It's fall - time to clean up the vegetable garden and perennial flowerbeds, give the lawn some extra TLC, and cover up bare soil. It's also time to set up winter homes for beneficial insects and wildlife.
Protecting Plants in the Winter
Is there a way to overwinter an Anemopsis plant and a Tulbaghia plant? I have had them around my pond this summer and would love to try and save them to grow again in the spring. I am in southern Manitoba, Canada. Thank you.
Garden: Verbena and Sweet Peas
I love this photo of Verbena Bonariensis with sweet peas allowed to grow and entwine as they want to amongst it. In the background are the yellow flowers of the shrub Hypericum Hidcote.
Mini-Greenhouse From Plastic Jugs
I set out plants I grow from seed and they need protection from wind and pests. I use clear juice jugs with the bottom cut out and no lid as a mini greenhouse for each plant. The plants get off to a great start! This also works to start seeds in the garden.
The Importance Of Soil Temperature To Growing Plants
Gardeners can't always rely solely on the calendar to tell them when it's time to plant, especially when it comes to measuring the temperature of the soil. Plants that are started in cold soils may grow slowly, develop poorly, or succumb to disease.
Tips For Transplanting Seedlings Into the Garden
When the calendar says it's time to transplant, tender young plants, which until now have been spared from drying winds, cold temperatures, strong sunlight and variations in moisture, must quickly adapt to life in the garden or suffer the consequences of transplant shock.
Getting Your Garden Ready For The Growing Season
Spring is finally here! Well, for most of us anyway. The weather is warming up, the birds are starting to nest, the leaves are starting to unfurl (or at least the buds are starting to swell), and after a long winter's nap, you have the irresistible urge to dig in the dirt.
Moving a Hibiscus Outside for the Summer
I have a hibiscus (standard) and I have had it inside all winter and now I will be taking out to the patio for the summer months. Can I cut it back, if so how much and when is the best time to do that? I want to transplant it into a larger container also, any suggestions?
Garden: Harriet (Buff Orphinton) and the Seedlings
Harriet is a Buff Orpington and the smallest of the chicks we got this spring. This picture was taken the day after she came to live with us. She's standing in front of the seedling starts. Baby plants and baby chickens. The house is alive with life!
Protect Seedlings With Recycled Plastic Bottles
I planted these small delicate plants on a very nice day, and then of course this morning the wind started blowing. So, I got some 2 liter bottles that I had in my recycling bin. I also had some water bottles saved for recycling too.
Has Anyone Purchased Flower Seeds from Dollar Stores?
To save money, I'm thinking of buying the seed packets for flowers that I see in dollar stores. They have one that is supposed to have a mix of different flower seeds in them. Has anyone ever tried using these dollar store seeds? Are they worth it?
Start Seeds Outdoors With Winter Sowing
This year, why not skip the grow lights, heat mats, and constant babysitting of seedlings, and give winter sowing a try. The basic principle of winter sowing is to "let nature do the nurturing."
Strawberry Container Seed Starters
I use my strawberry container, or any type that has a clear top, to start my plants and veggies in. This acts as a mini green house for free. It keeps the moisture in and is able to get plenty of natural sun. This way you can get a head start on your gardening
The hardest part of spring for me is waiting for things to come up and bloom! So I came up with a solution! Silk flowers! I went to the Dollar store today and spent $13 on silk flowers.
Gardening: Sunflower Seedlings
Last week I submitted a photo about how I made my paper pots with the little fish container. I was also having a problem with the squirrels eating my sunflower seeds.
An easy method for planting smaller seeds over a large area is to use a "fan" or leaf rake to disrupt the top of the soil, sprinkle the seeds over the surface of the area, and then gently re-rake to combine the loose soil with the seeds.
I start by folding one page in half. On the folded side (to make it neater) I roll the paper around the bottle. I fold the rough end down and put the cap on the bottom. Then I pull the bottle free, leaving the cap on.
This is a picture of my garden when it snowed in AL. We don't get snow very often here, the snow and flood stunted the garden, but it could be worse.
Tips For Photographing Your Garden In Winter
You may not have many (if any) flowers blooming in your garden right now, but the winter season still offers some great opportunities for photographing your garden. Here are a few tips for how to work with winter light, how to create interesting pictures, and how to keep yourself and your camera gear warm and dry.
Winter is breaking, Spring is around the corner, and once again, I'm looking at all of the garden catalogs, but one thing is different this year. My husband lost his job, and we can't buy anything we want. Thank goodness I love starting plants from seed.
Don't Mistake Your Seedlings for "Weedlings"
It's a universal experience among gardeners, especially in the spring-yanking out a weed only to find out later it was really a "wanted". Weeds will do whatever it takes to survive, even disguising themselves as other plants.
Conserve Water With A Snow Fence
If you live in an area with harsh winters, strong winds and steady snowfall can create a lot of drifting snow. Believe it or not, this presents you with a great opportunity to conserve water.
Methods For Protecting Roses In Winter
If you garden in a colder zone, you need to offer your roses at least some degree of protection in the winter. Most winter damage to roses is caused by frost heave (damage to the roots) or is the result of sun scald and drying winter winds (damage to the canes).
Using a cold frame is a great way to protect your plants from cold damage during the transition months on either side of the growing season. A homemade cold frame can work just as effectively as a commercial model, and you can build one yourself for a lot less money.
