If you are wondering when and how to repot bonsai, read on. We’ll give you all the information you need to accomplish the potting chore quickly and safely. When to Repot a Bonsai? Bonsai, like other potted plants, need to be repotted when they become root bound. This means when the roots grow too large for the container and start to impact drainage. One way to figure this out is to keep a close eye on how quickly water drains through the pot....
Old Sheets as Row Covers I always felt bad about donating sheets to a thrift shop. I can’t imagine someone wants my ratty old sheets that my cat tore a hole in. I also don’t like the idea of throwing them away, but I found a second life for some of them. As temperatures dip in Michigan in the fall we can still have sunny, pleasant days. It’s the nights that really put plants at risk....
Invasive Trees in the Ohio Valley Invasive species of trees don’t provide the same food and shelter as native species. For instance, wild Bradford pear trees (Pyrus calleryana) don’t host caterpillars, which many species of birds use to feed their young. When these trees overtake an area, bird populations can decline. This loss of biodiversity continues as it affects other species up the food chain. Here are three more trees listed as invasive species in West Virginia and other Ohio Valley states:...
Whether you have a problem slope site or just want to border raised beds, retaining walls are key to holding soil in place. Structural integrity of the wall requires an engineering mindset. A simple wall used for visual enjoyment is not as hard to build as one that will be supporting a graded slope. Building a retaining wall on a slope requires consideration of length of slope, soil type, height of the wall needed, anchors, and even drainage....
I remember my first foray into gardening. I had grand plans combined with little to no concrete knowledge and as a result, made my share of gardening blunders. Whether you’re new or not so new (we can all learn, right?) keep reading our top five gardening mistakes to avoid. Common Beginner Gardening Mistakes There are certainly more than five mistakes gardeners make, but for the sake of brevity, here are my five top mistakes made by novice gardeners; even on occasion by some of us who think we know a thing or two about gardening....
How to use less water in the garden? Reducing the water you use doesn’t have to be to the detriment of the plants, either. The key to saving water in the garden is using water smarter. Here are 6 easy but effective ideas to start saving water in your own backyard. 1. Select drought-tolerant plants If your plants naturally require less water to thrive, you can meet their needs without exceeding your water limit....
There are many plants for fall gardens that provide seasonal color in the form of foliage hues, flowers, fruits, or outstanding contours. When used as privacy plants, they can create an outdoor oasis filled with sensory delights. Planting perennials in fall is an ideal time due to the season’s cooler temperatures and wetter conditions. The soil is still workable and plants will have time to establish their roots before winter’s cold embrace....
While some of these trees are commonly known to be invasive, others that are equally bad for the environment pass unnoticed. Let’s take a look at some of the worst culprits you should never grow. Invasive Trees You Should Never Plant Are you ready to get the low down on invasive species in order to take better care of the planet? Here are 7 trees to put on your list to never plant in your yard....
The “velvety gentle” shade has been selected for its cozy, nurturing properties, and will help to set the palette in the design world over the coming year. However, while in fashion and interiors this soft orangey pink could be considered playful and retro, in gardens peach is truly a timeless shade that never gets old. Traditional and trendsetting gardeners alike will find something to love about ‘Peach Fuzz’. When gardening with color, use the color wheel to help choose complementary and contrasting tones....
They also provide beauty – often with flowers but always with greenery. Ground covers soften the landscape and help tie together different parts of the garden. There are many native plants from which to choose, including woodland and prairie groundcovers. If you wish to buy an imported species, be aware of invasive plants. For example, English ivy is known for its nasty ability to spread where it isn’t wanted and can be difficult to get rid of....
The succulent group of plants, including cacti, covers thousands of species. Headlining these are specific genera. Most succulents bloom in the wild; however, houseplants often do not produce flowers because it is hard to mimic their natural growing conditions in the home. Yet when flowering succulents do produce blooms, they are show-stopping. While many succulent flowers do not smell much, some have a fantastic olfactory appeal, with bold flowers to match....
Mulches provide protection to exposed soil surfaces. There are both inorganic and organic mulches, with each performing different additional functions. One of the most common mulches is bark mulch, an organic material that will break down slowly and enrich soil. But it has the potential to harbor pests and disease. Fortunately, there are other alternatives to mulching with bark. Why Mulch? The benefits of mulching are many. Mulch covers exposed soil surfaces, preventing erosion and loss of topsoil....
Some Vegetables Overwinter I’m an avid vegetable gardener and can’t wait until the first veggies are available in my garden. There are some that overwinter and keep producing, and some that can be harvested in winter. I’ve had carrots and leeks when the soil was soft enough to harvest them. We had cabbage and Brussels sprouts fresh from the garden even in January. But as I’m cleaning up the garden I’m excited to see some annual plants reappearing....
An important part of a sensory garden, sound combines with sight, touch, smell, and taste to stimulate the senses. Soundscaping your garden can add joyful sounds that help create a relaxing garden sanctuary. Create Nature Soundscapes and Soothing Sounds in The Garden To increase the volume of sensory garden sound, start by determining the placement of plants that will make a rustling noise. Plant them near a seating area or along a well-used path....
Try These Creepy Carnivorous Houseplants Indoor carnivorous plants may seem like odd choices in a peaceful household, but they can be beneficial. They can add a touch of sci-fi plant fascination and ghoulish glee to your growing adventures – making fascinating science experiments for younger growers, and helpful bug controls for the rest of us. Because they garner some or all of their nutrients from ingesting insects, they are helpful with fruit fly or fungus gnat infestations....
DIY raised garden beds serve numerous purposes. They can enhance drainage, warm soil, provide a certain aesthetic, improve the soil in a location, ease access for the gardener, and create a more efficient growing space. Building raised garden beds cheaply is a great way to satisfy these conditions without breaking the bank. Planning a Raised Bed Prior to constructing it, consider the size of the bed. This includes calculating the mature size of plants that will reside in the bed or, in the case of vegetable beds, the number of plants you hope to grow at a time....
Whether you’re hoping to learn how to propagate your pothos or grow a gargantuan gourd, looking for tried and tested secrets to the perfect the tomatoes or the best approach to keeping unwanted weeds from ruining your spring lawn, sign up today and get the weekly Gardening Know How newsletter delivered right to your inbox. Once you sign up for the weekly Gardening Know How newsletter you’ll begin receiving our expert information, tips, tricks, lessons-learned, and so much more....
What Is Maximalism? Maximalism is a design style and trend more often associated with interior design than landscape design. It’s not a new style, but it has experienced a resurgence in recent years. Although it sometimes gets a bad rap, maximalism isn’t about clutter and having more stuff just for the sake of it. It’s really about displaying items that matter to you, that have meaning or that you find beautiful, or both....
There are so many DIY winter wreath ideas that you can make – but all too often these beautiful designs have dried out by the time Christmas arrives. However, according to internationally renowned floral designer and Interflora consultant Karen Barnes, with the right care, a fresh wreath can sparkle throughout the holiday season. With over 35 years’ industry experience, Karen has worked around the globe, so she knows a thing or two about keeping greenery looking fresh....
1. Start a Compost Pile One of the first steps in how to make an eco-friendly garden is by making your own compost. It doesn’t have to be fancy but it does have to follow some rules. Whether you are ridding yourself of yard waste or trying to turn kitchen scraps into black gold, composting is an efficient and cost-effective method that will yield rich material to return to the soil....
