Any gardener knows that having the right soil can make all the difference in achieving great results in the garden. Unfortunately, not every garden is blessed with nutrient-dense, high-quality soil. Raised bed gardening is the perfect solution. Using raised beds, you can control … [Read more...]
Growing Strawberries: The Ultimate Guide
If the allure of glistening, jewel-like berries lying in a bed of dark green leaves isn’t enough to convince you to grow strawberries, the homegrown taste will. Garden strawberries are soft, fragrant and full of strawberry flavor, and frankly, taste nothing like commercially … [Read more...]
How to Grow Flowers: The Ultimate Guide
Whether large or small, every garden deserves some flowers to add color and cheer. And, with hundreds of varieties to choose from, you are sure to find a few that will grow well in your climate. How do I choose flowers for my climate? Flowers should be selected based on your … [Read more...]
Gardening Resources: Best Gardening Sites
For centuries, most people's knowledge, know-how and wisdom in the field (pun intended) of gardening was learned directly from family members and neighbors. While this is still one of the best ways to learn about gardening, the Internet now provides ways to delve into a much … [Read more...]
Growing a Home Vegetable Garden: A Comprehensive Guide
Whether it is about saving money, being self sufficient, or simply the love of delicious, fresh from the garden, home grown food, growing a successful vegetable gardening is one of the most satisfying things you can do as a hobby. It’s an investment of time, energy and ‘elbow … [Read more...]
How to Weed your garden
Weeding your garden is one of the most unpleasant gardening tasks that you may face. Because it is unpleasant, many gardeners put it off until the weeds are out of control which will just make the job more labor intensive. Weeds are unwanted in the garden because they rob your … [Read more...]
Annuals vs Perennials: What is the Difference?
You may often hear the words perennial and annual thrown around when people are discussing flower gardening. They are two different families of plants that function in two different ways. Some people prefer one over the other while some people like a mix in their garden. here are … [Read more...]
What is a Master Gardener
A master gardener is a trained volunteer who donates their time to their local extension. They do this because they are experienced, gardening enthusiasts and love all aspects of growing plants, flowers and vegetables. They are also knowledgeable about what plants do well in … [Read more...]
Five Steps to Get Your Food Garden Started Now!
Photo found on Flickr, courtesy of Souther Foodways Alliance. Your neighbors are doing it. People with small patios are doing it. They are starting their own small food garden. You can, too. Now is the time to learn. You can get started quickly and cheaply. Here are the five … [Read more...]
Planting and Gardening Zones
Those first sunny days of spring are torture for gardeners in colder climates that just can’t wait to get their hands dirty. While the warm sunshine is an invitation to play in the dirt, wise gardeners know that Mother Nature can quickly take it away and replace it with more … [Read more...]
Gardening Tips for Common Garden Problems and Mistakes
Most gardeners learn by example or read about gardening and then get out and do it. But they can still make some common mistakes. Here are some common garden mistakes and possible solutions. Planting Garden Plants Too Early Even the most cold hardy plants have a limit. Each … [Read more...]
Ground Rules: Tips to Improve Garden Soil
Photo found on Flickr, courtesy of Bukowsky18. The most effective gardeners realize that soil is not inert or changeless. Soil is a living mass that changes season to season. It might be best to think of your garden soil as a living entity filled with billions of organisms … [Read more...]
How to Divide Perennial Plants
Perennial plants are favorites with most gardeners because they come back each year in greater glory than the year before. But as perennials grow and spread in your garden, there comes a time when they need to be divided. Most gardeners, particularly those new to the hobby, … [Read more...]
What Do Sun and Shade Mean in the Garden?
If you garden, you’ve heard it over and over: This plant needs full sun, or partial shade, or part sun. But what exactly does that mean? Let’s take a look at the differences between the various requirements for sun and shade. Full Sun: Six hours of sunlight each day, … [Read more...]
How to Force Bulbs in Winter
In northern climates forcing bulbs gives you the pleasure of colorful flowers in the dark of winter, plus the satisfaction of creating this indoor garden of delight yourself. Forcing can be a little tricky. It may take some trial and error, but once you get the hang of it you can … [Read more...]
Healthy Soil: the key to a Healthy, Productive Garden
Healthy Gardens Start with Healthy Soil Healthy soil is the key to growing delicious and nutritious food. But what exactly is soil? And what makes it healthy? Soil is a blend of organic material, water, air, and minerals. The organic matter comes from plant roots, … [Read more...]
How to Build a Square Foot Garden
Best Location for a Square Foot Garden A square foot garden is a plant-intensive type of container gardening that’s great for small spaces. Before starting your square foot garden, choose a good spot. It should get at least 6 to 8 hours of sun each day, so observe the location … [Read more...]
Vegetable Gardening Basics
With the prices of produce going up each year, you may be ready to try growing some of your own by planting a vegetable garden. For gardeners, there is nothing quite like being able to enjoy the rewards of your hard work by going out to your own garden and picking and enjoying … [Read more...]
How to Make a Raised Bed Vegetable Garden
For those of you used to planting a garden using rows, the concept of raised bed gardening may be a new one, but it definitely is one that is worth taking a look at. Raised bed gardening is accomplished by mounding the soil in a contained area higher than that of the … [Read more...]
How to Identify Plant Problems
Even the most diligent gardeners will have problems with their plants from time to time. Insects attack plants above and below the ground, leaves go yellow, roots shrivel, fruit is stunted (or doesn’t appear at all), and flowers drop before they have even opened. Sound … [Read more...]