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Gardening Advice
Learn how to make your own soilless potting mix at home! Commercial bagged soils are pricey, and if you use a lot, can add up to significant costs. They also vary greatly in quality and, in some cases, their fertilizer strength can be toxic to plants and cause burns to plant roots. It’s satisfying to make your own mix to give your plants a healthy start—and it leads to fewer headaches. Here’s our…
We’ll let you in on a little secret that it takes many gardeners a few years to figure out: Late fall is the best time to prepare your soil for a great garden next year. Learn three simple ways to build soil health.Why We Prepare Soil in the FallSoil is the bedrock of any successful garden. Remember, soil is not dirt. Soil is live organic matter teeming with microbial life!Isn’t it…
Asian greens are the stars of many fall vegetable gardens. If you’ve never grown tatsoi, pak choi, or other Asian greens, give them a try because they will germinate fast in warm, late-summer soil. Turn over a new leaf and learn more about types of Asian greens!Way down south, August means planting another round of warm-weather crops, but where temperatures aren’t so hot, we…
The blooming of the bearded irises is something I eagerly await each spring. This year, I made a mental note to divide and move the irises in late summer or early fall, after blooming. Here’s how to divide irises—with step-by-step pictures.Even though my irises were planted years ago and are terribly overgrown, the blossoms were still gorgeous this spring. However, dividing irises every…
You’ve probably heard the term “worm castings” and seen bags of them for sale at your local garden center, but you aren’t quite sure what they are and how to use them. Here is the dirt on worm castings.What is a Worm Casting?A casting is something that is cast out or thrown off. So, the term worm castings is just a fancy way of saying … worm poop! Yep, it’s the droppings that earthworms…
Do you have your cloves in the ground yet? Garlic is incredibly useful in the kitchen and surprisingly easy to grow in the garden. The best time to plant these tasty bulbs is in the fall. Learn how and when to plant garlic to maximize your harvest!When to Plant GarlicFall is traditionally the best time to plant garlic in most regions. A good rule of thumb is to not plant garlic until…
Going away this summer? With a little preparation, you can leave your garden for a week or two without worry. Follow these steps to help your garden survive your absence.It can be difficult to leave your garden for a vacation or work travel. This is especially true if you have a vegetable garden or a kitchen garden. Imagine tomatoes ripening and summer squash about to enter the crazy growth…
This fall, be on the lookout for deceptively beautiful berries. Some of these berries are poisonous! Even if you don’t plan to pop one into your mouth, knowing which plants in the landscape have poisonous berries is helpful. Here are the most common “forbidden fruits” of fall. Poisonous Berries in the FallIf your kids have been active participants in berry picking all summer long,…
If some of your plants struggle with summer’s hot, dry spells, get to know these 10 great summer-blooming perennials that seem to thrive on neglect and easily adapt to searing heat. Much of the United States has experienced hot, dry weather this summer. However, some perennial plants thrive in arid conditions, so it’s worth paying more attention to which plants you choose.Ever…
Look! Up in the sky! Is it a bird or a bee? It’s a hummingbird moth! I’m sure you have seen one of these fascinating little fliers zipping around your flowers, hovering long enough to enjoy a sip of nectar before zooming off to check out another blossom. They are commonly mistaken for hummingbirds or bumblebees but are actually a type of moth.What is a Hummingbird Moth?Hummingbird moths…
Make the flowers of summer last a little longer! Discover plants that bring colorful flowers to your gardens throughout September and October. Here are 50 fall flowers, shrubs, trees, and other plants that welcome the season with a blaze of color.Foxglove that were cut back after flowering this summer are putting out second spikes of bloom. The rugosa rose is still producing blossoms as…
The color of passion, power, and fire, red adds a spark of excitement to a drab garden. Plus, hummingbirds adore this color! We also share tips on how to use red sparingly in the garden—a little dab will do! Discover 20 of our favorite red flowers, from annuals to perennials to beautiful flowering shrubs.Why We Love Red Flowers in the GardenWhen it comes to hot colors, you can’t beat…
