Take Old Towels to the ShedWorn out or threadbare towels can be useful a little longer by hanging them in the potting shed. When you're done working and rinse off the first layer of dirt before going inside you'll have something to dry your hands on besides your shirt. When they get really nasty then pitch them.
Containers for SeedsI save & use containers like this to start seeds in. They are deep enough, they have drain holes in the bottom and vent holes in the top, the top snaps shut, and when the seedlings get large enough, you can leave the top open so they can grow higher. I use a single layer of a piece of paper towel in the bottom to keep the soil from going out the drain holes. By the time it's time to transplant the seedlings, the paper towel has broken down into almost nothing. AND you can write the name & date right on the top with a magic marker!
Use Banana Peels To Feed Your PlantsChopped Banana Peels: Mix into the soil of potassium-loving plants.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Snow in the GardenThere’s no doubt that snow can be beautiful and offer many benefits to gardens, but unfortunately it can also cause problems. Let’s take a look at how our landscapes can be affected by this frozen precipitation.
Grow Your Spider Plant OutdoorsIf you live in zone 9 or 10, you can grow the 'Spider Plant' (Chlorophytum comosum) outdoors. This plant, which is native to South Africa, makes a wonderful ground cover. Just start with one and watch the baby plants spread around the mother. They can easily be moved if they get into areas where you don't want them.
Use Rocks in your GardenRocks used in a flower or shrub bed can be a very attractive addition to your garden.
Team Containers or Team Ground?This week the topic is container gardening. Team Containers love to utilize containers, and Team Ground would rather just use the ground. Share your experiences with us!
Bungee Cord Usage in the GardenBungee cords are very handy in the garden! They come in different lengths and they are large enough so that they don't hurt the plants or shrubs when used to tie plants together or to stakes.
How To Encourage Toads To Stay in your GardenBuild a toad house to encourage toads to stay in your garden, I used a clay pot saucer and a couple of rocks and located it in a cool shady area.
Hillfarm Journal, Winter on the FarmI couldn’t stay inside today. The sun is shining and the temperature is in the low 40s. There’s snow, but only enough to be decorative.
Plant for Your ZoneKnow your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone and be prepared for disappointment if you "push your zone."
Keep That Amaryllis!Don't throw away that holiday amaryllis! Treat it like any houseplant (water, light, a little fertilizer) and let it bloom for you again next year.
Plant Marigolds To Deter InsectsPlant marigolds in your garden- they are wonderful companion plants and will help deter undesirable insects.
January Plants for Honey BeesIt's January, which usually means winter in most places. Winter evokes visions of gloomy days of cold and snow, but in some areas the sun shines and the temperature is warm enough for honey bees to be out and about. What's blooming in January to tempt honey bees to leave their hives and forage for food?
Planning Out New Garden BedsUse an old garden hose to shape a new planting bed. You can change the shape until your happy with it, then use landscape paint to mark it and remove the hose, or use landscape staples to keep the hose in place.
Attract Birds for Your Benefit and for TheirsMake a bird habitat with shrubs for cover, a few nesting boxes, and a bird bath. The birds will reward you by eating many garden pests.
Quick Connectors for Easier WateringQuick connectors on your hoses, sprinklers and nozzles really speed up the watering process to get the job done quickly.
Team Herbs, or Team No Herbs?Do you grow herbs in your garden? Let's discuss Team Herbs this week!
Opinion: Trees, Hearts and BonesRecently I wrote an article about trees and their value to our lives; this is a follow-up to that article. At the time I was writing it, I failed to mention one aspect of trees that we can't do without, so let's get right to the heart and backbone of the matter.
Just Say "No" to Weeds in Your Raised BedsWhen using rocks or bricks as garden edging, place weed barrier cloth underneath them as you build the edging. It will help keep the grass from growing between the rocks and bricks and into your gardens.
A Roaster To Aid in Seed StartingPlace pots in which you have sown seeds that need warmth to germinate in an electric roaster with the lid on and set on 85 to 90 degrees. (Check the temperature of your roaster first by heating a cup of water in it for a few hours and adjusting the temperature to the desired setting. The correct setting will likely be below the first temperature printed on the dial, and the light indicating heating may not come on often.) Check to see whether seedlings have emerged after the third day and then every day after that.
Adding Lime to TomatoesWhen growing tomatoes in potting mix, add a cup or two of dolomite lime, depending on pot size. Tomatoes require more minerals and a less acidic growing medium than most plants that the common mixes are formulated for.
Bokashi for the GardenBokashi is a Japanese word literally translated as shading off. It has come to denote the process of anaerobic fermentation of organic waste that produces what is known as beneficial and effective microorganisms. The resulting organic material might be likened to probiotics for the soil.
Wolfgang Oehme Launches a Gardening RevolutionThe world of horticulture recently lost a renowned avant-gardener with the passing of Wolfgang Oehme on December 15, 2011. Mr. Oehme--“Wolfi” to his friends--almost single-handedly launched a revolution in planting design with his sweeping landscapes of grasses, sedums, rudbeckias, and perovskias.
Ties for VinesIf I grow vining plants on trellises I always leave a few plant ties attached to the trellis. That way if I’m out in the gardens and see a vine that needs a little assistance staying on the trellis I always have a plant tie handy.
