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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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)

Burlap and BulbsBurlap and Bulbs
By Sharon on November 7, 2014

Most of my plants are perennials, but I have a few bulbs that are not hardy in my zone. Here's how I solved the winter storage problem.

(Full article15 comments)

Make a Root Waterer Using Recycled Plastic BottlesMake a Root Waterer Using Recycled Plastic Bottles
By foraygardengirl on November 6, 2014

If you have a specific plant in your garden that requires consistent moisture, you can make a plastic beverage bottle function like a watering globe, only better.

(Full article36 comments)

Stachytarpheta mutabilisStachytarpheta mutabilis
By Marilyn on November 5, 2014

Stachytarpheta mutabilis is a hummingbird magnet!

(Full article6 comments)

White Pine Shavings, Garden HelperWhite Pine Shavings, Garden Helper
By kylaluaz on November 4, 2014

I started using white pine shavings when I badly needed some carbon (dry browns) for a new compost mixture and didn't know where to get straw or dried leaves. I bought a bale of white pine shavings instead because they were cheap, not too heavy for me to carry, and easy to work with. I now like having them on hand for several uses, and I keep finding more.

(Full article11 comments)

Hillbilly Redneck Wind ChimesHillbilly Redneck Wind Chimes
By donnabking on November 3, 2014

Create a unique set of wind chimes with a beautiful, silvery, delicate sound from old pieces of silver plate flatware.

(Full article7 comments)

What Is a Keiki?What Is a Keiki?
By beckygardener on November 2, 2014

Keiki is a Hawaiian word for "child." In the plant world, it is actually a clone of the parent plant. This term is often used in orchid propagation.

(Full article4 comments)

Recycle Your PumpkinRecycle Your Pumpkin
By passiflora on November 1, 2014

Keep using those jack-o'-lanterns after Halloween. Use them as planters.

(Full article15 comments)

Winter Weather Protection for Warmer ClimatesWinter Weather Protection for Warmer Climates
By Seedfork on October 31, 2014

The term "winter protection for plants" can be a little different for those of us in warmer climates. It is possible for us to overwinter some plants right in their pots.

(Full article8 comments)

Map Your GardenMap Your Garden
By SCButtercup on October 30, 2014

You don't know where you're going unless you know where you've been. Plant tags and markers can get lost or carried away by varmints, but a garden map tucked away in your garden notebook will always be there when spring arrives. Here are some easy tips for an accurate map.

(Full article6 comments)

Don't Throw Out Those Pelargoniums at the End of the Season!Don't Throw Out Those Pelargoniums at the End of the Season!
By jvdubb on October 29, 2014

Storksbill geraniums (Pelargoniums) are a beloved staple in summer containers and landscaping. Every fall most of the summer's selections end up being tossed out, or composted, without a second thought. What you might not know is that Pelargoniums are simple to overwinter, and not as houseplants that require care!

(Full article45 comments)

 Cute Way To Label Your Plants Cute Way To Label Your Plants
By mattmackay22 on October 28, 2014

Here's a way of labeling your plants that's cute and fun!

(Full article12 comments)

A Sliding Door on the Harbor Freight GreenhouseA Sliding Door on the Harbor Freight Greenhouse
By Eric4home on October 27, 2014

After the brutal winter of 2013 I realized that I needed to improve my HFGH if I was going to use it year-round. I believed the doors were one of the major problems. I was able to get a very good Andersen 6' sliding patio door and wanted to incorporate it into the existing structure.

(Full article8 comments)

Learn the LatinLearn the Latin
By Xeramtheum on October 26, 2014

Learning Latin names is not as difficult as you might think. A little at a time, we can learn the Latin names of our plants and avoid quite a bit of confusion.

(Full article23 comments)

Announcing the 2014 All Things Plants Photo Contest!Announcing the 2014 All Things Plants Photo Contest!
By dave on October 25, 2014

Today we begin the first of our annual photography contests, and there are excellent prizes for the winners. The contest is open for entries now. Break out your best photos for this year's contest! Sponsored by American Meadows and High Country Gardens.

(Full article130 comments)

Milkweed and SolidagoMilkweed and Solidago
By Catmint20906 on October 24, 2014

Native plants possess tremendous value for the backyard gardener. They add beauty, provide important habitat and food for native pollinators and other wildlife, help to preserve our natural heritage, require little maintenance once established, and serve to control soil erosion through well-adapted root systems. Current estimates indicate that, of the 20,000 plant species native to North America, almost 25 percent are at risk of becoming extinct. In this article, I will focus on two native species you might want to help preserve by planting them in your own garden: Milkweeds and Solidagos.

(Full article9 comments)

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