Martinis and Marigolds - Refreshingly Quick Tips for Home and Garden
Getting Started with Composting
Jul 18, 2024
I love this time of year! We are so blessed with the bounty of summer fruits and vegetables. I hope that you are finding delicious ways to enjoy them!
But we are also faced with the resulting peels and pits that many times end up in our trash. According to the EPA “The estimated 35.3 million tons of wasted food that went to landfills in 2018 represents 24.1 percent of all MSW landfilled.” Somehow that just doesn’t make sense, since all of this organic waste can quickly break down and return lots of nutrients to the soil.
So what’s a home gardener to do? Composting your kitchen and garden waste is a great way to reduce the amount of waste you dispose of in the trash. By composting, you can generate a free source of nutrient-rich material to help improve your garden.
Read on to find out how to get started!
It's Too Hot to Plant - Now What?
Jun 27, 2024
The heat of summer is upon us in most of the US. While it might be tempting to continue planting, the next optimum time to plant perennials and shrubs is fall.
So what' a gardener to do besides maintenance chores? (And hopefully by following our tips you don't have too many of those!)
Read on for 5 of my favorite gardening-related and relaxing things to do now that the rush of Spring planting is over.
Don't Forget The Foliage
May 30, 2024
As you’re planning your summer garden, don’t forget the foliage! Foliage plants are chosen for the beauty of their leaves, rather than their flowers. Some foliage plants have colorful leaves, such as coleus. Others have striking geometric patterns, like the canna lily (which also has showy flowers). Still others are selected because of their unique shape, such as cactuses or succulents.
Read on for three great ways to use foliage plants in your garden.
What Can I Plant in the Shade? - 7 Easy Care Shade-Loving Perennials for Your Garden
Apr 25, 2024
Got shade? Gardening in the shade can be tricky. I’m always looking for plants that do well in the shade and I'm especially fond of perennials because they come back every year. Many also spread or grow large enough to be dug up and divided, giving me more value for my money.
Read on to learn about a few shade loving perennials that have worked well for me. I've included their hardiness zones so you can see if they will be perennial for you, too.
Tips for Success with Mulching
Apr 18, 2024
I love a freshly mulched garden bed in the spring. While it can be a lot of work, I love the tidy look when we've finished. Besides the aesthetics, mulch provides a few more benefits.
Read on to find out how to get the most out mulching your flower beds and make your gardening life easier.
Who Needs a Spring Haircut?
Apr 08, 2024
One of my favorite perennials is Variegated Liriope. The bright green and white foliage looks great from late spring into fall. Liriope does not need much maintenance - except in the spring. In spring, it needs a good haircut.
Read on to find out how a spring haircut helps this plant look great all summer long
7 Easy Care Sun-Loving Perennials to Plant This Spring
Apr 04, 2024
Perennials are a great way to add color and seasonal interest to your flower beds. They have the advantage of coming back every year and many spread to fill in spaces, giving you more value for the money spent on them.
Read on to explore 7 sun-loving easy to grow perennials to plant this spring
How To Care For Spring Flowering Bulbs
Mar 28, 2024
After a long winter, seeing the daffodils blooming along our roadways really lifts my spirits. And I do see some tulips emerging in time for Easter. If you have spring bulbs in your yard, you might be wondering how to best take care of them.
In this week's tip, I'll give you a few easy steps to caring for your spring bulb plants so that they keep flowering every spring.
Spring Is Finally Here! What Can I Plant Now?
Mar 21, 2024
It looks like Spring is finally here!!!
One of the questions people ask me most often as the temperatures get warmer is when can I start planting??? The answer is, it depends on where you live and what you want to plant.
Read on to find out how to know what you can plant now!