The Strader's Blog

Transform your Ohio garden into a tropical oasis! Move houseplants like citrus trees and air plants outdoors for summer, add colorful caladiums and dramatic cannas, plus tropical plants like elephant ears and hibiscus for lush paradise.

Transform your garden into an evening paradise with plants that shine after dark! Choose white or light-colored flowers like moonflowers and jasmine, fragrant herbs like lavender and rosemary, and silvery foliage plants that glow under moonlight.

Discover premium butterfly bush varieties including Pugster®, Butterfly Magic™, and Miss series. These compact, fragrant shrubs attract butterflies and hummingbirds while delivering continuous blooms from summer through frost.

Control water garden algae naturally by adding the right plants! Floating plants like water hyacinths provide shade, submerged plants compete for nutrients that feed algae, and oxygenating plants create conditions toxic to algae growth.

Save water and money with smart gardening! Learn essential techniques like mulching to retain moisture, improving soil for better water absorption, choosing drought-tolerant native plants, and using efficient irrigation systems like drip watering.

Discover why Big Green Egg® ceramic grills are the gold standard for outdoor cooking. From smoking brisket to grilling steaks, explore versatile cooking methods and essential accessories for your backyard culinary adventures.

Daylilies are versatile, durable perennials perfect for novice and experienced gardeners alike. With 35,000+ cultivars available, they're trouble-free to grow and adaptable to many conditions. Each flower lasts one day, but continuous buds provide weeks of summer color.

Tent caterpillars may look "ugly" and "disgusting," but they're manageable! These Eastern tent caterpillars can defoliate plants quickly, but attacks are rarely fatal. Learn four proven methods to eliminate them: Bt spray, natural predators, manual removal, and fall egg mass cleanup.

Beat summer heat and insects with Jonathan Green Summer Survival fertilizer. This dual-action formula feeds your lawn with controlled-release nitrogen while eliminating 15+ harmful insects including chinch bugs, ants, and ticks.

Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker) is a striking perennial with torch-like flowers in vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows. Hardy in zones 5-9, it's drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and attracts pollinators. Perfect for sunny gardens.