Gardening Advice
June 21, 2020
What is the Chelsea Chop? A new hairdo or a 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 name “Chelsea Chop” comes from Great Britain because they do it around the time of the annual Chelsea Flower Show in May. However, for many areas, the timing is simply... more
June 20, 2020
A few years ago we built a pergola. Nothing fancy, just a rugged 10x10 foot cedar frame outside the back door. It’s a great place to put my houseplants for the summer. It also gives me a spot for hanging baskets and a place to hang a hammock. Most of all, it gave me 4 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... more
June 18, 2020
Summer is here, and with it come more flowers to enjoy. Of course, they don’t grow themselves, and a bit of work is involved. Weeding, watering, mulching, and don’t forget deadheading—the removal of spent blossoms. Here are four reasons to keep up with this chore—plus, tips on how to deadhead flowers.
1. Prolong the Bloom
Removing spent flowerheads is one of the best ways to extend the show. By not allowing your flowering plants to set seeds they will keep producing more flowers. Their mission... more
June 14, 2020
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, and beet greens leaving a light green meandering trail behind. Often you don’t notice them until you cook... more
June 14, 2020
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. 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 as we step outside, bugs have a way of finding us. Some use the CO2 we exhale to locate us, others go by scent, body heat, vibrations, or even the colors we wear. For... more
June 9, 2020
Using organic soil amendments, turn your poor garden soil into a nutrient-rich paradise in which plants will thrive. What do we mean by “soil amendments”? What are some great soil amendments? Here is a brief overview listing some of the best soil amendments for your garden.
Which Nutrients Do Plants Need?
Just like humans, plants need a wide range of nutrients to keep them growing healthy and strong. Soil amendments contain these nutrients in varying amounts and can be used to supplement your... more
June 5, 2020
When my dianthuses start to bloom in June, I know that summer is not far behind. Also called pinks, these pretty cottage garden classics are long-blooming, prolific, and fragrant through the summer. Discover six different types of dianthus for the home gardener—from creeping rock garden ground covers to tall, 24-inch flowering plants.
What’s in a Name?
Often just called “pinks”, dianthus get that nickname from the fringed look of their petals, like they were cut by pinking shears. I always... more
May 29, 2020
The primroses in my garden are putting on a show right now. Hardy and cheerful, the different varieties keep the color coming in waves from spring until the summer flowers take over. There is nothing demure about these rugged little plants, they light up the landscape with carnival bright colors like egg yolk yellow, royal blue, magenta, and bright crimson. Here are 10 types of pretty primroses.
Many of my plants are survivors from the pots of primrose I pick up at the grocery store years ago,... more
May 14, 2020
We are living in uncertain times that can cause even the calmest person to experience some anxiety. Since I tend to be anxious even on a good day, I am always looking for natural ways to soothe my nerves. Many of modern society’s tried-and-true drugs have come from Mother Nature’s medicine cabinet, so let’s come back down to earth and see what calming herbs we can grow.
So many of our drugs are from nature—aspirin, morphine, penicillin, and even Sudafed, and more. Let’s go directly to the... more
May 11, 2020
Read your weeds! They are an indicator of your soil’s health. If you have large patches of one kind of weed, your garden is trying to tell you something. Here are common weeds and that they say about your soil—plus photos. Let us know what you learn!
When we say “weed,” we are referring to a plant that tends to overgrow or choke out other plants or crops that you are trying to grow. However, weeds can be very useful. Some are edible. Some are ornamental. Of course, there are also those weeds... 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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