Mary Marlowe Leverette

Columbia, South Carolina

Writer at Freelance

Laundry and Stain Removal Expert

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Articles

How to Make Zinnias Bloom Again (and Again) Before Summer Ends

1 day ago | thespruce.com | Mary Marlowe Leverette

Key TakeawaysVery few summer annuals offer such a variety of colors and shapes of flowers as zinnias. Once you see those first vibrant blooms, you'll want to see more, more, more all summer long. Luckily, zinnias are easy to grow and just need a bit of care to keep your garden filled with flowers through the summer. Learn nine things that will keep zinnias blooming again and again, all summer long.
How to Make Zinnias Bloom Again (and Again) Before Summer Ends

1 day ago | aol.com | Mary Marlowe Leverette

Zinnias are one of the easiest summer annuals to grow, producing a variety of vibrant flowers. Zinnias need full sun, good airflow, and moderate feeding with a balanced fertilizer. They can become leggy or stop blooming if you don't maintain them by deadheading and pruning. Very few summer annuals offer such a variety of colors and shapes of flowers as zinnias. Once you see those first vibrant blooms, you'll want to see more, more, more all summer long.
How to Get Wrinkles Out of Silk

1 day ago | thespruce.com | Mary Marlowe Leverette

Key TakeawaysOnce reserved for royalty, few other fabrics can offer the qualities and luxurious appearance and feel of silk. But also, it can wrinkle if it becomes damp while being worn or if it is not washed properly. Thankfully, removing wrinkles from silk can be done with a few simple steps. Learn how to get wrinkles out of silk clothes, bedding, and accessories without damaging it.
How To Revive A Wilting Garden During A Heat Wave

2 days ago | southernliving.com | Mary Marlowe Leverette

If you live in the South, a heat wave (or three) will occur each growing season. Of course, it's a never-ending hot oven in some areas, but that can be exacerbated by periods of drought. Even in the Upper South, a higher-than-usual temperature and drought combo can be a death knell for gardens. As a long-time gardener, I do my best to prepare ahead for the high temperatures and water bills to come. Here's what you need to do pre-, during, and post-heat waves to keep your garden healthy.
How To Keep Weeds Out Of Your Vegetable Garden For Good

5 days ago | southernliving.com | Mary Marlowe Leverette

Credit: LAUREY W. GLENN; Styling: BUFFY HARGETT MILLER Key TakeawaysGet ahead of weeds by tilling early, removing perennials by the root, and mulching well before planting to stop summer weeds before they sprout. Use methods like hand-pulling, hoeing, newspaper or cardboard mulching, and drip irrigation to manage weeds without harming your crops or the soil.
5 Reasons Your Tomato Leaves Are Drooping and What You Can Do Right Now

1 week ago | thespruce.com | Mary Marlowe Leverette

Key PointsTomato plants are the most commonly grown vegetable in the garden because they thrive in summer temperatures and produce delicious fresh produce. Novice and experienced gardeners carefully plant and tend the tomato plants, only to discover the plants wilting and dying one day. The cause can be something as simple as a lack of water or more complex, like fungal wilt diseases, tomato wilt viruses, walnut toxicity, or boring insects.
How To Keep Brown Patches From Ruining Your Lawn This Summer

1 week ago | southernliving.com | Mary Marlowe Leverette

Key TakeawaysBrown patch fungus loves Southern summers, so mow at the right height, water early, and avoid heavy nitrogen to keep grass healthy and resilient. Use resistant turf like Kentucky-31 tall fescue, improve drainage with aeration, and trim landscaping to boost airflow and discourage disease. If fungus sticks around, apply a pet-safe fungicide in early spring and check for signs of trouble each time you mow.
June Is the Time To Plant A Moon Garden For A Summer Of Blooms Under The Stars

1 week ago | southernliving.com | Mary Marlowe Leverette

For most of us, our daylight hours are filled with work and chores. Even if one of the activities is gardening, we don't often find time to just enjoy the garden. But if you create a fragrant garden withflowers, foliage, and accessories that reflect light, you can enjoy your garden by the light of the silvery moon. Why not start a moon garden this June?
The Weekly Cleaning Task You're Probably Forgetting-and It's Wrecking Your Garbage Disposal

1 week ago | thespruce.com | Mary Marlowe Leverette

Key TakeawaysA garbage disposal is a welcome appliance in any kitchen sink to handle vegetable peels and food waste, but clogs can easily develop if you overload it with grease or fibrous materials like corn husks, egg shells, or coffee grounds. These clogs produce strong odors and may result in expensive visits from a plumber. Learn how often to clean your garbage disposal and the proper methods to clean it to prevent clogs. How Often Should You Be Cleaning Your Garbage Disposal?
How To Keep Your Garden Thriving While You’re On Vacation

1 week ago | southernliving.com | Mary Marlowe Leverette

Key TakeawaysPrepare your garden ahead of time with deep watering, smart irrigation, and by grouping potted plants to create a humid microclimate. Enlist a reliable garden caretaker—whether a friend, teen, or pro—and leave clear instructions, especially for watering, harvesting, and pest control. Use DIY or store-bought self-watering tools, move containers to shade, and monitor weather with smart systems to keep everything thriving till you return.