Posts

Seeds are cheaper than seedlings, and much more versatile. They also last longer, and can be planted on your schedule. (There’s nothing more nerve wracking, after all, then buying a bunch of plants and trying to find the time to get them all in the ground). Growing from seed is also a fantastic way to get your hat in the gardening ring earlier in the season. Even if you live in a climate with shorter summers, indoor seed starting can get you planning — and planting — your garden while there’s still snow on the ground....

Selecting perennials requires some thought and consideration. This includes accounting for several unique characteristics of each species, such as their growth habit, toxicity, continued care, and more. Though far from an exhaustive list, this article explores several perennial flowers to avoid as well as those that may need to be planted with caution. Which Perennials Do I Need to Think Twice About? When planning a garden, there are a variety of factors to consider....

Choosing Stunning Flowering Native Shade Plants In shaded areas, it’s often difficult to establish healthy plant populations unless they are native to the area. Native shade perennials have acclimated to local conditions over thousands of years, so are more likely to survive those conditions. In fact if biodiversity is your goal, you should incorporate at least 80% native plantings to the area. Try these knockout flowering natives for a stunningly sustainable plot....

Gardening is a powerful outlet for creativity, enabling you to surround yourself with beauty; it can be productive and provide homegrown food for your family; it keeps you in touch with the natural world around you; and it is also an invaluable form of exercise. In short, gardening is beneficial to both body and soul. Knowing how to get started with gardening can seem overwhelming, but it needn’t be. Every plant starts with a tiny seed, and so can your garden....

Orchids growing in the wild is a rare sight for many in North America and parts of Europe, but although not typically spotted, many species are native to these locations. Spotting an orchid in the wild may require the seeker to look up, since most orchids grow on trees. But you can also spot them in other locations depending upon the variety and species. How Do Orchids Grow in the Wild?...

Coining a Word for the Smell of Rain In 1964, Australian scientists coined a term for the smell of rain. They called it petrichor, petri from Greek for stone and ichor for the ethereal fluid which flowed through the veins of the ancient Greek gods. This smell is often described as a woodsy or earthy aroma and most people find it quite pleasant. Research conducted by the University of Arizona in the Sonoran Desert suggests this pleasant aroma may actually have health benefits for humans....

About Waffle Gardens The Zuni are an American Pueblo people native to the Zuni River valley in western New Mexico, who have cultivated the land for around 4,000 years. This area is notoriously dry with little annual rain. After generations of keen observation, the Zuni people began to garden using a grid of squares surrounded by berms allowing any rainfall to be diverted directly to the plants. Zuni Irrigation Design Called Latdekwi, waffle gardens were used like a kitchen garden – only large enough for a single extended family to manage and utilize....

If you are wondering what to plant instead of spirea, it’s good to know that there are more than a few excellent native alternatives. The Japanese Spirea Problem Japanese spiraea tolerates a vast range of soil conditions. It can thrive in full sun or partial shade. It grows happily along streams and rivers, and naturalizes along forest edges, roadsides, and powerline right-of-ways. The problem is, Japanese spirea is simply too prolific....

During the 1800s, when the term “orchidelirium” was coined, orchid collecting was solely the province of the wealthy. Professional orchid hunters were employed to procure exotic varieties, which were carefully curated in extravagant glass greenhouses. Fast forward to today, and people still love collecting orchids for their stunning forms and colors. However, many growers struggle with orchid care and are disappointed when the plants don’t rebloom due to misinformation or lack of maintenance....

About Hedging Evergreens Despite the name, all evergreens lose some leaves each year. Compared to deciduous plants, though, they still keep enough foliage to provide year round screening. There are essentially two types of evergreen: broadleaved and narrow leaved. Narrow leaved evergreens such as pines and junipers have needle-like foliage which stays on the tree for a couple of years more, while broadleaved types lose older leaves during the winter or early spring....

title: “Diy Dead Hedge Turn Debris Into An Easy Eco Friendly Fence” ShowToc: true date: “2024-09-26” author: “Marilyn Osorio” Are you wondering how to build a dead landscape hedge? Read on for advice on dead hedge ideas. What Is a Dead Hedge? A dead hedge – aka a dead wood hedge – has many of the features of a living hedge. Like a living hedge, it can serve as a fence, a windbreak, or a boundary between areas of the landscape....

10 Best Fall Flowers for Pots and Containers Here are our top 10 fall flowers for porch decor, starting with a classic. 1. Garden Mums Of course the number one plant on the list today is the garden mum. They are the ultimate fall superstar! With colors ranging from fiery oranges to deep reds to purples and whites, you can easily find a mum to fit into your decor. Selecting Mums These potted chrysanthemums begin to appear on store shelves in late summer, enticing customers with their colorful blooms....

Flowering Quince Flowering quince (Chaenomeles speciosa) is a dense, rounded, deciduous shrub that can grow to a mighty wall, 10 feet by 10 feet (3 m). The plant, native to China and Tibet, has spiny twigs that tangle up easily, as well as five-petaled blossoms in scarlet, or occasionally pink or white. These are extremely showy since they light up the tree while its leaves are still bare of leaves in spring....

What Is Foodscaping? Take a peek at any landscaping or gardening publication, and you will likely find foodscaping ideas. The trend became even more popular after the pandemic, when certain food items were scarce or even unattainable. Foodscaping designs combine elements to bring to the table with those we might find in a forest, field, or even classically curated garden. The marriage of function and beauty provides a perfectly balanced landscape that will still fill the refrigerator....

Choosing the Best Flowering Vines for Hummingbirds Vine flowers that attract hummingbirds are numerous, but gardeners should look for those that are rich in nectar, the sugary substance on which the birds feed. Many of these vining species feature distinctive tubular flowers in vibrant shades of red, pink or orange. Researching each type independently can give you some valuable insight into the suitability of the plant. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best vines that attract hummingbirds, plus a few ways to maximize their flowering potential....

What is pH? The abbreviation pH stands for potential hydrogen. It is the measure of hydrogen ion concentration which tells whether a soil is acidic or basic/alkaline. PH is measured on a scale of 1-14, with a pH of 7.0 being neutral. Numbers below 7.0 are acidic and those above are alkaline. A red cabbage pH scale mimics this measurement exactly. Most veggies prefer a pH between 6.0-7.0 but there are plants like azaleas, blueberries and rhododendrons that thrive in acidic soils with a pH below 7....

Plus, there’s just something about a lush, vine-covered arch. It can bring a whole garden together! And it creates a lovely shady area to cool off on a hot, summer day. This simple cattle panel arch costs around $50 dollars to make and takes only a couple hours (or less) to build. Follow the step-by-step guide below to learn how. What You Will Need 1 cattle panel, 50 in (1....

How to Use Onions Sliced onions adorn fresh salads and burgers. Chopped ones add crunchy heat to salsas, potato salad, and dips. Chefs meticulously caramelize onions to add flavor to soups, stews, and meat dishes. Carnival venders even dip them in batter and serve them up with a side of ranch. What other veggie gets as much mileage in recipes as the onion? These bulbous members of the allium family are one of the cheapest veggies you can buy and one of the easiest to grow....

Do Your Homework A great source for learning more about gardening where you live is your local extension service. Every state has one or more land-grant colleges or universities that offer education and informal training for farmers and home gardeners. Your county has a local office you can contact, but the service’s website is also a good resource. Another resource is other gardeners. Talk to neighbors whose gardens you admire. Chances are, they’ll be happy to talk to you about gardening and provide tips....

Knowing when to repot orchids is key to helping these exotic beauties to thrive. Over time the potting medium breaks down and compacts, and the plants deplete the available nutrients. Repotting orchids will refresh the soil and give plants the boost they need for new growth. A vital aspect of orchid care, repotting can make all the difference in transforming the plant’s health and is often the first port of call if you want to revive a struggling orchid or encourage repeat blooms....