Dogs and gardens don’t always mix, at least according to some gardeners. If you ask the dogs, they might disagree. Garden plots, with their range of tempting smells, freshly turned dirt, and population of highly chaseable insects and small animals, offer a veritable playground for a pup, who won’t understand why running through the tall grass is fine, but romping through these much more interesting plants is not. Plus, after watching their owners digging around in the dirt, your dog may try to socialize by joining in on the fun. Fortunately, there are ways to indulge these social instincts without […]
Author: Jaclyn Johnsen
7 Irises To Get Excited About Fall 2022
It is time to start planning for your spring blooming flower garden. One of the most beautiful and popular flowers is the Bearded Iris. The best time to plant is late summer to early autumn. Jung Seed has several new Irises this year selected for their beauty and overall performance. Best Bet German Bearded Iris Best Bet German Bearded Iris has light blue standards that are a sharp contrast with the falls of near navy blue. It is a vigorous grower that produces huge blooms. Early season and rebloom. Grows to 36 inches. Zones: 3 to 9 Cherry Blossom Song […]
A Gardener’s Guide To Plant Nutrition
Every gardener knows that plants require several different nutrients to grow, but what specific nutrients do plants use and for what purpose? Here is a little overview and a science refresher. Macronutrients Macronutrients are those that plants need in the most significant amounts. The BIG 3, we call them. Nitrogen. Phosphorus. Potassium. These primary nutrients are represented by the letters from the periodic table of N, P, and K. Nitrogen (N) is the most commonly deficient soil nutrient plants require to produce chlorophyll, proteins, and enzymes for growth and reproduction. Phosphorus (P) is the nutrient that helps the plant regulate […]
Understanding Plant Diseases
Updated: July 2, 2024 There are dozens of different types of plant diseases that can affect vegetable gardens from coast to coast. Plant diseases should not be a mystery to most gardeners, and yet… all types of gardeners struggle with them every season. Solutions are obvious, but understanding is the first step. Plant Disease Diagnosis Plant disease management starts with proper disease diagnosis. Just like a clinical physician, the doctor will ask, “What symptoms do you have?” In the garden, we must ask, “What symptoms does the plant have?” Nowadays, you may be able to narrow down the possibilities by […]
Protect Your Garden From Unwanted Animals
As a young man, I often visited my grandparent’s cabin in northern Wisconsin. The cabin had abundant wildlife, including a large herd of deer. While fun to observe, the deer would decimate the hostas in the landscape every year. After years of frustration, I replaced the hostas with plants deer prefer to avoid. You’ve probably experienced similar problems in your garden, whether you encounter deer, rabbits, or other types of animals. Animal pests can wreak havoc on plants, from veggies to trees. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize damage to the plants. Deer Deer may be the most damaging animal […]
6 Tips For Keeping Baby Copperheads Away From Your Garden
Gardening is an experience that typically brings a lot of wildlife to your front door. In most cases, this is seen as a positive thing; however, when one of those animals, such as the infamous Copperhead, is a venomous snake, it’s easy to see why most people would love to keep them out. With so many places to hide in, Copperheads typically go unnoticed until you happen to walk upon them one day, something that almost everyone wants to prevent. So, to help, here are six tips on keeping these slithery unwanted guests away from your gardening space. Don’t Make […]
8 Patriotic Plants: Gardening with Red, White & Blue Foliage
There are many ways to celebrate the 4th of July, from fireworks to parades. Many gardeners like to commemorate the holiday with red, white, and blue flowers. Another way to add patriotic colors to your garden is by growing plants with red, white, and blue leaves. Modern breeding has led to creating plant varieties with uniquely colored foliage, giving us even more options to add color to our gardens. Many of these plants can be used in shady landscape areas to make them brighter. Here are a few plants that will add a patriotic touch to your garden. Forever Red […]
6 Tips For Perfect Plant Pairings
Designing your garden can be a fun and creative experience. There are many things to consider during the planning phase. We have put together six tips to help you get started pairing your plants perfectly. Choose Wisely, Pair Creatively To have success with gardening we must make solid logical, thoughtful decisions, but don’t let those limit your expression of creativity. For artistic and auspicious plant pairings, first, do your homework. Observe, study, and learn about the plants you have and those plants you want to have. Be playful and relaxed about what plants you pair together but choose wisely. Work […]
Prevent 4 Common Potato Plant Problems
Potatoes are some of the easiest crops for home gardeners to grow, but this does not mean that they can’t have problems. Just like most garden vegetables, the best potato tubers come from the healthiest, well-cared-for plants. Don’t let common garden problems get the best of your potatoes. Be prepared and practice proper prevention to harvest some pretty potatoes this year. Skip The Scab Scab is probably the ugliest named garden disease, and it happens to affect several root-type veggies, but potatoes are impacted most. Scab is caused by soil bacteria called Streptomyces. There are several different pathogens but it’s […]
Summer Herbs Garden Guide
Herbs are a perfect addition to the garden, offering a combination of fragrance, flavor, and aesthetics. These plants are easy to grow and can be used in various garden settings, like containers and landscape beds. Herbs are normally used to add flavor to food, but many of them offer medicinal value as well. Growing Container Herbs There are numerous benefits to growing herbs in containers. Herbs tend to stay small, making them easy to grow in compact spaces. Consider mixing different herbs to add interest to your pots. For mixed herb pots, it’s good to use plants that have similar […]