Planting perennials this fall for a spring/summer bloom It may come as a surprise, but some plants don’t mind spending the winter in their Smart Pots. These cold-hardy perennials lie dormant through the chilly winter months and know when to start growing again in spring. Instead of pulling up plants at the end of summer,…
Plant fast-growing crops to extend the season Gardeners with large vegetable beds often take extraordinary steps to extend their gardening season. They build low tunnels, design special covers and use other methods to help keep the garden going in cold weather. Small-space gardeners can get more from their vegetable gardens, too. One way is to…
Container gardening gives you total control over your plant’s most vital resource… Soil! Here are five tips to help you get the biggest bang for your potting soil buck. 1- Choose a Slow-Release Potting Mix Many potting soil mixes are infused with either a “starter charge” or “slow-release” fertilizer. A starter charge is just that…
Shrubs, trees, and turf. Throw in an ornamental garden, and you’ve got the typical American yard. There’s no denying the beauty of flowering roses surrounded by emerald grass. But what if you could turn your landscape into a cornucopia of free, mouthwatering food? That’s the idea behind edible landscaping. Let’s look at some garden design…
Ah, winter… That magical time of year when you curl up by the fire and sip a steaming cup of hot chocolate. It’s a season of celebration, family gatherings… and ruthless destruction in your garden. But it doesn’t have to be. With careful planning, you can rescue perennial veggies and ornamentals. And you can set…
Don’t look now, but autumn is fast approaching. Those sunny summer rays get a wee bit shorter every day. If you have a healthy addiction to gardening, don’t despair. There are plenty of crops to grow in your fall vegetable garden. Here are 5 fall gardening tips to help you sow the seeds of success….
Cleaning out your garden is a labor of love. But it’s not just about beautification. Those layers of leaves and debris can harbor disease pathogens and insect parasites. Sprucing things up will enhance your landscape, protect your plants and give you a sense of accomplishment. Oh, and one more thing. Recycling your garden scraps into…
What do you do with kitchen scraps? Toss them? Banish them to the compost pile? Here’s a better idea — turn them back into vegetables! A surprising variety of veggies will regrow with very little effort. All they need is water, soil, light and some TLC. Here are the top five veggies to regrow from…
4 Tips for Cultivating Soil Bacteria and Garden Microbes Plants and microbes have evolved together for hundreds of millions of years. Their connection is a basic building block for earth’s terrestrial ecosystems. Today, scientists recognize microorganisms as key contributors to plant growth and health. In the garden, all those invisible microbes can make or break…
A decorative pond is a glorious addition to any landscape. And aquatic plants add a touch of class that can really put your pond over the top. If you’re currently growing aquatic plants in plastic pots, perhaps it’s time to consider fabric Pond Pots. With distinct advantages for your fish and plants, the benefits of…