Gardening Advice
November 8, 2021
Most herbs can be grown indoors, but there are some that really thrive! Keep you kitchen supplied with fresh herbs inside! Here are seven herbs that will grow well indoors and provide you with beauty, flavor, and scents into winter!
Even just a few pots of herbs indoors can supply you with wonderful flavors at your fingertips year-round. We're big fans of fresh basil, rosemary, and…
November 5, 2021
The emerald ash borer has hit my area hard and all the ash trees close to our house have been affected. The trunk was too large for our chainsaw, and the 5 other trees, though smaller, were too close to the house for us to safely take down. Time to call in the experts! So, what is an arborist and what do they do that is so special and often very expensive?
One of our trees is a…
November 3, 2021
Half the enjoyment of a garden is being able to walk through the landscape and get close to nature. Consider a garden path or walkway as a design element. See some ideas for your yard!
In the late fall, once most of the foliage has died back, it is easier to see what has been going on behind the scenes. Often called the season of simplicity, this is a good time of year to assess the structure…
November 3, 2021
Hydroponics sounds complicated but it just means growing plants in water instead of soil. Great for small spaces! Once you're set up, hydroponics is easier than farming (no weeding, pests, etc) with great yields. Learn the basics of hydroponic gardening for beginners—and how to get started!
What is Hydroponics?
The word hydroponics comes from the Greek for “working with water," and is a…
October 26, 2021
Even though the basil enjoyed an extra-long growing season this year, I am not ready for the party to end. I plan to keep my basil pots alive indoors to extend their life as long as possible! Here are tips on how to care for your basil indoors and keep that taste of summer (and the pesto!) going.
The basil plants in the garden were spectacular this year. I think the key was…
October 20, 2021
It's time to think about our feathered friends. It takes more than just hanging a feeder or two. Small birds eat constantly during the day and they need to be able to find food 365 days a year. Here are five tips for making your backyard more bird-friendly.
Why Help Our Birds?
Just being outside in the garden surrounded by birdsong is a wonderful way to spend the day. Listening to the chirping…
October 19, 2021
Row covers are not only great for protecting your garden from frost but they also form an excellent chemical-free barrier for excluding many insects that threaten crops. We cover almost everything in our garden at first for one reason or another. See the different types of fabric row covers and their many benefits.
Row covers are fabric that protects your plants from icold…
October 18, 2021
When the weather gets cold, the inside air can get desert-dry. That's fine for the succulents. They are survivors. As long as they have a warm sunny spot they love the dry conditions. See top succulent plants for those home.
Succulents are not one plant family but a wide variety of plants from many families that have the ability to store water for long periods of time. You probably…
October 15, 2021
Is your Christmas cactus blooming in November? You probably have a Thanksgiving cactus! Yes, there are multiple holiday cacti (including an Easter cactus). Here's the difference—plus, tips on how to care for your holiday cactus to keep it blooming.
What's the Difference Between the Christmas Cactus and Thanksgiving Cactus?
Christmas Cactus
Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) is the…
October 12, 2021
When you are shopping for spring-flowering bulbs this fall, keep an eye out for shallot sets. As you plant your garlic, make room for some of these tasty little onions, too. You can even interplant them in your flower bed alongside the tulip, crocus, and hyacinth bulbs. Their oniony odor can keep rodents at bay while giving you early shallots to enjoy.
What are Shallots?
Think of…
October 12, 2021
You can find fun gourds at markets in the fall. So what's with these bumpy, weird-looking squash? Are pumpkins a gourd? Can you eat a gourd? How do you grow gourds? See different types of "gourdgeous" gourds—from bottle gourds to snake gourds to luffas.
What Are Gourds?
Gourds (Cucurbitaceae) are among the oldest cultivated plants. They were the early water bottles of the…
October 11, 2021
If you can't visit the tropics, try growing your own citrus trees in containers! Dwarf citrus varieties will grow year-round if kept in the right conditions. They all bear edible fruit and have glossy, evergreen leaves and delicious-smelling flowers. (The scent is heavenly!) Learn how to care for your indoor citrus trees.
There are many kinds of citrus that work well as container plants. Even…