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 Digest, 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 Digest 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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Hydrangeas are an incredible addition to any yard, providing gorgeous flowers year after year. Learn how to best care for this flowering shrub.
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Attracting butterflies to your yard adds beauty and supports the local ecosystem. Find out what flower you should include in your butterfly garden.
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Goldenrod is a yellow flowering plant, traditionally considered a weed, that can spread quickly in your garden. Here's how to use cardboard to get rid of it.
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Bluebonnets, the state flower of Texas, can be a beautiful addition to your garden. What's the best way to ensure their full potential? Here's where to start.
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Pink philodendron varieties can grow leaves in vibrant, rosy tones, but only if they're cared for properly. Find out the trick to keeping the leaves bright.
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Using baking soda is a popular method to reduce rust on gladiolus flowers. Can it cause damage, and are there other safer ways to solve the problem?
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If you want to add color to your landscaping, creeping phlox is a great option. Find out when you should plant this groundcover for the best results.
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Boron-based products may seem like a quick and easy way to get rid of fleas, but they have downsides and should be used with a lot of caution.
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Here's what you can do to ensure the best harvest in your vegetable garden by strategically placing green onions and other plants at a safe distance.
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Edimental gardening is easier than you might think, and this HGTV tip is the perfect way to get started or to add to your growing container garden.
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There are many varieties of tomatoes you can grow in your garden. If you opt for larger tomato plants, try this trellising idea for optimum support and growth.
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Growing squash can sometimes be a challenge, but there's an easy method to make sure your squash plant is productive. Be sure to try this tip!
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Perhaps the most famous home and garden media personality of all time, Martha Stewart is a huge fan of these black, purple, and pink flowers.
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Gardening trends come and go, but there are some that stick around. Learn what HGTV is predicting will be big this year, and why it might remain popular.
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If you're looking for a quick and helpful way to grow your starting seeds, one TikTok user has the perfect solution -- with a low cost and easy access, too.
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If you're new to gardening, the good news is that you don't need to spend tons of money on tools. Try this TikTok DIY garden tool to improve your soil.
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If you want to bring new color and a bevy of new pollinators to your yard, then consider planting one rare shrub with unique blue-gray flowers.
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Venus flytraps are unique and fascinating, so it's no surprise that so many people try their hand at growing them. But there's a learning curve.
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Hummingbirds are a beautiful sight, and there are flowers you can plant that will welcome more of these gorgeous pollinators to your backyard.
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If you live in a snowy climate where few plants or flowers grow in the winter, consider planting this cold-tolerant flowering shrub in your garden.
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Container gardening is something you can do year-round if you choose plants that can withstand winter weather. Don't miss out on harvesting this vegetable.
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Companion gardening can add so much dimension and variety to your yard. Here's an unexpected vegetable and flowering plant pairing you should try.
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Fig trees are a lovely addition to any yard, but gardeners often make mistakes when it comes to watering. Find out how to avoid these pitfalls.
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Are you a hummingbird lover? It might seem strange to tie a red ribbon around your hummingbird feeder, but there are several reasons to do it.
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The beautiful blooms of asters are great for any garden. Proper care and avoiding these common pitfalls will ensure your flowers shine through the season.
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Folks in Victorian times found this hack useful for cleaning floors, but modern floor materials don't always respond well to it. Here's what it is.
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Spider plants are popular for a reason. They're generally low-maintenance, but sometimes their leaves will brown. Find out how to help your plant recover.