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.

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Black Walnut Trees Are Not Your EnemyBlack Walnut Trees Are Not Your Enemy
By foraygardengirl on December 26, 2014

Trees are valuable and beautiful assets to the environment and to any landscape, and black walnut trees are no exception. They are lovely trees that provide delicious and nutritious nuts and one of the most valuable hardwoods. They are allelopathic, however, and many gardeners avoid them or get rid of them.

(Full article17 comments)

Merry Christmas!!Merry Christmas!!
By Trish on December 25, 2014

From all of the Whitingers to all of our gardening friends: Merry Christmas!

(Full article34 comments)

Team Natural or Team Artificial?Team Natural or Team Artificial?
By Trish on December 24, 2014

It's Christmas Eve. Come grab a cup or glass of your beverage of choice and discuss your holiday decor with a few of your closest gardening friends!

(Full article48 comments)

Short on Space But Want Home-Grown Peas? Grow Peas in Pots.Short on Space But Want Home-Grown Peas? Grow Peas in Pots.
By Newyorkrita on November 30, 2014

Any type of garden peas, including snap peas, snow peas and shelling peas, can be easily and successfully grown in large pots.

(Full article23 comments)

Recycled Birdhouses: Cheap, Quick, and EasyRecycled Birdhouses: Cheap, Quick, and Easy
By klc on November 29, 2014

You can make a birdhouse in two minutes or less from an empty one-gallon water jug or a discarded flower pot.

(Full article15 comments)

A Peek into the "Lasagna Method"A Peek into the "Lasagna Method"
By ge1836 on November 28, 2014

I call it the Lasagna Garden. I started it in March 2009, not realizing it needed a year for the newspaper and compost to cure and decompose the sod beneath. This new garden is 35 feet long and 25 feet wide.

(Full article11 comments)

Growing Mint in Small PacketsGrowing Mint in Small Packets
By Dinu on November 26, 2014

I noticed that a mint runner had been caught up in neighbouring foil packets where I was growing extra Gerberas. The one that was in it had grown so well, surpassing the other mint plants in the small patch, so this is what I did.

(Full article6 comments)

Briar RemovalBriar Removal
By jeri11 on November 25, 2014

Easy way to remove briars from a bed with as little pain as possible.

(Full article3 comments)

A Fall Container for My PorchA Fall Container for My Porch
By Paul2032 on November 24, 2014

I love to have a nice container on my porch. Even if I don't have much company, I enjoy it each time I come home.

(Full article16 comments)

Hamamelis virginiana and Other Witch HazelsHamamelis virginiana and Other Witch Hazels
By NEILMUIR1 on November 23, 2014

Hamamelis virginiana is a most remarkable plant native to north America. It is also known as common or American witch hazel. It is always in use as a true medicinal plant and it is a plant of great ornamental beauty. Hamamelis vernalis, or the Ozark Witch Hazel, is native to Central America. Hamamelis ovalis, or Leonard's Witch Hazel, was only found in 2004 and although an American native is new to science.

(Full article31 comments)

In-Place CompostingIn-Place Composting
By orchidgal on November 22, 2014

If you are in the habit of throwing your kitchen waste down the garbage disposal, you are wasting valuable nutrients that would make your flowers and vegetables thrive. So, if you only have a little kitchen waste and not enough yard waste to compost, or if you don’t have a compost bin in your garden, you can do “in-place composting”.

(Full article18 comments)

Winter Sowing and Freezer TapeWinter Sowing and Freezer Tape
By wildflowers on November 21, 2014

Freezer tape is useful for wintersowing because it will hold up to the elements outdoors.

(Full article30 comments)

Frost/Winter Insulation for GardensFrost/Winter Insulation for Gardens
By Bonnie929 on November 20, 2014

Here's how I prepare my plants for frost and winter: I used to put stray/hay down around my bushes and plants to protect them and I used to wrap my bushes in burlap. I no longer do that, but storms in southern NH do hit hard, and we drop way below zero. My method may not work for everyone, however. It depends on your zone.

(Full article7 comments)

A New Garden Without Turning Over SodA New Garden Without Turning Over Sod
By ge1836 on November 19, 2014

When making a new garden of any size, I use the lasagna method. In a large garden or a small spot where only dirt grows, this effortless plan works well if it's started a season before planting.

(Full article6 comments)

Forcing Perfect PaperwhitesForcing Perfect Paperwhites
By orchidgal on November 18, 2014

This is a foolproof way to force those beautiful and fragrant paperwhites successfully, without having them get leggy and fall over. They look so beautiful on a windowsill in the cold winter months.

(Full article8 comments)

The Wonderful YarrowThe Wonderful Yarrow
By dave on November 17, 2014

Yarrow, Achillea millefolium, has been known and loved for thousands of years, and in fact, its name came from the Greek hero, Achilles.

(Full article14 comments)

Greenhouse 11 Degrees Warmer with Mylar BlanketsGreenhouse 11 Degrees Warmer with Mylar Blankets
By Ecscuba on November 16, 2014

Mylar blankets and a 65-watt incandescent lightbulb kept my greenhouse 11 degrees warmer.

(Full article8 comments)

Replacing a Wall in Our HFGHReplacing a Wall in Our HFGH
By Eric4home on November 15, 2014

The north-facing wall of our greenhouse is bordered by a mixed evergreen planting, so it contributes very little light. It also is the predominantly windward side. The impact in the winter is significant. I decided to replace it with a more efficient wall.

(Full article9 comments)

Safely Killing Creepers and Suckers with HerbicideSafely Killing Creepers and Suckers with Herbicide
By Eric4home on November 14, 2014

We have a voracious Chinese Wisteria, and sometimes it gets ahead of us. Suddenly it makes an appearance in our Juniper border 20' away, and here's how we safely deal with it. A variation of this technique can be used on Ailanthus.

(Full article17 comments)

The Winners of the All Things Plants Photo Contest Are...The Winners of the All Things Plants Photo Contest Are...
By dave on November 13, 2014

All judging and voting is finished and we are ready to unveil the Best of Show winners, along with the blue ribbon winners of each category. Come in and check it out!

(Full article86 comments)

ATP Photo Contest: Cast Your Votes for the Best of ShowATP Photo Contest: Cast Your Votes for the Best of Show
By dave on November 12, 2014

The first place winning photos in each category are now revealed, but voting isn't over! You now must choose your favorites from among them. The ones with the most votes will receive the Best of Show award. You have only 24 hours to vote.

(Full article20 comments)

Are You Too Clean for Mother Nature?Are You Too Clean for Mother Nature?
By Cat on November 11, 2014

Late July and early August are a great time of the year here in Indiana. Summer is in full swing, the State Fair is just getting ready to begin, and barbecues are roaring!

(Full article37 comments)

Easy No-Maintenance Potting BenchEasy No-Maintenance Potting Bench
By Ecscuba on November 10, 2014

Built with cement block, cement glue in a tube, and leftover granite countertop.

(Full article11 comments)

Get Extra Discounts on Your Gardening Needs Online from the Big Box StoresGet Extra Discounts on Your Gardening Needs Online from the Big Box Stores
By ShadyGreenThumb on November 9, 2014

Not only can online shopping sometimes be cheaper than shopping at the store, but sometimes your selection is better and there might be FREE delivery to your door!

(Full article8 comments)

You Decide the Winners of the All Things Plants Photo ContestYou Decide the Winners of the All Things Plants Photo Contest
By dave on November 8, 2014

The entries are in and it's time to check out the photos that were submitted in our first annual photo contest. Each member may cast up to 3 votes in each category, so head over to the photo contest page, start browsing the many beautiful photos, and cast your votes for your favorites.

(Full article70 comments)

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