Editorial standards

The first sentence of a page tells you what the plant needs. Background comes later, if at all.

“Tomatoes are frost-sensitive” is a fact. “Many growers prefer cages for compact varieties” is a preference. We label them differently and never present a preference as a rule.

Watering schedules depend on light, temperature, pot size, wind and the plant. We say what to check, not “every 2.5 days”. Where a number helps, we give a range with its context: “5 to 10 days at 21 to 27 °C”.

Sowing and planting timing is given relative to frost dates or soil temperature. When we show calendar months, the calendar says which climate they describe, and you can switch it.

Metric first, imperial in brackets where a measurement matters: 30 cm (12 in), 20 L (5 gal), 18 °C (64 °F).

Canonical guides carry the botanical name, so “cilantro” and “coriander” resolve to one plant.

• Easy: forgiving of watering mistakes, ordinary light, no specialist steps.
• Moderate: support, pruning or feeding matter; temperature-sensitive; common problems.
• Advanced: narrow temperature or humidity range, tricky propagation, pollination or disease management.

We separate claims with agronomic evidence, plants that share conditions, and traditional claims with little evidence. We don't state folklore as science.

Identification, then prevention, then physical and cultural controls, then lower-impact products. We never invent product rates, concentrations or waiting periods. The label and your local rules win.

Toxicity to pets or people, irritating sap, thorns and food-safety points get a labelled Safety note when relevant. Ordinary safe crops don't get boilerplate warnings.

We prefer, in order: horticultural institutions, university extension services, government agricultural resources, botanic gardens, primary research, established specialist publishers, and grower experience for context. Five blogs quoting each other count as one source.

When sources disagree on pH, spacing or temperature, we check whether variety, climate, indoor versus outdoor or containers explain it, then present a range with its context.

Guides: reviewed at least yearly. Problem pages: when diagnosis or treatment guidance changes. Month pages: each season. Republishing resets the review date shown on the page.

Every page has a correction link. Material corrections are noted at the bottom of the page. See Corrections.