Red, sweet, juicy strawberries are the definitive taste of summer. Not only does June kick off the summer season, it’s also the month when most strawberries hit the market. So what do you do when your craving for strawberry shortcake or strawberry mojitos hits the roof? Harvest those beautiful, organic strawberries you had the foresight…
Are the dog days of August getting you down? Just the thought of fall garden crops can be refreshing! Figuring out what vegetables to plant in August is a piece of cake. Your county extension office has easy-to-follow lists and tips for fall garden crops. If the office is nearby, drop in. If not, you…
A shady spot can provide a soothing and enticing garden, especially in the heat of the summer. There are plenty of shade perennials and annuals that will give you all the color and texture you dream about. So hang a hammock and consider some of these colorful shade loving perennials: A is for Astilbe… This…
The long, hot days of summer can bring the greatest rewards from your container-grown summer plants. The difference between summer plants for pots that are stunners instead of bummers can be summed up in these do’s and don’ts: 1. The right plants for the right place: Good summer plants for pots that receive four or…
Not every gardener is blessed with full sun, making vegetable gardening challenging. But, by choosing shade tolerant vegetables, it’s possible to harvest plenty of fresh, homegrown produce. Different levels of shade Before you begin experimenting with vegetables that grow in the shade, it’s important to understand there are different levels of shade, and each level…
Looking for a homemade garden idea that’s both easy-to-grow and delicious? Look no further than a salsa garden! What is a salsa garden? Theme gardens are wildly popular these days. They are unique gardens where all the elements support a single theme. Folks are planting cocktail gardens, fairy gardens, tea gardens, and salad gardens like…
Many of North America’s pollinators, including over 4,000 species of native bees, are facing dramatic population declines due to habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and various parasites and pathogens. To help these valuable insects, gardeners across the continent are creating pollinator gardens designed to offer these creatures more of the resources they need to survive. What…
Raised bed gardening can’t be beat for its ease and efficiency, not to mention its ability to save gardeners time, space, and money. With little wasted space, raised beds are high-yielding and easy to maintain. The Benefits of Raised Bed Gardening Raised bed gardens don’t require as much effort as in-ground gardens. There’s no sod-stripping…
Even in cold climates, fig growing is easier than you think. Though this fruiting tree (Ficus carica) is native to the Middle East and Asia, it’s fast becoming a popular backyard fruit crop for gardeners across North America. Figs are prized for their succulent, honey-like flavor. How to Grow a Fig Tree Consider the Hardiness…
April showers bring May flowers, but that’s not always the case. Often times May and June bring severe weather and storms that can damage all your hard work. If your blooms are already full and bright, you can harvest them to enjoy indoors and save them from the harsh springtime weather. Start by cutting those…