Gardening Advice
August 21, 2020
On a ninety-degree day it is hard to imagine that fall is just around the corner. Greens are the stars of the fall vegetable garden. For something new and different, give these Asian greens a try. All will germinate fast in warm, late summer soil. Turn over a new leaf and learn more about types of Asian greens!
While down south that means planting another round of warm weather crops, in most parts of the country we need to pay attention to the date of our first killing frost—temps below 29... more
August 20, 2020
Daisy-shaped flowers are the cheerful workhorse of the flower garden. Daisies remind of the sun and have an energizing effect on us. Since the daisy family, Asteraceae, is one of the largest plant families, there are more daisy-shaped flowers to choose from than any other shape! Let’s explore the different kinds of daisies from the classic to the colorful!
The name daisy comes from the Old English “day’s eye” referring to the tendency of English daisies (Bellis perennis) to close up at night.... more
August 9, 2020
Summer’s end does not mean the 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 include nasturtiums, zinnias, calendula, marigolds, and rudbeckias. See our flower growing guides for planting and growing... more
August 6, 2020
If you planted your first-ever vegetable garden this year, good for you! By now, we hope you’ve harvested some garden goodies. But the heat of summer is upon us, the weeds are taking over, and bugs have moved in. Now what do you do? Here are some tips to keep that “Covid-19” garden going full tilt.
Growing a garden isn’t just about getting plants started—it also involves tending to your plants. To care for your garden and keep plants healthy, here are the basic “to do” tasks during the summer... more
August 5, 2020
After watching my neighbor spray the weeds in his driveway with a cancer-causing herbicide, I thought I should look into some natural “weed killers” to rid your yard of unwanted plants. Here are a few homegrown ways to get rid of competing plants while still keeping people, pets, wildlife, and waterways safe.
Get to the Root of the Problem
Without a doubt, the best way to get rid of weeds like tap-rooted dock, thorny raspberry plants, oak and maple seedlings, invasive swallow-wort and... more
August 5, 2020
There is no magic bullet for keeping your garden pest-free. It involves a lot of work and diligence on your part. Some tricks I have learned over the years are ways to cope with bugs without resorting to nasty chemicals. Here are my tips, including some homemade insecticidal sprays.
Pay Attention to Your Plants
Before resorting to using pesticides (even organic ones), consider the following techniques to discourage insect pests from attacking your plants:
Nourish your plants with organic... more
August 3, 2020
I like hot summers but I know that my opinion is in the minority, though, when I hear fellow gardeners complaining about the heat and humidity. Whether you like it hot or not, it is important to take care while working outside. Here are a few tips to help you cope with heat in the garden.
Gardening in the Heat
If you like to garden, be careful in extreme heat. Here are five sensible tips to keep in mind during hot weather.
Do your heaviest work such as weeding early in the morning, as early in... more
July 31, 2020
For Chinese New Year (or any other time of year), an auspicious gift is a lucky bamboo plant. Learn the meaning behind lucky bamboo and get some helpful growing tips!
What Is Lucky Bamboo?
Did you know that the plant we commonly call “lucky bamboo” isn’t a type of bamboo at all? Despite its appearance, lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana or braunii) is actually more closely related to succulents than to bamboo, which is a type of grass.
Lucky bamboo is native to Africa, but is now cultivated ... more
July 31, 2020
Ornamental alliums are great for cutting and bees adore them, too! Planted in the fall for spring blooms, these purple pom-pom flowers make a dramatic statement when planted en masse. Even better, they’re from the onion family so they are generally deer- and rodent-resistant.
Add Alliums to Your Garden
Every fall, I am seduced into planting more bulbs. After 30 years, you would think I couldn’t possibly need any more daffodils—and I really don’t—but that doesn’t stop me from planting more!
When... more
July 17, 2020
Garter snakes are a gardener’s friend! A benign snake to humans, they eat all the pests that wreak havoc in your garden. Learn more about the shy, but helpful gardening helper who just wants to live peacefully in harmony with you—and eat your slugs!
I found a snake skin in my garden a few weeks ago. While other people might have been freaked out, it made me happy to know that snakes find my yard a good place to call home. The garter snake is the snake species that North American gardeners will... more
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Get inspired by Robin Sweetser’s backyard gardening tips and tricks. Robin has been a contributor to The Old Farmer’s Almanac and the All-Seasons Garden Guide for many years. She and her partner Tom have a small greenhouse business and also sell plants, cut flowers, and vegetables at their local Farmer’s Market.
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