Where To Plant Spring BulbsMany spring blooming bulbs can be planted under deciduous trees and shrubs. They will bloom before the branches fill out with leaves, which will give you a pretty view earlier.
Attract Birds to Your Home and GardenBirds can be a great asset to gardeners. Plant berry-producing shrubs and trees on your property. They offer nesting spots as well as food for the birds. Supply additional housing by making or purchasing inexpensive birdhouses to place on your property. Place nesting material around the property for the birds to use when building their nests. Cotton fabric or string, straw, human hair strands, pet fur ... but NO DRYER LINT, as it can contain perfumes and dyes and is not good for baby birds.
Let's Learn About Botanical Names for PlantsGenera, species, cultivars, synonyms, common names... what does it all mean? If this subject has you a little confused, allow me to cut through the confusion and show you the light.
How To Re-Pot a HouseplantThere always comes a time when you have to pot up a plant. Here's a tutorial on the easiest way that I have found to do it.
Direct Seed in the FallFall is a great time to direct seed. A seed packet is only a few dollars, in contrast to the cost of a plant, making it an economical way to get more plants. After all, even if you get only a few plants from a packet of seeds, you are ahead of the game.
Keep a Vase HandyAlways leave a vase outside. You can cut flowers as you work, and you will always have a bouquet ready to give garden visitors. I use a heavy vase that will not blow over on a windy day.
How To Grow Tulips SuccessfullyAre you relatively new to gardening and will be planting your first tulip bulbs this fall? Or have you grown tulips before only to be disappointed that after their first spring they never bloomed again? Here are some ideas to make tulip-growing a rewarding experience.
Extra Tools To Grab and UseI keep pots of extra tools in different places around my gardens, so when I am just walking around and see something that needs to be dug or clipped, I can go to the nearest batch of tools without having to walk all the way back to the house or to the garden shed.
Silica Gel for Seed StorageWhen I buy vitamins, there is a little package in the container that absorbs moisture. I always save these and put them in my seed packets in case any moisture is still on the seeds.
Team Lawn or Team No LawnIs your garden taking over your lawn, or are you staunchly keeping yours? Join me for this week's Which Team? article!
Garden Tours: JoannabananaWelcome to a new feature at All Things Plants: Garden Tours. Each week we'll take you on a tour of the lovely gardens of one of our members. Join us now as we go to Alberta, Canada to see the gardens created by Joannabanana. I think you are going to love what you see! (Be sure to click each image for an enlarged view.)
Don't Let the Squirrels Eat Your BulbsWhen you plant bulbs, the squirrels love to dig them up. To prevent this, I sprinkle Super Phosphate liberally wherever I have planted bulbs and no varmints will dig there. They must not like the smell. It really works! Plus the super phosphate is a good fertilizer for the bulbs.
A Primer for Drying and Preserving HerbsThere are few things easier to preserve than herbs. Here we will explore some of the basics of drying and storing them.
Remove Grass EffortlesslyDo you have grass that needs to be removed? Let your bagged garden soil do the job for you!
Little Greenhouse on the PorchAn old aquarium makes a great greenhouse for cuttings. Plant cuttings in small containers, water, and place in a shady area. Now turn the aquarium upside-down over the cuttings. The aquarium helps hold the humidity in.
Trade for MoreTrade plants. Plants often need to be divided, and many gardeners could benefit from the divisions you don't need.
All About GoldenrodIt isn't goldenrod that makes you sneeze. It's the ragweed that grows beside it. Let's take a look at this golden beauty that many would like to banish. Aunt Bett and I never could convince Mom that goldenrod didn't cause her allergies; maybe I can convince you.
Note Taking for GardenersKeep a white board outside to make notes as you garden. It’s a great place to list needed supplies, reminders, and dream plants you hope to purchase.
Gardening Mentors Are Worth Their Weight in Mulch!Try to find a mentor, someone you can ask about choices and techniques.
From Bowling Ball to "Garden Art"Join me as I use glass to transform a discarded bowling ball to one of a kind "Garden Art"
Team Fertilize, or Team No FertilizeThere are too many teams to list on this Team Poll. Come tell us all about how you feed your plants.
Keep on Top of Weeding ChoresProcrastination lets weeds get the upper hand.
Photograph on a Cloudy DayWhen photographing your garden or plants, do it on a cloudy day. The light is more even and diffused.
Garden Tours: ZuzuWelcome to a new feature at All Things Plants: Garden Tours. Each week we'll take you on a tour of the lovely gardens of one of our members. This week we are going to California for the breathtaking view created by Zuzu. Come with us as she tells us all about her gardens. (Be sure to click each image for an enlarged view.)
Honey Bees in the Garden - SeptemberSeptember brings us Labor Day and cooler temperatures. Gardeners will be keeping an eye out for frost. Honey bees will continue to store winter food supplies as long as the temperature remains above 50ºF.
