About.com Gardening: Most Popular Articles

Tomato Growing Tips

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Tomato plants know what they like and they grow well when you give it to them. Growing the best tasting or the earliest tomato is a great source of pride for the home gardener and here are 10 tips for growing terrific tomatoes.

Tomato Problems - Tomato Disea

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

There are many diseases that affect tomatoes. Tomato diseases are often weather dependent and can spread rapidly. Here are some common tomato diseases, their symptoms and what to do if tomato diseases threaten your home vegetable garden.

Pruning Roses

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Pruning rose bushes is intimidating to many gardeners, but actually very good for the plants. Becoming an accomplished rose pruner takes time and practice, but keep in mind that it is very hard to kill a rose with bad pruning. It is better to make a good effort at pruning roses than to let them grow rampant. Here are some basic rose pruning guidelines for use in your rose garden.

Tomato Plant Problems

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Growing tomatoes are subject to a lot of diseases. Many tomato problems don't show themselves until the fruit starts to ripen? With blossom end rot, green shoulders and tomato cracking, what can be done to save the ripening tomatoes? How can these problems be reduced with future tomatoes?

Strawberries

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Strawberries are one of the easiest fruit crops for the home gardener to grow and one of the most rewarding. Day neutral and everbearing strawberries have been getting all the attention, but there still is no season like June for fresh strawberries. Whatever your zone, there is probably a strawberry plant for your garden. Here's how to grow great strawberries in your backyard.

Lavender

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

You can be successful growing lavender if you choose the right variety, even if you don't live in the Mediterranean region. Lavender plants, with their fragrant flowers, can be used to make lavender soaps and lotions. Or maybe you'd like to cook with lavender. Even gardeners who need deer resistant plants can grow lavender.

Drying Herbs

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Fresh garden herbs can easily be air dried, to preserve their flavor and quality. Air drying herbs is not only the easiest and least expensive way to dry fresh herbs, but this slow drying process also doesn't deplete the herbs of their oils. Here are some simple steps for air drying herbs.

Harvesting Vegetables

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

There are no precise guidelines as to when to harvest your vegetables, but there are some rules of thumb to guide you. Most vegetables are harvested just before full maturity, for maximum flavor and the most pleasant texture. The following are vegetable harvesting criteria for judging whether your vegetables are ready for picking.

Tomato Blossom Drop

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Blossom drop is a common tomato growing problem that can be extremely frustrating to the home gardener. Otherwise healthy looking tomato plants set flower blossoms, only to have them dry up and fall off the plant before a fruit is formed. Blossom drop can be attributed to several causes, most often related to either temperature and / or stress.

Basil - Growing & Using

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Basil is an easy to grow tender annual. The hardest thing about growing basil is choosing which varieties to grow. Give basil some sun and good soil and you can pick leaves daily all summer long. And picking the leaves is what will keep your basil producing for the whole season. Here are some suggestions for great basil varieties and how to grow basil in your home garden.

Pest ID Web Sites

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

When insect pests attack your garden plants, the first line of defense is to identify the insect. To control insects in your garden, you need to know what kind of insect you are dealing with, what plants it favors and what time of year to expect it. These web sites provide photos for identifying pests and most also give info on controlling the garden pests.

Growing Tomatoes

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Despite early worries about tomatoes being poisonous, tomatoes are now one of the most popular vegetables grown in home gardens. Widely adaptable and space efficient, a single tomato plants is able to produce 8 - 10 pounds of fruit. Tomatoes are heat lovers and will continue producing right through to the end of the growing season, if you provide them with these tomato growing basics.

Pruning Tomato Suckers

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Tomato suckers, or side shoots, are the growth that appears in the crotch between the stem and a branch. If left to grow, tomato suckers will become another main stem with branches, flowers, fruit and more suckers of their own. Sometimes that’s good, sometimes not so good. Here are some guidelines for when to prune your tomatoes and how much.

Blossom End Rot

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Ripening tomatoes that turn black and soft on their side not attached to the stem are affected with blossom end rot. As with so many tomato problems, water is a key factor here. Is there any saving the rotting tomatoes?

Freezing Herbs

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Freezing is a quick and easy way to preserve fresh garden herbs. We usually think of drying herbs to keep them, but many herbs, like basil, mint and chives, don't dry easily. Freezing these herbs will preserve their garden fresh flavor for months. Here are some simple steps for air drying herbs.

Growing Rosemary

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

It's not hard to grow rosemary. Rosemary is a heat loving herb, associated with the Mediterranean, but you can successfully grow rosemary plants just about anywhere, as long as you give it plenty of sun and bring it inside for the winter.

Astilbes

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Astilbes are long-blooming plume-like flowers held above airy foliage. Astilbes are one of the easiest [link url=od/perennials/g/Perennial.htm]perennial[/link] flowers to grow, but they give a high return. Virtually pest free, they can light up the shade garden.

Growing Petunias

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Petunias are one of the most popular bedding flowers and new types of petunias are constantly being introduced. Here are some petunia basics to guide you through grandifloras, waves, supertunias and more, as well as how to grow and care for your petunias and keep them blooming all summer.

Container Vegetable Gardens

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

You don't need a plot of land to grow fresh vegetables. Vegetable container gardening can offer high yields in small spaces. With some thought to selecting bush or dwarf varieties, almost any vegetable can be adapted to growing in a container or pot. Container vegetable gardening is perfect for plants that take up little space, such as carrots, radishes and lettuce, or crops that bear fruits over a long period of time, such as tomatoes and peppers.

Long Blooming Perennials

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Long blooming and repeat blooming perennial flowers form the backbone of garden design. Large blocks of color add impact to a garden and the best way to achieve that is with long blooming perennial flowers, like Rudbeckia, Sedum and Veronica. Here are some more perennial plants to consider.

Pruning Hydrangeas

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Hydrangeas are popular old fashioned flowering shrubs. Regular hydrangea garden maintenance involves pruning the shrubs to keep them in shape and flowering profusely. But when to prune hydrangeas determines how well they will flower or if they will flower at all.

Low Maintenance Plants

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Low maintenance perennial plant. There is such a thing as a low maintenance plant. It may vary from climate to climate and season to season, but there are many wonderful perennial flowers and other plants that can be labeled low maintenance, providing undemanding easy care interest and bloom in the perennial border.

Coreopsis

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Coreopsis are sunny flower border work horses. They are great additions to any garden design, blooming most of the summer. Coreopsis make great garden edging as well as nice cut flowers.

Baking Soda for Powdery Mildew

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Powdery mildew and other fungus diseases of plants have long been successfully controlled with a mixture of baking soda, water and and oil or soap to help it spread.

Growing Green Beans

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Often called green beans or string beans, the common garden bean can be both stringless and colors other than green. But it’s the green bean that everyone recognizes as one of the most frequently prepared vegetables. Hot, cold, even raw, string beans are versatile in the kitchen and very prolific producers in the garden. They are also easy to grow. Here are some tips.

How to Grow Potatoes

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Growing potatoes in the home garden can be easy, if you learn to avoid the pest and disease problems. Potatoes are one of those mystery crops that develop out of sight, underground. You never really know how you’re doing until you harvest - and then it’s too late. Here are the basics on how to grow potatoes.

Growing Oregano

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Growing, harvesting and using oregano is easy, but sometimes confusing. Plants in the genus Origanum are can be perennial ground covers, tender perennials or even small perennial subshrubs. There is much confusion over what type of oregano to use in cooking, but there is no disputing the flavor when you taste it. This Plant Profile of 'Oregano' will help you make sense of which type of oregano to grow for your needs.

Powdery Mildew

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Powdery mildew is one of the most common and easily recognized plant diseases. Almost no type of plant is immune. As the name implies, powdery mildew looks like powdery splotches of white or gray, on the leaves and stems of plants. Although powdery mildew is unattractive, it is rarely fatal. However severe or repetitive infections will weaken the plant. There are several steps a gardener can take to prevent and control powdery mildew in the garden.

Perovskia

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Perovskia, or Russian Sage, is a widely popular perennial garden favorite. The foliage is finely cut gray-green leaves that are slightly scented. When fully in bloom it looks like a purple haze. As you can see here, these plants are very easy to grow.

Plant Nutrient Deficiencies

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Not all plant problems are caused by insects or diseases. Sometimes an unhealthy plant is suffering from a nutrient deficiency or even too much of any one nutrient. Plant nutrient deficiencies often manifest as foliage discoloration. The following chart outlines some possible problems.

Epsom Salts and Plants

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Gardeners have been using Epsom salts as a plant fertilizer for generations. There is little research to prove conclusively that Epsom salts have any effect on plants, but many seasoned gardeners cite their own gardens as proof that Epsom salts help certain plants grow stronger and produce better. If you’d like to try experimenting on your own, here are some tips for using Epsom salts in your gardens.

Viburnums

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Viburnums have long been one of the most popular flowering landscape shrubs. You can find a variety to suit any garden need. Bloom times span early spring through June and are followed by attractive fruit and outstanding fall foliage.

July in the Garden

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

July is an unpredictable month in the garden. About all you can count on is humidity. Gardeners just have to play it by ear. You know there will be vegetables to harvest, flowers to deadhead and a new crop of weeds. Here’s a list of garden chores to make help your garden weather the heat of summer. Most importantly, keep a close eye on pests and disease, then sit back and enjoy your garden and all the efforts you put in earlier in the year to get it where it is now.

Growing Spinach

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Leafy vegetables always taste better fresh from the garden. Spinach, like lettuce, grows best in the cool weather of spring and fall. Spinach also grows extremely quickly, which means you don’t have to wait long to enjoy it, but you’ll also have to keep planting new spinach to extend the harvest. Getting spinach to grow is easy. Keeping your spinach growing takes some finesse. Tips for growing spinach in the home garden.

Garden Insect Pests

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Plants need insects for pollination, so no garden should be insect free, but there's no denying some insects are garden pests. Learning to identify which insects to worry about and which to welcome is part of the learning process of gardening. Here are a handful of common garden insects. Some are garden pests, some are beneficial and some are just passing through. Always assess the situation before spraying. But when you must treat the problem, the info offered here will be helpful.

Pruning Raspberries

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Brambles like raspberries and blackberries need regular pruning to keep bearing large, healthy crops and to prevent them from taking over your garden. Don’t let this scare you off of growing raspberry or blackberry plants. Pruning rambles is actually a simple procedure, if you follow these steps.

Growing Lamb's Ears

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Lamb's Ears are popular in gardens because of their soft, inviting texture. They are very easy to grow almost anywhere. This profile of Lamb's Ears, Stachys byzantina, gives you their preferences and recommends varieties for your garden.

Why do tomatoes crack

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

A common tomato growing problem is fruit that cracks or splits open as the tomato ripens. How can you prevent future tomatoes from cracking and is the cracked fruit still edible?

Growing Plants from Seed

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Starting plants from seed isn't rocket science, but there are several seed starting tips that will help your success rate with seed germination and give your seedlings a healthy start. Here's how to start seeds indoors and the seed starting supplies you'll need to grow plants from seed.

Growing Cannas

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Cannas are tropical and subtropical flowering plants with large, banana like leaves. Cannas can be grown as annuals in cooler regions, where they add an instant touch of the tropics to flower gardens. Easy care and dramatic effect make planting cannas worthwhile for any garden border. They can even be grown in pots and

Growing Catmint (Nepeta)

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Catmint (Nepeta) is extremely hardy, drought tolerant and virtually maintenance free. All this and nepeta repeat blooms sporadically throughout the summer. Such a wonderful garden plant should be more widely appreciated and used by gardeners. Take another look here, at the pleasure of growing nepeta and its usefulness in any garden design.

Growing Bamboo

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Does the idea of bamboo growing in your garden spark fear or longing in you? How bad can bamboo be if all the garden magazines are touting it? Bamboo can be grown successfully and safetly in home gardens, but you need to know what kind of bamboo you are getting and you need to take care that it doesn't take over.

Vines and Climbing Plants

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Vining and climbing flowers and plants can add an element of height to a garden or be allowed to scramble along the ground or through other plants. Vines and climbers can fill many garden design needs, from covering eye sores to creating privacy on your deck. Consider some of these vining plants when planning your landscape.

A - Z Guide to Plant Information

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

An alphbetized listing of plants with info on selecting, growing and using plants in garden design. Includes: flowers, vegetables, fruits, herbs and more

Dealing with Rose Diseases

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Despite a gardener’s best efforts, roses can often become infected with fungus diseases. Luckily, few fungus problems will kill your rose bush and most can be handled with low toxicity and minimal effort. Here are the top four rose diseases and how to handle them.

Organic Pesticides

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Profiles of the most commonly used organic garden pesticides, including Sevin, insecticidal soap and oils and neem.

Hostas for Sunny Spots

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Hostas are called 'shade-tolerant' plants, meaning they will grow in shade or partial shade. But some hostas need a period of full sun to look and perform their best. Although it is not recommended that any hosta be in full sun all the time, many Hostas are more vigorous and display their most vibrant colors if given at least some sun exposure. Here are some tips to help you pick the right hosta for your site.

Small Garden Design

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Garden design for a small space has its pros and cons over grand scale gardening. In small garden design, the gardener can pay attention to detail. You can keep on top of maintenance, while still having time to sit and enjoy your small garden. The principles of good garden design still apply, but you’ll need to tweak them slightly. Virtually any plant or garden style can be worked into a small garden space.

Pruning Clematis

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Clematis vines need to be pruned to encourage new growth, which results in more flowers. Pruning clematis comes down to a question of when your clematis blooms. Here are some tips.

True Geraniums

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

The term geranium is confusing. The first geranium most gardeners encounter is not a geranium at all, but Pelargonium, a relative of the perennial geranium. True or hardy or perennial geraniums belong to the genus Geranium. You will sometimes see them referred to as cranesbill geraniums, because their seed pods do somewhat resemble a crane’s bill. The flowers, in shades of white, pink, magenta, purples and blues, are long blooming. As you see here, geraniums are easy care.

Top 10 Fall Bloomers

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

The trick to designing your garden with perennial flowers is making sure you have something wonderful in bloom all the time. Each season has its stars and fall blooming perennials have some of the best. Fall blooming perennials have all season to grow, so many of them are tall and stately. Fall bloomers also tend to blossom in the jewel tones of the season, deep purples, rusts, scarlet and gold. Here are some top picks for fall blooming perennial stars.

Purple Foliage Plants

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Foliage has taken center stage in the garden. Purple foliage not only provides color all season, it blends well and highlights other colors in the garden. There seems to be a never ending stream of new purple plants for sale. Here are the top choices of plantsman Tim Wood, resident horticulturist for Spring Meadow Nursery. purple foliage plants, purple plants, plants with purple or red leaves,

Growing Sweet Corn

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Sweet corn, fresh from the garden, is a treat like no other. Although corn is a long season crop and can take up crucial space in your garden, it is easy to grow and the rewards far out weigh the costs. The real challenge to growing sweet corn is having the patience to wait for it to ripen and beating the critters to the harvest. If you've never tasted just picked sweet corn, you owe it to yourself to try growing it at least once.

Dividing Bearded Iris

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Bearded Iris are tall, elegant additions to the flower border, but they are also relatively high maintenance. You can help cut down on the incidence of soft rot and borer damage through regular division of the iris rhizomes, every 2-3 years. This will also keep bearded iris performing and blooming at its best. Dividing iris isn't hard. Start by carefully digging and lifting the rhizomes, as shown here.

Indeterminate Tomatoes

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Most of the tomato varieties grown in home gardeners are considered indeterminate varieties, or vining tomatoes. They continue growing until they are killed by frost and keep setting fruit throughout the growing season.

Garden Maintenance

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Flower gardens require constant maintenance to look their best. Common garden chores like pruning, pinching and deadheading are easy to master, as show here in this step-by-step photo tutorial.

Evergreen Privacy Hedge

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Planting a Hedge. There are many evergreen trees and shrubs that make excellent hedges, privacy screens and wind or noise breaks. Some mature quickly into dense hedges and others develop with you, over time. Choose an evergreen that suits your time frame for growth and maintenance. Here are 10 of the best evergreens for creating a hedge.

Shade Garden Perennials

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Shade gardens can be woodland retreats or bursts of color. Many shade garden plants often considered sun lovers actually prefer some shade in hot areas or the peak of summer. Of the many plants that will grow well or even thrive in shade gardens, the following list are top shade garden performers.

Growing Sage

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Sage is one of those wonderful Mediterranean herbs that only asks for sun and warmth and then takes care of itself. Being an evergreen, even northern gardeners are able to harvest fresh sage leaves at Thanksgiving. And it's beautiful enough not to have on display in the herb garden or the perennial bed. Here are some tips for growing great sage.

Growing Sweet Peas

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Sweet peas evoke old fashioned cottage gardens, with their fluttering blossoms and intense fragrance. Growing sweet pea vines in the garden is both simple and rewarding, with a long season of bloom and an abundance of cutting flowers.

Day Lilies (Hemerocallis)

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Hemerocallis (Day Lily)

Growing Onions

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Growing onions takes patience, since all the action takes place under ground. If you can provide a rich soil and a full day of sun, you can grow a good sized harvest of onions for eating fresh and storing for later. And as with most fresh vegetables, onions from the garden will have far more flavor than onions from the produce aisle. Home grown onions can be more pungent too. Here are some tips for choosing and growing the right onions for your home garden.

Amending Your Garden Soil

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

[br]Most garden plant problems are caused by poor soil. What is good soil and how do you know what kind of soil is in your garden? Understanding your garden soil means knowing its fertility and texture. Fertility is a combination of essential nutrients and a pH that makes these nutrients available to the plants. Texture refers to the size of the soil particles and their cohesiveness.

Controlling Japanese Beetles

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

p]Japanese beetles can create havoc in a garden by feeding on the leaves of a number of different plants, skeletonizing the leaves and eventually defoliating the plants. An individual Japanese beetle doesn’t do that much damage while feeding on a plant, but they tend to congregate in large numbers and can easily defoliate shrubs and trees. If the problem beomes severe, try one of these control suggestions.

Growing Sedum

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Border Sedum or Showy Stonecrop is a must for every perennial garden. The sturdy stems, succulent leaves and clusters of flower buds are attractive all season and light up a fall garden. Growing Sedum is easy; almost mistake proof. There are Sedum varieties to blend with every color scheme and trailing Sedum to fill container gardens. Here are some tips for growing great Sedum.

Windowsill Herbs

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Many herb plants can be easily grown indoors, in a sunny windowsill or under lights. You can have a herb garden throughout the winter, with fresh herbs to cook with, in your kitchen. Herbs will grow in containers with minimal care.

Deer Resistant Plants

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

If deer are in your area, sooner or later they will find your garden. Plant wisely by choosing deer resistant plants. Use the lists here to help find plants deer don't like.

New Garden

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Starting your first garden shouldn't be a daunting task. Probably the best piece of advice is - Start Small. If you're frozen in your steps, wondering what to plant, where to plant it, how to not kill it..., here's a bottom line Step-by-Step primer for you. Veteran gardeners, how many times have you been asked for help from frazzled first timers. Here are some tips to pass along.

Garden Design FAQ

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Gardening is often called the only living art form. Like any form of art, designing a garden is subjective. Although gardening successfully requires learning certain skills, in the end, a garden’s beauty is in the eye of the beholder. There are no fixed rules to garden design. But there are a few elements of composition that will serve the garden designer well, when combining plants. And the only way to get good at garden design is to do it.

Lady's Mantle

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Lady’s Mantle is an old-fashioned flower still popular today for it’s fuzzy, cupped leaves that hold water droplets after a rain and the frothy sprays of dainty yellow flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer. Lady’s Mantle is also used in making lotions and soaps. Lady’s Mantle is a long-lived perennial flower that is fairly low maintenance.

Growing Nasturtiums

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Nasturtiums are cool season annual flowers in rich, jewel tone colors. Nasturtiums are extremely easy to grow, practically growing themselves. There are bushy, trailing and climbing nasturtiums to fill every gardening need. They are even edible. You won’t usually find seedlings of nasturtiums, but the large seeds germinate quickly and the plants bloom all season. Here are some more nasturtium growing tips.

Peas Please

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Peas are one of those vegetables that must be tasted fresh from the garden to truly be appreciated. Whether they are shelling, snap, snow or sugar pod peas, their moment of glory is rather brief in the garden. Learn how to make the most of the peas you grow.

Growing Sweet Potatoes

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Can you grow sweet potatoes at home? Except for being a long season crop, sweet potatoes are very easy to grow. Even the sweet potato leaves are edible. If you have a small garden, bush sweet potatoes might be a better choice for you. Here are some tips for growing sweet potatoes in any home garden.

Houseplants You Can't Kill

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Easy care houseplants. Houseplants for people who don’t take care of their plants. These 6 indoors plants are extremely hard to kill with neglect, yet they’ll add that homey feel that only plants can bring.

Cyclamen Care

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Although many species of cyclamen are hardy, the cyclamen plants sold in greenhouses and stores during the holidays are considered houseplants and require different care than garden cyclamens. Still cyclamens make excellent long, blooming houseplants with minimal care, as outlined here.

More Plants From Cuttings

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Increase the plants in your home and garden by taking cuttings from existing plants and rooting them to make more plants.

Determinate Tomatoes

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Determinate tomato varieties tend to reach a fixed height and ripen all their fruit in a short period of time.

Plants for Clay Soil

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Gardening in clay soil is a challenge that can be met. Their are many plants that will grow very well in clay soil and some that will even help improve it. Rugged natives and tough, tap rooted plants can make a garden even in the difficult conditions posed by clay. Here are some to get you started.

Pruning Lilacs

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

If lilacs are left to grow and spread on their own, without maintenance pruning, you will get shrubs reaching 15 - 20' in height and all the blooms will be way above your head. Lilac plants that have a balance of new shoots and older stems, will bloom best. Older lilacs can have stems as thick as small trees and will flower only on the top most branches. Fortunately, it is pretty easy to rejuvenate an old lilac, in about 3 years time. How to Prune Lilacs...

Using Cornmeal as a Fungicide

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Researchers at Texs A&M have discovered that cornmeal has powerful fungicidal properties and is effective on all kinds of landscape fungus problems, from turf grass to black spot on roses. Here’s how to apply cornmeal to treat fungus problems in your garden.

Starting a Vegetable Garden

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

How to Start a Vegetable Garden

Deer Resistant Perennials

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

There are no deer proof plants, only plants that deer don't prefer. Even that varies from garden to garden. When deer are hungry, they will eat your plants. The only real deer deterrent is a fence. However, here are some perennial plants that are rarely eaten by deer, giving them the reputation of being deer resistant.

Ripening Green Tomatoes

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

There are always green tomatoes left on the vine in the fall. Deciding whether to pick green tomatoes is a tough call. And then there’s the problem of how to get green tomatoes to ripen. Here are some tips to keep your tomato plants healthy into the fall season and for getting those green tomatoes to ripen on the vine or how to salvage the obstinate green tomatoes you actually have to pick while still green.

Hybrid Tea Roses

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Hybrid tea roses are the most popular rose in the world and perhaps the most popular flower. Hybrid teas have all the virtues you look for in a flower: beauty, fragrance and easy care. As with any other type of plant, not all hybrid teas are created equal. However, the idea that hybrid teas are fussier than other rose types is unwarranted. The key, as always, is to choose a variety suited to your climate and zone.

Container Garden Tips

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Container gardening offers many conveniences. Good soil, easy access and the ability to correct mistakes quickly are just a few. These rules of thumb can help you successfully combine plants to create a container garden.

Fragrant Roses

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

All roses are beautiful, but fragrant roses are extra special. And who would be better qualified than the 'All America Rose Selections' to clue us into some great growing roses with exceptional fragrance. Here are their picks from the last 5 decades.

Growing Miniature Roses

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Miniature roses deliver all the punch of full size roses in a size that suits any garden. They may look delicate, but miniature roses are hardier than many tea roses and much easier to grow. Great as a specimen, an edger or in containers, mini roses are easy care plants that bloom throughout the season.

Growing Garlic

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Garlic is very easy to grow in the home garden. There are hundreds of garlic varieties and the only way you are gong to get to taste them is if you grow them yourself. Read on to learn what types of garlic to grow and how to grow and store your garlic.

What Does Full Sun Mean?

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Garden plants usually come labeled with required sun exposure. The definitions of these terms can vary some, but here are the generally accepted meanings of Full Sun, Partial Shade, etc..

The Year of the Chile Pepper

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Growing hot chili peppers is easy and possible almost anywhere. But the real enjoyment of growing your own hot peppers is harvesting them and using them. Here are some tips.

Deadheading Garden Flowers

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Deadheading flowers is a garden maintenance task that must be done if you want to have flowers throughout the garden season. The more you deadhead your flowers, the more new flower buds will be set. Deadheading all makes your whole garden look better.

Hydrangea Types

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

There are many new hydrangeas on the market that take the guess work out of when or if you need to prune your hydrangea. However many of us have old hydrangea shrubs in our yards that can cause a lot of frustration when they don't bloom. Bloom on an older hydrangea usually depends on when it was pruned. To know when to prune your old fashioned hydrangea, you'll need to know what type of hydrangea it is. Here's some help in identifying your hydrangea.

Coral Bells - Heuchera

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Heuchera (Coral Bells)

Preserving Vegetables

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

How to preserve fruits and vegetables by drying, canning, pickling and making jams and jellies. Keep the freshness of the harvest by preserving your own garden vegetables at home. There’s a method safe and easy enough for everyone, as well as tips for success and recipe suggestions.

Growing Pansies

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Pansies are probably the most popularly grown and most recognizable cool season plant. The variety of colors and the cheerfulness of the pansy’s ‘face’ have made them a long standing favorite. And they’re easy and undemanding to grow. Here are some tips to keep your pansies growing and blooming longer.

Flowering Plants for Dry Areas

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

It’s a smart idea to study up on which plants can adapt to dry areas, because sooner or later every garden will experience a period of drought. While water is crucial to growing healthy plants, there are many perennials that can withstand periodic dry spells, if they are given a chance to become established before they are severely stressed.. Here are 10 perennials that may surprise you with their drought tolerant constitutions.

Front Yard Gardens

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

If there is one place that small space gardening should be more widely practiced, it is in front yards. We have surrendered the front of our homes to foundation plantings of overly pruned evergreens and uninspiring dots of geraniums. It is intimidating to experiment in full view of every passer-by, but the pay off is great and I think you’ll find most people, neighbors included, will be delighted.

Growing Thyme

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Thyme is an extremely easy growing Mediterranean herb that prefers dry, lean growing conditions. In fact, thyme almost grows itself. You can grow thyme in herb gardens, on rock walls, between pavers or even indoors. Here are some tips on growing and using great thyme.

Zone_Changes

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

The USDA Hardiness Zone Map has been used by gardeners to determine what plants will survive in their garden climate. The latest revisions by the American Horticulture Society, add zones and take into consideration more than just annual low temperatures. Other hardiness measures include: length of cold spells in the winter, airflow patterns, the effect of large bodies of water like oceans and lakes and heat factors and how these things effect garden plants.

Perennial Spring Pruning

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Four season interest in the garden is nice. Dried flowers hold onto snow like frosting. Seed heads feed the birds. But some perennials don’t handle cold weather well. Plants like Butterfly Weed, Chrysanthemums and Coral Bells benefit from the protection their foliage provides for their crowns and survive best if cleaned up in the spring. The following list is a recommendation of plants that are best pruned in the spring.

How to Dry Hydrangeas

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Hydrangeas are one of those flowers that almost dry themselves. Once dry, they can last and look beautiful for years. You can dry hydrangeas several ways, but I’ve found the best way to dry hydrangea flowers is the water drying method. This drying method helps the hydrangea flowers retain their color and last longer. Here’s how.

Growing Hot Peppers

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Chili peppers have the distinction of being welcome I both vegetable gardens and flower borders. While hot peppers may seem exotic, they are very easy to grow almost anywhere, even indoors. The assortment of hot peppers, whether Jalapeno, Serrano, Cayenne, Habanero or Thai, offers something for every garden and every pallette.

Rose Gardening 101

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Rose gardening basics are all you need to get started as a rose gardener. Growing roses doesn’t have to be a challenge. You can grow a prize winning hybrid tea rose, old fashioned cabbage roses, sprawling ramblers and climbers or the perfect fragrant rose if you know how to care for roses simply. Here are easy to follow planting, pruning and enjoying rose gardening tips.

Mint

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Plants in the mint family are very hardy perennials with vigorous growth habits. Mint, left to its own devices, will spread quickly and become a nuisance. However, it is very popular as a flavorful herb and the plants can be grown easily. Just try to chose a spot where you won’t mind the rampant growth or grow it in a confined space.

Growing Caladiums

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Caladiums are tropical perennials grown for their spectacularly colorful foliage. Who needs flowers when the leaves are splotched and speckled with rose, cream, burgundy and flame red? Caladiums are heat lovers, but they can easily grow in cooler climates in summer and even make great houseplants. Learn the in and outs for caring for your colorful Caladiums.

Companion Planting

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Companion planting is an age old gardening technique of pairing two or more plants to gain some type of benefit,: vigorous growth, higher yield, repelling pests or attracting predators of common pests. Some companion plantings work, others disappoint. But the idea of strength in diversity is never truer than in the garden and that’s what companion planting provides. Here are some tips for attracting beneficial insects and for companion planting with herbs to repel insect pests.

Plants for Bees

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Every garden needs pollinators and bees are among the best. Without them there would be limited flowers and even fewer fruits and vegetables. To attract bees and other pollinators to your gardens you need to select flowers and plants that are high in nectar and pollen and plant so that they are obvious and available to the insects. Here are some tips for luring bees to your garden and lists of good plant choices for bees.

How Much Mulch?

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Knowing how much mulch or amendment to purchase for your garden is always a bit of a guess, but you can make it an educated one by using a couple of easy measurements and calculations. Here's how to know how many bags, pounds or cubic yards of mulch will actually give you 3inches of coverage.

How to Grow Rudbeckia

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Rudbeckia are easy to establish, naturalize well and require little maintenance other than deadheading. Black-eyed Susan's come in a rich array of yellows, golds, oranges and russets. For a dependable, long season bloomer that brings a smile to faces, you can’t go wrong with Rudbeckia. Here are some tips for choosing and growing Black-eyed Susans, Brown-eyed Susans and all the Gloriosa Daisies in between.

Plant Pruning FAQ

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Most plants benefit from some sort of regular pruning and maintenance. The trick is in know when to prune what. It’s confusing, but rarely fatal. Pruning at the wrong time of year may result in less flowers and fruits, but it usually won’t harm the plant in the long run To help you take the guess work out of pruning, here is a series of articles to help you learn when to prune the plants in your garden.

Achillea

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Achillea often get taken for granted because they are such a dependable, low maintenance perennial plant. There are many varieties of Yarrow and there is sure to be one or two suited to growing in your garden.

Roses for Shade

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Rose growers recomend at least 5 -6 hours of full sun for growing roses. If your garden doesn't provide that much sun, you may still be able to grow select varieties of roses. No rose will thrive and bloom without some sun, but there are roses that will do just fine with a little shade. Here are some top rosarian picks of roses able to perform in partial shade.

Shade Gardening

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Shade gardening offers the opportunity to work with a diverse variety of plants and to garden in a cool spot both the gardener and the plants will appreciate. There are shade plants suitable to the different degrees of shade. It is possible to create a shade garden with color and interest, if you choose appropriate shade garden plants. Here are some tips and suggestions for making the most of your shade garden.

Gerber Daisies, Transvaal Daisy, African Daisy - Gerbera jamesonii

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Gerbera jamesonii (Gerber Daisy)

Earwig Control in the Garden

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

How to get rid of earwigs in your garden. While earwigs do feed on plants, the amount of damage they do shouldn’t present a major problem in most gardens. In fact, earwigs even eat aphids, snails and some types of larvae, so it might be a plus that they are there. However, there are times when earwigs can be considered a pest. When that happens,

Cabbages

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Cabbage can be grown easily in the home vegetable garden. In fact, two crops a year of cabbage are possible. There are hundreds of varieties to choose from. Cabbages are classified by head shape, round and flat-head being the most commonly seen, and come in white, green and purple.

Whitefly

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Whitefly

Echinacea

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Echinacea profile. Echinacea or coneflower is an old fashioned prairie plant. Echinacea are hardy, adaptable and reliable repeat bloomers and are expecially popular with gardeners for good reason.

Pink and Gold Rose

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Photo of Pink and Gold Rose

Dividing Perennial Plants

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

The idea of dividing perennials can scare new gardeners. Division of perennials is an easily mastered gardening technique that is good for the plants and your garden. Most perennial flowers will need to be divided to remain vigorous and continue blooming season after season.

Fall Perennial Pruning

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

It can be nice to leave some perennials standing for winter interest. But many perennial plants don’t survive rough weather well. Many plants have recurrent problems with pests and diseases, which will over winter in their fallen foliage and surface in the spring. The following list of perennial flowers survive and thrive better if pruned or cut down in the fall.

Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia)

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia)

Saving Tomato Seeds

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Seed saving is the only way to make sure you have seeds of your favorite plants to grow each year. Tomato seeds need special handling to ensure good germination. Here's how to begin saving tomato seeds.

What is Mulch

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Mulch is any type of material that is spread or laid over the surface of the soil as a covering. It is used to retain moisture in the soil, suppress weeds, keep the soil cool and make the garden bed look more attractive. Organic mulches also help improve the soil’s fertility, as they decompose. Here are the pros and cons of various mulch materials.

Vegetable Garden Overview

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Photo of a well maintained vegetable garden

Flowering Trees and Shrubs

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

It is always confusing knowing whether to prune flowering trees and shrubs in the spring or wait until they bloom. Most spring bloomers should be trimmed after blooming, but not all. Here's a list of common landscape trees and shrubs and when to prune them.

Garden Catalogs

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Gardening catalogs are a great way to learn about new plants, tools and supplies. Many garden catalogs are so full of information, reading them is like reading a book. Garden catalog shopping isn't quite as much fun as gardening, but it's very close. Here is a list of gardening favorites and what they have to offer the gardener.

Using Dwarf Evergreens

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

The term 'Bones of the Garden' can be difficult to understand, let alone accomplish. Garden Bones refers to using something architectural to define the structure of a garden. Most often we see it in large-scale estate or public gardens, but it is doable in more humble gardens too. One of the best tools for adding bones to your garden design is dwarf conifers. Structural, eye catching, easy to grow and diverse, dwarf conifers show a garden means business. Here are some of the best.

Growing Asparagus

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Asparagus is one of the few perennial plants for the home vegetable garden. Plant it once and it keeps on growing. There is some up front work to be done by the vegetable gardener, before you can enjoy an asparagus harvest, but a well-established asparagus bed can produce for decades. Here are some tips for growing great asparagus plants.

Backyard Frog Pond

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Backyard Frog Pond

Reading a Fertilizer Label

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

How to make sense of the numbers on your plant fertilizer bag and choose the right product for your plants.

What the Elegant Butterfly Will Be Wearing

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Growing Lilies (Asiatic Lily)

Creating a Garden to Suit Your Purpose

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Small Space Gardening - Creative Fencing

Cucumber Bacterial Wilt

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Cucumber vines that mysteriously wilt and die off are probably infected with bacterial wilt. Cucumber bacterial wilt is transmitted by the cucumber beetle. There’s not much you can do once the vines are infected with cucumber bacterial wilt, but you can take some measures early in the season to protect your young cucumber plants. Here’s help for cucumber bacterial wilt.

Spittlebug

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Spittlebugs are so named because the nymph can whip up a frothy covering to protect itself. All you are likely to see of spittlebugs is the foam on a plant leaf or stem joint. Spittlebugs look unsightly, but they don’t really do much damage. To control spittle bugs,

Pole Tree Pruners

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Sometimes there's a damaged branch, just out of reach. Or maybe you need to open the canopy or snip off crossing branches. It's frustrating when there's a branch you can't get to it. Ladders are fine, but pruning requires stability and balance. Some clever person came up with pole pruners. How brilliant to attach a long handle to a saw blade. Here's some advice and suggestions on what to look for in pole tree pruners.

Double Wheel Wheelbarrow

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Wheelbarrows and garden carts are indispensable garden tools. There will always be things to haul around the garden and there is no substitution for a wheelbarrow or garden cart. But which wheelbarrow or cart will suit your needs and fit your gardening style? Here are 10 top picks of garden wheelbarrows and carts to get you thinking.

Rose Growing Problems

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Choosing the right type of rose and giving it the care that it needs are common sense approaches to carefree plants. Planting your roses in combination with other plants, rather than in an exclusively rose garden, can further cut down on problems. However we are often drawn to the beautiful prima donas in the rose world and these will require more attention. The best remedy for rose problems is a good defense.

Eggplant

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Eggplants are sun and heat loving vegetables, in the same family as tomatoes, peppers and potatoes. Eggplant actually does come in a small, white egg-shaped variety. Most Americans have never seen one, so the name seems inappropriate. There is actually a great variety of eggplants, many much easier to grow in the home vegetable garden than the large, oblong, purple varieties we are used to.

Bugleweed - Ajuga

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Ajuga is a fast growing groundcover that can take over, if you're not careful. However, when it is in bloom in the spring, there's nothing to top it. If you have the space to let it roam, it's well worth growing.

Patio Garden Design

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Gardening on your patio or terrace creates an extension of your home. An outdoor room that serves the dual purpose of being an outdoor room without walls and a place to indulge in gardening. A patio garden is limited only by your aspirations. Designing a garden on or around your patio or terrace can create a place to enjoy and entertain or a place to indulge your green thumb on a smaller scale.

Shasta Daisy - Leucanthemum x superbum

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Shasta Daisy Photo

Drying Flowers

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Save your garden's beauty by drying and preserving your flowers. Methods include air drying, speeding the drying process with silica gel and even easier, microwaving flower buds. Drying flowers is an easy way to extend your garden season.

SmVegetableGarden

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

You don’t need a farm to grow fresh vegetables, herbs and fruits. You don’t really even need a garden. Plant breeders know that after taste, home gardeners want a high yield in a small space. So they’ve been developing more varieties that can grow in a small foot print or even live in containers all year long.

Growing Phormium

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Phormium is a spiky, sword-leafed evergreen perennial that is used as a garden focal point or specimen plant. Some are small enough to use in containers, others can reach several feet in diameter and 7+ feet tall. Phormium aren’t hardy in many areas, but can be brought indoors for the winter. Growing Phormium is easy, if you give the plants what they want.

Fall Bloomers

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Perennial gardens change with the seasons and the fall garden is one of the most colorful seasons in the garden. Many fall blooming perennial flowers display jewel tone blossoms that complement the fall foliage display of trees and shrubs. The choice of fall blooming perennial plants keeps growing.

Getting Rid of Bagworms

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

If you have bagworms in your landscape, you’ve probably been told there’s not much you can do but cut them out of the tree and destroy them. New studies show promise that planting members of the Aster family, like daisies and gazania, near and/or around the susceptible tree will attract a natural predator of bagworm.

Hydrangea Colors

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Hydrangeas have a reputation for being chamaeleons, but not all hydrangeas change color. Generally you will need to grow Big Leaf Hydrangeas, Hydrangea macrophylla, to get the pink or blue color you are seeking. You needn’t become a chemist, but you will need to understand why your hydrangeas change color. Here's why.

Black Foliage Shrubs

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Shrubs add four season stucture to a garden. They are considered the bones of a garden's design. Elderberries (Sambucus) have long been garden favorites because so many shrubs in the species Sambucus offer great foliage, fall color and wonderful berries. Sambucus Black Beauty (Sambucus nigra ‘Gerda’ PP12305, Canadian BRAF) and Sambucus Black Lace (Sambucus nigra ‘Eva’ ppaf) are two recent introductions that add depth and interest to any garden with their deep purple, almost black foliage.

Deadnettle - Lamium

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Lamium (Deadnettle)

Scale Insects

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Scale are tiny parasitic insects that adhere to plants and live off the plant’s sap. They look like bumps on the plant’s stem and are often mistaken for a disease. There are some 7,000 species of scale insect, varying in color and size.

Growing Kale

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Growing kale is an easy and very rewarding crop for the home gardener. This cooking green is as beautiful to look at as it is tasty to eat and it attracts very few pests or problems. The secret to growing great kale is cool temperatures and plenty of water. Here’s how to have your best crop ever.

#10 -There are Many Bellflowers, but Campanula persicifolia Makes the Cut

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Peach Leaved Bellflower

Cool Season Annuals

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Cool weather can be hard to garden in, because you never know how long it will last. But there are many annual flowers that prefer the cool days of spring and fall. Many cool season annuals look wonderful in containers and growing these flowers will make your gardening season seem that much longer. If you live in a warm climate, some of these flowers will bloom from fall through spring.

No Deadhead Perennials

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Some perennial plants require no deadheading to remain attractive all season. These perennial flowers won't bloom again, so no deadheading is needed. There's less effort on your part, but just as much enjoyment.

Sagina subulata (Irish Moss)

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Sagina subulata (Irish Moss)

Gardening on the Patio

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Small Space Gardening - Gardening Around a Patio

Dealing with Leaf Galls

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Leaf gall, those alarming bumps that appear to be something suddenly infesting plant leaves, are actually the plant’s defensive response to insects or mites that have been feeding on its foliage. Leaf galls are far less harmful to the tree than their appearance would suggest.

Choosing Plants for Pots

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Container gardening offers immediate gratification. You can experiment with new plants and combinations. If you don’t like the result, start over with minimal trouble. There are no rules for designing a container garden. However, there are certain design principles that can be scaled to container size and make creating effective container gardens an art. Think of them as Rules of Thumb, not Rules per se. Here are some Rules to Guide You and/or Break When Creating Container Gardens.

Lettuce

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Salad greens are easy to grow and there are literally hundreds of varieties. That pale green head you see at the grocery store is just the tip of the iceberg. From curly to oak leafed, here's a look at growing and choosing the best lettuce.

Vision in Garden Design

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Small Space Gardening - Terraced Front Yard Gardens

Easter Lilies

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Easter Lilies are a beautiful, fragrant symbol of the Easter season. A few simple tips will keep your lily plant blooming through the season and maybe even keep it going a few season longer. It is possible to plant your Easter Lily outdoors in the garden and have it rebloom. Success isn’t guaranteed, but what do you have to loose by trying. Here are some Easter Lily tips for caring for your lily plant and keeping it going.

Vegetable Gardening in Limited Space

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Small Space Vegetable Gardening

Wireworms

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Wireworms

Iris

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Iris (Bearded Iris)

Summer Squash

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Summer squash should be in every home garden. Summer squash grows easily, tastes best freshly picked and comes in varieties from acorn to zucchini. The only trick to growing great summer squash is choosing the right varieties. If you love zucchini, there are dozens to try. But summer squash doesn’t stop at zucchini. This profile of summer squash should convince you to try a few vines in your home garden.

Modern Comforts

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Small Space Gardens - Landscaping a Town House

Plants for a Small Garden

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Every plant looks tempting in the nursery center or catalog. How do you know what will do well in your garden? There are some guidelines for what to consider when shopping for plants for your garden. While there are times to indulge yourself with whatever plant catches your fancy, when designing a small garden, every plant matters. Choose wisely.

A Border of Flowers Can Enclose a Small Space

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Small Space Gardens - Creating a Flower Border

Plantain Lily - Hosta

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Hosta

A Garden of Bouquets, Year After Year

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Free Garden Design - Perennial Cutting Garden

ContainerPhotos

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Gardening in pots and containers offers many advantages. A container lets you experiment with plant combinations and color. You can easily swap out plants with the season. Many container gardens are portable. You can let them follow the sun, or use them to fill in gaps in a border. And container gardens fit just about anywhere. So there's no excuse not to have a garden.

Drying Gourds

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Ornamental gourds grow as easily as zucchini. But unlike zucchini, there is no limit to what you can do with gourds. By drying ornamental gourds, you can keep them intact indefinitely. Drying gourds is an easy process, but it takes time. Here’s all you need to know about how to dry gourds.

What are Rose Hips?

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Rose hips are the seed pods of roses. We don’t often see them anymore, because we tend to prune the faded rose blossoms to encourage more flowers. However if you leave the spent flowers on the rose bush at the end of the season, you should see these small, berry-sized, reddish seed balls, left on tips of the stems. Rose hips are actually very ornamental and birds enjoy them too. They are also edible and a good source of vitamin C. Here’s how to harvest and use your rose hips.

Soilless Potting Mix

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Starting plants from seed is a lot of fun, but it’s not so much fun to watch them wither and die shortly after germination. One way to gain an advantage is to use a sterile potting mix, because you never know what problems come along with soil from the garden. If you’re going with a potting mix anyway, you might want the further advantages a soilless mix brings. Here’s a rundown on what’s in the potting mix if you leave out the soil, and why you’d bother to in the first place.

Polygonatum

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum) is an elegant Native American woodland plant. The small, tubular white flowers of Polygonatum dangle underneath the leaves. But it's the plant form that makes Solomon's Seal such an interesting plant. Once established, Polygonatum slowly spreads out and creates a nodding blanket of foliage that turns a golden yellow in autumn. Here are some tips on getting Solomon’s Seal to grow in your garden.

Gaillardia, Blanket Flower

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Gaillardia, Blanket Flower Photo

Growing Rhubarb

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Is rhubarb a vegetable? A fruit? An ornamental plant? It’s a very ornamental vegetable that is usually prepared and eaten much like a fruit. All that and it’s perennial in many areas. Rhubarb is a cool season crop that is grown for its fibrous leaf stalks, which are a wonderful sweet-tart treat. These tips should help you get your rhubarb started right and growing well.

Petunia Varieties

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Petunias have done a 180 in recent years. They are much more tolerant of rain and many don't need any deadheading at all. They mound, they trail and they bloom their hearts out. How do you know what type of petunia to buy? Here's a petunia 101 on which types of petunias are best for your garden, hanging baskets and groundcovers.

Growing Moss

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Moss looks wonderful in the garden, especially on rocks and rock walls. It gives any garden a sense of age and weight. Getting moss to grow on rocks or on the ground in your garden simply requires you give the moss the growing conditions it needs and have some patience while it gets established.

#8 -One of the Best Repeat Blooming Spiky Blues

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Liatris spicata (Gay Feather, Dense Blazing Star) 'Kobold'

Winter Rose Care

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

All rose plants need some attention going into winter. Winter weather can really challenge rose bushes, particularly the hybrid teas. You will need to discourage new growth and make sure the rose plants in your garden are well water and well mulched. Look out for overwintering garden pests and diseases too.

Companion Planting

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Herbs work especially well as companion plants. They multitask by attracting beneficial insects and repelling pest insects and their fragrance and foliage make them good companions in both the vegetable garden and the ornamental border. The following list offers some suggestions for using herb plants to repel specific garden pests.

Organic Pest & Disease Control

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Gardening organically doesn't mean you have to surrender your garden to pests and diseases. There are many organic pesticide products and biological controls that will help you ward off everything from aphids to weeds. Once you get your gardening moving in an organic direction, it is actually easier to maintain than a garden dependent on synthetic chemicals and amendments. Here are some organic insect and disease controls to start with.

In Garden Design, Simplicity Can Be Surprising

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Small Space Gardening - Containers

Pincushion Flower - Scabiosa columbaria

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Scabiosa 'Blue Butterfly'

A Welcome Home Garden

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Small Space Gardening - Front Yard Gardens

Garden Soil

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Soil is often viewed as the boring part of gardening. While garden soil will never be glamourous or even as interesting as choosing plants, there is a whole world under our Wellingtons that literally and figuratively is the foundation for our gardens. New gardeners are cautioned to put money and effort into improving their soil before they even consider planting, but few appreciate this wisdom. Here's why you should.

Isotoma fluviatilis 'Blue Star Creeper' (Laurentia)

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Isotoma fluviatilis 'Blue Star Creeper' (Laurentia)

Container Garden Plants

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Container gardens offer the advantage of changing your garden with every season. The choice of plant material is limited only by your climate and your imagination. Keep in mind the scale of the container and how aggressively the plant grows. While you want your container garden to look full, fast growers will quickly outgrow their pots.

The following choices should get you thinking.

Even a Small Garden Can Be a Destination

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Small Space Gardens - Flower Island on a Hill

Annual Garden Plants

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Annual flowers and plants only live for one growing season. But not all plants that are killed by frost at the end of the season are annuals. An annual plant must complete its life cycle in one growing season.

Interplanting Veggies & Flower

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

There is no rule that says vegetables and flowers can’t mix. In fact, the vegetable garden will benefit greatly from the addition of some flowers and herbs. It’s not just aesthetics that make flowers and herbs welcome in the vegetable garden. Interplanting flowers and herbs offers several beneficial features that can protect your vegetables from insect pests and even make them more productive.

Tomatoes Not Ripening Fully

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Tomatoes that do not ripen fully, leaving the stem end green or yellowish, are said to have green shoulders. What can be doen to prevent this happening? Are the tomatoes wit green shoulders still good?

What is Horticultural Oil?

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Horticultural oil is an effective and ecologically friendly way to handle many garden insect pests and even some diseases. Most hort oils are some type of mineral oil, a refined petroleum product. The oil is usually combined with some type of emulsifying agent so that it can be mixed with water and used as a spray. You may see it listed as dormant, summer, all-season or even superior oil. Here’s what the difference is.

Long Producing VeggieGarden

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

You can have a long producing vegetable garden with minimal effort. Keep harvesting in your vegetable garden into the fall and maybe even winter months. A long producing vegetable garden is possible, if you heed some simple, but key gardening rules.

Merging Your Garden and Your House

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Small Space Gardening - Framing a Window

Two-Tone Rose

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Two-Tone Rose

Leafminer Damage

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

If your plant leaves look like someone was doodling squiggly lines, you have leaf miners. Leafminers are the larvae of various beetles, flies, moths and sawflies. The adult lays their eggs on the leaf and the larvae burrow into the leaf and tunnel through it, feeding and leaving a transparent trail of where they've been. Although leafminers don't often kill a plant, they can make it pretty unsightly. Here are some tips for avoiding or stopping leafminer damage.

Lantana

2009-07-04T10:31:24Z

Lantana (Shrub Verbena)