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Gardening Advice
November 29, 2022
It's that red berry time of year, and with bunches of fresh holly leaves or branches of winterberries going for $5 to $10 apiece, it only makes sense to try growing these winter beauties at home! Here's what to know about these easy-to-grow shrubs.
Growing Winterberry
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) is one of several native North American hollies. It grows 5 to 15 feet tall depending…
November 27, 2022
Many gardening myths die hard but none as hard as the idea that you can’t use pine needles as mulch because they are too acidic. This old wives’ tale has been debunked many times. Don’t be scared! If you have access to free pine needles, by all means rake them up and use them liberally on your garden. They not only make great mulch but are a good addition to the compost pile as well.
Pine…
November 14, 2022
Imagine that moment late in a dreary winter when we’re hungry for flowers. Suddenly, dainty blossoms pop their heads out of the snow, bringing a smile to our faces. See seven flowers which will be up and blooming long before other plants have begun to stir. These earliest of spring bulbs are small and easy to plant!
Snowdrops (Galanthus)
January’s birth flower, snowdrops are…
November 10, 2022
Need a fence to keep animals out of your garden? Build the fence to fit the animal—be it deer, rabbit, or gopher! We’ll explain what type of fence you need, how high it should be, and other tips to protect your vegetables from being eaten.
In the poem Mending Wall Robert Frost said, “Good fences make good neighbors,” but they also make good gardens.
Know Your Enemy
Frost…
November 9, 2022
Garden pots need a thorough scrubbing at the end of the growing season. It’s important to clean any pots that you are reusing in order to rid them of disease spores, salt deposits, and pest eggs. Take those extra few minutes to do it right! Here’s how to quickly clean and disinfect your pots.
Used pots will harbor lingering bug eggs and disease spores that you can’t always see. Salt…
November 7, 2022
“If I only had a greenhouse, I could grow….” We’ve all thought it! We plantaholics can never have too much space for plants. If you are planning a greenhouse project, here are ten things to consider when choosing the perfect greenhouse structure.
10 Tips for Choosing a Greenhouse
Purpose: What do you plan to do with your greenhouse? Use it as a season extender or…
October 30, 2022
When do you prune your hydrangea? It depends. If your hydrangea blooms on “old” wood, you can NOT cut back in the fall or you sacrificed next year’s flowers! See our handy chart on when to prune common types of hydrangea.
Chart: When to Prune Hydrangeas
Hydrangea Type
When to Prune
Where Flowers Appear
Mophead and Bigleaf (H. macrophylla)
After flowering (summer)
On old…
October 28, 2022
Winter can be a season of extremes, but there are a few things that you can do to prepare and protect your shrubs and trees, such as wrapping a shrub in burlap. Learn more.
How to Protect Shrubs and Trees in Winter
The weight of snow and ice can be crushing, breaking branches and even knocking some top heavy trees over. Trees with multiple leaders, clump formers, and upright…
October 25, 2022
If you grow tomatoes or other crops in the same garden bed year after year, you’re likely to notice an increase in pests and diseases. Break the cycle! Take a moment to learn about the basics of crop rotation. Your plants will thank you with a bigger, healthier harvest.
In the mad rush to get the garden planted in the spring, we forget all about something as important as crop…
October 24, 2022
The gardening adage of choosing the “right plant for the right place” is extremely important for shrubs. Wondering which shrubs are best for the front of a house? Hide foundation? Thrive in shady spots? Bring in more pollinators? Find the right shrub for the right purpose! Here are some of our ideas on choosing shrubs.
Most shrubs should be planted about six weeks before the ground freezes…
October 19, 2022
Even though the basil may enjoy an extra-long growing season when warm weather sticks around, I am not ready for the party to end. I plan to keep my basil pots alive indoors to extend their life as long as possible! Here are tips on how to care for your basil indoors and keep that taste of summer (and the pesto!) going.
The basil plants in the garden were spectacular this year. I…
October 18, 2022
When the weather gets cold, the inside air can get desert-dry. That’s fine for the succulents. They are survivors. As long as they have a warm, sunny spot, they love those dry conditions. See some of the top succulent plants for the home!
Succulents are not one plant family but rather a wide variety of plants from many families that have the ability to store water for long…