Gardening Advice
September 27, 2021
Summer's end does not mean that flower blooms have to end! Here are some of our favorite fall-blooming flowers that brighten up our autumn landscape—including annuals, perennials, and shrubs. Why not enjoy colorful blooms and foliage for even longer?!
Annual Flowers
Lots of annuals that can take some cold temps are still pumping out the blossoms at this time of year. These…
September 24, 2021
Find out how to overwinter rosemary and grow rosemary indoors to keep this wonderful herb growing all year!
A reader's question about overwintering rosemary reminded me that it was something I wanted to write about. I have had mixed results with rosemary plants over the years, but after killing a few I think I have finally gotten it right.
Every fall at least one person heading south for…
September 22, 2021
When frost threatens, it's time to move many of your outside plants indoors. Many tender bulbs, annuals, herbs, and tropical plants will only survive the winter inside. Here's advice on which plants to bring indoors this fall and how to winterize plants and pots.
When to Bring Plants Inside
True annuals and plants that we grow as annuals (considered tender perennials in southern…
September 22, 2021
Fall is the best time to plant shrubs. As the gardening season winds down, it's the last call for filling in those bare spots in your landscaping with a shrub or two. Discover six shrubs that add those beloved colors of autumn right in your own yard with a beautiful fall garden.
Many gardeners prefer autumn to any other season. The heat and humidity of summer have passed, biting insects are…
September 20, 2021
We no longer cut down every perennial plant in fall. As in nature, many perennials find that their dying leaves protect them from the cold and provide natural fertilizer. Let's talk about which perennials to tackle, which to leave, as well as when and how to cut back perennials properly.
When to Cut Back Perennials
It's obvious when it's time to pull out annual flowers; they're one-…
September 20, 2021
Now that you have grown and harvested some beautiful vegetables, how are you going to store them? Not everyone has access to a root cellar. Here are other ways to store your harvest!
In great-grandma's day, most houses had a root cellar or a cold storage room somewhere in the house. Today's modern houses don't include that feature and pride themselves on having warm, dry, finished…
September 16, 2021
Many of our favorite tender or semi-hardy garden plants won't survive winter outdoors. To enjoy them next year, take cuttings of your plants to make new plants—for free! Plant propagation is really rewarding. Here's how to take herbaceous, softwood, semi-hardwood, and hardwood cuttings from your garden plants—and when to do it!
One of my favorite aspects of gardening is plant…
September 14, 2021
Some flower seeds are best sown in fall and winter. Yes, winter! Many flower seeds need an extended period of cold in order to germinate. This is called stratification. Discover what we call "winter sowing" and how to give flower seeds a head start, why you should start some seeds earlier (before spring), which seeds are best sown in fall or winter.
What Is Winter Sowing?…
September 13, 2021
Garlic is incredibly useful in the kitchen and surprisingly easy to grow in the garden. The best time to plant it is in the fall. Learn how and when to plant garlic so that you can maximize your harvest!
When to Plant garlic
Fall is traditionally the best time to plant garlic in most regions. A good rule of thumb is to not plant garlic until after the autumnal equinox in late September.…
September 9, 2021
African violets are beautiful houseplants which provide a pretty dose of color indoors. Find out how to take care of African violets through the winter and keep them blooming!
What Are African Violets?
If you are in need of some flowering companions to get you through the cold days of winter, look for a plant that hails from the southern hemisphere, the African violet.
African violets,…
September 9, 2021
Animal manure has long been used as a fertilizer in gardens and on farm fields, creating nutrient-rich, moisture-retaining soil for your plants. See the best type of manure for your garden and the best time to apply—as well as a few things to consider first.
All manure is not created equal. Depending on the kind of animal, its age and health, its food, what…
September 9, 2021
Healthy soil means healthy plants and FALL is the time to feed and cover your garden soil—before winter sets in! We'll tell you about three simple and inexpensive ways to cover the garden with nourishing organic matter!
We'll let you in on a little secret that it take many gardeners a few years to figure out: Soil is the bedrock of any successful garden. What many folks do not realize is that…