Fall Flower Garden Clean-UpIf you're like me and live in a cool climate, your gardening season will soon be coming to an end for another year. You've either got loads of work ahead of you cleaning out your flower gardens or you are ready to sit back and relax and leave the clean-up until spring.
Making a Pebble PlanterLooking for a little project to pass the time when cold or rainy weather keeps you out of the garden? How about making a cute pebble planter? This design works especially well for succulents and alpine plants because of the excellent drainage this pot provides.
How and Why to Prune ClematisIf you’ve ever seen a clematis that is one big mountain of tangled up stems, it’s almost enough to scare you away from growing them. But let’s take a look at why, when, and how these remarkable vines should be pruned and you’ll find it’s not as difficult as it seems.
Time Your Cut FlowersFor bouquets or floral displays, cut flowers early in the morning or late in the evening and they'll last longer in your arrangement.
Pot of HerbsA pot of herbs can be pretty in addition to tasting good. Include edible flowers, such as pansies, parsley for its beautiful texture, purple basil for color, etc. Keep the pot by your back door so it's handy to grab what you need.
Tiny BeautiesI think it’s safe to say that most of us collect sempervivums for the diversity of the rosettes, but it would be a shame to ignore the beauty of their tiny flowers.
Winter in My Wisconsin GardenOne thing is certain about winter in Wisconsin – it’ll never be the same two years in a row.
Fun Facts About TomatoesHere's a fun compilation of some interesting facts about tomatoes.
Have a Bucket HandyI always carry a 5 gallon bucket with a handle into the garden with me. I keep plant tie-wraps twisted onto the handle in case I need them. On the way to the garden, the bucket holds my tools. On my way back from the garden, it holds the weeds and spent flowers.
Club Your Way to SavingsIt pays to belong to garden clubs offered by local or regional nurseries. I belong to two different ones.
Thrifty Gardening in FallLook for great deals in fall on gardening tools at end-of-season sales.
Emergency Seed PackageI needed to mail some tiny seeds, but had no package to put them in. I began looking through my cupboards and came up with a great solution!
Dried Fall FlowersBouquets of dried wildflowers and weeds can make beautiful fall displays.
Glossary Tip - PanicleA loose cluster of flowers growing on the end of a stem and made up of small stems with one or more flowers each. Some examples are hydrangeas, lilacs, oats, and many grasses.
Earwig ControlFor earwig control, place a rolled up newspaper in your garden at night. Earwigs like dark, cozy places. In the morning, pick it up and seal in a plastic bag, earwigs and all.
Glossary Tip - CatkinA long, thin, drooping cylinder of flowers without petals, generally found on willows, birches, and oaks.
Glossary Tip - VariegatedLeaves that have blotches, patches, or marks of different colors.
Glossary Tip - StolonA type of plant stem that usually grows horizontally and produces new plants at the end or tip.
Glossary Tip - Top DressTo spread an even layer of soil amendments over the top of the soil. Top dressing can be used to add fertilizer, smooth out the surface, improve soil texture, prevent weeds, hold in moisture, or add a finished look.
Glossary Tip - HydrozoningGrouping plants together according to their water requirements to conserve moisture.
Vines as Ground CoversWhen most people think of vines, they think vertical growth. However, many types of vines can also be used as ground covers.
Serpentine LayeringMost vines propagate well by serpentine layering. Dig a shallow trench next to the base of the vine. Take a section of the vine long enough to lay on the ground. Make a small cut on the bottom of the vine a couple feet away from the base. Bury the portion of the vine where it’s cut. You may want to anchor it down with a pin or small rock. Depending on the type of vine, the roots should form in several weeks to several months.
Don't Plant When WetWorking with wet soil can compact air spaces. Wait until the soil dries out before attempting to work in it.
Cold Hardy SempervivumSempervivum wreaths and topiaries can remain outside all winter, even in zone 3 or 4 temperatures. They may need a little sprucing up in the spring, but they'll recover quickly.
Sempervivum LoveI’m sure everyone has a favorite plant or two in their garden. However, it seems that people who grow Sempervivums tend to get carried away!
Sempervivum in Shallow ContainersSempervivums do well in shallow containers. You can even plant in a large saucer. Be creative!
Sempervivum CraftsOnce you start growing these amazing plants, you’ll find that they multiply quickly. And unless you have lots of room in your gardens, you’ll want to find some creative ways to use them.
Sempervivum Diseases, Problems, and PestsAs a rule, sempervivums are tough little plants that can put up with a lot of abuse before they’re overwhelmed. Not many plants are as resilient as these guys, yet even they face some dangers.
Growing Sempervivum in ContainersAn easy and inexpensive way to get started with sempervivums is to grow them in containers. But that's not the only reason to plant them in containers.
Bringing Your Houseplants Back IndoorsIt’s that time of year when we’ll want to start bringing our houseplants back indoors for the winter. Most houseplants are tropical plants and will experience damage at temperatures below 40 - 50 degrees F. Before you bring them in there are a few things you can do that will help in the long run.
A Quick Tip for FallClean your containers well at the end of the growing season. This prevents the spread of disease, can kill eggs laid by bugs, and in the spring they’ll be ready to use when you need them.
Fun Facts About CornHere's everything you ever wanted to know about corn!
Make Your Own Plant MarkersI was trying to think of what I could use for plant markers rather than purchase them. It gets expensive if you’ve got a lot of plants! When I run out of ideas I go ask my husband, who always comes up with something that makes me slap my forehead and say “Why didn’t I think of that”!
A Frugal Garden MatUse an old car floor mat for a cushion when sitting or kneeling in the garden. The rubber backing will also keep you dry when it's wet.
Building a Living PictureHow would you like to have a beautiful living picture in your garden or mounted on a wall outside of your home? It's a quick and easy project that you can do with just a few tools.
A Quick Bloom TipRemoving flowers as they fade (deadheading) is important. It improves the appearance of plants, prevents plants from putting their energy into making seeds, can prolong bloom time, and may stimulate some plants to produce another round of flowers.
Cut Flowers Display IdeaCut flowers or bouquets don't have to be displayed in a vase. Anything that holds water will work.
A Mouse TipFresh mint repels mice. Every couple of weeks pick a fresh handful and spread it around the area where mice are a problem.
A Gnat Tip for HouseplantsA great way to get rid of gnats on your houseplants is to mix 32 ounces of water with one squirt of Windex. Water your plants by making sure the entire soil surface is wet. It's not necessary to saturate the soil.
Deck Saver TipLeaking water from containers can be hard on your deck. Prevent water damage by placing decorative "feet" or stones under your containers to allow air flow.
A Quick 'Time' TipPlant low-maintenance plants to reduce the amount of time you spend gardening. Sempervivum, lavender, hosta and most native plants are just some examples.
All About Herbaceous PeoniesFor a spectacular flower show in your garden, herbaceous peonies (paeonia) in bloom can’t be beat. They’re a long-lived perennial, they make wonderful cut flowers, and when they’re done blooming the foliage provides a beautiful backdrop to other plants for the rest of the growing season.
Don't Let Weeds Take HoldIt’s best to pull weeds when they’re small. They’re easier to remove, it won’t disturb the roots of nearby plants, and it prevents them from going to seed.
When To Stake Your PlantsWhen staking plants, put the stakes in place early in the season. There is less chance of damaging the plant, and as the plant grows it will hide the stakes.
Prevention Is the Best KeyKeep an eye on your plants for pests. It’s easier to eliminate them before they get out of control.
All About ColeusIf you’re looking for non-stop color in your gardens and containers that will last your entire growing season, consider planting coleus – the plant that can quickly show big results.
All About ClematisDespite what you may have heard about growing clematis, these beautiful plants are quite easy to grow. There are many variables to take into consideration when selecting the perfect plant for your location.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Snow in the GardenThere’s no doubt that snow can be beautiful and offer many benefits to gardens, but unfortunately it can also cause problems. Let’s take a look at how our landscapes can be affected by this frozen precipitation.
Just Say "No" to Weeds in Your Raised BedsWhen using rocks or bricks as garden edging, place weed barrier cloth underneath them as you build the edging. It will help keep the grass from growing between the rocks and bricks and into your gardens.
Ties for VinesIf I grow vining plants on trellises I always leave a few plant ties attached to the trellis. That way if I’m out in the gardens and see a vine that needs a little assistance staying on the trellis I always have a plant tie handy.
Good Gloves Are Worth the InvestmentInvest in the best pair of gloves you can afford. Good gloves will outlast many pairs of cheap ones.
Tool CareTake care of your tools. Sharpening and cleaning them will prolong the life of the tools and they will perform better. It’s much easier to dig with a sharp shovel, and sharp pruners will not crush stems as you cut.
Early American Gardeners of the Thirteen ColoniesEarly gardening and farming was nearly a full time daily job for the initial settlers of the thirteen colonies. The climate and soil were new to them and it took quite some time to discover what fruits, vegetables and crops would grow successfully here.
Organize Your ToolsKeep your tools organized. There is nothing more frustrating than spending precious gardening time looking for your tools.
Real Uses for a Toy RakeUse a child's toy rake to clean under shrubs or other hard to reach places.
All About PumpkinsFrom the legend of the Jack O'Lantern and "chucking", to growing, health benefits and pumpkin trivia, let's find out more about this amazing fruit.
Divide Your Plants in the FallFall is a great time to divide your plants! Dividing perennials is an easy way to increase your plants, and it also keeps many perennials healthy and prevents them from outgrowing their space.
All About MulchOne of the best things you can do for your flower and vegetable gardens, and for trees, is to apply mulch. Mulch is a material placed on the soil to protect it and conserve moisture, but it has many more benefits than that.
Where To Plant Spring BulbsMany spring blooming bulbs can be planted under deciduous trees and shrubs. They will bloom before the branches fill out with leaves, which will give you a pretty view earlier.
Plan Ahead!When planting, be sure to take the mature size of the plant into consideration and leave enough space for it to grow.
Invasive Plants - Why Are They Here and How Can I HelpDid you know most plants that are considered invasive are the result of human activities? Fortunately there are ways we can protect our native plants.
Mulch, Mulch, Mulch!Mulch is a wonderful thing! It keeps plant roots cool, conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, keeps dirt from splashing on your plants when it rains and it looks nice. In areas that receive frost in winter it helps maintain soil temperature, thus preventing frost from heaving plants out of the soil.
Heuchera: Jewels in the gardenHeuchera (pronounced Hew-ker-ah), also commonly called Coral Bells or alum root, are known and planted mostly for their bright, colorful leaves that bring jewel tones to the garden.
How To Make Your Own Succulent WreathThe directions for making a succulent wreath are very simple. The same method can be used for any topiary form using sedum or sempervivum. The directions below are for using semps and a wreath frame.
Hypertufa, the Look of Carved StoneDo you like the looks of carved stone planters? Then hypertufa is for you. Here is my recipe and instructions on how to make your own unique trough, bowl, or box.
