
Susan Albert
It all began with a sunroom that looked out onto a yard of dirt and weeds. No shrubs, flowers, birds, or butterflies. Whoever heard of a sunroom with nothing to watch outside? Susan immediately went to the library (Internet was not in use yet) to look up how to attract butterflies. That was 25 years ago and she’s progressed into an all-out gardening fanatic, obsessed with annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs. A plant “collector” and garden photographer, she can always find room for one more flower in her garden, especially if it attracts wildlife.Before writing articles for Gardening Know How, Susan held a career in communications and, as a freelancer, wrote garden articles for magazines and authored a newspaper gardening column for many years. She also contributed South-Central regional gardening columns for four years to Lowes.com. While living in Oklahoma She served as a master gardener for 17 years. She now lives in Gardner, Kansas, where she’s semi-retired, establishing new garden roots.
Latest articles by Susan Albert
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10 Common Composting Problems That Can Spoil Your Garden Gold – Plus Easy Fixes
Learn how to troubleshoot common composting issues before they ruin your stash – from bad smells and bugs to materials not breaking down as they should.
By Susan Albert
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How And When To Fertilize Azaleas: Learn How Smart Feeding Can Boost Your Blooms
Established azaleas do not need fertilizer to fuel their blooms, but they still need proper conditions to thrive. Learn how to fertilize without overdoing it.
By Susan Albert
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Looking For Plants To Give You The Soft And Fuzzies? Try These 5 Fuzzy Leaf Plant Options
Lovers of texture, drama, silver foliage and tactile plants will adore these special sensory garden additions. These fuzzy leaf plant options will leave you all aglow
By Susan Albert
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DIY Cloche Ideas For Frost Protection In The Garden
Extend the growing season into early spring and late fall with an easy, DIY garden cloche. These simple ideas can yield benefits for gardens of all sizes.
By Susan Albert
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How To Grow Hydroponic Strawberries For Fast, Fresh Berry Fruits In A Clean And Fuss-Free Way
Cultivating strawberries outside of traditional pots and ground-based plots may sound like the stuff of science fiction but here’s why growing hydroponic strawberries can work for you
By Susan Albert
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A Strawberry Hanging Basket Is An Elegant Way To Grow Fresh Fruit At Your Fingertips
Love strawberries but space is at a premium? The solution is growing strawberries in hanging baskets. Learn more about growing hanging strawberries.
By Susan Albert
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Spider Mites: What Are They And How To Get Rid Of Them
Spider mites are a common pest of plants and cause damage by sucking plant juices from the leaves. They can be controlled with natural and chemical means.
By Susan Albert
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What Is Groundhog Day? Why We Celebrate A Furry Garden Pest
What is Groundhog Day and why do we continue to honor this tradition every February? Maybe because it’s a great reason for a celebration!
By Susan Albert
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How To Propagate Plants
Plants can be propagated by division, cuttings, or seeds.... and it's all free! Get propagating for infinite plants for you and your friends.
By Susan Albert
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Germinating Seeds In Paper Towel: The Easy, No-Mess Method For Faster Growth
Learn the quickest and easiest way to germinate seeds in a paper towel with this expert step-by-step guide – for faster, healthier seed starts every time.
By Susan Albert
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Tips For Growing Rhubarb
A rhubarb plant can provide years of yummy fruit. Its leaves and roots are toxic, but the delectable fruit is worth a special spot in the garden.
By Susan Albert
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Are Poinsettias Poisonous To Cats? What You Need To Know For Happy, Healthy Felines
They have the potential to brighten up homes long after the holidays, but are poinsettias poisonous to cats? Make sure you read this before mixing the two!
By Susan Albert
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The Hottest Houseplants Of 2025 - What To Look Out For
Looking to build a houseplant collection or add to what you already have? Choose the top houseplants that are trending right now.
By Susan Albert
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4 Beautiful Types Of Calathea To Try
Many Calathea varieties go beyond the average beauty of a houseplant. Humidity and indirect light make them happy, and they’ll dress up your home with dramatic multi-colored leaves with geometric patterns.
By Susan Albert
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Monstera Esqueleto Care Guide
Monstera esqueleto is a high-drama houseplant with natural holes in its leaves. It loves to climb and enhance your living space with its big evergreen presence.
By Susan Albert
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Resilient Plants For Extreme Weather: Planting To Safeguard And Protect Against The Elements
Growing plants that can withstand bizarre weather patterns is becoming more of a worry these days. Try these resilient plants and plantings to boost levels of protection
By Susan Albert
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How To Kill Weeds In Fall To Prevent Them In Next Year’s Garden
Practicing fall weed control in the garden will help prevent the pesky invaders from cropping up next spring when they are vigorous and harder to deal with.
By Susan Albert
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How To Store Okra After Picking
Learn how to store fresh okra for up to a year by canning or freezing the harvest. For short-term storage it can go in the refrigerator for two or three days.
By Susan Albert