is Helping Us Grow More Beautiful Gardens
Flower color isn’t magic — it’s pigments, petal “backgrounds,” and plant health working together. Learn the science in plain English and use it to design a garden palette you’ll love.
Read article
Problem Solving January 21, 2026
• eggplant, plant-genetics, plant-breeding
What a Pan-Genome Can Teach Us About Eggplants: A Gardener’s Guide to Hidden Genetic Diversity
Pan-genomes reveal the hidden genes that make some eggplants tougher, tastier, or better adapted. Here’s what that means for choosing varieties and growing resilient plants.
Read article
Seasonal Inspiration January 20, 2026
• grapevines, plant-science, stress-tolerance
How Grapevines Fight Stress Naturally: A Deep, Gentle Look at Plant Antioxidants
Grapevines cannot flee heat, drought, or disease. Here's how their antioxidant recycling system (the ascorbate-glutathione cycle) helps them cope.
Read article
Tips & Tricks December 2, 2025
• indoor-gardening, beginner-guides, edible-gardening
8 Essential Tips for a Thriving Indoor Garden: Your First Steps
Start your indoor garden with these 8 essential tips. Learn how to grow fresh vegetables and herbs indoors year-round with the right setup and care.
Read article
Seasonal Inspiration November 27, 2025
• garden-planning, lawn-care, winter-prep
How to Winterize Your Lawn Mower: A Complete Guide for Cold Weather Storage
Learn how to winterize your lawn mower with this step-by-step guide. Protect your investment with proper winter storage to ensure easy spring startup.
Read article
Seasonal Inspiration November 26, 2025
• winter-plants, vegetable-garden, garden-planning
🥕 5 Vegetable Plants You Can Grow in January (With USDA Zone Tips)
Discover 5 vegetables easy to grow in January by USDA zone. Use our USDA hardiness zone map to plan winter crops that thrive in the cold.
Read article
Problem Solving November 15, 2025
• composting, garden-planning, soil-health
Your Compost is Finished. Now What? A Guide on How to Store Compost
Learn how to store compost properly with 4 easy methods. Keep your finished compost fresh and ready to use with simple storage solutions for every garden.
Read article
Beginner Guides November 2, 2025
• fruit-growing, tropical-plants, vines
A Guide to 5 Delicious Passiflora Fruits You Can Grow at Home
Discover 5 types of passiflora fruits you can grow at home, from classic passion fruit to cold-hardy maypop. Zone-specific planting guide included.
Read article
Seasonal Inspiration October 23, 2025
• indoor-plants, winter-plants, indoor-gardening
Winter-Proof Your Space: 10 Best Indoor Plants by USDA Zone
Discover indoor plants and winter plants that thrive across USDA zones, plus easy ideas for seeds, light, and care.
Read article
Tips & Tricks October 21, 2025
• seed-starting, garden-planning, hardiness-zone
12 Seed-Starting Tips by USDA Zone (So You Never Miss the Perfect Planting Window)
Find out when and how to start your seeds indoors or outdoors based on your USDA zone. Get zone-specific planting tips, frost date calendars, and timing guides for perfect germination.
Read article
Tips & Tricks October 20, 2025
• perennials, plant-basics, garden-planning
7 Reasons the USDA Hardiness Zone Map Is Every Gardener's Secret Weapon
Learn why the USDA Hardiness Zone Map is essential for successful gardening. Find your zone, choose the right plants, and avoid costly mistakes.
Read article
Beginner Guides October 15, 2025
• perennials, plant-basics, garden-planning
What Are Perennials? 5 Things Every Gardener Should Know
Understanding perennials is the key to creating a garden that gets better year after year. Learn what makes these reliable plants special and how to use them in your garden.
Read article
Tips & Tricks October 1, 2025
• edible-gardening, herbs, tropical-plants
The Ultimate Guide to Hibiscus Tea
Discover everything about hibiscus tea: health benefits, easy recipes, and growing tips. Learn how to make refreshing hibiscus tea at home.
Read article
Never miss a post
Get Rita's Weekly Garden Notes
New articles, seasonal tips, and plant care advice delivered to your inbox every Friday.