When you have had 10 days or more of below 30° degree nights, what could possibly be left to do in the garden except dispose of dead plants and flowers. Oh, don’t you worry, we’ll find more work for you. Frost Loving Vegetables Perhaps you are fortunate enough to be in an area where you are still babying a good flush of frost hardy veggies. Arugula, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, kale, onions, radish, swiss chard, spinach, and turnips are all stalwart against early frosts. Kale, cabbage, chard, arugula, and brussels sprouts for sure, convert their bitter tannins […]
Poinsettia Care & Growing Guide
Updated: December 12, 2024 Poinsettias make an excellent holiday gift that, if treated properly, will hold their colorful bracts for many months, giving a long period of display. When given special care, poinsettia plants can be enjoyed for years to come. In recent years, poinsettias have been hybridized to produce numerous varieties with different colored bracts and have become extremely popular holiday decorative plants. As outdoor garden plants in frost-free zones, poinsettias can grow up 3 feet tall or more and range in color from bright red to pink or white. As indoor, seasonal plants most will typically grow from […]
How To Care For Your Live Christmas Tree In 9 Easy Steps
‘Tis the season to be jolly. December is one of the most magical times of the year where we decorate our homes with lights, wreaths, stockings, and of course a Christmas tree. You can find many different shapes and sizes of cut trees at local garden centers. This year you might consider getting a live Christmas tree. These trees have the roots intact and can be planted after the holidays. A live tree takes a little more care but it is well worth the effort. Caring For Your Live Christmas Tree Step 1 Dig a hole now, before the ground […]
6 Tips For Storing Bulbs During Winter
Not all plants that grow from bulbs, tubers, rhizomes, or corms are perennial in cold climates of the U.S. However, with a bit of effort and proper digging and storing procedures, these plants can be lifted and properly stored for winter to be planted out the next spring. Engaged gardeners in USDA zone 6 and colder, have been doing this for centuries. It is necessary for cold climates unless you choose to plant them as annuals. Which Bulbs Should I Dig Up For Winter Storage? Alocasia & Colocasia – Elephant Ears Begonias, Tuberous Calla Lily Cannas Dahlia Gladiolus The Importance […]
Growing Holiday Herbs
There is nothing like the smell of Thanksgiving dinner filling your home. The comforting aroma brings back memories of holidays long past and creates an eagerness to share in a delicious meal. Whether it is an herb-rubbed turkey or parsley sprinkled mashed potatoes or sage and thyme stuffing; fresh herbs take your meal to the next level. They add fragrance, flavor, color, and make a beautiful garnish for a show-stopping feast. Instead of rushing to the market to find what you need, wouldn’t it be nice to grow your own indoor herb garden to use for Thanksgiving and many meals […]
Fall Composting For Beginners
Savvy gardeners know, the key to a great garden is healthy soil. Done correctly, compost is the magic potion that provides gardens with nutrients and valuable microorganisms. It makes it easier for soil to accept and retain water, helps stabilize soil pH, and can even protect plants against some pests and diseases. When compost is sometimes referred to as “garden gold” or “black gold”, it’s no exaggeration. Nature makes compost all the time – it is a natural method of recycling created by bacteria and other soil-borne organisms as they break down organic matter. Walkthrough any forest floor and scrape […]
How to Overwinter Perennial Mums
Updated: October 2, 2024 Garden mums, or Chrysanthemums, are the quintessential flowering plant that helps folks to usher in fall. They add a spot of hopeful color to the fall garden and provide grateful seasonal cheer to our home décor. Along with this seasonal cheer, mums also provide us with joy and positivity, which we can all use right about now. Many people treat their seasonal mums as a temporary decorative plant, only to dispose of it when their flowers finally fade. But know this, with some fall preparation and winter care, your mums can come back blooming year after […]
An Easy Guide to Growing Amaryllis
Updated: October 31, 2024 The amaryllis is a gorgeous flower with roots in Greek mythology. Amaryllis was a nymph who fell in love with a handsome shepherd named Alteo and sought to make him enamored with her. With this kind of a background story, it’s no wonder why the amaryllis flower is associated with love and romance. Regardless of the meaning behind this flower, it’s definitely a sight to have in your garden. So if you’re interested in growing amaryllis, then you’re in the right place. Here’s an expert guide to amaryllis growing so you’ll have great success with these […]
How to Harvest Pumpkins (And How to Store Them)
You want to know how to harvest and store pumpkins? Start here first. In the United States, more than 1 billion pounds of pumpkin are produced every single year. Though most pumpkins come from Indiana, California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and California, with the right tools anyone can grow them. But the real question is, when and how to harvest pumpkins? For those looking for the best, check out this comprehensive guide on how to harvest pumpkins and how to store them. When to Harvest Pumpkins Most pumpkins take an average of 75 to 115 days until they are ready to harvest. […]
Wildflower Magic: Sowing Perennial Wildflower Seeds For Success
Updated: August 21, 2024 It sounds simple enough; open a packet, bag, or canister of wildflower seeds, sprinkle them out onto the ground, and “presto!” you have a giant patch of wildflowers blooming in a few short weeks. Not so fast. When To Plant Wildflowers First, you need to consider the optimal planting timetable for your wildflower seeds. Sowing at the right time will allow the seeds the best seasonal climate conditions to germinate well. In most zones, wildflower seed sowing season is in the fall, from mid-September to late November is best. This may seem counter-intuitive because after all […]