
Liz Baessler
The only child of a horticulturist and an English teacher, Liz Baessler was destined to become a gardening editor. In 2007 she graduated cum laude from Brandeis University with a BA in English. In 2014 she earned an MA in English from l'Université de Genève in Geneva, Switzerland.
She began writing for Gardening Know How in 2015 and never left. Over the years she has been promoted through the ranks of the editorial staff, most recently to Senior Editor in 2020.
For years Liz lived in one apartment or another, doing all of her gardening in containers, community gardens, and holes in the sidewalk. She served for several years on the board of her community garden, where she also worked as a beekeeper. In 2017 she completed her Master Gardener certification at the University of Rhode Island, and attended every class offered by the Rhode Island Beekeepers Association.
Liz has since moved to a tiny patch of land she can call her own outside Boston, where she is systematically digging up the lawn and replacing it with vegetables and native pollinators.
Latest articles by Liz Baessler
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Cat’s Claw Plant Care: How To Grow Cat’s Claw Vines
Cat's claw is a prolific, fast-growing vine that produces tons of bright, vibrant flowers. It spreads quickly and is considered invasive in some places, but if you treat it right, it can have a big payoff. Learn more about how to grow cat's claw vines here.
By Liz Baessler
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Zone 6 Shade Loving Plants: Growing Shade Plants In Zone 6
Shade is tricky. Not all plants grow well in it, but most gardens and yards have it. Finding cold hardy plants that thrive in shade can be even trickier. That said, there are more than enough zone 6 shade-loving plants out there. Learn more in this article.
By Liz Baessler
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Butterkin Squash Information – How To Grow Butterkin Squash Plants
Butterkin squash is one of those rare and exciting events: a new vegetable. A cross between a butternut squash and a pumpkin, the butterkin squash is very new to the commercial market, both for growing and eating. Learn more about it in this article.
By Liz Baessler
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Zone 6 Hibiscus Plants – Growing Hibiscus In Zone 6 Gardens
Many hibiscus varieties are native to the tropics and can only survive in high humidity and heat. But there are also plenty of types of hardy hibiscus varieties that will easily survive a zone 6 winter and come back year after year. Learn more about them here.
By Liz Baessler
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Vegetables For Zone 6 – Growing Vegetables In Zone 6 Gardens
USDA zone 6 is an excellent climate for growing vegetables. The growing season for hot weather plants is relatively long and is bookended by periods of cool weather that are ideal for cold weather crops. Learn more about choosing the best vegetables for zone 6 here.
By Liz Baessler
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What Is White Marble Mulch – Using White Marble Mulch In The Garden
Organic mulches, like wood chips and pine needles, are always a good choice, but crushed stone is swiftly gaining in popularity. Use the information in this article to learn more about using white marble chips for landscaping.
By Liz Baessler
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Lotus Plant Care – Learn How To Grow A Lotus Plant
The lotus plant is very invasive, so care has to be taken when growing it, or it will quickly take over its environment. Learn more lotus plant information, including lotus plant care and how to grow a lotus plant in this article.
By Liz Baessler
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Planting Winter Vegetables: Learn About Winter Gardening In Zone 6
Gardens in USDA zone 6 usually experience winters that are hard, but not so hard that plants can't survive with some protection. Click here to learn more about how to grow winter vegetables, in particular how to treat winter vegetables for zone 6.
By Liz Baessler
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Zone 5 Flower Bulbs: Choosing Bulbs For Zone 5 Gardens
If you plant bulbs in the fall, you're guaranteeing color and life in your garden early in the spring, probably long before you're able to go out and plant anything with your hands. So what are some good cold-hardy bulbs? Learn about growing bulbs in zone 5 here.
By Liz Baessler
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Maples For Cold Climates – Types Of Maple Trees For Zone 4
Zone 4 is a difficult area where many perennials and even trees cannot survive the long, cold winter. One tree that comes in many varieties that can endure zone 4 winters is the maple. Learn more about cold hardy maple trees in this article.
By Liz Baessler
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Hibiscus For Cold Climates: Tips On Growing Hardy Hibiscus In Zone 4
While it is true that the classic hibiscus is native to the tropics, there exists a very popular hybrid called Hibiscus moscheutos that's hardy all the way down to USDA zone 4. Learn more about growing hardy hibiscus in zone 4 in this article.
By Liz Baessler
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Zone 3 Vines For Gardens – Learn About Vines That Grow In Cold Regions
Looking for vines that grow in cold regions can be a little discouraging. Vines often have a tropical feel to them, and a corresponding tenderness to cold. Learn about vines that grow in cold regions, particularly hardy vines for zone 3 in this article.
By Liz Baessler
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Zone 4 Shade Loving Plants – Best Shade Plants For Zone 4 Gardens
It can be hard finding plants that last through the winter in zone 4. It can be just as daunting to find plants that thrive in the shade. If you know where to look, however, your options for zone 4 shade gardening are pretty great. This article will help.
By Liz Baessler
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White Oak Tree Facts – What Are White Oak Tree Growing Conditions
White oak trees are North American natives. Their branches provide shade, their acorns feed wildlife, and their fall colors dazzle everyone who sees them. Learn some white oak tree facts and how to include them in the landscape of your home right here.
By Liz Baessler
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Worms On Peppers: What Is Eating My Peppers?
When it comes to pepper plants, there are many different pepper pests. If you are having trouble with your pepper plants, this article might help with which pepper pests you are dealing with and the appropriate treatment.
By Liz Baessler
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Canna Lily Deadheading: Tips For Deadheading Canna Lily Plants
Where other flowers shrivel and wilt, canna lilies thrive in the heat. But how do you ensure that you get the most out of your canna lilies with flowers all summer long? Click this article to learn more about how to deadhead a canna lily.
By Liz Baessler
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What Are Moondials – Tips On Using Moondials In Gardens
Most everyone knows and loves sundials - those outdoor clocks that use the sun to tell time. Except they don't work at night. That's where moondials come in. Find more moondial information, like using moondials in gardens, in this article.
By Liz Baessler
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Ferns For Zone 3 Gardens: Types Of Ferns For Cold Climates
Ferns are one variety of plant that is extremely hardy and adaptable. Not all ferns are cold-hardy, but quite a few are. Learn more about cold-hardy fern plants, specifically garden ferns hardy to zone 3, in this article.
By Liz Baessler

