Gardening Tips

SPRING PRUNING of established roses is always a gamble. If you prune too early, late spring frosts can kill all the canes. If you prune too late, some of the plants’ strength will be lost in the growth of the top shoots (spinach). You and you alone must be the judge of when to prune

Dahlias are half-hardy perennials, originally from Mexico, and now very popular in the United States. Very adaptable, they grow well in any type of soil. They are versatile, being used for garden decoration, cut flowers, floral art, and exhibition. Few flowers can match them for their wide range of brilliant colors, their wide variety of

There are people who voluntarily spend most of their lives indoors, shut away from sunlight, fresh air and anything greener than the occasional potted plant. Those people probably do not feel the rhythm of the seasons, but I do. In the fall, as the days shorten, I find myself turning inward. By the winter solstice,

Cottage Gardens The cottage garden tradition is one that is peculiarly English in character. The old-world charm of the cottager’s plot owed little or nothing to any of the major developments in garden design or landscape architecture. The English cottage garden just ‘happened’ and its chief attraction lies in the effect of ordered chaos that

Currants Of the three kinds of currants, black currants derived from Ribes nigrum are grown. more commonly than red currants (derived from the intercrossing of three Ribes species) or white currants (derived from red currants). All three are self-fertile, fruit prolifically and take up only a relatively small area. Red and white currants withstand drought

My mother, a woman for whom good taste meant a great deal, would not have approved of Sarah, our gray half-gr own kitten. Sarah, for whom happiness and flatulence seem inextricably linked, is not always fit for polite company. Fortunately she loves to go out into the garden. Mother would also have looked askance at

Do bulbs need fertiliser? If so, when? If the choice of bulbs has been adapted to the local conditions, no fertiliser is necessary, in principle. However, if you want to be absolutely sure that they bloom next season, some fertiliser (preferable organic) could be given, immediately after bloom time. Could you trim off the ugly

Provided is a list of tasks you need to perform in your garden during March. Please understand your gardening zone which is identified in the menu above. Look for Hardiness Zones. Zone 1 Order indoor seed starting kits and seeds Cut back on feeding houseplants (do not feed dormant houseplants) Water indoor cymbidium orchids weekly

Now is the time to get your garden ready for fall, and instead of dreading the task, think about the glorious spring blooms to be had. Garden centres are supplied with spring-flowering bulbs of daffodils, hyacinths, narcissus, tulips,and crocus, but let’s not stop there. Unusual bulbs that can brighten any area of the garden can

Narrow strap-shaped green leaves grow basally, appearing mid to late winter prior to flowers. Small, bell-shaped, blue to purple flowers are arranged tightly along a raceme, appearing a bit like a bunch of grapes. Some varieties have white flowers. Excellent underplanting for other bulbs, especially tulips. Blue flowers team well with ‘Apricot Beauty’ Tulips. Google

Seed sowing Many garden plants are propagated from seed and good germination is encouraged by providing the seeds with the best conditions. Moisture and air must be present in the propagating medium (whether soil or a special compost) and the temperatures must be suitable. Very high temperatures are seldom necessary. Most garden and greenhouse sown

The first thing you should know about daffodils is that it’s smart to choose the ones you want while they’re still in bloom in the spring. If you miss the boat this spring, your best bet is to read carefully the descriptions in next fall’s seed and nursery catalogs. The second thing you need to

As soon as I’ve taken down the Christmas decorations and dragged out the tree, I dig out my seed trays and start checking my supplies. I know it’s too early to get any basil or tomatoes going; I know Zinnias and Impatiens won’t be able to go into the ground until the end of May

Gardening in February in the Southern United States By J. Lester ROSES planted this month will give steady and uninterrupted bloom from April to December. Get the best plants you can find. Cheap stock is worthless and not to be considered at all. Two-year plants in number one grade from a reliable Rose grower in

The North Clumps of dahlia tubers may be planted in boxes of soil or sand. If the new shoots are broken from the tuber when they are 2 or 3 inches high and potted in light, sandy loam, they will soon root. From 25 to 50 cuttings may be obtained from the average clump. Keep

Mother Nature may be taking a snooze this time of year, but that doesn’t mean you can. February brings its share of challenging chores for gardeners, many relating to the weather. If snow cover is light in your area, you may need to add extra mulch, such as a thick layer of straw or evergreen

Provided is a list of tasks you need to perform in your garden during February. Please understand your gardening zone which is identified in the menu above. Look for Hardiness Zones. Zone 1 Order fruit and vegetable seeds, roses, bare-root trees and shrubs Check potted or container-planted bulbs for signs of growth Bring in pots

Less than 3 years ago, researchers in South America discovered a new alternative to controlling powdery mildew. Wagner Bettiol, a scientist from Brazil, found that weekly sprays of milk controlled powdery mildew in zucchini just as effectively as synthetic fungicides such as fenarimol or benomyl. Not only was milk found to be effective at controlling

Definition: A weed is a corn-fed lanky boy from the Midwest. He grew like a weed. He is as tall as a weed. Beyond that, I fear that we will never agree. The subject is much too personal. All plants have a relationship to other living organisms in the garden, field, roadside, or waterway. Whether

No matter how much people try to encourage the wildlife to visit and live in their gardens. There will always be occasions and/or parts of the garden where we do not welcome them. This being mainly when we are planting young seedlings or a crop of edible plants is getting close to harvest. So we

Do a Quick & Easy Seed Germination Test by Arzeena Hamir If the holidays have pretty much wiped you out, here is a simple activity that will not only save you money but will help organize your garden for the upcoming year. Like many gardeners, my stash of seeds has accumulated over the years to

A seed is an embryo plant and contains virtually all the materials and energy to start off a new plant. To get the most from one’s seeds it is needful to understand a little about their needs so that just the right conditions can be given for successful growth. One of the most usual causes

Gardening is a pleasing activity. It boosts the happiness level as the plants grow, and the greenery rejuvenates the mind. However, the propagation of plants is a bit tricky, and a task to be “looked after.” Seed Germination(propagation) is the first and foremost process, which, if done accurately, will definitely give fruitful results. Seeds Germination:

Provided is a list of tasks you need to perform in your garden during January. Please understand your gardening zone which is identified in the menu above. Look for Hardiness Zones. Zone 1 Order seed and nursery catalogs Check dahlia and canna roots for plumpness, freedom from mold Check house plants for mites, mealybugs, and

What to Do in January Gardening Nature reflects the color of the spirit. Beauty is not confined to season nor to region. The gardens of Georgia or of Florida are perpetually in bloom, but are they more beautiful than northern gardens in winter, where imagination sorts the beautiful tracery of tree branches into designs few

Who doesn’t love to have a garden or a yard full of blooming trees and plants? Having greenery around or inside one’s home has numerous benefits on both the physical and mental well-being of the residents. However, when it comes to maintenance, trees also require as much love and care as a human being does.

The real gardener derives his satisfaction from his ability to nurse plants along every step of their growth to their ultimate flowering glory. However, the greatest thrill is enjoyed by those who have succeeded in coaxing bloom from one of the plants considered difficult for the average gardener. Such a plant is the poinsettia (Euphorbia

The short, gray days of winter in the north, coupled with snow, often create landscapes that resemble a black and white photo.  Winter landscapes need not be drab and dreary and can have color, by choosing plants for interesting bark. One of my favorite shrubs for its bright red stems is the Red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea). 

Owning a garden is a beautiful thing because it comes with a lot of rewards. It also comes with a lot of responsibilities and, the same way that you have to get informed and get the recommendations when you buy the food for your dog, you have to get informed when it comes to taking

In regions of cold winters, Roses need protection. Hybrid Tea and Floribunda bush Roses will withstand a temperature of about 12 degrees F. but are likely to be damaged by alternating mild and cold spells. They can be protected by mounding soil, buckwheat hulls, or peat moss around the base of the plants, covering them