Member Ideas

Welcome to the Member Ideas area! This community feature is where our members can post their own ideas. These posts are unedited and not necessarily endorsed by the National Gardening Association.

Want to share your own idea? Submit an idea here.
Raised Garden Bed - No Longer a Neighborhood Litter Box!Raised Garden Bed - No Longer a Neighborhood Litter Box!
By HeidiOregon on March 13, 2015

Our empty raised garden beds appear to be a favorite restroom spot for cats in our neighborhood (and there are many). Planting seeds or new plant starts is a crapshoot... literally! We came up with an easy, inexpensive solution.

(Full article20 comments)

ATP Podcast #82: Growing Vegetables in ContainersATP Podcast #82: Growing Vegetables in Containers
By dave on March 12, 2015

In today's podcast we'll give some tips on gardening in containers, with the focus on vegetables. What can you grow, how do you get started, and what pitfalls should you avoid? All that, and much more, on today's podcast!

(Full article14 comments)

Annual Sunflowers Are Pretty and Easy To GrowAnnual Sunflowers Are Pretty and Easy To Grow
By Newyorkrita on March 11, 2015

Big, bold and beautiful. Sunflowers make a grand statement.

(Full article28 comments)

Removal of Lava Rock MulchRemoval of Lava Rock Mulch
By Jeyra on March 10, 2015

The home we purchased six years ago came with extensive landscaping, complete with lava rock mulch. We wanted to replace the lava rock mulch with something more biodegradable that would break down and add nutrients to the soil as it decomposed over time. However, the thought of digging out all the lava rocks that had become deeply embedded into the soil over the years seemed a formidable task.

(Full article18 comments)

Between Loppers and Chainsaw: Using a Cordless Reciprocating Saw as a Garden ToolBetween Loppers and Chainsaw: Using a Cordless Reciprocating Saw as a Garden Tool
By evermorelawnless on March 9, 2015

Using a cordless reciprocating saw with a pruning blade is often easier (and safer) than using a chainsaw or even loppers. This article describes how we use a recip saw around here as a garden tool and provides several illustrations.

(Full article28 comments)

Glossary AdditionGlossary Addition
By gg5 on March 8, 2015

I'd like to add two words to the ATP Glossary: Deciduous and Herbaceous

(Full article6 comments)

Humidity, and Killing Two Birds...Humidity, and Killing Two Birds...
By dyzzypyxxy on March 7, 2015

So this week in Florida it has been dry. You know we Floridians are used to nice, high humidity, and most of the time in winter it's even pretty good. But when a big cold front reaches down this far, the air gets mighty dry for us tropical folks and our tropical plants.

(Full articleno comments)

ATP Podcast #81: The Veggies and Herbs You Should GrowATP Podcast #81: The Veggies and Herbs You Should Grow
By dave on March 6, 2015

Grow your own food to get the most bang for your buck!! Not just saving money but time and energy. We're going to talk about the easiest and most important edibles that you should consider growing this year.

(11 comments)

Air-LayeringAir-Layering
By drdawg on March 5, 2015

Often, we want to propagate a special or valuable plant but find seeds are hard, if not impossible, to find and/or have failed at rooting cuttings. Air-layering may be the answer to this problem.

(Full article12 comments)

Bamboo Poles Make Instant TepeesBamboo Poles Make Instant Tepees
By Newyorkrita on March 4, 2015

Need a quick easy fix for those climbing peas or shorter vines? Simply use some bamboo stakes.

(Full articleno comments)

No More Trenching!! -- Tool for Nearly Painless Irrigation Pipe InstallationNo More Trenching!! -- Tool for Nearly Painless Irrigation Pipe Installation
By evermorelawnless on March 3, 2015

After having installed several PVC-based irrigation systems in my Utah yards, there had to be a better way. There is, and I found it. This article describes a nearly painless way - using a tool that I invented - to install black poly irrigation pipe with little impact to the lawn or gardens. It's been an incredible sweat/labor-saver for me.

(Full article13 comments)

Feedlot Panel ArborsFeedlot Panel Arbors
By beckygardener on March 2, 2015

Do you need an easy and inexpensive way to make sturdy and long-lasting arbors that can be used to grow most climbing plants? I've got just the project for you!

(Full article37 comments)

Use a Palette Knife To Remove Seedlings for Potting UpUse a Palette Knife To Remove Seedlings for Potting Up
By abhege on March 1, 2015

Because it is flat and narrow, a palette knife can be a useful tool for seed starting.

(Full article7 comments)

Brightly Colored Berries for Winter Beauty and Attracting Songbirds.Brightly Colored Berries for Winter Beauty and Attracting Songbirds.
By Newyorkrita on February 28, 2015

An easily accomplished way of adding interest and color to your winter garden is by planting winter fruiting shrubs.

(Full article2 comments)

ATP Podcast #80: Seed Starting and Much MoreATP Podcast #80: Seed Starting and Much More
By dave on February 27, 2015

In this week's episode we talk all about our favorite techniques of seed starting, including the paper towel method. We also discuss important information: preventing damping off, soil selection, etc. Trish shares from her pinboard of bad ideas, and gives us an inspiring look at garden poppies.

(Full articleone comment)

Horned Melon Part Two, or  'Everything But the Horns'Horned Melon Part Two, or 'Everything But the Horns'
By greene on February 27, 2015

Plant Sister is at it again, using almost every part of something as food. [center] She says, "I learned from my mother about many things: Do not throw away food or let it go to waste". Written by Plant Sister and greene

(Full article8 comments)

Tree Trimming Companies Are Great Sources for MulchTree Trimming Companies Are Great Sources for Mulch
By Skiekitty on February 26, 2015

If you need mulch and lots of it, contact a local tree trimming company. Usually they're willing to just give you the mulch for free if you can come and pick it up, or they'll charge you a nominal delivery fee if they're in the area.

(14 comments)

When Rooting in Water Is Just Not EnoughWhen Rooting in Water Is Just Not Enough
By mjsponies on February 25, 2015

Lots of plants seem to root well in water. When you pot them up, however, they seem to decline, or fail to grow at all and die.

(Full article20 comments)

Winter Doesn't End the Beauty of Your GardenWinter Doesn't End the Beauty of Your Garden
By jvdubb on February 24, 2015

Some gardeners mourn the end of their growing season when plants die back. Some gardeners work hard in the fall, cleaning out their beds and cutting everything back for tidiness. While there are reasons to cut back some plants, I've come to love my winterscape when things are left as is.

(Full article10 comments)

Light Spectrum's Effects on Plants -- Part IILight Spectrum's Effects on Plants -- Part II
By drdawg on February 23, 2015

Previously I wrote about light spectrum ranges and how those ranges affect plants. This light range is measured in nanometers, or what's called Kelvin (the K number is printed on fluorescent tubes/bulbs). What is also important is the light intensity. If the light intensity is not great enough, it really won't matter much what the Kelvin number is. Light intensity is measured in lumens.

(Full article32 comments)

Pushing the Zone in AlaskaPushing the Zone in Alaska
By Oberon46 on February 22, 2015

Anchorage, Alaska, has a pretty short growing season, which is cool (55-65 F) and tends to be overcast much of the time. So, having a greenhouse would be great. Not having enough room for one on my urban lot, I fortunately discovered raised beds, and to extend the season, hoop beds. Hope you will enjoy my journey into new gardening worlds.

(Full article31 comments)

Reuse Your Seedling Cell Packs To Start Your Own SeedsReuse Your Seedling Cell Packs To Start Your Own Seeds
By Newyorkrita on February 21, 2015

Seed starting is easy when you reuse those garden center cell packs.

(Full article6 comments)

Winter Interest - The Eye of the BeholderWinter Interest - The Eye of the Beholder
By evermorelawnless on February 20, 2015

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Maybe. But I’d argue that the phrase is six words too long. Beauty is. It just is. And if anything needs to be tuned, it’s the beholder’s eye. That’s true in my case, at least. This article illustrates how my vision has changed…or, better, maybe I’ve opened my eyes to things I was blind to previously.

(Full article4 comments)

ATP Podcast #79: Winter InterestATP Podcast #79: Winter Interest
By dave on February 19, 2015

It's cold and everyone is posting photos of their winter interest plants. In today's episode we'll talk about our own favorite winter interest items: both plants and other gardening elements. Enjoy the show!

(9 comments)

A Mid Week Spotlight on Our Members' Winter Interest PhotosA Mid Week Spotlight on Our Members' Winter Interest Photos
By dave on February 18, 2015

All week ATP members have been posting their best winter interest photos. In fact, at the time of this writing, exactly 200 winter interest pictures have been posted to the database. Here are some of the best, along with some links to discussions about them.

(Full articleno comments)

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