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Tending to plants at a group level lets us all collectively experience the true joys of gardening. And that’s why the Gardening Know How Community Garden Grant Program exists. What Is The Community Garden Grant Program? Every year since 2018, Gardening Know How has awarded up to 20 school and community garden projects all across the U.S. and Canada with a $1,000 grant. While the program officially began in 2018, the first group of gardens were actually given grants back in 2016, when the founder of Gardening Know How rewarded 10 gardening programs in the U....

Understanding Plants If I’m being honest, I will say I have never considered my plant’s personalities. Now that the question has been raised, I can see I have some very “diva” type plants and some that are chill. Since each plant has its own specific needs and responses to various stimuli, they are very like people. Understanding plants starts with knowing what they need. Studying plants’ responses to the care they are given, and the site they are in, are crucial to knowing what the plant requires to flourish....

If you want to grow your own herbal tea garden, you need to know what flowers are used in tea. Some of the more common types of flower tea are chamomile and hibiscus, but there are many other blooms that can be used by themselves or combined with black, white, oolong, or green tea. About Floral Teas Floral teas are essentially tisanes, or infusions made from dried flowers steeped in hot water....

When Should You Repot a Plant? When determining how often to repot plants, it’s best to start with the species. Research the kinds of plants you have. Find out how quickly they grow and what experts recommend when it comes to repotting frequency. The fastest growing plants might need a new container every year. Slow growers can wait two, three, or even more years. In addition to looking at the specific species you have and their growth rates, look at these signs that a plant might need a new, bigger container:...

Shamrock vs Four Leaf Clover The word shamrock comes from the Gaelic “seamrog” which means little clover. In fact, Irish folklore claims the plant is so indigenous to the Emerald Isle that it cannot be grown elsewhere. But what really is a shamrock? Some believe it is a 4-leaf clover, the ultimate lucky find. Others think it is just another species of clover. In fact, neither are true, and the plant’s true nature may be revealed in the history books....

I first felt the urge to make my yard a welcoming spot for nature’s wild friends on 9/11/2011. I was making plans to build a formal garden with a stone wall around it in my home in France, and I completely tossed them out the window. Instead, I put in a frog pond, a pollinator garden, and a berry-plant hedge, leaving large swaths of terrain wild. And I have been rewarded ever since with wildlife in my area all season long....

Splitting pieces of bamboo, not an easy task, Dad built a low fence around the planters to protect them from kids who might not value them as much. We spent our childhood years at that house, picking apricots, dipping our toes in the pond, smelling iris, sitting in the sycamore tree and taking for granted the hard-earned beauty around us in those hot summers as we drifted into adolescence....

About ZZ Plants ZZ plants are popular for their unique upright, zigzagged foliage. Its Latin name Zamioculcas zamifolia is in reference to its visual similarity to cycads, Zamia spp. Its common name is an abbreviation of the Latin. Although ZZ plants look much like cycads, they are actually related to elephant ears, anthurium, and philodendron, which are aroids. Like these other aroids, ZZ plants use their rhizomes to store water which helps the specimen survive desert-like conditions in its native Eastern Africa....

Fortunately, there is a wide array of small pollinator plants that grow well in raised beds, hanging baskets and containers. Learning more about these flower types can help you create a pollinator container garden that looks lovely, attracts bees and butterflies. These small space pollinator garden ideas can help you make the most of any space, however compact or limited in scope. Creating A Potted Pollinator Garden Creating a potted or balcony pollinator garden is a great way to add color and appeal to small spaces....

All houseplants have their own optimum growing conditions, so if your home’s indoor microclimate doesn’t naturally provide these, then you will constantly be working to recreate their native environment. However, while many plants can adapt to new surroundings, challenging houseplants are fussier when it comes to temperature, light, location, and humidity. If you are a beginner plant parent – or simply don’t want the hassle of a high-maintenance houseplant – then it’s best to steer clear of a demanding variety....

Start by finding a good spot for planting spring bulbs. The soil should drain well, as bulbs will rot in standing water. Most flowers that grow from bulbs need full sun, so keep that in mind as well – although there are some flowering bulbs for partial shade. Spring bulbs provide early color and are great for positioning in-between the best perennials to plant in fall, which will emerge and bloom later....

Try These 8 Most Romantic Rose Varieties When it comes to romantic roses, most of us envision true red types. Though these cultivars were traditionally gifted to express immense admiration or passion, many other colors and hues have gained popularity. Gardeners’ preference for overall shape and form has also seen changes, welcoming a wider variety of species into the garden. Here, we’ll explore some of the most sought-after plants for the creation of attractive, romantic beds of roses....

What Are Mason Bees? There are over 100 species of mason bee in the genus Osmia, including orchard mason bees known for pollinating in orchards. Unlike our friend the honeybee, the mason bee is solitary and does not make honey. It also differs in appearance. Many mason bee species are black and can be mistaken for flies. You can tell them apart by the wings. Flies have just one pair, while bees have two....

Do Plants Have Brains? A primary reason that many doubt the existence of sentience in plants is the lack of a brain. Plants do not have brains. The brain is a complex organ made up of various types of tissues, including nerves that conduct electrical impulses. The brain in an animal is responsible for controlling basic functions like body temperature, breathing, hunger, and automatic muscle contractions. It also controls more complicated functions like memory, thought, behaviors, and emotions....

Exposed areas of soil on slopes are prey to the effects of wind, water, and gravity. It’s important to protect such areas with plant material that will hold soil in place. Native plants for erosion control in shade have the advantage of already being adapted to the region. This makes them easy to grow and requiring minimal care. Decorating a hillside with plants will have the additional benefit of making the space more attractive....

Are Chickens Good for Pest Control? Keeping chickens often necessitates supplementing their diet with a store-bought or DIY chicken feed for optimal nutrition. But the organic garden is rife with other great foodstuffs for chickens. Chickens are omnivores, meaning they will eat almost anything edible. Foraging in the garden, they will find grasses and other vegetation, seeds, nuts, fruits, vegetables, mice, and other items. They also need a source of protein, and insects and grubs are their preferred choices....

The plants, often given as gifts, are usually grown for a single blooming season before being discarded. However, if you can provide the right growing conditions, your gerbera daisy may survive for two or three years. Although the plants can be kept as houseplants year round, you can opt to overwinter gerbera daisies indoors and allow them to spend the warmer months in containers outside. This gives the best of both worlds....

Best Edible Flowers for Cocktails Growing edible flowers for cocktails starts with seed. Most flowers for cocktail garnish are annuals and easy to grow. Some will even self seed, meaning they will come back the following year. If you need to source your edible blooms, make sure they are safe for consumption. Many of our common liqueurs are made using the addition of flowers, such as Pimms which contains borage. There are both decorative and herb derived flowers for cocktails, with each adding its own flavor to the concoction....

So, for those of you who live in regions where cold winters aren’t conducive to gardening, you have options! Let’s explore some of the ways you can still garden through the fall and winter. Click on any of the images below to dig deeper: Know Your Zone In addition to knowing how you’re going to extend your growing season, it’s also important to know your zone. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map can help you determine the likelihood that certain plants will thrive in your garden....

As you investigate recipes for the perfect potting mix, consider the importance of leaving out peat. Peat moss is often used in potting blends but unfortunately it must be harvested from wetlands. The process damages a delicate ecosystem and releases carbon dioxide. Luckily, if you want to make soilless growing mediums, there are plenty of good alternatives. Here we show you how to make your own potting mix. Finding Good Alternatives to Peat-Based Mixes Peat in potting mix is a common ingredient because it helps the blend retain water while simultaneously allowing it to drain well....