
Susan Albert
It all began with a sunroom that looked out onto a yard of dirt and weeds. No shrubs, flowers, birds, or butterflies. Whoever heard of a sunroom with nothing to watch outside? Susan immediately went to the library (Internet was not in use yet) to look up how to attract butterflies. That was 25 years ago and she’s progressed into an all-out gardening fanatic, obsessed with annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs. A plant “collector” and garden photographer, she can always find room for one more flower in her garden, especially if it attracts wildlife.Before writing articles for Gardening Know How, Susan held a career in communications and, as a freelancer, wrote garden articles for magazines and authored a newspaper gardening column for many years. She also contributed South-Central regional gardening columns for four years to Lowes.com. While living in Oklahoma She served as a master gardener for 17 years. She now lives in Gardner, Kansas, where she’s semi-retired, establishing new garden roots.
Latest articles by Susan Albert
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Tornado Proof Gardening – How To Protect Your Garden From A Tornado
By choosing wind-resistant trees and taking proper care of those trees will go a long way toward garden tornado protection. Advance warning of an approaching tornado may also allow time to remove potential airborne items. Click here to view other tornado proofing ideas.
By Susan Albert
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What Do Micro Prairies Do: How To Grow A Micro Prairie
By building a micro prairie full of native plants and grasses, you can provide food and shelter for native insects and pollinators. Learn more here.
By Susan Albert
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South Central Fruit Trees – Growing Fruit Trees In The South
Growing fruit trees in the home garden is an increasingly popular hobby in the South. For tips on choosing fruit trees for South Central states, click here.
By Susan Albert
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Memorial Day Garden Party – Planning A Memorial Day Garden Cookout
A backyard Memorial Day garden cookout offers a great kickoff to the summer season. Here are tips on how to get the party started.
By Susan Albert
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Garden To-Do List: April Gardening In The South Central Region
From lawn care to flower planting, there are plenty of chores ready and waiting in April. Learn about South Central garden maintenance here.
By Susan Albert
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Sloped Rain Garden Alternatives: Planting A Rain Garden On A Hill
When planning a rain garden, it’s important to determine whether or not it is a good fit for your landscape. In the case of a hill or steep slope, a rain garden may not be the ideal solution. Click here to learn more.
By Susan Albert
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How To Know When Compost Is Ready: Key Signs Your Homemade Garden Gold Is Finished
Avoid using homemade compost before it's ready by learning the key maturity signs to check for.
By Susan Albert
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Identifying Snakes In Southern Regions – Common Snakes In South Central States
Learning to identify snakes in your area can prevent undue fear and unnecessary eradication of environmentally beneficial snakes. Click this article to learn about some of the more commonly seen southern snake varieties in and around the home landscape.
By Susan Albert
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South Central Pollinators: Native Pollinators In Texas And Surrounding States
All bees are threatened by pesticide use, loss of habitat, and disease. Local gardeners can help by incorporating pollen and nectar-producing trees, shrubs, annuals, and perennials into their gardens. Learn about native pollinators in Texas and surrounding states in this article.
By Susan Albert
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Blue Lips Plant Info: Tips For Growing Blue Lips Plants
Looking for something attractive, yet low maintenance for partially shaded areas of the landscape or container garden? You can’t go wrong with planting blue lips flowers. Once you see them in full bloom, you’ll quickly become a fan. Click here to learn more.
By Susan Albert
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Heat Tolerant Tomato Plants – Tomato Growing Tips For South Central States
Vegetable gardeners in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana are quick to share tomato growing tips they learned from the School of Hard Knocks. Click on the following article to learn more about tomato growing in southern regions like this.
By Susan Albert
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Bilko Chinese Cabbage: Tips For Growing Bilko Cabbages
Napa cabbage is the best-known variety of the Chinese cabbages with large, full-size heads and good disease resistance. The oblong heads have pale green, crinkly outer leaves with creamy yellow inside. The Bilko cabbage variety is a good type of Napa to grow. Learn more here.
By Susan Albert
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Greek And Roman Gardens: How To Grow An Ancient Inspired Garden
With the hectic pace of today’s world, thinking about the ancient Greek and Roman gardens instantly brings about a soothing, relaxing feeling. Elements of classical garden design can be easily incorporated into anyone’s garden. Click here for some ideas.
By Susan Albert
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What Is A Food Forest Hedge – How To Grow An Edible Hedge
Are you planning to add a privacy screen or row of hedges to your home landscape? Why not throw tradition out the window? Instead of a row of clipped boxwoods or tall arborvitae, try a sustainable, edible hedge. Click this article for more information.
By Susan Albert
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South Central Wildlife Guide: Identifying Wildlife In The South Central U.S.
Wildlife in South Central states brings a mixture of game animals, game birds, and other mammals. However, gardeners living in urban areas are likely to see more common animals like squirrels, rabbits, and raccoons. Learn more about animals native to South Central U.S. here.
By Susan Albert
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Winter In South Central States: Winter Gardening Tips For South Central Region
Winter may be a time for plants to take a rest, but not so for gardeners. There are plenty of winter chores to do beginning in the fall. And if you live in the South Central region in winter, there may be even more you can do. Click here for more information.
By Susan Albert
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Gardening In The South: Top Plants For South Central Gardens
Gardening in the south can be a challenge where the summers are exceptionally warm, such as in South Central U.S. Add to that humidity or excessive dryness and plants may suffer. However, many plants can withstand heat, humidity, and drought. Learn more here.
By Susan Albert
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Southern Pollinator Garden - Growing A Pollinator Garden In The South
Listed here are some of the best pollinator-attracting plants, and tips to create a welcome habitat in a Southern pollinator garden.
By Susan Albert