How to Create a Bird-Friendly Garden

How to Create a Bird-Friendly Garden

One of the joys of having a home garden is that you can attract some nature friends like birds. They make a garden more pleasant to be in and are a wonderful natural insect repellent. Various bird species feed on seeds, fruits, and insects. A few enhancements and considerations will increase the likelihood that your avian friends will be attracted to your garden or even make it their home. Birds play an integral role in the ecosystem as well because they are also seed dispersers. Creating your own happy garden can actually create happy unintentional gardens for your neighbors as […]

Read the full post

14 Fast Growing Vegetables

14 Fast Growing Vegetables

If you’re interested in gardening and are looking for some of the fastest-growing veggies to get you started, there are plenty of options. For any number of reasons, you may not be able to wait for your vegetables to mature. Maybe you don’t have much time left in your growing season or you just want as quick a return on your time investment as possible. Here are some quick growing vegetables that can go from seed to table in 90 days or less. Arugula Arugula is an easy-to-grow leafy green that comes in a range of forms and flavors. It’s […]

Read the full post

How to Care for Bare Root Plants and Tips for Planting

How to Care for Bare Root Plants and Tips for Planting

Revised on April 3, 2024 Bare root plants are perennial plants that are dug up and stored while dormant, or in the resting phase which is the period during the plant’s life cycle with minimal growth activity. They’re stored without soil, therefore, leaving the roots exposed or bare. Storing shrubs and trees this way has some distinct advantages that make bare root items an excellent option when buying woody plants. Benefits of Bare Root Plants When to Plant Bare Root Plants Bare root plants become available in late winter and early spring. Bare root trees and shrubs can be planted […]

Read the full post

12 Fun Garden Activities To Do With Your Kids

12 Fun Garden Activities To Do With Your Kids

The kids are out of school now, for maybe more time than we planned. These bonus spring break weeks can offer a great way to spend quality time with your family and to find some new and exciting activities for the kids. This is a fantastic time to find ways to keep our minds off of Coronavirus news and get those little busybodies moving, learning, and growing. Whether you’re in a home with a huge yard for growing or in an apartment with only a window sill for your mini garden, there are tons of ways to start turning those […]

Read the full post

Squash and Pumpkin – Growing Tips

Squash and Pumpkin – Growing Tips

Squash and pumpkins are North American native vegetables. There are a large number of different types of squash, and different varieties vary significantly in fruit shape and color, as well as plant habit. Many types are attractive enough to be used for fall decorating and displays. Varieties of Squash Winter squash varieties are grown for their mature fruit, which can be stored for use during fall and winter. The Butterscotch Hybrid Squash is an AAS Winner that has an exceptionally sweet flavor. With compact vines, they are great for small spaces. Spaghetti squash is a type of winter squash that […]

Read the full post

Transplanting Seedlings

Transplanting Seedlings

If the plant’s roots have become so large they fill all the space in the pot, they can become stressed and won’t perform well, when it’s time to move them into the garden. To maintain proper growth and health for your plants, their roots require good air circulation and sufficient moisture for proper nutrient uptake. Before they become root-bound, make a plan for transplanting your plants into larger individual pots. Choose pots that are 2″ to 4″ in diameter and height or use the general rule that their new pots should offer about 25% more root space than it presently […]

Read the full post

Seed Starting FAQ

Seed Starting FAQ

Many types of seeds are easy to grow, but some may require specific temperature, light, or darkness. Detailed germination information is included on our seed packets, and carefully following these instructions is recommended. If no light requirements are stated, light does not play an important role in germination. Remember to plan ahead. It takes 2½ to 4 months for most annuals to bloom from seed. Seedlings are ready to set out in about 8 to 10 weeks. It’s a good idea to keep a garden journal. Keeping track of start dates, growing conditions, and transplant dates is always helpful for […]

Read the full post

Companion Planting Guide

Companion Planting Guide

When planning your vegetable garden, it is beneficial to learn the principles of companion planting to help you design a successful garden. What is Companion Planting? Companion plants are neighboring plants that will provide each other with additional beneficial nutrients and can provide an easy pest management strategy to help your garden flourish. Be careful, however, as some neighboring plants can have the opposite effect on each other. Before you start planting your garden, it is important to learn what plants should and should not be neighbors in your vegetable garden. Companion Planting Favorites Two plants all vegetable gardens can […]

Read the full post

Guide to the Meaning of Rose Colors

Guide to the Meaning of Rose Colors

The traditional gift on Valentine’s Day is a bouquet of roses. Roses come in a wide variety of colors. Each rose color has a unique meaning. Listed below are the most popular 11 rose colors and what they symbolize. The red rose is the most popular color given on Valentine’s Day. It symbolizes love, romance, and beauty. A red rose is a perfect gift for your loved one. Pink roses are another popular choice of Valentine’s Day. The pink rose means grace, elegance, and admiration. White roses are often used for weddings or other special events. The meaning of white […]

Read the full post

Popular Rose Types

Popular Rose Types

Roses are called the “Queen of Flowers” for the beauty they provide to the landscape. They need proper care to ensure that they produce the best possible display each season, but the rewards are well worth the effort. The American Rose Society classifies roses into three main groups; Species Roses (wild roses), Old Garden Roses (existing prior to 1867), and Modern Roses (varieties created after 1867, when the first man-made hybrid tea ‘La France’ was created). Within these groups of roses, home gardeners will discover very special, unique features and a plethora of growth characteristics, to make roses a wonderful […]

Read the full post