Posts By

Liessa Bowen

Liessa started learning everything she could about plants, animals, and ecosystems at a young age. Since then, she's earned a Master’s degree in wildlife biology (Iowa State University) and a PhD in forestry (North Carolina State University), both with an emphasis on conservation biology and birds. She has worked as a greenhouse technician, wildlife biologist, educational consultant, and writer.

Cucumbers growing in garden with yellow flowers

Plants

Cucumber Spacing: How Far Apart Should You Plant Cucumbers?

Not sure how much space your cucumbers need when planted in the garden? These popular vegetables perform best when they aren't crowded. Luckily, there are plenty of options to provide additional space. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen shares exactly how much space your cucumbers need wh en planted in the garden.

Bradford pear alternative redbud tree blooming with pink flowers

Trees

17 Trees You Can Plant Instead of Bradford Pears

Are you looking for some trees to plant instead of growing Bradford Pear trees in your garden or home landscape? There are many different options, depending on your hardiness zone. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen shares her favorite trees you can plant instead of growing the infamously invasive Bradford Pear tree.

Four carrots in the end of the growth cycle being pulled in the garden for harvest.

Vegetables

Carrot Growth Stages: How Fast do Carrots Grow?

Thinking of planting carrots but aren't too sure how long it takes them to grow? Carrots can be planted later in the season, but how long does it take for them to fully mature? In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen takes you through all you need to know about the growth cycle of carrots in your garden.

how and when to harvest blueberries

Fruit

How and When to Harvest Blueberries This Season

Looking to harvest blueberries from your garden, but aren't quite sure when or how to do it? The "how" is fairly straightforward, but the "when" can be a bit more complicated! In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen examines the ideal time to harvest blueberries this season, and how to do it.

Bradford pear tree growing with white flowers in garden landscape.

Trees

11 Reasons to Avoid Planting Bradford Pear Trees

The beautiful white flowers of the Bradford Pear tree make it an enticing option tof any garden or home landscape. But these popular trees can often cause more problems than people anticipate. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen shares some of the top reasons you need to avoid Bradford Pear trees in your garden or home landscape plans this season.

Container grown blueberries matured and ready for picking

Fruit

How to Grow Blueberries in Pots or Containers

Blueberries are a fun fruit to grow when planted in the ground, but did you know they can also be grown in containers? These versatile shrubs make great container plants, which allows them to be moved freely around in your garden. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen shares how to grow blueberries in large pots or containers this season!

Orange Texas Lantana Native Plant Blooming in Garden

Plants

35 Beautiful Native Plants for Texas Gardens

Are you looking for a few native plants to add to your Texas garden this season? Native plants can be beneficial for a variety of reasons, and the state of Texas spans across many different hardiness zones, giving you plenty of different native plants to pick from. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen shares her favorite native plants for Texas gardens!

apple gree growth stages

Fruit

Apple Tree Growth Stages: How Fast Do Apple Trees Grow?

Are you growing apple trees in your garden this season? Apple trees have several growth stages before producing fruit you'll love each season. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen shares the different growth stages of Apple Trees and how fast you can expect them to grow.

Invasive perennial plant with white flowers growing in field

Plants

51 Invasive Perennial Plants to Avoid and What to Plant Instead

When planning out your perennial garden, it's a good idea to avoid invasive species. These plants can take over your garden and cause problems in the ecological balance of your garden. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen shares the most common invasive plants that gardeners plant, as well as suggestions for what to plant instead.

Zucchini growing next to one another spaced in rows

Vegetables

How Far Apart Should You Plant Zucchini?

Are you getting ready to plant zucchini but aren't quite sure how far apart they need to be? Zucchini typically grows best when they have a little space, but how much space is needed? In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen shares the ideal spacing requirements for your garden grown zucchini this season.

shade friendly tomatoes

Vegetables

17 Shade-Friendly Tomato Varieties For Gardens With Less Sun

Are you looking for some shade-friendly tomatoes that can handle a bit less sun? If you have a shady spot in your garden, you may think that tomatoes can't be grown in your garden at all. But that isn't the case. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen shares her favorite tomato varieties that can thrive in partial shade.

Butterfly on top of native plant in garden

Plants

15 Reasons to Grow Native Plants This Season

Are you thinking of growing some native plants this year? Native plants provide a variety of different benefits to your local ecosystem. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen shares her favorite reasons why every gardener should add native plants to their garden this season.

drought tolerant wildflowers

Flowers

27 Drought Tolerant Native Wildflowers to Grow This Season

Are you looking for some native wildflowers that can tolerate a dry, arid climate? There are a number of wildflowers that can grow in drier conditions, depending on the temperatures. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen shares her favorite drought-resistant native wildflowers you can add to your flowerbeds this season.

garden scarecrow ideas

Pests

11 Ways to Keep Birds Away from Seeds in Your Garden

Looking for some ways to keep birds out of your garden? There are quite a few humane methods to keep birds away from your garden and your recently planted seeds. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen shares her favorite humane bird-control methods that will keep birds under control so your plants can grow!

zucchini and tomatoes

Vegetables

Should You Plant Zucchini With Tomatoes This Season?

Looking to grow both tomatoes and zucchini in the garden, but aren't sure if they should be planted near one another? These two popular garden plants will yield plenty of fruit, but should they be planted as companions? In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen shares if you should be planting tomatoes with zucchini, or if it's best to stick to other plants.

Information

15 Different Types of Garden Mulches & Where to Use Them

Are you looking for the perfect mulch to use in your garden this season? There are many different types of mulch you can use depending on your gardening goals. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen shares some of her favorite types of mulches and where each type can be put to best use.

New York Aster Perennial Growing in Garden with Purple Flowers

Flowers

15 Flowering Perennials For New York Gardens

Looking for a few perennial plants to add some color to your New York garden? There are plenty of different options, depending on what part of the state your garden is in! In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen walks through her favorite perennial plants for New York gardens.