Benefits of a Raised Garden Bed With Trellis The benefits of raised beds are numerous. They’re more accessible, they warm soil earlier resulting in earlier harvests, they prevent soil compaction, have better drainage, fewer weeds, and provide more growing space per square foot than an average veggie garden, especially if you use a trellis. Looking for a trellis in a much smaller space? Try this self-watering tomato pot with a built-in trellis to keep your plants stable and portable....

Is Cedar Good for Raised Beds? There are many materials that can be used to create a raised bed, and these can often be reclaimed or repurposed raised garden beds , but a cedar raised bed raises the aesthetic bar a bit over pallets, cinder blocks or straw bales. Not only is cedar an aesthetically pleasing choice for a raised bed, but it contains natural oils and tannins that make it naturally rot-resistant....

We’ve all seen them – those gorgeous hanging baskets filled with annual bloomers decorating the town plaza or even our own patios or decks. But these beauties can become useful as well as ornamental with the addition of edible plants for hanging baskets. Edible hanging baskets can contain a mix of edible fruits and veggies as well as annuals. Edible Hanging Basket Considerations Edible hanging baskets are also an excellent vertical growing idea for those with limited space....

Types of Bushes for Northeast Gardeners If you are looking for low maintenance plantings look no further than shrubs native to New England and the northeasta. Native plants have many advantages, not the least of which is that over time they have become adapted to the climate they grow in. This means they are often low maintenance having acclimated to drought or consistently wet soil or high summer or frigid winter temperatures....

Common Shrub Diseases And Pests No matter how diligent you are, there are times when pests and diseases will show up on your shrubs. Forewarned is forearmed, so it helps to learn about common problems and their solutions. Pests and diseases can be host-specific, meaning they only bother a certain plant species. Some shrub pests aren’t too discerning about the plants they visit. Aphids, scale, spider mites, and Japanese beetles fall into that category....

How do insects benefit humans? Without many of our common bugs, we wouldn’t have food, the world would be covered in garbage, and many everyday products like wax and silk wouldn’t exist. One of the newer benefits of insects may come from its potential as a food supply. Some theorize that bugs could save the human race. What Is the “Bugging Out” Trend? Bugging out is a new concept that sees us using insects in design and providing habitat for beneficial bugs....

One type, commonly called ‘Endless Summer,’ will grow best with careful pruning. Below we will attempt to answer one of the most frequently asked questions about this plant – when to prune ‘Endless Summer’ hydrangea, and how to prune ‘Endless Summer’ hydrangea. What Are Endless Summer Hydrangeas? Many macrophylla types of hydrangeas are often referred to as ‘Endless Summer.’ Though technically, ‘Endless Summer’ refers to a very common, trademarked brand name of plant that is frequently available at home and garden centers....

Almanacs contained a wealth of information, including weather guides and tips for farmers. What advice do Poor Richard’s Almanack quotes give us about gardening? Benjamin Franklin Facts Many of us think of Benjamin Franklin as a statesman who helped steer the United States of America in its early years. But before that, he was a printer, owner and operator of the Benjamin Franklin Print Shop. His greatest business success came from Poor Richard’s Almanack, written under the pseudonym of Richard Saunders....

The red carnation is associated with McKinley because he was known for wearing one in his lapel. The tradition began in 1876 when he ran for Congress. His opponent, Dr. Levi Lamborn, was a plant enthusiast and developed a red cultivar of carnations. Before a debate, he gave one to McKinley for his lapel. McKinley ultimately won the election and considered the flower to be a lucky charm. He went on to wear one throughout his political career....

If you haven’t tried drying hydrangeas in water, give it a try. It’s easy and doesn’t cost a thing. All you need is a vase of water and pruning shears or scissors to cut the blooms. Follow the instructions below to learn how to dry hydrangea flowers at home. How to Dry Hydrangeas in Water Believe it or not, hydrangeas will dry naturally in a vase of water. Unlike other flowers that degrade in water, hydrangeas hold their shape and color well when allowed to dry in water....

While gardeners successfully grow these tender plants indoors, those living in frost-free garden zones may even be able to grow the species outside, in containers or flower beds. When in bloom, reed orchids produce a profusion of vibrant red-orange flowers atop tall stems. Because the plants flower quite readily, they’re a good choice for novice orchid enthusiasts, as well as anyone hoping to add a bright burst of color to the home landscape....

Tree Seedlings in Yard If there are maple trees (Acer spp.) in the vicinity of your lawn, it is almost certain that you will see dozens or maybe even hundreds of young seedlings in the spring. Some years maple seedlings are especially abundant when there is heavy seed production in the fall. But maples are not alone in this. White mulberry (Morus alba) is a weedy species, and homeowners may see hundreds of young mulberry seedlings in clear lawn areas....

While not technically a newly discovered plant, Geogenanthus has just recently joined the popular kids in class. It was given its botanical name in 1931 and described as a ground cover in United States Department of Agriculture lists from the 1960s. The unusual foliage is what makes this plant stand out. Appearing almost unreal, the leaves are lush and leathery, with a near onyx hue – making geo a great companion for other foliage plants in the home....

This process can be done with seeds, but when it comes to houseplants, vegetative cuttings are much more common. So, let’s learn how to save yourself time, energy, and money by discovering the best ways to propagate your favorite houseplants. Below you’ll find some of the most common houseplants that plant-parents are propagating. Click any of the images to learn more. Those are just some of the most common houseplants that our users are propagating....

Garden design is fun, but requires a bit of planning. Planting something like a hedge will see the gardener considering and rejecting a variety of plants. Selecting plants that differ will give movement, color, and dimension, avoiding a boring visual aspect. A staggered mixed evergreen privacy screen, for instance, will combine bold hues of green, gold, blue, and other cool tones. Mixed hedge design is an exciting way to compliment the rest of the landscape while enlivening the traditional plant border....

So which of these early spring veggies is my favorite? It can be tough to single out one, but for me the winner is English peas. I love to eat them fresh from the garden. And since they are first crop I plant in the veggie patch each spring, English peas signify the start of my vegetable gardening season. When Do You Plant English Peas? If I could have asked my grandfather, he would have told me exactly when to plant English peas....

If your site and climate allow it, consider planting an oak tree. Many experts suggest that it is the best tree to plant to bolster the ecosystem, in addition to being tough, long-lived, and beautiful. Why are oaks important? Read on for more information. Why Are Oak Trees Important? Most are familiar with the old saying that from tiny acorns, mighty oaks will grow. But oak trees are more than large and majestic....

One common option for dealing with detritus from the garden involves burning yard waste. However, a brush pile comes with environmental downsides as well, so before you burn brush, consider both sides of the question. Burning Yard Waste It’s hard enough to rake up all those fallen leaves in autumn, so thinking up a method of disposing of them is often not given the time the question deserves. Many gardeners saw their parents making and burning brush piles, and a fire certainly seems the fastest and easiest way to go....

Here, the experts Gardening Know How, along with some industry insiders, share the best frugal gardening ideas – which could save you hundreds of dollars. 1. Buy seeds, not seedlings I’m often asked “Should I use a seedling or seeds?” My response is always “Seeds are the way to go!” If your seedling doesn’t grow as planned…go back to the store to buy another. If your seeds don’t grow as planned…you have anywhere from 10 to 300 more chances left in your seed packet....

We know how dirt feels between our fingers, how thrilling it can be to see your first seedling or blossom of the year appear, and how good it tastes biting into that fresh fruit just picked from your very own garden. And because we’re gardeners too, our goal is simple: we want to make sure you get to experience these moments as well! More than anything, gardening is fun, and we want to help you garden happier!...