Decorating Your Garden RoomTo hang a decorative drape (or banner) without a hammer and nails or screws: purchase two "S" hooks, hang those from the ramada ceiling or overhang slats equidistant to the length of the drapery rod, feed your drapery grommets or loops through an outdoor drapery rod (a sturdy shower curtain rod works), and place the rod ends through the bottom S on the hook.
What's Blooming in SeptemberThis article is the second in a new series at All Things Plants. On the 15th of each month I'll highlight plants blooming here at Cottage-in-the-Meadow Gardens. I'll have photos and will discuss the plants featured. You're invited to discuss these plants, too, but just as important, you're encouraged to show us what's blooming in your garden each month. There is also a monthly contest called "Name that Bloom." The first person to correctly identify the plant will have a photo of his/her choice published and featured the following month. Be sure to check out this month's mystery flower at the end of this article.
A Simple Greenhouse ConstructionA few years ago, two fellow Master Gardeners wondered if it was possible to construct a simple greenhouse in three hours. Their goal was to teach four people how to build one. Those four would then each teach four more, and so on. The two recruited me to write the instructions, compile a supply and tool list, and take photos. The first greenhouse was built on the grounds of Zilker Botanical Garden.
Coffee Mug Becomes a Toad HouseBreak the handle on your favourite coffee mug? Set the handle-less mug in the garden to use as a toad house.
Feeding Pond FishUse a child’s hula hoop (or other plastic ring) to feed pond fish so food won’t float in moving water. Make sure to tie it to the bank first.
All About MayappleI learned more from Aunt Bett's stories than I ever learned from books. Here's a lesson that she repeated every fall.
Mulch with Wet NewspaperUse wet layers of newspapers around plants to prevent weed growth.
Team Water Feature, or No Water Feature?Ponds, birdbaths, fountains, or just plain good soil- you are on one team or the other- let's find out which!
Indirect Lighting Is Best for Plant CuttingsWhen finding a window to place your plant cuttings, make sure direct sunlight doesn't beam through the glass and magnify onto something flammable. House fires can be caused with this unusual scenario.
Move Containers EasilyPutting your container gardens on wheels can come in handy. It will save your back when you want to move containers to a protected area during severe weather or when you know you will be gone for a few days and want to keep your plants out of the hot sun.
Dried Seed Heads Will Feed the Birds During the WinterLeave the flower heads of Black-eyed Susan, (Rudbeckia) over winter. Although not particularly attractive all dried out, the seed heads will feed the birds.
What To Do with All Those HerbsGrowing herbs can be addictive. You begin with one or two small plants in a window and end up with an entire herb garden. It's fun and relatively easy to grow them, and you just might reap a bountiful harvest. Here are some ideas for what to do with all those wonderful herbs.
Organizing Seed PacketsUse baseball card collection pages in a ring-binder to hold seed packets.
Save Your SeedsSave seeds. Many seeds grow very easily even when you just sprinkle them where you would like.
Hampton Court Palace Flower Show (Part 4)The large and small Show Gardens at Hampton Court were next on my agenda. The ancient, majestic trees in the distance beckoned me towards them. This most beautiful place offered so many things to see, let's take a look at them.
Keep Your Garden Supplies HandyKeep a scrap bucket outside, filled with scissors, twine, wire, and bag ties to use to tie plants to trellises when you see the need.
Strawberry PlantersThe top of a strawberry planter makes a great base for a garden ball or birdbath.
Be Ready To Kill the Fruit FliesWhen bringing fresh fruits or vegetables inside, you will most likely attract fruit flies. A small saucer or glass jar with cider vinegar will attract and drown the flies.
Team Online Nursery or Team Local?Gardeners have to have plants. It might even seem like the more we have, the more we want to have! The only question is: where do we primarily shop: online or locally?
Plan Your GardenPlan your garden so you have some foundation plants that will be there through all the seasons. The annuals of spring and summer won't always live through a hot summer. Likewise, some of the perennials that bloom so beautifully in spring and fall will die back in both summer and winter.
Welcoming Beneficial Insects to the GardenNature is filled with a wide variety of beneficial insects whose diet consists mainly of the little pests that invade your gardens. Yes, there really are "good bugs" and they are a great way to combat the pests that are ready and waiting to devour and destroy your plants. Some of these good guys may have been hanging around and you didn't realize they were actually keeping pests off of your favorite flowers or vegetables. Let's take a look at some of these beneficial predatory insects so you can learn who your allies are.
Keeping Up with Plant NamesKeeping the ID of plants. There are many ways to ensure that you don't lose the identity of your plants. Whether they are in pots or in the ground, bury a tag in the ground, using pencil to write the name. Old venetian blinds cut to size make excellent labels to bury. Then, if desired, place a label beside the plant. Using this method covers the mishap of dogs or small children pulling/chewing up the aboveground labels. The label pictured here is a piece of venetian blind with ID written in pencil and was buried for a year. It contains other important information for me.
Time Your WateringWater early or late in the day, but not in full sun in the heat of the day.
Water Rooting Your CuttingsWhen rooting your cuttings in water, remember they’ll need adapting to soil when the time is right. Water-rooted cuttings grow roots suited for water but they’ll need to grow "soil roots" for best health when potting up. Help them along by adding soil to your water as you witness root growth coming on.
Summer Stars of My 'Dog Days' GardenThe move from California to Tennessee brought with it a change in plant selections and gardening techniques. What grows well there frequently does not grow here at all. The most prominent plant diseases and pests in the two locations can also differ quite markedly. Starting over has been a real challenge.
