Stump gardens are informal and look natural, but are refreshingly different since they use tree stumps as their basic structural feature. If this piques your curiosity, you aren’t alone. Read on for information on making a stumpery. What is a Woodland Stumpery Garden? You’ve heard of a rock garden, and may even have one in your backyard. It’s a garden built around rocks and boulders, with the plants and flowers interspersed with them in a creative and appealing manner....

Native plants are self-sufficient and resilient, and the range of great native evergreens is more varied than you think. Whether you are looking for the best evergreens for hedges or specimens for quiet corners, these plants are some of the best native evergreen shrubs to consider. Choosing the Best Native Evergreen Shrubs Native evergreen shrubs are wonderful for offering hedge protection shade, and make excellent specimen plants, offering green foliage in all seasons....

What nutrients are in soil that plants require? There are more than a few. Read on to learn all about the optimal nutrient soil. Soil and Soil Nutrients for Plants Plants rely on the soil they grow in for many of their needs. Everyone knows that soil gives a plant stability as the roots extend downward, but that’s not all. Soil also protects plants from dramatic changes in temperature, which becomes very important during the hottest and coolest times of the year....

Plants to Overwinter You can overwinter any tender plant that will not survive your region’s winter. This doesn’t always mean forcing dormancy. Some tropical plants can simply become houseplants in winter. Dormant plants in winter require less care and maintenance. There are two main types of plants to overwinter this way: those with bulbs and similar root structures and those without. Some examples of plants in the former category to overwinter include:...

A cozy is often associated with teapots, but these plant cozy projects serve to brighten up and decorate plant containers, and they allow you to color coordinate with your home decor. You can differentiate your container covers according to the room’s decor or color scheme, by plants’ watering needs or plant types, or whatever else strikes your fancy. What Are Plant Cozies? A crocheted planter takes the 1960s macrame idea to a whole new level....

It’s ideal for gardeners who are short on space–and cash–but want to get a head start on their garden. All it takes is a few easy steps to turn a plastic tote into a mini greenhouse that fits even the smallest garden space and budget. How a Plastic Tote Greenhouse Works A plastic tote greenhouse is essentially a cold frame. You can use it to start seeds early or protect tender seedlings....

Purple Lettuce Varieties Lettuce is an accessible green. It’s easy to grow and easy to eat. While lettuce doesn’t pack as much nutritional value as some of the sturdier greens, the purple and red varieties offer additional antioxidants. Red Sails - This is a classic variety of lettuce that is easy to find. It has frilly leaves in a deep reddish purple color. It doesn’t bolt as easily as some varieties, and even tastes good after bolting....

Gardening is a physical activity that requires flexibility and strength. When the gardening season amps up in spring, many gardeners complain about aches and pains, especially in the back area. The first step to avoid this is to warm up before going outdoors. Doing stretches and using ointments where applicable helps. Using the right tools for the job and switching up the methods you use for chores can also save your back and ease the effort required....

City Services In my city, a day during your garbage cycle is set aside for Christmas tree pick up. What do they do with Christmas trees? They chip and compost them for use in municipal parks. While city pickup is fabulous, not everyone has this option. So then what do you do with a past due Christmas tree? Well, you can mulch it or chip it yourself for use in your landscape....

Is Peat Moss Good for Vegetable Gardens? Peat moss is used for a variety of reasons in vegetable gardens. For one thing, peat moss helps improve soil structure. It helps lighten compacted soil, improves drainage and fertility and improves soil texture and tilth. Peat moss helps retain moisture so it is often included in potting mixes but it can also improve moisture retention in garden soils. Some plants like acidic soil, others prefer alkaline and still others thrive in neutral soil pH....

Several kalanchoe plant types have lovely unique foliage that is just as appealing and worthy of interest. There are over 100 species of kalanchoe native to Madagascar alone, which means there is a variety for every taste. So if you fancy growing kalanchoes, you might be a little overwhelmed by the choice. Read on to discover some of the most intriguing and easy-to-grow kalanchoes. 8 Easygoing Kalanchoe Varieties to Try The most common kalanchoe plant varieties are cultivars of K....

The good news is that aloe is a forgiving, low-maintenance plant, so there is likely an easy fix. Aloes are wonderful houseplants in cooler climes, while growing alow outdoors is ideal in warm regions. There are dozens of different aloe plant types available – from tiny ground huggers, to tree aloe. The commonly grown varieties found as houseplants have thick, ridged, spear-shaped, erect foliage. But a few varieties have curved leaves....

Elk Fence Height The most foolproof way to prevent plant damage from elk is to build a fence tall enough to keep them out. How tall should an elk fence be? Elk fence height should be at least 8 feet (2 m) or even taller to keep elk out of your yard. If you are in an area of high snowfall, keep in mind that elk and deer can use packed down snow as an incline to help them hop over a fence....

These crafty ideas are easy to recreate, and are the ideal complement to natural Christmas decorations. Gather materials from the garden, or forage for foliage, berries, and pinecones on festive winter walks. Even a simple sprig of greenery tucked into a ribbon makes a big impact. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on patterned gift wrap – simple brown paper is the perfect foil for nature’s rich tones....

How Easy is No Dig Gardening? What is no-till gardening? No-till means no-dig. No-dig means … well, it means you don’t need to dig. Think of how Mother Nature renews plant life in the wild. Nobody gets out there with a shovel or plow. This same method can work in your garden beds, in ground and raised beds. No-till vegetable gardening means you can grow veggies without digging up that soil!...

Embracing Greenscaping For the Planet and Yourself You may be wondering, “What are the environmental benefits of green landscaping?” The list is long, but in a nutshell: Cleaner waterLess pollutionPreservation of native speciesImproved pollinationLess waste in landfills As a home gardener, you can benefit the environment by adopting greenscaping practices. And remember, it’s not an all or nothing commitment. Every measure you take to protect the environment is a step in the right direction....

You can feel good about having a native flower haul to harvest because you’re helping support a diversity of pollinators in your own backyard. And since native plants are resilient, you’ll likely spend way less time watering and worrying about your native cut flower garden. When growing a cut flower garden your best results will come by following a few of nature’s unwritten rules: stick with plants that are suited for your USDA hardiness zone; ensure your plants are appropriate for your existing light, soil, and moisture conditions; and choose cutting garden plants that have overlapping blooming periods so you’ll have multiple flowers blooming concurrently for the most fantastic home bouquets....

If you want, you can just look out of your living room window and indulge in some winter bird watching, but there are both mental and physical benefits involved in getting outdoors. If you can walk or hike, you can take advantage of the opportunity to get some exercise. When we view wildlife in their natural setting, we allow ourselves a peek into their lives, which can help us to relax....

Quick Puntarelle Chicory Facts: Botanical name: Cichorium intybusHeight: 8-12 inches (20-30cm)Spread: 5-7 inches (12-18cm)Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shadeSoil requirements: Fertile, moist but well-drainingHardiness zones: USDA 3-11When to plant: Spring What is Puntarelle Chicory? Puntarelle has been selectively bred from wild chicory, and is related to endive and escarole as well as radicchio. Puntarelle chicory has serrated leaves, similar in appearance to dandelion foliage, that grow out from the base of the plant....