Well, all of us here at Gardening Know How are grateful for your efforts and would like to help! Every year, Gardening Know How awards a $1,000 grant to 20 different, hand-picked garden projects across the United States and Canada. Click any of the images below to learn more about some of our recent recipients. Meet More Former Grant Recipients Since 2016, community gardening grants have been awarded to garden programs in more than 30 U....
On hotter days, temperatures can be 30°F (1°C) higher in your greenhouse than they are elsewhere in the garden. So how can you regulate conditions during summer to keep your plants healthy and happy? Depending on the size of the greenhouse and your budget, there are several options available, including ventilation, shading materials and evaporative cooling. We round up the five most common ways to cool a greenhouse during the hottest days of summer....
When you think of how many factors go into the making of a human life (health, love, money, interests, etc.) it seems a tall order for one person to accurately see another’s future life path. Now if we were to take it down to a single factor – say gardening, because that is indeed the subject of conversation here – what is the future of gardening? The Future of Gardening I like to ponder this question simply because I’m not sure what I’m having for lunch yet, but to really get down to the nuts and bolts of the question it would be helpful to know how far in the future we’re talking?...
Much like other open-pollinated types of flowers, the chore of collecting hollyhock seed is an easy way to multiply planting stock. Learning more about this process will be key in making certain that gardeners are able to grow their favorite varieties for many years to come. What do hollyhock seeds look like though? How to Save Hollyhock Seeds Understanding the growth cycle of hollyhock plants can be quite helpful for those who hope to learn about harvesting hollyhock seeds....
Does Gardening Reduce Carbon Footprint? Everyone knows that carbon dioxide is the principal greenhouse gas responsible for climate warming, but most of us have no idea what we can do to help. Carbon gardening is one way the average human living on the planet can help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide gas (CO2) released into the atmosphere. The idea is to increase the number of carbon trapping plants to absorb more CO2 from the atmosphere and convert it to organic matter that will be stored in the soil....
How to Style Indoor Plants for Modern Homes A wide range of plant species are available to home gardeners. Selecting those that grow best depends greatly upon your room’s growing conditions. This includes cultural considerations like light, temperature, moisture, and humidity levels. Home style may also come into play when you’re creating a cohesive design in harmony with structural or architectural elements of the home. In this article, specifically, we will explore indoor plants for mid-century modern homes in greater detail....
Want More Flower Power? Dig Deeper Into Ornamentals How to Plant Bulbs the Right Way You’ve got your bulbs in hand… So what now? Here are some of tried-and-tested tips for planting your bulbs right to ensure they keep blooming season after season. PLANTING BULBS LASAGNA STYLE Who’s hungry? No, this technique doesn’t have anything to do with pasta, but it is a great way to get waves of spring flowers one after the other....
What Is the South American Palm Weevil? South American palm weevils are small insects, some 1.5 to 2 inches (4 to 5 cm) long as adults. They have a hard black shell with a small, round head and a long, curved mouthpiece. These weevils carry the scientific name of Rhynchophorus palmarum, and present an important threat to the palm industries in California and Texas. The adult uses its mouthpiece to eat parts of the palm host, but the primary threats to the palm come from the larvae....
Basics of Stumpery Design A stumpery has no rules. The idea is to utilize leftover stumps from trees that fell down or ones you’ve removed. An overturned stump with all its exposed roots is particularly attractive, but any stump will do. You can also use fallen logs, even those that have decayed or hollowed out. Traditionally, a stumpery is in a shady woodland area. A stump garden presents a creative solution to a difficult, shady corner of a garden or yard....
Whether you are looking for novel ways to heighten your pest controls or just a novel way of acquiring fresh eggs, these are some of the most interesting animals you can add to your garden or yard. For anyone keen to enhance their wildlife garden potential, ducks are ideal. Find out why these fascinating birds can add to your gardening exploits. Are Ducks Good for Gardens? Ducks in the garden can be a good investment, but be aware of what it takes to keep them safe and healthy....
Though many great gardens are the direct result of careful planning and planting, there are plenty of simple things you can do to boost the allure of your go-to spaces. Here are some of my favorite tips for adding fun, color and a bit of whimsy into the home garden. Just follow these 10 steps for quick and easy backyard bliss. 1. Add Pretty Edible Florals and Climbers When it comes to easy backyard landscaping ideas, no space would be complete without the addition of edible plants and flowers....
Steven spent 20 years working with kids placed in non-public programs due to acute emotional problems. With a deeply empathetic heart for those less fortunate, he is dedicated to his work with children facing great adversity. Prior to his current sensory garden project, Steven managed a 15-bed vegetable garden at a local Headstart kindergarten. It was flourishing and even provided some food donations to homeless folks but, sadly, was abandoned when COVID forced the school district to close it....
Together, We’re Building Paradise Created to assist newly arrived families to the United States, thousands of refugees have been welcomed to western Washington by the World Relief Western Washington (WRWW) organization.They provide vital services and community connection during those first crucial months when immigrant families arrive in the Pacific Northwest region. Assisting newcomers to the U.S. with basic needs, such as housing and enrolling children in school, WRWW helps smooth the way as these families “begin a path to belonging....
title: “5 Butterfly Garden Planting Recipes For Pots And Borders” ShowToc: true date: “2024-09-03” author: “Kelly Jensen” Attracting butterflies to the garden is an important way gardeners can support these dainty insects. Many butterflies and moths are experiencing population pressures as open fields and their preferred – and for some, required – food and butterfly host plants are disappearing. This makes home gardens and public plantings critical for their survival....
Storing seeds correctly will extend the life of many varieties, even beyond the expiry date. But not all seeds can be preserved until the following year. Many gardeners do not want to risk planting old seeds that may never germinate. What can I do with leftover seeds? Leftover seed can be shared with others in the local community. Planning a seed swap is a great way to do this, or you could donate it to a local seed library....
Growing and making your own tea can be rewarding. It allows you to control the flavors and ensure the plant material going into the infusions is organic. Some options for herbal tea are obvious and easy to grow, like mint or chamomile. You can also get some more unusual tea flavors by trying other plants. Once you’ve grown these plants, making tea is as simple as steeping the leaves or flowers in boiling water....
I cannot laud my backyard garden enough when it comes to keeping me healthy. Very few outdoor activities offer a fraction of gardening health benefits. Growing a Healthy Body Yes, gardening is exercise. This will come as no surprise to active gardeners, since it’s impossible to shovel and hoe without breaking a sweat. Raking and grass cutting are moderate exercise, but breaking up the soil is likely vigorous exercise. This helps keep down weight as well as getting solid sleep every night....
One obvious material choice is metal, and it’s gaining a lot of popularity, particularly with our staff here. What are the pros and cons of metal raised beds? For instance, are galvanized raised beds a better option than other types of metal? How about using old metal that may leach into the soil? Here’s everything I’ve unearthed about the various types of metal planter boxes or beds and their pros and cons....
When to Repot Plants If your container plant’s alive, it will eventually outgrow its pot. This may take months or years, depending on how fast the houseplant is growing, but the time will come. The first step to repotting is to figure out when it is time. What to look for? Notice if the soil gets dry quicker than it used to. As the plant’s roots expand beneath the soil surface, they fill up the pot, limiting the amount of dirt the container can hold....
Landscaping and Home Energy Use Knowing how to make your house more energy efficient is useful for saving on energy bills but also reducing your footprint on the environment. The location of plants around a house can change the hyperlocal climate, holding in heat, blocking sunlight, and protecting against wind, for instance. As just one example, blocking cold wind can save a homeowner as much as 25% on heating costs....
