Gardening Tips

The work of planning the garden in as much as it consists in deciding what and how much we shall plant and where we shall plant it-may very well be done long in advance of the season of active operations. Indeed, it is a distinct and pleasurable advantage to make the long winter evenings supplement

There are several forms of vegetables which, while the culture is not specially dissimilar, may yet, for convenience, be divided into five classes: those the edible part of which is produced beneath the surface of the soil and are known as root vegetables; those which set fruit above ground; those whose fruit is produced on

Timely harvest of vegetables sown or planted outside early in the growing season, and ones that generally mature rapidly or during cooler temperatures results in the best flavor and longest harvest period. Many of these also make good fall crops, started later in the season. Snap asparagus spears off at ground level when they are

EARLY SUMMER TIPS FOR THE VEGETABLE GARDEN Mulching, staking, pest and disease control, and succession planting are some of the early season tips for vegetable gardens. Reduce the weeds in walkways in your garden by covering the soil with some type of mulch. Several sheets of moistened newspaper topped with hay or straw are attractive

Knowing when to harvest vegetables is just as important as knowing how to grow them.  Some have a long time over which you can harvest, others must be harvested at just the proper stage of ripening.  Harvest at the wrong time, and your vegetables may not ripen properly if too young, or be tough and

One of the activities that you have most to gain from is growing your own vegetables, but for first-timers, the complex procedure of planning and organizing the veggie garden can feel like an impossible task. What’s even more stressful is that a single mistake can cost you everything as you won’t have what to harvest,

Many people start their gardening hobby by just growing a few plants here and there, maybe some tomatoes, herbs, and other “easy” plants. More often than not, this small part-time hobby grows into something that becomes an entire lifestyle. Making the transition from a very small garden to one that’s considerably larger requires a lot

Growing your own fruit and vegetables is a fun and rewarding thing to do. These days we are all looking for healthier options and by growing your own produce, you can guarantee that it is totally organic. Chemicals and pesticides can cause all kinds of health problems so knowing exactly what is in your food

Geranium – Cranesbill, Herb Robert The plants, usually called Geraniums, are really Pelargoniums and do not come within the scope of this book. The true Geraniums are hardy perennials growing 12 inches to 18 inches tall. They range in color from lilac to rosy-purple. The most commonly cultivated species, Geranium sanguineum, has purple-crimson flowers producing

Grasses, Ornamental Arrhenatherum bulbosum variegatum A dwarf, decorative grass of tufted habit growing only 8 inches high. The green and white leaves retain their clear color throughout ‘ the season. It is used where a white edging or border is desired. Arundo Donax-Giant Reed This is the tallest of the ornamental grasses, sometimes growing in

Gypsophila – Baby’s Breath, Chalk Plant, Gauze Flower, Fairies’ Breath The Gypsophila is one of the daintiest of the old-fashioned flowers with a misty grace which is not found in other flowers. The flowers themselves are tiny, white or blush-white and the plants are covered with myriads of these blossoms all during the Summer. The

Helianthus – Perennial Sunflower These bold perennials are so diverse in their habits that it is hoped that the reader will not come to them with prejudice ‘ because some of its relatives are coarse and grasping in nature. Some of the sorts are actually dainty. All the sorts are tones of golden yellow and

Heuchera – Fairy Flowers, Alum Root, Coral Bells Heucheras are among the most desirable of the smaller growing plants. There are many varieties worth growing. Of these, Heuchera sanguinea is most often seen. The plants are compact, bushy and grow in tufts, the flower stems growing 11/2 feet or 2 feet high. The evergreen leaves look

Hibiscus – Marsh Mallow, Swamp Rose Mallow, Mallow Marvels The perennial Mallows bear some of the largest flowers of any of our perennials and present a gorgeous sight when in bloom. They grow from 3 feet to 8 feet tall and the branches spread out over a great area. The leaves are large and grayish

Hollyhock – Althaea A constant, old-fashioned garden favorite! Hollyhocks have been universally admired for hundreds of years They are stately, majestic, towering plants that add beauty wherever they are grown. What other plant has so stately a habit or so many clear, lovely colors a In single plants or in masses against walls or buildings,

Each year the National Garden Bureau (ngb.org/year-of) names plants of the year, with the annual flower (lives only one year) for 2019 being snapdragon.   This upright flower is easy to grow, has multiple garden uses, and comes in a multitude of colors.   Although snapdragons are winter-hardy in warmer climates (USDA zones 7 to 10, such

Many people rely on crocus, tulips and daffodil bulbs to give spring colour, but several other spring bloomers are available to grow. Most are relatively low growing and will tolerate various conditions offered to them, thereby allowing all gardeners to give them a try. Pulmonaria – commonly called “Lungwort” and named for the spotted leaves

Most of the time I lead a rather dull life, and I like it that way. There are days, of course, when I throw caution to the winds and eat shredded wheat instead of toast for breakfast. There are other days when I go for a walk at noon instead of first thing in the

I am lucky. Gardening has always been a slightly guilty pleasure for me. I used to think that it was because I never had enough time in the garden. Now I am positive that I would feel the same way even if I had all the time in the world. As a little more light

The old saying, “good things come in small packages,” is especially true for the spring bulb garden. Although large Dutch tulips and yellow daffodils certainly have their place in the garden, spring-blooming miniatures–called minor bulbs in the nursery trade–add pizzazz. Most are prolific bloomers, with some, like snow drops and snow crocuses, among the first