Gardening Simplified - Easy Gardening Tips for Real Life

10 Things Worth Growing in Pots This Summer That Aren't Flowers

10 Things Worth Growing in Pots This Summer That Aren't Flowers

When most people think about container gardening they think flowers. But some of the
most interesting, useful, and beautiful things you can grow in a pot this summer have
nothing to do with flowers at all.

Here are ten of them — plus the one thing to know
before you plant anything anywhere.

Posted in beginner gardening, coleus, container gardening, deck planters, edible containers, herb garden, lemongrass, ornamental plants, patio pots, pineapple mint, relaxed gardener, summer gardening, what to grow in containers

10 Little Summer Garden Moments Worth Slowing Down For

10 Little Summer Garden Moments Worth Slowing Down For

We spend a lot of time tending our gardens. Not nearly enough time enjoying them.
Here are ten small, ordinary summer moments — including one involving fresh basil
and a tomato mozzarella salad — that are worth actually slowing down for. 

Read on for inspiration!

Posted in container gardening, enjoy your garden, garden joy, garden life, garden moments, herb garden, low maintenance garden, relaxed gardener, slow gardening, summer gardening

How to Keep Your Garden Going Strong All Summer — Without Spending Your Weekends on Chores

How to Keep Your Garden Going Strong All Summer — Without Spending Your Weekends on Chores

For most of my gardening life I was an all-or-nothing gardener. Big sessions or
nothing at all. What changed everything wasn't a new technique — it was a shift to
short daily tours and quick spruce-ups.

Read on to find out how a little bit, done regularly,keeps your garden going all summer long.

Posted in beginner gardening, deadheading, garden habits, garden routine, garden tips, low maintenance garden, relaxed gardener, soaker hose, summer garden maintenance, weeding

How to Set Up Your Garden in May So It Almost Takes Care of Itself All Summer

How to Set Up Your Garden in May So It Almost Takes Care of Itself All Summer

I asked my followers what their biggest gardening challenge was. About 80% said weeds.
The rest said watering. Just two things — and both are almost entirely solvable with
two simple things you can put in place right now in May. Read on to find out what they are.

Posted in beginner gardening, garden setup, low maintenance garden, May gardening, mulching, relaxed gardener, soaker hose, spring gardening, watering tips, weed control

The Best Herbs to Grow in Containers This Summer — And How to Keep Them Happy With Minimal Effort

The Best Herbs to Grow in Containers This Summer — And How to Keep Them Happy With Minimal Effort

Herb gardening was my first real gardening success. And after more than 40 years of
growing herbs — from a dedicated in-ground garden to containers right outside my
kitchen door — I can tell you that it's still one of my favorite things to do.

Here's how to make the most of herbs in containers this summer.

Why Container Gardens Are the Smartest Thing a Busy Gardener Can Do This Spring

Why Container Gardens Are the Smartest Thing a Busy Gardener Can Do This Spring

When I downsized from a large home with a big landscape, I wondered if I'd have to give up gardening. Containers turned out to be the answer — and now they're my favorite way to garden. Here's why they might be yours too.

Posted in beginner gardening, busy gardeners, container gardening, ergonomic gardening, gardening tips, low maintenance garden, patio garden, relaxed gardener, spring gardening

The Spring Haircut Your Perennials Are Waiting For

The Spring Haircut Your Perennials Are Waiting For

One of the simplest and most rewarding spring tasks gets skipped more often than it should. Here is why your perennials need a spring haircut right now and exactly how to do it. 

Posted in liriope, pruning

If Plant Shopping Overwhelms You, Start With This

If Plant Shopping Overwhelms You, Start With This

Most gardeners start shopping by thinking about color. But there is one question that cuts through the overwhelm faster than any plant list. Here is where to actually start before your next nursery visit.

Posted in beginner gardening, garden planning, gardening tips

Before You Buy Another Plant, Check These 3 Things First

Before You Buy Another Plant, Check These 3 Things First

The number one source of plant regret is not a lack of knowledge. It is buying plants that were never a good fit. Here are three quick checks to run before anything goes in your cart this spring.

Posted in beginner gardening, hardiness zones, perennials, plant shopping tips, spring gardening

Can You Plant Yet? Here Is the Spring Timing Check I Would Use First

Can You Plant Yet? Here Is the Spring Timing Check I Would Use First

Every April the garden centers fill up and the urge to plant everything hits hard. But warm days are not the same as safe planting conditions. Here is the simple timing check I would run before buying a single plant this spring.

Read on!

What to Actually Clean Up in Spring (and What to Leave Alone)

What to Actually Clean Up in Spring (and What to Leave Alone)

Every spring I get the urge to go out and clear everything at once. Rake it all, cut it all back, make the whole garden look neat and new.  And every spring I have to remind myself: that’s not how spring cleanup actually works. Some of what’s sitting in your beds right now is doing a job. The question is knowing what to move and what to leave alone.  Here’s my relaxed, practical guide to spring cleanup — the things that are genuinely safe to tackle now, and the things that are better left a few more weeks. Read on...

Yes, You Can Plant Something in March. Here’s Where to Start.

Yes, You Can Plant Something in March. Here’s Where to Start.

Every March, I get the same question: can I plant anything yet? And every March I say the same thing: yes, but let’s talk about what.  March is not the time for annuals. It is, however, a genuinely good time for perennials — whether you’re dividing ones you already have, or adding something new to the garden. You just need to know which plants are ready, what to look for, and what to skip until the time is right.  Here’s my honest, no-overwhelm guide to planting in March. Read on...