Lift your spirits, enliven your indoor décor or give the gift of beautiful blooming orchids. You’ll enjoy these exotic blossoms for months with just minimal care – once you know what to do. Start with a healthy flowering plant. The phalaenopsis or moth orchid is the most widely available and easiest to grow. It’s similar… Continue reading Keep Orchids Beautiful and Blooming
Category: Hobbies
Successfully Transition Houseplants Indoors for Winter
Help your houseplants make a smooth transition from their outdoor summer home back inside for winter. The lower light and humidity indoors along with any insects that hitched a ride indoors make it difficult to keep these plants looking their best. Give them a shower before they move indoors. A gentle blast of water washes… Continue reading Successfully Transition Houseplants Indoors for Winter
Proper Tree Planting and Care is Critical to Survival
Whether planting a tree to add seasonal beauty, grow backyard fruit, provide a bit of shade, or reduce energy costs, it’s a big upfront investment. Make the most of your money spent by giving your tree its best chance at survival with proper planting and care. Now is a great time to plant trees. Cooler… Continue reading Proper Tree Planting and Care is Critical to Survival
One Simple Step Can Improve the Health and Vigor of Your Lawn
Do just one thing this fall and you can improve the health and vigor of your lawn. Fall fertilization helps lawns recover from the stresses of summer and provides needed nutrients to grow deeper roots and a denser stand of grass. And that means fewer weeds and a healthier lawn that’s more resistant to drought,… Continue reading One Simple Step Can Improve the Health and Vigor of Your Lawn
Keeping it Fresh from the Garden to the Table
You spent the summer weeding, watering and tending to your vegetable garden. Now all your effort has paid off with a bountiful harvest. Maximize the flavor and nutritional value of your homegrown vegetables with proper harvesting and storage. For the freshest flavor, always prepare and serve vegetables immediately after harvest. But let’s face it, most… Continue reading Keeping it Fresh from the Garden to the Table
Enjoy an Attractive and Convenient Composting Station
Make recycling green debris into compost convenient and attractive. Create a space you and your neighbors will appreciate. And locate composting in a convenient area that is easy to access and manage, so you are more likely to do it. You’ll quickly recoup your initial investment of time and money. Spend less time hauling the… Continue reading Enjoy an Attractive and Convenient Composting Station
Work in Concert with Nature to Manage Garden Pests and Mosquitoes in the Landscape
A garden filled with flowers, birds, bees and butterflies is a sight to behold. These winged beauties add color, sound and motion to our gardens. Plus, they help maximize a garden’s productivity by pollinating plants and managing plant-damaging pests. But what about those unwanted visitors to the garden? The aphids, mites and cabbage worms that… Continue reading Work in Concert with Nature to Manage Garden Pests and Mosquitoes in the Landscape
Add Some Extra Appeal to Your Landscape with Garden Art
Adding excitement to your garden is easy. You can create instant, year-round color, structure, motion and fun to your landscape with a bit of garden art. Just like shopping for plants, look for pieces that complement your gardening style. And consider all the benefits each piece of art provides. Many pieces are functional as well… Continue reading Add Some Extra Appeal to Your Landscape with Garden Art
Grow More Edibles with Smart & Sustainable Keyhole Gardening
Raise your gardening efforts to a new level with keyhole gardening. You’ll increase your garden’s productivity in a smaller space, while using less water and fertilizer. This intensive technique was first used in Africa where it’s hot and dry and the topsoil is shallow. Now gardeners growing in a variety of climates around the world… Continue reading Grow More Edibles with Smart & Sustainable Keyhole Gardening
Grow Your Own Tropical Paradise in a Container or Garden
Add an exciting new look to your garden, poolside, patio or deck with elephant ears. These easy tropical plants have tall stems and giant leaves that measure up to two feet across. You can use them to create an instant focal point in the garden, screen an unwanted view, or extend a bold welcome at… Continue reading Grow Your Own Tropical Paradise in a Container or Garden
Grow an Abundant Tomato Harvest in a Pot
Harvest and enjoy the garden-fresh flavor of tomatoes right outside your kitchen. Grow them in containers set on your patio, balcony, deck or stairs. You’ll enjoy the convenience of harvesting fresh tomatoes just a few feet away from where you prepare your meals. And your guests will enjoy harvesting fresh tomatoes to add to their… Continue reading Grow an Abundant Tomato Harvest in a Pot
From the Garden to the Party
Make every meal a special event by bringing the garden to the table. Serve your favorite dishes made from homegrown ingredients. Then allow guests to add their own herbal seasonings right from the garden or container. Start by growing the ingredients for your favorite recipes and beverages. Consider those, like tomatoes, that taste best fresh… Continue reading From the Garden to the Party
Select the Best Tomatoes for Your Garden and Table
Sliced, sauced, or cooked in your favorite recipe; tomatoes are a favorite and versatile vegetable. What’s more, they taste best when grown and harvested from your own garden or container. Ensure the best flavor and greatest results by selecting the most disease-resistant varieties and growing your tomatoes in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Select… Continue reading Select the Best Tomatoes for Your Garden and Table
Family Gardening Provides More Than a Bountiful Harvest
Gardeners know digging, planting, harvesting and even viewing a garden is good for the mind, body and spirit. It improves strength and flexibility, lowers blood pressure and elevates our mood. And this is true for all members of the family from the very young to the more seasoned. Plan on sharing these benefits with yours… Continue reading Family Gardening Provides More Than a Bountiful Harvest
Grow a Bigger Garden in a Smaller Space
Whether in the ground or on a balcony or deck, there’s always room to grow your own garden-fresh produce and beautiful flowers. Space saving gardening techniques and products can help you increase productivity in any available space. Consider elevated gardens and planter carts that not only save space, but make gardens more accessible. Movable carts like… Continue reading Grow a Bigger Garden in a Smaller Space
Five Tips for Container Gardening Success
Container gardens allow you to easily dress up your balcony and patio, create a colorful welcome for guests and keep edibles close at hand for cooking and entertaining. They’re also a terrific way for new gardeners to get their start. Increase your success growing vegetables, herbs or flowers in a container with these tips. Proper… Continue reading Five Tips for Container Gardening Success
Add Some Garden Pizzazz to Your Landscape with Easy-Care Dahlias
Plan now for a memorable grand finale in this year’s garden. Dahlias are spring-planted bulbs with big, colorful flowers that bloom continuously from midsummer to the first fall frost. Early in the season, the foliage of these easy-care plants provides a lush green backdrop for nearby annuals and perennials. Then, as many other plants are… Continue reading Add Some Garden Pizzazz to Your Landscape with Easy-Care Dahlias
Grow a High Yield Vegetable Garden This Season
Spend less time and money while growing a bounty of flavorful vegetables this growing season. Increase your harvest, even in small garden spaces, with proper planning and easy care, high yielding vegetables. A productive garden starts with a plan, but choosing the best vegetables to grow and where to plant them can be overwhelming. You… Continue reading Grow a High Yield Vegetable Garden This Season