Want to beautify your garden and save time and money on maintenance while giving Mother Nature a hand? Add native plants to your yard, a relatively simple task that pays off big. Here’s a primer on gardening with native plants. What are native plants? Native plants are those naturally found in your area, as opposed… Read more »
When you buy plants at a garden center, you can also buy soil in which to plant them. Maybe you’ve wondered whether to get potting soil or garden soil. What’s the difference? Here’s what you need to know to make the best choice for your plants. What is potting soil? As its name implies, potting… Read more »
Your houseplants may have flourished while basking in the summer sunshine outdoors, but come winter, it’s time to move those plants inside. You may also have garden plants you hope to protect through the cooler months by moving them indoors. With either type of plant, there are certain steps you need to take to help… Read more »
Nothing says Christmas like brilliant red poinsettias. Also available in other colors, these tropical plants can spread cheer throughout the holidays and beyond if you care for them properly. Here’s how to keep these festive plants merry and bright. Buying poinsettias To keep poinsettias blooming into the new year, be sure to choose healthy plants…. Read more »
Nothing beats a hot summer day at the pool for beauty and relaxation. And it’s not just the refreshing water that makes a pool picturesque. Landscaping around a pool can enhance its crystalline beauty and give a spa-like feeling to your backyard. It can also provide privacy. Check out these recommendations for landscaping around a… Read more »
Deer will scarf down your tasty, tender petunias and nosh on your geraniums, but not every landscape flower or shrub will whet their appetite. Protect your landscape by using deer-resistant plants the animals will turn up their noses at. Plants with unappealing textures Deer dislike plants with fuzzy textures. Plants such as lamb’s ear, lady’s… Read more »
Growing new plants using cuttings from other plants is a low-cost alternative to buying from a nursery. Here’s what you need to know to begin stocking your garden or pots with plants grown from cuttings. How new plants grow from cuttings Many plants will grow new roots from a properly cut section of an older… Read more »
Temperatures can vary widely in spring, potentially exposing your newly planted tender garden plants to freezing temperatures overnight. The same is true in the fall. How can you keep your plants safe from Mother Nature’s whims? Cold frames could be just the answer for protecting your vulnerable plants and extending their growing season. What are… Read more »
Some people have the proverbial “green thumb” and can make any plant thrive. Others watch their houseplants begin to shrivel the moment they bring them home. Let’s get your greenery growing with this guide to selecting and caring for houseplants. Work with your decor Choose and place houseplants as part of your overall plan for… Read more »
Outdoor plants take a beating during extreme conditions such as drought. How do you keep plants flourishing, despite the weather? Here are some survival tips on how to care for plants during a drought. Drought tolerant plant selection If you live in an area that tends to have long hot and dry summers, choose plants… Read more »
A living wall consists of plants hung vertically on a wall instead of on horizontal surfaces like tables, shelves, or the floor. Whether indoors or outdoors, living walls benefit your health and the ecosystem. If you want to include more green living in your home, here’s how to install a living wall. Where to begin?… Read more »
Buying plants online may not offer the lush smells and instant beauty achieved when meandering through a local plant nursery. But would-be gardeners will save time — and possibly money — when shopping for plants online. Here’s what to know before you buy plants online. Pros Ordering plants from a website provides access to unusual… Read more »
More and more home gardeners are growing lush vegetables and plants with hydroponics systems. Hydroponic gardeners say this ancient historical method produces phenomenal plant growth and high yields. What is hydroponics? An ancient approach Cultures dating back 2,500 years gardened by setting plants in containers without soil, then continually bathing their root systems with a… Read more »
Succulents are one of the hottest trends in home decor, a nod to their minimalistic sensibilities and extreme hardiness. These hard-to-kill plants from the desert seem to be for sale everywhere, from supermarkets, flea markets, and discount stores to high-end boutiques and nurseries. The trend is so hot, it has sprouted stand-alone succulent shops that… Read more »
In most climates, after fall’s riotous hues fade, landscapes become dreary and devoid of color. Whether you live in a snowy or moderate climate, here are some tips for transforming your barren yard with winter plants. Problems winter plants can solve for you Problem: Your grass is hibernating, and your yard looks brown and drab…. Read more »
Although dogs and cats are carnivores, they sometimes munch on potentially hazardous plants. Here’s a list of some common indoor and outdoor plants that are dangerous to pets and a second list of pet-friendly plants. Plants that can be hazardous to pets Azalea can cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling and possible death. Baby’s breath, a filler… Read more »
Buying and installing full-grown plants from a nursery is the quickest — and most expensive — way to landscape a backyard. But if you’re a gardener on a budget or have a green thumb, try gardening the old-fashioned way. From seeds. Purchase envelopes of plant seeds from a local garden center. Or order them from… Read more »
You put a lot of TLC into your gorgeous roses, only to have deer eat the blooms. Your tomatoes were just getting ripe when a squirrel gnawed big chunks out of them. Even your own pets may occasionally take a nibble of a prized plant in your garden. Instead of getting angry, learn how to… Read more »
