Gourds require a long, warm growing season. In Zones 4 and below, consider starting seeds indoors several weeks before the last frost to get an early start on the season. Sow seeds in individual pots filled with potting mix. Sow seeds 1 inch deep—2 seeds per pot. Keep pots warm and moist and provide a strong light source. When seedlings are well-established and outside temperatures are above 50°F, acclimate plants to outdoor conditions....

The key to desert plants’ survival depends on adaptations to dry conditions. Desert plants boast several different growing methods that make the most of the climate’s limited rainfall while enabling plants to thrive in glaring sun, rocky or clay soil, and strong wind. The desert plant family includes cacti, shrubs, grasses, flowers, and trees—greenery you would see in any other environment. In addition, semitropical and tropical plants often thrive in desert regions, injecting a splash of color into the scenery....

*Tip: If you can’t find red heart-shape candies, make your own. Melt red candy coating discs according to package directions. Spread in a 1/4- to 1/2-inch-thick layer on a sheet of waxed paper. Let stand until set. Use a small heart-shape cookie cutter to cut out heart shapes. Place on bars. (Or use a tube of purchased red frosting fitted with a plain tip to pipe hearts on bars after cutting into bars....

Hackberry bears bright green leaves that turn yellow in autumn. Though not known for fall color, it does produce sweet, edible fruit that attracts birds and other wildlife such as squirrels. The dark red or purple drupes (berries) mature in late summer or early fall and persist on the tree through winter. This tree also displays interesting bark. Young branches sport corky outgrowths similar to euonymus or sweet gum, while older bark features a unique warty, sometimes scaly, look....

½ 12 ounce pkg. silken soft tofu 2 tablespoon vegan mayonnaise 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish 1 teaspoon bottled hot pepper sauce ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika 1 clove garlic, peeled and halved Salt and pepper

Why Do Plants Need Fertilizer Much like people do, plants need a set of essential nutrients to grow properly and stay healthy. All plants must have nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium in particular, known as macronutrients because plants need these the most (there’s also several micronutrients that are needed in such small quantities, you usually don’t have to worry about them). Without enough of these macronutrients, you’ll eventually end up with very sad plants that have weak stems, smaller leaves, fewer flowers, and poor color....

Día de los Muertos—also known as Day of the Dead—is a traditional Mexican holiday celebrated in early November, usually right after Halloween. The purpose of the holiday is to remember friends and family members who have passed away, and it’s usually celebrated with bright flowers, colorful decorations, traditional foods, and decorated altars. Vazquez, who is part Puerto Rican and part Mexican, is sharing all about how she observes the holiday and why it’s important to her to pass the traditions on....

Trim off excess fat from the meat, then season with salt and pepper.Heat about 2 tablespoons oil in a 4-to-6-quart Dutch oven.Add the meat to the hot oil. (It should sizzle.) Brown the meat on all sides, but don’t cook it all the way through. Remove from pan and pour off any fat, then return to pan. Choose Braising Liquid Your options for liquid and seasonings are numerous – it’s totally up to you!...

How to Prepare a Flower Bed When you’re starting from scratch, there are a few things to consider first. Here are the questions you need to answer: Where will it go? Anywhere from a corner of the backyard to your front entryway can make a great spot for a flower bed. You can place one along a deck or porch, underneath a tree, or around a garden feature like a pond, for example....

Flowers and Foliage Mallow’s flowers come in shades of pink, white, purple, red, yellow, or orange, which look stunning when planted in large groups in cottage gardens or borders. Individual flowers comprise five heart-shaped petals, many of which will feature darker veins. The flowers appear from early summer until fall, as long as deadheading takes place to encourage continued blooming. Mallow’s large medium-green leaves make a coarsely textured background for its flowers and other nearby plants....