After a long summer of use, a bird bath can be getting pretty grimy this time of the year. It is easy to clean a cement bird bath to make it a safe and fun place for birds to enjoy. All you need are a few common supplies and minutes of your time. I admit…
Tillandsia is also known as an air plant. Air plants are a member of the epiphyte family. This plant needs no soil to grow and gets its nourishment from the air. Air plants have specialized leaves that draw in nutrients. An air plant can also have roots, but it uses these only to attach itself…
One of the best things about a camping trip is the time and tastes that come from campfire cooking. Nothing seems to taste as good as those recipes cooked on a big campfire. Even though the summer is ending, there is still time to get out there and enjoy the good old outdoors with some…
Growing herbs can be expensive, particularly if the plants that you choose are annuals that will only grow for one year. Try choosing from this list of perennial herbs instead. They will give long lasting value, year after year. Hands down, the best value for your dollar is a perennial plant. I’ve noticed that many…
If you like hardy perennials that have an extended bloom time, try growing gaillardia, also known as blanket flower perennial. The plant is very showy and super easy to grow. Gaillardia is a pretty perennial plant that has an extended bloom time to give you loads of color all season long. If you like daisies,…
Shallots are a small bulb like plant with a taste that is somewhere between garlic and onion. The flavor is milder and sweeter than onions. But what can you do if you don’t have time to shop, or can’t find shallots for your recipe? Use these shallot substitutes, instead! I buy shallots when I can…
If you are fond of growing perennials, you really should try daylilies. They are one of my favorite perennials. There is such a variety of bloom style, color and temperament. and they are very easy to grow. There are so many types that it is hard to know what you have in your garden. This…
Surround yourself in nature in the 25,000 square foot gardens of Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory. This enclosed conservatory is an oasis nestled in the down town area of Fort Wayne, Indiana. The gardens feature tropical displays, waterfalls and a Sonoran Desert display with over 72 types of cacti. In all, the gardens boast over 1200 plants…
The size of the flower heads, alone, make hydrangeas a favorite perennial among gardeners. Hydrangea care involves control of sunlight, adequate moisture and proper pruning. These tips for growing hydrangea bushes will help you get the most out of your plants. Cottage gardeners love the huge hydrangea flowers which have a lovely old fashioned charm. …
I love to find ideas about recycling or re-purposing household items in garden projects. Someone else’s trash can always be a garden treasure. Bicycle planters make great garden accents for both annuals and perennial plants. Many bicycles have baskets or back carriers which are the ideal spot to tuck away some flowers and vines. The frames…
Do you like Bluegrass music with a side of daylilies? If you do, you’ll enjoy this virtual tour of the daylilies at Wildwood Farms in Floyd, Virginia. Located just 42 miles from Roanoke, VA and very close to the Blue Ridge Parkway, you will find Wildwood Farms. This general store features live Bluegrass music from…
If you study the habits of any gardener who has wonderful looking plants and shrubs, you will know that proper pruning is a key to their success. These pruning tips will help you make sure that your shrubs and garden plants will look their best, season after season. Done correctly, pruning will add to the…
If you like the look of cottage gardens, you’ll love purple coneflowers (echinacea purpurea). These tips for growing echinacea will have butterflies, birds and bees flocking to your garden in droves! This easy care perennial draws insects and birds to it, making sure that neighboring plants will have plenty of pollinators all season long. This coarse…
Budget conscious gardeners have a very good friend when they turn to growing perennials. What is not to like about a plant that comes back year after year and needs very little care and watering after the first year? There are many types of perennials, from tender types, which need to be grown in the…
A lot of my time spent in maintaining my summer garden is spent in deadheading. So, finding plants that don’t need deadheading to add to my garden beds is something that I am always in search of. What is deadheading? Basically, this gardening term refers to the time spent removing old flower blooms to allow…
Make your own home made Miracle Grow as well as several other plant foods easily with epsom salt, baking soda and household ammonia. This DIY Miracle Grow fertilizer is a more organic way to feed your plants. The homemade plant food recipe is easy to make and works really well! Many people who garden do…
We all know that we should keep a carton of baking soda in the fridge to take away odors. but there are so many other uses for it too, even in the garden! Baking soda in the garden is often used in various “green cleaning” techniques. It has so many uses in the house, so it…
Fresh dill is a very popular kitchen herb. It is highly aromatic and really easy to grow. The flavor dried dill just can’t compete with that of the fresh herb. Let’s check out some tips for growing dill. Dill (Anethum graveolens) is native to the Southwestern part of Asia. The herb is harvested for its leaves, which…
