Madeline Buiano

1 week ago | marthastewart.com | Madeline Buiano

Purple lilac tree (Syringa vulgaris), Arnold Arboretum. Credit:  Getty Images  Many plants benefit from some type of pruning, whether it's a conservative reshaping or a harder cut to rejuvenate. One plant that benefits greatly from pruning is the lilac shrub. Over time, lilacs can become unruly and overgrown. Pruning keeps the plant a manageable size, preventing overcrowding and reducing the risk of disease.

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Madeline Buiano

Many plants benefit from some type of pruning, whether it's a conservative reshaping or a harder cut to rejuvenate. One plant that benefits greatly from pruning is the lilac shrub. Over time, lilacs can become unruly and overgrown. Pruning keeps the plant a manageable size, preventing overcrowding and reducing the risk of disease.

1 week ago | marthastewart.com | Madeline Buiano

Credit: Jennifer Seeman / Getty Images If the leaves on your houseplant look stippled or distorted, the plant may have fallen victim to mites, specifically spider mites. These arachnids are hard to see, reproduce rapidly, and leave a messy web in their wake. Spider mites are so small that they easily travel unnoticed from the outdoors, even on clothing.

1 week ago | marthastewart.com | Madeline Buiano

Photo: Getty Images Nearly impossible to get rid of and unsightly to look at, weeds are every gardener's worst enemy. One way to minimize their appearance is to grow your plants in raised beds, rather than in the ground. But even when your garden beds are lifted, weed seeds still find a way to germinate. To get rid of these pesky plants once and for all, we asked gardening experts to share their best tips for keeping weeds out of raised beds.

2 weeks ago | marthastewart.com | Madeline Buiano

Photo: SKLA / Getty Images Who wouldn't want to go out into the garden and pick fresh fruits off a tree, vine, or bush? As idyllic as it sounds, growing fruit at home can be intimidating, and it can take five years or longer for many varieties to yield a worthwhile harvest. But you shouldn't give up this dream just yet—certain varieties can produce fruit in as little as a few months.