As I look through my old garden photos, I’m reminded of the impact of foliage plants on the landscape. Shrubs, in particular, can provide you with color that continues to draw interest. The color of these shrubs is often amplified by their unique leaf texture or plant structure. Today, we’ll look at shrubs that offer exceptional color on the leaves. In addition to striking foliage, many of these shrubs have attractive flowers. These shrubs range from small and compact to large and more spreading. Bush Honeysuckle (Diervilla) A spreading shrub that fills in large sites and is often used to […]
Category: Fall Gardening
8 Popular Evergreens To Grow
Now is the perfect time to observe the evergreens in our landscapes. You may be growing evergreens or would like to grow them. Either way, there are ample benefits to having these unique plants. The leaves of evergreens conserve moisture during summer and winter, allowing them to photosynthesize and provide greenery year-round. You can find evergreens in northern and southern climates. Today, we’ll focus on species suitable for the north, where winters are long and cold. The majority of these conifers are native to the U.S. Arborvitae (Thuga occidentalis) White cedar is a common name for this popular tree. In […]
8 Useful Tools For Your Garden
December is the perfect time to reflect on the previous gardening season. What plants grew well? Do some areas of the garden need improvement? Another question to consider is how you can garden more efficiently. Gardening is intense physical work that can leave us feeling sore at the end of the day, making it essential to use the right tools. Whether using the standard trowel or a new item, various gardening tools help every gardener. The Importance of Garden Tools In my work as a horticulturist, I often hear the phrase “ergonomics.” This term means “the study of people’s efficiency […]
Fall Gardening: Using Fall Leaves In The Garden
Fall is here, bringing cooler weather and chores in the yard. For many, raking leaves is an annual task to keep your landscape tidy. Fall is an excellent time to clean the yard. Still, many people miss out on the opportunity to improve their landscape using leaves. It’s easy to think we should remove any leaf clutter from our yards, but those leaves are a great source of organic matter. What Is Organic Matter In Soil? Organic matter is any carbon-based compound that stores and releases nutrients into the soil. In other words, using leaves in the garden will add […]
Extend The Growing Season: Using Row Covers & Other Techniques
Keep Growing Fresh Vegetables All Year Long! Want to extend the growing season? You can grow fresh vegetables well into the fall—or even all year long—by protecting them from the cold with a simple row cover, grow tunnel, or DIY cold frame. With all the hard work you did upfront, let’s keep your plants going strong! Learn more. Where To Grow Late Summer Or Fall Vegetables Before we talk about using season extenders, let’s take a moment to think about where you grow the vegetables you want to keep producing in the colder months. Here are some ways to use your garden’s location to your advantage: […]
An Easy Guide To Forcing Bulbs
Updated: October 24, 2024 Every year, I look forward to planting bulbs in the fall. However, waiting for them to bloom requires patience. Fortunately, you can enjoy flowers in the middle of winter without traveling to a warm climate. Many of your favorite bulbs can be forced indoors, allowing you to keep away the winter blues. Before we dive into the specifics, we’ll look at the basics of bulb physiology. The bulbs we plant in fall require a cold period to bloom, which occurs during winter. Bulbs can also receive this cold period through other means, like a refrigerator. Forcing […]
Fall Gardening: Ornamental Grass
Fall is a time when perennials prepare to go dormant for winter. As a result, many plants are no longer blooming, leaving an absence of color in the garden. However, during this time, ornamental grasses are coming into their prime. These grasses come in many sizes, colors, and forms, making them easy to use in the garden. They are also low maintenance, requiring little care apart from cutting them back each spring. This group of perennials brings a fresh look to the landscape. Benefits Of Adding Ornamental Grass To Your Garden Many types of ornamental grass are native to the […]
Strawberry Growing Guide
Updated: October 2, 2024 One of the most popular fruits to grow in home gardens is strawberries. They are easy to grow and can be grown in small spaces such as containers or baskets. Strawberries are not only bursting with flavor but they are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. You can enjoy them freshly picked from the garden or in your cooking such as cakes, jams, and salads. Here are some helpful tips for growing an abundance of strawberries in your garden. Strawberry Culture At A Glance Types of Strawberries There are two types of strawberries – June-bearing and Everbearing/Day-Neutral. […]
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 […]
Freezing & Drying Garden Herbs: A Guide To Preserving
Preserving herbs for winter is a great way to add delightful organic flavor to warm dishes like soups, stews, and sauces. For optimal results, harvest herbs at their peak when oils are most flavorful. Peak harvest time occurs during the early flowering stages, just prior to the flower’s opening. After picking your herbs of choice, carefully rinse them to remove any lingering dirt or tiny garden pests. Then, gently pat the herbs dry with a paper towel. Now, you may begin the drying or freezing process. How to Dry Garden Herbs Learning how to dry herbs is quite simple. Seasoned […]