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.
Recycled Plant LabelsRecycled Plant Labels
By paulgrow on August 24, 2014

Don't throw away those canning lids after you empty the jars.

(Full article9 comments)

Vine Weevil, Part Two:  Saving the Plants -- Nil DesperandumVine Weevil, Part Two: Saving the Plants -- Nil Desperandum
By Cantillon on August 23, 2014

The weevil larvae may have destroyed your plants, but really you are looking at a handful of fresh new seedlings and not the detritus of a former favourite plant. Seize the opportunity to split and grow on. Enjoy the problem and take a positive attitude toward the challenge.

(Full articleone comment)

The Potager GardenThe Potager Garden
By SongofJoy on August 22, 2014

The delightful potager garden has its origin in Europe, specifically in France. Over the centuries, many inventive European gardeners have left their stamp on this style of gardening.

(Full articleno comments)

ATP Podcast #69: Overwintering Tropical ShrubsATP Podcast #69: Overwintering Tropical Shrubs
By dave on August 21, 2014

In this week's episode we will talk about our favorite non-hardy tropical shrubs, along with why we like them and why we think they are worth the trouble to over-winter. We'll then discuss the strategies we employ to keep these worthy plants alive during the winter!

(2 comments)

The Top BrugmansiasThe Top Brugmansias
By dave on August 20, 2014

Another top plants list! These are so much fun. Which are the most popular brugmansias in our database? Let's have a look!

(Full articleno comments)

Plumeria - the Underrated SpeciesPlumeria - the Underrated Species
By Dutchlady1 on August 19, 2014

It is almost irresistible to wallow in the beauty of the many cultivars of Plumeria rubra. The colors, sizes, and shapes of the blooms vary enormously and make it very tempting to try to collect them "all" (ask me how I know!) There are a number of Plumeria species that are underrated, however, and yet they have so much to offer.

(Full article6 comments)

Easy Propagation of Your Hoya, Wax PlantEasy Propagation of Your Hoya, Wax Plant
By Toni on August 18, 2014

The wax plant is one of my favorite houseplants. I recently broke my leg, which forced me to focus on indoor gardening for a while. As I was sitting here mending, I noticed that my sweet 16-year-old Hoya carnosa is blooming. What joy that has given me. Oh, it has bloomed each year for many years now, but I guess I had semi-ignored it as my heart lies in the outdoor garden. Running out of things to do while sitting on the couch, I decided to do some research on my beautiful Hoya.

(Full article8 comments)

The Top 25 PlumeriasThe Top 25 Plumerias
By dave on August 17, 2014

It's Tropical Trees and Shrubs week, so let's take a peek at plumerias and see which are the most popular at ATP!

(Full article18 comments)

The Flamboyant 'Flamboyant'The Flamboyant 'Flamboyant'
By Dutchlady1 on August 16, 2014

Delonix regia is a tree known as "Flamboyant" in certain parts of the Caribbean, and it is easy to see how it got this name.

(Full article13 comments)

Apply Herbicide with Brush When Weeds Are Close to Good Plants.Apply Herbicide with Brush When Weeds Are Close to Good Plants.
By CarolineScott on August 15, 2014

We often have a situation in which difficult weeds are growing too close to our good plants, and herbicide spray might drift to the good plants. Herbicide application can be handled by brushing the herbicide solution onto the weeds.

(17 comments)

ATP Podcast #68: Why Don't We Do What We Don't Do?ATP Podcast #68: Why Don't We Do What We Don't Do?
By dave on August 14, 2014

Here's a fun topic. We often talk about what we do in the garden and why we do it, but today we're going to turn that around and look at a few common gardening things that a lot of people do, but that we don't do, and we'll talk about why we don't do them.

(22 comments)

A Flower Pot for All SeasonsA Flower Pot for All Seasons
By rocklady on August 13, 2014

It is a chore to keep plants in pots watered and looking nice during the hot summers as well as through the winter. I have found self-watering pots to be useful in helping me without a lot of work on my part. (I'm basically lazy.)

(Full article24 comments)

Save and Re-Use Your Plastic Garden Supply Bags as Soaking ContainersSave and Re-Use Your Plastic Garden Supply Bags as Soaking Containers
By Polymerous on August 12, 2014

The original empty plastic bag containers for garden supplies such as fertilizer, dirt, compost, or mulch can be saved and re-used as plant soaking containers.

(Full article10 comments)

Not Your Average Gardening ToolsNot Your Average Gardening Tools
By Xeramtheum on August 11, 2014

I have a tendency to look at pretty much every sort of tool as a possible garden tool. Over the years I've tried out just about everything, but I have whittled it down to about 9 tools I use consistently.

(Full article27 comments)

Garden Art!  Like Your Garden, Uniquely Your OwnGarden Art! Like Your Garden, Uniquely Your Own
By grannysgarden on August 10, 2014

Some call it junk and some call it art. Whatever you call it, the art in your garden will be a reflection of your idea of creative repurposing.

(Full article39 comments)

Announcing the Winners of the Caladiums Photo ContestAnnouncing the Winners of the Caladiums Photo Contest
By dave on August 8, 2014

This week the members have been busy voting for their favorite photos submitted in the Caladium Bulbs 4 Less Photo Contest. The winners have now been revealed! Come on in and see who won.

(Full article31 comments)

ATP Podcast #67: In Praise of the Mighty ConeflowerATP Podcast #67: In Praise of the Mighty Coneflower
By dave on August 7, 2014

It's Daisies and Coneflowers week at All Things Plants so today we're going to talk about the noble Purple Coneflower, covering its history, its uses, how to grow it and a little bit about how it is used.

(Full article6 comments)

The Top 25 ConeflowersThe Top 25 Coneflowers
By dave on August 4, 2014

We have almost a thousand images of coneflowers in our database, covering nearly 200 different kinds. But which are the most popular among ATP members? Let's find out!

(Full article7 comments)

Echibeckia:  Intergeneric CrossEchibeckia: Intergeneric Cross
By springcolor on August 3, 2014

"Loves me, loves me not": When I was a teenager, this was a favorite game to tell me whether the current boyfriend loved me. You pulled the flower petals off the flower head and the last one told you the verdict. Daisy-like flowers have changed over the years. The latest plant trend is intergeneric crosses.

(Full article13 comments)

The Top 25 DaisiesThe Top 25 Daisies
By dave on August 2, 2014

We know coneflowers are grown and loved by all, but what about daisies? There are 24 genera in our database that contain plants that are considered daisies. Among such a vast reach of plants, which are the most popular among ATP members? Let's have a look!

(Full article16 comments)

Recycle Old FountainsRecycle Old Fountains
By rocklady on August 1, 2014

When we decided to replace the fountain in our sunroom, we thought of another use.

(Full article18 comments)

All Members Are Invited To Judge the Caladiums Photo Contest!All Members Are Invited To Judge the Caladiums Photo Contest!
By dave on August 1, 2014

The 2014 Caladiums photo contest, sponsored by Caladium Bulbs 4 Less, is now finished and 174 photos have been entered. Come check out all the great photos and pick your favorites. The winners will get some great prizes!

(Full articleone comment)

Lasagna GardeningLasagna Gardening
By foraygardengirl on July 31, 2014

Start a new garden by planting right on top of your lawn!

(Full article38 comments)

ATP Podcast #66: Summer Chores and Preparing for Fall GardeningATP Podcast #66: Summer Chores and Preparing for Fall Gardening
By dave on July 30, 2014

TODO items for late summer, presented by Trish, and preparing for the fall garden, presented by Dave! The month of July is coming to a close and that means it's time to start thinking about the fall gardening season. But wait, you might say, we're in the dog days of summer, and you're already talking about fall gardening? Yes indeed, now is the time to get your fall gardening plans in order.

(one comment)

Bring a Snake into Your Home!Bring a Snake into Your Home!
By fiwit on July 29, 2014

On Oct 31, 1997, I discovered a baby rattlesnake in my home office, curled up behind my chair. That is NOT the kind of snake I recommend you bring into your house. Instead, adopt a Snake Plant, also called Mother-in-Law's Tongue. The perfect house plant, it's easy to grow, difficult to kill, and its broad leaves make it very effective at removing toxins from the air.

(Full article16 comments)

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