Every growing guide on Dina’s Garden in one place, newest first. Each one follows a crop or plant from start to finish on a real balcony, with photos and a video of the same plant. If you prefer to browse by topic, start with a hub: vegetables, herbs, houseplants, microgreens, flowers, succulents, or the gardening tips that sit underneath all of them: seed starting, potting mix, pruning and seed saving.
How to Propagate a Jade Plant from Leaves (Water & Soil Methods)
You can grow a whole new jade plant from a single leaf. Here's how to root jade leaves in soil or in water, step by step, with real photos from every stage.
How to Grow an Avocado Tree from Seed (In Water or Soil)
Grow an avocado tree from a pit: soak and peel the seed, root it in water with toothpicks, then keep it in a bottle or move it to a pot. Our month-by-month timeline with real photos.
How to Propagate a Snake Plant in Water (Step by Step)
Grow new snake plants from one leaf: cut it into 3 or 4 pieces, dry them, root them in water, then move them to soil. Our real timeline, from the first cut to new leaves 8 months later.
How to Grow Radishes from Seed in Containers
Learn how to grow crisp radishes in containers or grow bags, from sowing to harvest in about 30 days, with tips on depth, spacing, watering and thinning.
How to Hand Pollinate Eggplant and Prune for More Fruit
Eggplant flowers dropping without fruit? Learn how to hand pollinate eggplant with a paintbrush, cotton swab or electric toothbrush, and how to prune for a bigger harvest.
How to Prune Cucumber Plants for a Bigger Harvest
Cucumber plants grow fast, and by midsummer they can turn into a tangle of leaves with fewer fruits than you hoped for. A few minutes of smart pruning changes that. The plant puts its energy…
How to Hand Pollinate Tomato Flowers: 4 Easy Methods
The first summer I grew tomatoes on my balcony the plants looked wonderful. Tall, dark green, covered in little yellow flowers. Then the flowers turned brown and dropped, one after another,…
How to Grow Bell Peppers From Store-Bought Peppers
You can grow bell peppers from supermarket seeds, as long as the pepper is fully ripe. Here is how I save, dry and sow them.
How to Grow Dwarf Zinnias from Seed in Pots and Containers
Learn how to grow dwarf zinnias from seed in pots and containers — sowing, transplanting, sun, watering and the cutting trick that multiplies the blooms.
How to Grow Basil from Store-Bought Basil Stems
Turn leftover store-bought basil stems into thriving new plants. Root them in water in one to two weeks, then pot them up — a simple step-by-step guide with real photos.