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Gardening tips

42 free skill tips with unique step photos — plus long-form guides with FAQ and trusted sources. Every tip links to a full photographed course.

Gardening tips

🌱 Gardening · Step 3/4

Bright indirect = near glass, not a sunburn on the sill for snake plants

Bright indirect = near glass, not a sunburn on the sill for snake plants — step 3 of 4 in Houseplants That Live. A north room far from the window is a slow death. Move them. Dust the leaves so they can eat light.

From course: Houseplants That Live

🌱 Gardening · Step 4/4

One size up, same depth

One size up, same depth — step 4 of 4 in Houseplants That Live. Spring. Don't jump to a barrel. Fresh mix, water in. You passed at 90 days alive. New leaves are extra credit.

From course: Houseplants That Live

🌱 Gardening · Step 1/4

At least 20 litres / 5 gallons

At least 20 litres / 5 gallons — step 1 of 4 in Tomatoes in Pots. Holes in the bottom. Mix made for pots — garden soil compacts into concrete. One plant per pot. Not three 'to see'.

From course: Tomatoes in Pots

🌱 Gardening · Step 2/4

Strip lower leaves, bury

Strip lower leaves, bury — step 2 of 4 in Tomatoes in Pots. Put the plant in so only the top tuft shows if the seedling is leggy. Water in well. Stake now, not when it's a sail in the wind.

From course: Tomatoes in Pots

🌱 Gardening · Step 3/4

Heavy when dry, not a daily sprinkle

Heavy when dry, not a daily sprinkle — step 3 of 4 in Tomatoes in Pots. Finger in the mix. Dry two knuckles down? Water until it runs out the holes. Feed per the label once fruit sets.

From course: Tomatoes in Pots

🌱 Gardening · Step 4/4

Color and a slight give

Color and a slight give — step 4 of 4 in Tomatoes in Pots. Twist off when the fruit is the color on the tag. Green can ripen inside if frost is coming.

From course: Tomatoes in Pots

🌱 Gardening · Step 1/4

30 cm minimum, holes, potting mix

30 cm minimum, holes, potting mix — step 1 of 4 in Strawberries in a Pot. Two or three plants, not a dozen. Mix made for pots. A saucer you empty — strawberries hate wet feet overnight.

From course: Strawberries in a Pot

🌱 Gardening · Step 2/4

Roots down, crown unburied

Roots down, crown unburied — step 2 of 4 in Strawberries in a Pot. Spread roots, fill mix, water in. If the crown is buried, it rots. If it's perched in the air, it dries. Look at it from the side.

From course: Strawberries in a Pot

🌱 Gardening · Step 3/4

Finger test, then soak

Finger test, then soak — step 3 of 4 in Strawberries in a Pot. Dry a knuckle down? Water until it runs out. Flowers: pinch the first flush only if the plant is tiny and you want roots first — optional.

From course: Strawberries in a Pot

🌱 Gardening · Step 4/4

All-red, then eat or fridge the same day

All-red, then eat or fridge the same day — step 4 of 4 in Strawberries in a Pot. Twist off when fully colored. Leave the cap if you want them to keep a day.

From course: Strawberries in a Pot

🌱 Gardening · Step 1/4

Bright, not a grim north cave

Bright, not a grim north cave — step 1 of 4 in Windowsill Herbs. If you can read a book there at noon without a lamp, you're close. Rotate pots weekly so they don't lean.

From course: Windowsill Herbs

🌱 Gardening · Step 2/4

Mint solo, basil and chives polite

Mint solo, basil and chives polite — step 2 of 4 in Windowsill Herbs. Holes, mix, water in. Mint will take any shared pot. Don't.

From course: Windowsill Herbs

🌱 Gardening · Step 3/4

Dry top inch, then water

Dry top inch, then water — step 3 of 4 in Windowsill Herbs. Until a little runs out. Empty the saucer. Crispy basil is underwatered; translucent mush is the other way.

From course: Windowsill Herbs

🌱 Gardening · Step 4/4

Cut basil above a node

Cut basil above a node — step 4 of 4 in Windowsill Herbs. Never strip it bald. Chives: snip a handful, leave 5 cm. Mint: same as basil, pinch flowers off if you want leaves.

From course: Windowsill Herbs

🌱 Gardening · Step 1/4

Earth or a tray, not a sealed trash can with no air

Earth or a tray, not a sealed trash can with no air — step 1 of 4 in Backyard Compost That Isn't a Rat Hotel. Shade is fine. You want to open it without a hike.

From course: Backyard Compost That Isn't a Rat Hotel

🌱 Gardening · Step 2/4

Scraps, then a handful of leaves

Scraps, then a handful of leaves — step 2 of 4 in Backyard Compost That Isn't a Rat Hotel. Never dump a week's kitchen on top and walk away. Bury it in browns. Coffee and veg yes.

From course: Backyard Compost That Isn't a Rat Hotel

🌱 Gardening · Step 3/4

Weekly fork, wrung-sponge wet

Weekly fork, wrung-sponge wet — step 3 of 4 in Backyard Compost That Isn't a Rat Hotel. If it's a brick, add water. If it's soup, add cardboard and turn. You are farming microbes. They need air.

From course: Backyard Compost That Isn't a Rat Hotel

🌱 Gardening · Step 4/4

Dark, crumbly, smells like earth

Dark, crumbly, smells like earth — step 4 of 4 in Backyard Compost That Isn't a Rat Hotel. Screen out big sticks if you want. Mix into pots or garden beds. You passed when the pile shrinks and doesn't smell like a bin.

From course: Backyard Compost That Isn't a Rat Hotel