Carrots, with their vibrant orange hue and crisp, earthy flavor, have long been a beloved staple in kitchens and gardens around the world. These versatile root vegetables not only add a burst of color and crunch to salads, stews, and stir-fries but also boast an array of health benefits. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or a novice enthusiast, cultivating your own carrots can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. From selecting the right varieties to nurturing them through each stage of growth, the journey of growing carrots allows you to connect with the earth, witness nature’s wonders, and ultimately enjoy […]
Category: Gardening Tips
Perennial Planting: How To Overcome Difficult Planting Sites
As gardeners, many of us have that one spot in the yard where no plant will grow except the weeds. It may be a dry site under a tree or a sandy area in full sun. While frustrating, this dilemma allows us to explore plant options we may not have considered. Perennials may appear delicate, but they can be problem solvers in challenging areas of the landscape. Let’s examine some difficult sites and the perennials that will thrive in them. 3 Types Of Challenging Plants Sites Dry Shade The term “dry shade” refers to an area primarily shaded with soil […]
An Easy Guide For Planting Trees & Shrubs
Trees and shrubs can bring structure and beauty throughout the year if you’re starting a new landscape or adding to your existing property. These plants also provide ecological benefits for your landscape and the planet. Before planting, it’s crucial to understand planting techniques to ensure long-term success for your landscape. Why Proper Planting Is Essential Before we examine the specifics, let’s focus on why proper planting is essential for trees and shrubs. A common problem in landscapes is trees that are planted too deep. As a result, these trees often deteriorate from excess moisture around the stem or develop circling […]
7 Growing Tips For Begonias
Begonias are renowned for their vibrant, colorful blooms and distinctive foliage. With over 1,800 species, begonias come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, making them a popular choice for gardeners and plant enthusiasts alike. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, but can also be grown indoors as houseplants. Begonias are valued not only for their stunning appearance but also for their ease of care, making them an ideal plant for both novice and experienced gardeners. Whether you’re looking to brighten up your garden or add some color to your indoor space, begonias […]
An Easy Guide To Planting & Growing Strawberries
Planting and growing strawberries is a rewarding and delicious endeavor. Strawberries are not only easy to grow, but they also produce a sweet, juicy fruit that can be enjoyed fresh or used in various culinary creations. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about planting and growing strawberries from plants. Choosing A Strawberry Type The first step is choosing the right strawberry type. There are different types of strawberries to choose from, including June-bearing and everbearing/day-neutral. June-bearing strawberries produce fruit in early summer, while everbearing/day-neutral strawberries can produce fruit throughout the growing season, depending on your […]
Cutting Flower Garden: Planning, Maintenance, & Preserving
A favorite activity of mine is walking around the landscape on a summer morning and finding flowers and foliage to use as cut flowers. My garden is in northern Wisconsin, where the climate is cold, and deer are plentiful. These conditions make it difficult to grow many flowers. However, I can still find fun bouquets from plants like bleeding hearts, alliums, and even ferns. As gardeners, we have access to various types of plants with beautiful flowers and foliage. What Are Cutting Gardens? Cutting gardens are spaces dedicated to growing plants for floral decorations. These plants can include annuals, perennials, […]
Spring Gardening: March Garden Checklist Zones 3-6
March is a tough month for gardeners. Signs of spring are showing, with birds returning and bulbs emerging. Unfortunately, winter still appears and keeps us from getting carried away with planting. Regardless of the weather, there’s a variety of gardening tasks you can accomplish this month. Houseplants Pest Control At this point, your houseplants are used to being inside, but you should watch them for signs of insect pests. If your houseplants are becoming leggy, consider moving them to a sunnier part of your house or purchasing a grow light. Keeping your plants healthy will reduce pest and disease problems. […]
Easy Tips For Pruning Berry Bushes
It’s hard to beat the taste and quality of homegrown fruit. In recent years, more gardeners have been growing their fruit to reap the reward of harvesting their food. Small berries have many benefits and can be grown in sites with limited space. Whether you’re growing fruit or considering it in the future, pruning is vital for a successful harvest. Why Should I Prune Berry Bushes? Pruning takes practice, but this annual habit will increase production on your plants each year. Your plants may produce fruit without pruning, but they will make less over time as their energy is used […]
Winter Sowing Garden Guide
The cold has arrived. As gardeners, we find ourselves longing for spring, when our gardens come back to life and we can spend time outside. It’s tempting to believe we can’t plant anything now, but there is a way to plant seeds for next spring. Winter sowing is a type of planting that involves planting seeds outdoors in winter. It sounds too easy, but it works! Many hardy annuals and perennials can be sown in winter to give plants a head start in spring. What is Winter Sowing? To answer this question, we’ll look at the basics of seed physiology. […]
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 […]