Covering drainage holes in pots is a necessary evil. Without something to cover the hole in the bottom of your planter, the soil will eventually wash out of the pot through the hole in the planter and the plant will settle. This also means that your furniture will take a beating. Planters without drainage holes …
Gardening Tips
These top 10 ways to protect the environment at home take very little time to do. It’s just a matter of making a commitment to doing something good for the planet and sticking to that plan. I call this “my environmental to-do list.” Earth Day happens in April, and lots of people talk about how …
Save your money and help the environment at the same time with these DIY log planters. They are rustic and easy to make and look natural in any garden setting. You don’t have to spend a fortune on planters at the nursery store. Like so much else in gardening, start by looking in your own …
It’s time for one of my DIY garden ideas on a budget! This Rotisserie Chicken Mini Terrarium is inexpensive to make and looks great as a table decoration. It is also a fun way to get a head start on spring gardening by using the recycled container to start seeds. Early spring or late winter …
Make your own seed tape with some seeds and a roll of toilet paper. Why waste money on store bought seed planting tape when you can make your own seed tape with this common household item? The tutorial shows you how easy it is to plant tiny seeds in a vegetable garden. Have you ever …
These homemade greenhouse ideas make use of recycled household materials in a fun new way. Extend your growing season with one of these creative ideas for DIY greenhouses, cold frames and terrariums. When I tour Botanical gardens around the USA, the ones that appeal to me most are those that have greenhouses as part of …
Plants need nourishment to perform in the best way. Flowers and vegetables love potato starch and using potato water in the garden is a good way to give it to them. To add starch in a “green way”, save the water you boil your potatoes in. Starchy water will spur the release of plant nutrients …
Are you bothered by the cost of maintaining a garden? These creative DIY garden ideas on a budget should help to keep your costs down. I’ve put together a list of 30+ vegetable garden hacks that will make your gardening life easier and cheaper. One of the big pleasures of summer for me is tending …
Vertical gardens make more use of available space by growing vegetables, flowers, and herbs up a wall instead of taking up lots of growing space on the ground. I speak to people all the time who admire my large yard and gardens, but say, “I don’t have the room to do this.” While a large …
If you like the idea of a plant that flowers in winter while there is still snow on the ground, try Growing Hellebores. Lenten Rose is another name for helleborus. The blooms come in lots of different shades and shapes. I first heard of Hellebores perennial several years ago when I spent a season trying …
Pruning hellebores will keep your Lenten rose looking its best all year long. Hellebores are a long-blooming perennial plant that needs very little in the way of maintenance but it does get a bit ragged looking at times of the year. The flowers are so pretty and resemble wild roses that have opened up. It’s …
These tips show how to get rid of ticks in the yard as well as a few natural treatment options. Summer is a time for being in the outdoors. But ticks also love the warm temperatures and can be bothersome in your yard and garden. Ticks are a nuisance and can be dangerous as well …
Get some tips for how to grow sedum morganianum to make sure that you keep your succulent super healthy. Succulents like sedum are drought smart plants that are super easy to grow and make fantastic houseplants. The donkey tail succulent is a lovely plump trailing plant that is great in containers. Keep reading to learn …
Transplanting forsythia is a good idea if the perennial has overgrown the original planting area. This task needs some care. These tips for moving forsythia bushes will help with the project. Forsythia shrubs are hardy bushes that are easy to grow and a real show stopper in early spring when their yellow flowers tell us …
Confused about what to look for when buying succulents? This guide will walk you through the process and give tips on what to look for and what to avoid. Succulents are drought-smart plants that are super easy to grow and make fantastic houseplants. Be sure to check out my tips for how to care for …
Some of the most interesting planters and those that recycle items used for other purposes. These unique boot and shoe planters make great use of old shoes and boots. Some have seen their better day and some look like new but all showcase indoor plants in new and unusual ways. Do you have some old shoes …
Heuchera is a Native American perennial plant that is found all over the country. It is more commonly known as Coral Bells and comes in many shades of purple, rose, green and variegated varieties. The plant makes a wonderful display in any shade garden and, although it does flower, it is grown more for the …
Gardeners often use the term “bring the outdoors inside” when they refer to indoor plants. Take this term to another level with a bonsai garden. Read on for bonsai tree care tips and more info about this fascinating topic. These mini trees are spectacular in form, have a big impact, and can be grown both …
This article shows you how to use onions as indoor plants. Growing onions indoors is a fun project and one that the kids will love to help with.Onions are easy to grow outdoors as well as inside the home. They are one of those vegetables that we use often and the demand for this means that …
It’s time to welcome autumn with these tips for fall decorations. From easy and simple porch and patio decor and wreaths to table decor, these autumn decor ideas will say hello to the new season in all areas of your home. I love the last change of seasons during the year. The sights and textures …
Planting garlic works best if you do it in the fall. It is very easy to grow and gives you bulbs to use in cooking for much of the year. Be sure to get the heads for planting from a reputable supplier. There are many types members of the allium family. Garlic is one of …
If you are fond of growing perennials, you really should try daylilies. They are one of my favorite plants that come back each year. There is such a variety of bloom style, color and temperament. and they are very easy to grow. Beginning and seasoned gardeners love them, and other than a bit of deadheading, …
Bicycle planters make great garden accents for both annuals and perennial plants. 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. Many bicycles have baskets or back carriers which are the ideal spot to tuck away some flowers and vines. The …
These pruning tips will help you make sure that your shrubs and garden plants will look their best, season after season. 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. Done correctly, pruning will add to …
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 …
Determinate tomato plants are also known as “bush tomatoes”. They are smaller than normal tomato plants and generally need no staking but still produce well. Nothing tastes quite like a home grown tomato. They are sweet and juicy and so easy to grow. But they also take a lot of room, so are not so …