Gardening Advice
May 7, 2020
Which plants repel mosquitoes and other insects in the backyard and garden? Here’s a list of the best insect-repelling plants to use in your garden.
It’s not just mosquitoes; gnats, biting flies, ants, and other pests can take the fun right out of any outdoor activity.
Mosquitoes are more than a nuisance, too, as there are many mosquito-borne diseases out there, including viruses such as West Nile, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and Dengue.
The Key: Blocking Insects’ Scent Receptors
Mosquitoes... more
May 7, 2020
Who doesn’t love hummingbirds? Learn how to make homemade hummingbird food and attract hummingbirds to your garden.
How to Make Hummingbird Nectar
Help these hard workers get a proper meal: nectar! Make your own nectar in just a few steps; it’s far less expensive than buying pre-made and the ingredients are readily available.
Hummingbird Food Recipe
To make hummingbird nectar, use a 1:4 ratio of sugar to water. You’ll need the following:
1/4 cup refined white sugar*
1 cup boiling water
Heat-... more
May 7, 2020
One of the most magnificent mainstays of the garden is the common herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora). Peony plants are virtually pest-free—deer and rabbits don’t like their bitter taste—and peonies in containers can be planted almost any time!
Why Peonies Should Be in Your Garden
Showy and fragrant, peonies will make excellent cut flowers—and the plants are so long-lived that it is commonly said that peonies will outlive the gardeners who plant them! If a peony is well situated and happy,... more
May 6, 2020
Tomatoes are the ultimate backyard crop, and growing them is easier than you might think. These tomato growing tips should help you to take care of your most delicious plants.
Why You Should Grow Tomatoes
Here’s a secret. I’d grow a garden just to grow my own tomatoes. Who can blame me? Is there anything better than a fully ripe tomato eaten while it’s still warm from the garden?
Tomatoes annually rank as North America’s #1 home garden crop. No vegetable (technically a fruit) has received more... more
April 26, 2020
One of the most hopeful things we can do in troubled times is to plant a garden. Planting a seed is an act of faith that tomorrow will come. In Hindi the word for seed is “bija,” which means “containment of life.” Each seed contains an embryo and a starchy food supply—everything needed to make a new plant. Seeds are proof that life goes on.
Gardening is one of the oldest healing arts.
It gives the kind of solace that our present situation cries out for. If you are finding that anxiety over... more
April 17, 2020
When do you prune your hydrangea? 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 blooms next year. However, before you start pruning, it’s important to figure out which type of hydrangea you have. If you prune at the wrong time, you... more
April 10, 2020
Spring ephemerals are the first wildflowers to appear in early spring. If you have a chance for a quiet walk in the woods, keep an eye out for diminutive, delightfully delicate flowers. Let’s take a look at bloodroot, trout lilies, and other ephemeral varieties. Their beauty is fleeting!
Most spring ephemerals are perennial plants that grow from underground corms or rhizomes. They can put on such an early show because they have stored food in their bulbs from the previous year’s growth.
Don’t... more
April 8, 2020
Earthworms have been called “nature’s plows” for the way they dig through the soil. Their tunnels help aerate and loosen the soil, making it easier for plant roots to penetrate well below the surface, and along the way they drop their poop, a rich fertilizer called a casting. See how to attract worms to the garden!
When the frost leaves the ground, the earthworms start moving upward in the soil looking for mates. While you are cleaning up the leftover leaves and debris from your garden this... more
April 7, 2020
If you are itching to get your hands dirty but have few gardening supplies on hand and hesitate to head to the store, take a look around the house and yard. You may find many items that can be re-purposed into just what you need. Here are some cheap tips and tricks for house-bound gardeners!
Collect plastic and waxed containers to start seeds in. Mushroom boxes, clear salad clamshells, milk and juice cartons work just fine. Be sure to poke some drainage holes in the bottom before adding your... more
March 31, 2020
The fight against coronavirus has been likened to a war—some have even referred to it as “World War C”—and it looks like wartime Victory Gardens are making a comeback. Today, the goals are different but the interest in growing a little (or a lot) of your own food is still the same! Let’s talk about planting a Victory Garden in 2020!
During WWI, the National War Garden Commission promoted home gardening and food preservation. They inspired students—calling them “soldiers of the soil”—to help... more
Pages
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.
FREE BEGINNER'S GARDEN GUIDE!
BONUS: You’ll also receive our Almanac Companion newsletter!
