Holding Area for PlantsIf you have a sandbox, it makes a good holding area for plants you have not yet put into the ground, or those divisions you've potted up for sharing with others. It's easy to dig them in and out, a bit protected, and all in one place for watering.
Brown Leaf Tips on HouseplantsWant to get rid of brown leaf tips on your houseplants? Simply cut off the brown tips. I don’t mean to be flippant here, but you can do this so that nobody will even notice that you’ve clipped the tip.
Micro-Greens Pie Planting RecipeFresh greens are easy to start from seed and are quick to germinate. Enjoy the bold taste of micro-greens within 1 to 2 weeks
Growing Hostas from Seed and Watching for SportsGrowing your own hosta plants from seed can be a fun winter project. All you need is the seed, some soil for seedlings and a little patience. In the summer you can watch for sports on your mature plants.
Ring Binders for Seed Packet OrganizationClean up your seed packet jumbles with inexpensive ring binders.
Frugal GardeningGarage Sales/Flea Markets/Craigslist are great places to find used tools and plants, especially estate sales where an older couple used to live. Also check your local FreeCycle, especially if you enjoy bulbs/rhizomes. You won't know their exact name, but a rose by any other name is still pretty.
Planting Onion SetsUse the tip of a tube of caulk for making holes when planting onion starts. It's the perfect diameter and depth -- just "dot, dot, dot."
ATP Podcast #1: Our First PodcastA new podcast for a new year! Join us as we begin with our first of many podcasts about All Things Plants, and more.
Winter in South Florida: Grow VeggiesYou'll be very surprised to hear that we grow most of our vegetables in winter here in the warm South.
Microclimates in My GardenA microclimate is a small but distinctly different climate within a larger area. Here in my area of Utah there used to be many fruit farms. The farmers planted the trees on the foothills where it was a little warmer. Cold would puddle in the lower valley and often the blossoms would freeze there while those higher in the valley would survive. I see some differences in my own garden.
A Quick Bulb TipWhen planting bulbs, make sure the bottom of the bulb is in direct contact with the bottom of the planting hole. A gap can allow an air pocket to form and possibly cause the bulb to rot.
Apple Pan DowdyLong, long years ago when our colonists made their way across the ocean, they brought with them valuable things. One of those valuable things was the apple seed. From those seeds came so many different apple colors, textures and flavors, it's difficult today to make a choice.
Keeping Fingernails CleanWhen your toothbrush gets too spongy to clean your teeth, don't throw it out. A toothbrush works great for cleaning dirt from under fingernails and can be easily carted around in your back pocket when you're out in the garden or transplanting a potted plant. Fingernails appreciate softer toothed bristles and they don't ingrain the dirt.
A Firewood TipIt isn't a good idea to store firewood inside your home. Insects can come inside on the firewood and invade your entire house.
Mark the Front AND Back of Your MarkersIf you use metal plant markers, such as the popular zinc markers, include the plant information on the back of the marker, too. If the front fades or is damaged, the info on the more protected back side will still be readable.
What's Blooming in DecemberWriting this month's article is a special treat for me, because I get to see and talk about things actually blooming. I do that in my other articles as well, so why is this one different?. You see, our outdoor gardens, right now, are buried under five inches of snow and counting. Winds are gusting up to 55 miles per hour. Roads are impassable. Blizzard conditions. Come on in where its warm, see what's blooming, and meet our November contest winner.
Sauerkraut for ChristmasI can't talk of cabbage without mentioning sauerkraut, and I can't think of sauerkraut without remembering the Christmas I gave it all away.
Identifying Pine, Spruce, and FirThese three trees are the staple of winter and holiday decor, however, they are often confused with one another. Viewing them side by side is a helpful way to see the differences.
Making a Christmas Gingerbread HouseFor this house you'll need 1 " styrofoam or construction foam insulation available at Home Depot, decorative mini garland items, dark brown paint, and white latex caulk. Optional items: clear plastic for the windows, mini decorations and tiny battery lights.
Christmas Ornament PlantersHere's an idea for turning a large hollow Christmas ornament into a planter.
Add Some Red to Your Holiday GreensThe addition of a splash of red to holiday greenery will brighten your holiday designs.
Homemade Holiday DecorationsFor easy homemade holiday decorations, collect items from your garden. Pine cones, pruned branches from evergreen shrubs or trees, holly branches with berries attached, and even grape vines are garden items that will work well for simple and easy projects.
Helping Your Fresh Christmas Tree Last LongerIf it will be more than 4 hours between the time you cut your fresh Christmas tree and the time you set it up in the tree stand, put it in a bucket of water in an unheated, sheltered spot like a garage or porch until you're ready to bring it inside. Cut a fresh "cookie" off the base of the trunk before placing it in the tree stand, so it can continue to take up water. No other additives are needed. Be sure to keep adding water as long as the tree is taking it up. It will absorb up to a full gallon in the first day.
Decorative Treats for BirdsIf you have grapevines or wisteria that need a winter trim, here's an idea that your feathered friends will love.
The Organized GardenerCarry a small digital voice recorder with you when you garden, either in your pocket or with your tools. Make “voice notes” of important things to remember, or to do later, as these thoughts come to you. Schedule a time at the end of each day to transcribe your notes onto paper or type them into the computer. These recorders cost as little as $15, are small (generally about 4” tall, 2” wide, and 1/2” thick), and lightweight (less than 2 oz.).
