Whether you’re a hobby grower or a large commercial grower here is a tried and true system for overwintering container grown perennials and herbs. There are many ways to overwinter perennials. This is one of the systems used successfully by many hobby and commercial growers throughout the country. Cold Frames are never out of style…
House plants are varied and very broad. Most can be categorized as flowering and non flowering. While we commonly assume house plants are few in numbers, the truth is there are hundreds of varieties of house plants. The reviews will be on the most popular types of house plants. You must first ask yourself? Do you…
Garden edging looks like a purely decorative choice, a neat line between lawn and flower bed. It’s not. Edging that just sits on top of the soil, however good it looks the day it’s installed, rarely stops what it’s actually meant to stop: grass and weed roots creeping under it into the bed anyway. This…
Flowers don’t last forever once they’re cut – but it’s possible to make them last longer and look fresher with a few simple tips Receiving flowers is one of the greatest pleasures in life. There is nothing quite like the smell and feel of a flower and so it’s hardly surprising that the flowers market…
Lawn and garden tractor attachments add utility to a machine that is already very functional, but think about needs and capabilities before purchasing. Add utility to a lawn and garden tractor by selecting appropriate attachments to use at home. Everyone may not need a large tractor, but home owners may still need some of the…
Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the major ingredients in garden fertilizers. Many elements including nutrients are present in soil and needed for plant growth. What does “N P K” have to do with gardening? Healthy, robust lawns, gardens and houseplants depend on a number of factors including soil characteristics, location in the U.S., nutrients present…
Gardeners need to be aware of the negative effects of above-average rainfall on plants, and how they can prevent and treat damage to the garden. Most gardens cannot survive without rain, but is it possible to have too much of a good thing? While above-average rainfall can have a positive impact on drought conditions, it…
Sometimes runoff water from impervious surfaces will concentrate and cause erosion problems. Rain gardens harvest this water, filter pollutants, and prevent erosion. Properly designed, rain gardens intercept the natural water flow and slow it down, allowing it to gradually infiltrate into the ground. Rain Gardens are Functional Sustainable gardeners appreciate how rain gardens work to…
Pruning mistakes may result in misshapen and weak ornamental trees. Shearing and topping are two of the most widespread and injurious pruning methods. Shearing and topping are two methods of pruning flowering ornamental trees often used instead of more beneficial methods. Reasons for using shearing and topping may include: Lack of knowledge about tree growth…
Low-maintenance small evergreen shrubs are first-rate selections for DIY landscape foundation plantings. They enrich the looks of shady front yard landscapes. Plant breeders continue to introduce shrubs that save maintenance time, effort, and money. These introductions are smaller than their normal-sized relatives and often labeled as dwarfs. They are relatively disease and pest resistant. Both…
Rain gardens use run-off from roofs, driveways, other impervious surfaces. Rainwater is used by native plants rather than running to the storm sewer or ditch. A rain garden is just that – a garden that utilizes the rain. It can be a personal contribution to cleaner water and an improved environment in a backyard and…
Low impact development (LID) includes means to reduce the effects of increased stormwater runoff due to urbanization. Rain gardens are an important tool for this. The increase in impervious area—buildings, driveways, and streets—results in more stormwater being discharged rather than infiltrating into the ground. Urbanization in all its forms, including dense urban centers, suburban sprawl,…
Rain barrels are a great way for homeowners and gardeners to benefit both the environment and their wallets. Using a ran barrel is simple. Rain barrels are a popular way to collect excess water for use around the house and in the garden. There are many benefits to installing a rain barrel for residential water…
Although most gardeners are ready for a break as winter approaches, the garden does not have to be lackluster during the winter months. Simple ideas can add interest. Landscaping in a winter garden is a bonus. If the space is “unlevel”, then low stone walls will accommodate creeping plants in the summer months and eye…
A raised bed goes together with lumber and a drill, but the wood, the soil, and the site decide whether it lasts.
Attractive options are available even in gardens in shady conditions. Mosses are easy to grow and are low maintenance. Proper preparation will ensure planting success. Gardeners often consider moss in their lawns as weeds. Rather than scorn their presence, embrace it. Mosses add interest and dimension to a garden and provide texture. Mosses are non-vascular…
This is your one-stop online orchid guide, with brief descriptions and links to a series of farmfoodfamily articles on the basics of orchid cultivation. This collection of Orchid Care Articles will help you easily find all of the basic information you’ll need to begin to successfully grow and bloom orchids. It’s not nearly as difficult…
The amount of light an orchid needs depends on the type of plant, but here are general guidelines that will help optimize the health of your plant and coax it to flower. Light is necessary for all life, but plants have the unique talent of being able to harness sunlight energy and turn it into…
With Spring here and Summer just around the corner it’s time to get your houseplants ready for a new growing season. Here’s a quick guide to show you how! The days are getting longer and warmer, and that means it’s time for houseplants to come out of dormancy and begin putting forth lots of new…
Lilies, castor beans, cycad palms, rhododendrons, azaleas, laurels, yews, crocuses, foxgloves and oleanders are among the most common poisonous plants for cats and dogs. Many of the plants kept in homes and gardens contain substances which can be extremely toxic when ingested by pets. Some of the most poisonous varieties can cause severe illness and…
Keep an organic vegetable garden using herbs as companion plants. They attract beneficial insects that repel pests from hybridized bedding plants, and supply the kitchen. Herbs do their work effectively in containers, traditional vegetable patches, and raised bed gardens. It’s important to maintain a variety, because different herbs offend different pests, and attract specific beneficial insects….
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