Gardening Tips

Although the outdoor landscape may be bleak right now, the greenhouse industry has found a way to bring spring into our homes. And that’s by fooling tulips and other spring flowers into blooming early indoors. The cut tulips you find at your florist shop, local greenhouse, and supermarket this time of year are “forced” tulips

In today’s time-pressured world, it can be difficult to find the time to attend to our favorite hobby. To help ease the pressure of everyday life, we’ve identified 7 low-maintenance plants for a typical British backyard garden. These beauties will keep your garden looking stunning with minimal effort, so you can sit back and enjoy

How to grow Corydalis (kor-e-day-lis) From the Greek korydalis, a crested lark, a reference to the shape of the flowers (Fumariaceae). Hardy annuals and perennials, widely distributed throughout the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. Perennial species cultivated                C allenii, 3-4 inches, pink and white flowers, spring. C. cashmeriana, 6 inches, blue flowers, spring. C. cheilanthifolia,

Also known as vertical gardening, this is a technique that involves growing plants in stacked containers. Building a hydroponic tower is becoming increasingly popular, as it is a space-saving, environmentally friendly, and efficient way to grow a variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Introduction to Tower Gardening Tower gardening is a method of growing

WATERING A lawn and garden is a tricky business. Knowing when and how much is two-thirds of the job. When depends upon the soil and the rooting characteristics of the plant involved, how much will be governed by the amount of soil that is dried out. An actual inspection of the soil in the root zone

Tulips, Daffodils, Hyacinths, Crocuses … the bulbs of spring … are plants in miniature, having within them the flowers, leaves, etc.. waiting only for warmth and moisture to start rapid growth toward a complete blooming plant. WHERE TO PLANT BULBS: Bulbous flowers can be used in. many places in the garden on the lawn, at

This plant is an early spring bloomer. Evergreen leaves alone are attractive and add much needed texture to shady corners. It is not unusual for leaves to scorch during the winter, so mulch well or allow snow to mound. Cup-shaped flowers range from light green to cream, maroon to pink and are usually spotted inside.

From the Greek helein, to kill, bora, food; some species are poisonous (Ranunculaceae). Hellebore. Hardy perennials, often retaining their leaves through the winter, with thick fibrous roots. All flower early in the year and the flowers are long lasting. Most of them have handsome, leathery, divided leaves, sometimes spiny. They are natives of southern Europe

How to grow Campanula (kam-pan-u-la) From the Latin campanula, a little bell, hence the common name, Bellflower (Campanulaceae). A large genus of annuals, biennials and perennials for growing in the border, wild garden, rock garden and greenhouse; widely distributed over the Northern Hemisphere. Border species cultivated C. x burghaltii, 2-i feet, large lavender bells, June

There is no set type for the shape of a bearing Apple tree, because, depending upon variety, the younger trees will vary from growing erect and slender to open and spreading. Eventually, as the tree matures, it will develop into a fine spreading type. Observe your particular tree and if it is of the narrow

Gardening is one of the most exciting and relaxing hobbies you can pick up regardless of age or lifestyle. However, it’s also challenging work to keep your garden healthy and thriving throughout the year. What do you do if a plant catches a disease? How do you fertilize different plants, and when is the best

As pleasing to our eyes as it is to its winged visitors, this garden shimmers in scarlet, purple, orange, and yellow, the vibrant colors most attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. The selected perennials also feature fragrance and special characteristics—clusters of small flowers and tubular forms—essential to drawing your small guests. The Butterfly Bush (Buddleia) and

I love to read, and I do it as often as the necessary business of life allows. Sometimes when real life is too overwhelming, and I can’t face a literary novel or a meaty biography, I turn to mysteries. As a mystery lover and a gardener, I find particular solace in the Brother Cadfael series,

If a vibrant, sizzling garden color is what you’re looking for, this design is made to order. Fiery shades of golden-yellow, orange, and scarlet are the attention-getters here, but it is the addition of complementary rich purple and cooling lavender that makes the combination distinctive. Silvery Artemisia and Buddleia foliage, along with feathery ornamental Grasses,

Peonies have captivated the world. The “old red Piney,” that charming, old-fashioned flower, is hardly as popular as it was in days now past, because the new, lovely and more delicately tinted varieties, which have been recently introduced, are crowding their old relative into the background. Peonies in great masses are now found growing around

It’s hard to find true blue perennials for a garden, but you can make it work by using shades of blue. Most of the plants labeled ‘blue’ are really not blue but in fact either violet or violet-blue. Hybridizers are trying to create perennials in blue shades but are having difficulties, and with the growing

Edible flowers are a wonderful way to spruce up your meals and add character to your table. Many flowers that we consider common weeds or only ornamentals for our garden can make a grand entrance to our kitchens. Basic knowledge is needed for the proper identification of edible flowers. Use several books with clear photos

If your passion is vegetable gardening, you may have had this experience: All your children are grown, but your vegetable garden hasn’t gotten any smaller. Your neighbors and closest friends don’t seem to be at home when you, loaded down with garden produce, knock on their doors. You begin to get a distinct impression that

For any gardener who still hasn’t been convinced about the need to garden organically, here are some statistics that may help change your mind. In March of 2001, the American Cancer Society published a report linking the use of the herbicide glyphosate (commonly sold as Round-up) with a 27% increased likelihood of contracting Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.

Many native solitary bees are found throughout North America, and together with other bee species such as honeybees and bumblebees, they are important pollinators of fruit and vegetables. When the daytime high temperature reaches 14 C (57°F), the Blue Orchard bee starts to emerge. The males emerge a few days before the females. They mate

For years, well-meaning gardeners routinely maimed, swatted, sprayed, and squished every bug they could get their hands on. However, careful observation of nature and the move to organic practices have shown that encouraging beneficial insects is one way to give Mother Nature a hand. Lets look at three common beneficials, and how to attract them

Fresh herbs are in season all across the country, so Grandma’s kitchen is now festooned with great bunches drying for winter cooking and Grandma’s famous Herb Wreaths. Basil, thyme, summer savory, rosemary, sage, parsley, oregano, dill and mint are all prime candidates for home drying – and you can save a bundle by drying your

If there’s one thing we gardeners in the Pacific Northwest know about, it’s how to grow tomatoes in the most difficult conditions. It’s bad enough that our summers are normally very cool but now the coming weeks are filled with hot days and warm nights, the perfect breeding ground for late blight disease. Phytophthora infestans,

Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is a common allergic condition that causes symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes. It occurs when the body’s immune system reacts to certain allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, or animal dander. Pollen is one of the most common allergens that cause hay

Cucumber beetles can be a major pest in vegetable gardens, causing damage to a variety of plants including cucumbers, squashes, melons, and pumpkins. These beetles are small, roughly 1/4 inch long, and can be yellow, green, or striped. They are most active during the warmer months and can be found feeding on the leaves, stems,

Bellis – English Daisy, Herb Margaret The Daisy of Europe is the one of which we speak here. Who has not read the words of Burns and Wordsworth, and having read, who has not admired these charming button-like flowers tile more? Let us read again several stanzas of Burns: TO A MOUNTAIN DAISY On turning

A compost tumbler is a specialized container used for composting organic material. It is typically a cylindrical drum that is mounted on a stand, and has a mechanism for rotating the drum. Compost tumblers are designed to make the composting process easy and convenient, and are a popular choice for home gardeners and small-scale farmers.

Janus, who lends his name to the month of January, was the dual-faced  Roman god of gates and doors.  He also was called the god of beginnings as it  was commonly believed that you needed to go through a door or gate in order  to enter a new place or beginning. The god was depicted

Winterizing our Greenhouse Jack Frost has already drawn up his list of greenhouses to visit. Will you be ready? Here’s the routine we follow at our house each fall: Clean The Greenhouse Take ll plants out of the greenhouse and thoroughly clean the frame, glazing and benches. Physan 20  is an effective disinfectant. Make glass

This map is from the Australian Government Bureau or Meteorology. Hardiness zones are a way of classifying areas based on their average minimum winter temperatures. In Australia, there are 10 hardiness zones, ranging from zone 1 (the coldest) to zone 10 (the warmest). These zones are used to help gardeners determine which plants are likely