Lauren Krystaf
Location
Buffalo Niagara Region
School
SUNY Buffalo, Drexel University
Expertise
Sustainable Gardening, Edimentals, Urban Permaculture
- Lauren loves gardening's mix of beauty and utility, and she believes everyone can have a green thumb.
- She grows flowers, vegetables, and fruit trees, all on a 1/8 acre city lot.
- Lauren currently gardens in USDA zone 6, but has previously lived and gardened in zones 8, 10, and 13.
Experience
As a news writer for House Blog, Lauren has written on a range of topics, including seed-starting strategies, gardening techniques, and houseplant care. She had so much fun researching and writing about companion plants for the article "Deter Insects Naturally With This Fast-Growing Garden Classic" that she decided to grow nasturtiums herself this year. Lauren has been writing professionally for over five years and has written for sites including Collider Media, Backyard Boss, and Haddee Education. She is fascinated by the symbiotic relationship between humans and plants and has never met a succulent she doesn't love.
Education
Lauren has a bachelor's degree in anthropology from SUNY Buffalo and a master's in library and information science from Drexel University.
House Blog uses a knowledgeable team of editors, writers, and experts to create all our content. We dive deep into the always-evolving conversations surrounding design and home trends, striving to deliver the most current and helpful tips, strengthened by expert takes and tutorials from our talented team.
As we cover many fields of expertise, we make it a priority to ensure every beat remains fresh and comprehensive. Additional information on our editorial process available here.
Stories By Lauren Krystaf
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If your grass is looking a little lackluster in the summer, don't just throw down more grass seed. There are some grasses you shouldn't grow in the summer.
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Invasive weeds can have annual, perennial, or biennial life cycles. Learn more about how to manage stealthy biennial weeds before they sneak up on you.
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Spotted deadnettle can be attractive to people and pollinators, but there are some alternatives to this non-native plant. Here are a few options.
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It's a pain to have to mow your lawn all the time with so many tips out there that promise healthier grass. But there's one simple rule to make it easier.
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Like how balanced diets make us feel our best, thoughtfully mixed succulent soil allows plants to thrive. Here’s why you should DIY your potting soil and how.
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Watered plants are healthy plants, but requirements vary across species. If you're growing balloon flowers, get the low down on their best watering regimen.
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The spikes of salvia blooms are so gorgeous, you'll want to keep them around all summer. Here's how to ensure you have a constant display on this hardy plant.
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What plant collector doesn't want more plants? If you have a beloved Christmas cactus, you can easily propagate more to grow your collection. Here's how.
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Discover why morning glories are a favorite for hummingbirds. Explore important considerations about the flowers and alternatives before planting them.
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A bird's nest spruce is nothing like a traditional spruce tree - it's actually a shrub. If you're interested in growing it in your yard, check out these tips.
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Consider the impact of planting centipede grass. Find out why it might not be a wise choice if you live in the southeast U.S. and explore alternatives.
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Cardinal flowers are aquatic plants beloved by pollinators. If you want to grow them from seed, however, here are a few handy tips that might make it easier.
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If you're growing gladiolus in containers, it's important to note care will be different than when planted in the ground. Here's what you need to know.
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Despite being buried underneath the soil, harvesting potatoes is fairly intuitive. These are our tips for knowing when new potatoes are ready to be dug up.
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Feather reed grass can be the perfect low-maintenance ornamental grass for your garden, but it's still important for you to divide it. Here's why.
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If you are entering the world of propagation, you may not realize how many plants can be replicated. Here's the best method for propagating cherry tomatoes.
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If you have dreams of growing your very own tomatoes, here's what you need to consider before reusing seeds from those you buy at a grocery store.
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If you're planning to set up raised garden beds, be careful about the soil you put in them. Using soil from your yard may not be the best choice.
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Getting rid of garden pests without harming your greenery or the environment might seem difficult, but inviting these tiny birds into your yard can help a ton.
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Yards full of ticks can be an unfortunate fact of summer, but can certain herbs and flowers keep them away? Here's what we found out.
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Ground cherries are a uniquely delicious fruit, but they're hard to find in stores. However, with a little care, you can grow your own! Here's what to know.
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If you're looking for some garden inspiration, look no further than Hilary Farr's simple yet sophisticated setup full of pollinator-approved plants.
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Many mosquito control companies assure customers that their sprays only target mosquitoes, but this isn't exactly true, as other life can also be affected.
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Weeding your garden is easier if you employ ground cover plants to do the work. A colorful living mulch can help you achieve this and attract pollinators.
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If you have a peach tree, then you know the goal is always to produce the juiciest of fruits. To achieve that, follow these pruning tips and tricks.
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Watermelon plants notoriously take up a lot of room. So, how many watermelons will you get after investing all that space? It depends. Find out more here.
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While Knock Out roses are known for being low-maintenance, they still require some care. Find out if they need to be deadheaded in the summer.