Gardening Advice
May 17, 2022
Meet Asian pears—among the finest fruits I’ve ever grown. They have the juicy white flesh and lovely bouquet of a pear but they are round and can be eaten crisp off the tree like an apple. Plus, this fruit is low in acidity, stores for many months, and is easy to grow.
Asian Pears Versus European Pears
Unlike European pears that get a gritty texture inside if left to ripen on…
May 17, 2022
How many times have you heard the advice to "plant in well-drained soil"? It seems like whenever you are shopping for plants or reading about gardening, the term "well-drained" soil always comes up as the best location for planting. What exactly is this, and how is it identified?
Definition of Well-Drained Soil
The ability of soil to drain depends on its structure. Soils that drain well have…
May 15, 2022
If an ugly view ruins the ambience of your outdoor space or if your noisy neighbors are spoiling your enjoyment of your backyard, consider planting a hedge as a privacy screen. Here are different types of fast-growing hedges and privacy wall ideas.
A hedge can be used to frame a nice view or mark a boundary and it can be an effective windbreak or winter snow fence. There are many…
May 12, 2022
Everyone would like a yard full of flowers, but we often don’t have the right space or enough time for a traditional garden. Containers indulge our love of plants in new, creative, and exciting ways. Here are some container garden ideas!
Why Plant in Containers?
If you have a troublesome spot where nothing will grow, try planting an instant garden in a container.
If you lack…
May 11, 2022
A few years ago, we built a pergola. Nothing fancy, just a rugged 10x10-foot cedar frame outside the back door. It gave me four posts that could support climbing vines. There are so many perennial vines to choose from. Here are some favorites!
So far, on our pergola, we have a climbing hydrangea that is just starting to climb its post. It seems that it would rather scamper along the…
May 10, 2022
In many parts of the United States, demand for water has already exceeded the supply, leading to bans on car washing and watering lawns and gardens. The need to conserve water has made xeriscaping a popular concept in gardening. What is it, exactly? Here’s an explanation and some tips for using the principles of xeriscaping in your own garden.
What is Xeriscaping?
From the…
May 4, 2022
Yes, there are natural insect repellents that work. Here are four all-natural homemade bug sprays that can kick those pesky insects to the curb and keep you bite-free. If you don’t like the idea of spraying too many chemicals on yourself or your children, these recipes take seconds to mix up and really work for everyday sprays.
Know Thy Enemy
As soon…
May 3, 2022
When do you prune your hydrangeas? Well, it depends on the variety. Yes, we know that sounds tricky, but it’s not if you consult our handy cheat sheet to figure out the best time to prune. We’ve included photos in case you’re not sure which hydrangea you have.
Properly pruning hydrangeas based on your hydrangea’s type will allow you to have more…
May 3, 2022
What is the Chelsea Chop? A new hairdo, dance craze, or fancy cut of meat? Nope, it’s just a pruning technique borrowed from the Brits. By cutting back leggy perennials by early summer, you will have more flowers on a fuller-looking plant. It’s hard to chop but it works and you’ll be happy once you see the renewed blooms! Here’s how.
The Chelsea Chop
The name…
May 1, 2022
For years, gardeners have used peat-based soilless mixes to get those seeds off to a good start, but like many aspects of gardening that are proving to not be sustainable or good for the planet, we need to give peat a second look. Many of us are trying out alternatives with good success. Learn more about peat and peat alternatives.
What Is Peat Moss?
Peat moss or “peat” is made of…
April 26, 2022
Normally I don't go looking for trouble, but it is the best way to head off potential problems in the garden. Keep your eyes open when you are weeding and you may be surprised by the kinds of pests you find. Look for telltale signs of common garden pests like holes in leaves, egg masses, and webs.
Scouting for Pests
Leaf miners tunnel between leaf layers in chard, spinach, lamb's quarters…
April 26, 2022
Got weeds? Before you resort to weapons of mass destruction to eradicate weeds, take a closer look at the invaders. Many of the so-called “weeds” you find in your yard or garden are not only edible plants but also delicious, especially when they’re young and tender. Here are five edible “weeds” with photos.
Our ancestors harvested many of the plants we call weeds right along with…