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Gardening Advice
If you are thinking of adding a new flowering shrub to your landscape, why not consider a highbush blueberry?Besides offering the beauty of its delicate bell-shaped flowers in the spring and its delicious sweet berries in the summer, it will add bright crimson foliage to your fall garden and its red stems will stand out against the snow in the winter. The blueberry is truly a plant for all…
This is such a hopeful time in my garden. Nothing has gone wrong yet, no bugs have attacked and no weird weather has struck—yet. I just know that this will be the best growing season we have ever had. Gardeners are such optimists!I dream of daytime highs in the 80’s and warm nights this summer, making it a good season for melons. I struggle to grow them each year but…
One of the joys of summer is standing in the garden eating sun-warmed cherry tomatoes right off the vine.
These succulent, bite-sized jewels concentrate all the flavor of a full sized tomato into a package that is less than 2” in diameter. They are sweeter, perfectly shaped, and have thinner skin than regular tomatoes.
Though highly addictive, cherry tomatoes are good for…
Crabapple trees are nature’s hidden gems. These stunning trees offer a year-round spectacle of color and charm, from their delicate spring blossoms to their vibrant fall foliage and enchanting winter silhouettes. With a variety of sizes, shapes, and flower colors, there’s a perfect crabapple tree to enhance any landscape! Discover the beauty and resilience of these remarkable trees and learn how…
Every spring we plant about a dozen different varieties of basil but I’m told there are over 150 species to choose from! So many basils, so little thyme! Here are some types of basil that I’m crazy about.‘Genovese’ is my all-time favorite because it makes an awesome pesto and has lots of real Italian basil flavor.‘Classico’ is another Genovese-type that we grow.…
Gardening is not for pansies! It is a strenuous activity and none of us are getting any younger. Here are a few tips to make your chores easier and more comfortable to do.Assess the situation. Just how much can you lift and how far can you bend? What chores are painful or put too much stress on your already sore parts? How long can you work before tiring? Remember gardening is…
Ready for a tropical interlude? Luckily, I only had to go as far as our state’s Orchid Society’s Annual Show to share some of the most beautiful orchid pictures for you—and picked up some orchid growing tips, too.At this show, orchid growers have set up their displays and all the plants have been judged with many plants awarded ribbons. What a treat to be…
Are you tired of planting tulips and crocus bulbs only to have them disappear because mice and squirrels find them to be a tasty snack?There are plenty of other bulbs that are less attractive to rodents and by planting early, mid-season, and late bloomers we can stretch the show into summer. Here are just a few, in order of their appearance in the garden:Galanthus nivalis - Snowdrops…