QUESTION: How do I know which type of mulch is the best kind to use in a raised bed garden? I’m growing vegetables in a raised bed this year and am not sure which type of mulch to use. — Lorna R. ANSWER: There’s no one answer when it comes to the best mulch to use in a raised bed garden. There are a few popular types of mulch, and which one you choose to use depends largely on what you’re looking for....
1. DIY Outdoor Chalkboard Give an outdoor learning experience to your kids with this practical chalkboard idea. Gather your materials and follow this tutorial. 2. Backyard Chalkboard With a utility knife, miter saw, caulk gun, lag bolts, and some wooden boards you can create an outdoor chalkboard for your children to show their creativity. Visit The Lowes to see the tutorial. 3. Chalkboard Plant Markers Make a bundle of colorful DIY chalkboard plant markers for your plants that you can reuse for multiple times....
Plants Thinking of growing coleus in pots, but aren't sure where to start? Coleus love to be grown in pots or containers, and do quite well in a variety of different spaces. In this article, certified master gardener Laura Elsner provides 15 tips for growing beautiful coleus plants in containers this season! By Laura Elsner Last updated: October 28, 2022 | 14 min read Container gardening has become very popular in recent years....
Before you start reading the names of these plants below, it’s important to note that blue foliage doesn’t mean the ‘real blue.’ Plants with gray-green and silver foliage with bluish tinge became a part of this list. Check out our list of best blue flowers here Indoor Plants With Blue Leaves 1. Blue Agave Botanical Name: Agave tequilana This agave variety is not only popular for blue-green foliage, but it is also used for making Tequila....
Trees Looking for some trees with white flowers to plant in your yard or garden space? Getting the right balance of color is an important part of any garden layout. In this article, hobby gardener Jason White examines over 40 different types of trees with white flowers that will brighten up your garden or yard. By Jason White Last updated: November 3, 2022 | 22 min read If you are looking to add some trees to your garden or home landscape, picking a flowering tree can be a great addition....
If the birds visit your garden or balcony often, you can also try one of these DIY Bird Bath Ideas! They are easy to make and are also easy on the pocket! Here’s how to make a hanging bird water feeder easily! Awesome DIY Bird Bath Ideas 1. Garden Planter and Bird Bath This bird bath idea is a way to attract bird to your garden while growing plants in this stacked pots planter....
Prickly pear cactus or Opuntia are native to arid and semi-arid regions. They have a flat and rounded pad, with sharp spines over, known as Glochids. It grows extensively in Mexico, the United States, and South America. Here are some of the most amazing Prickly Pear Cactus Facts that you might not be aware of! 1. Great Cold-Hardy Plants Although they belong to the arid and semi-arid regions, these are cold-hardy plants and can survive temperatures as low as -30F (-34C)....
by Jennifer Poindexter Do you like the idea of growing your own fruit? When I first began preserving my own food, the thought of growing fruit trees came to mind. I purchased fruit in bulk for canning, but it wasn’t long until I took the plunge towards adding fruit trees to my property. What I love about this idea is that you can add fruit trees almost anywhere. Whether you live in a subdivision, in a rural location, or even an apartment, they can be a part of your landscape....
The name candytuft elicits all sorts of cutesy references for me! When I first heard it, my mind immediately went to something straight out of a cartoon. I expected it to be vividly pink, maybe resembling cotton candy. Table of Contents In reality, this decorative sub-shrub produces a dense flush of white flowers twice a year. And while my hopes of a Dr. Seussian-style plant may have been dashed, I do love candytuft nonetheless....
Canning pumpkin is easier than most people realize, and it’s a great way to enjoy them all year long. In this post, I’ll show you how to do it step by step, including lots of tips for the best success. Whether you have extra from the garden or get some from the grocery store, canning pumpkin is a great way to make them last longer. Canned pumpkin is a nice ingredient to have on hand for making soups, pies, and all your favorite recipes anytime you want....
By Erin Marissa Russell Ready to learn all about how to care for a string of dolphins plant? The fanciful string of dolphins plant gets its name from the shapes of its leaves, which really do look like dolphins hanging along the dangling strings. In addition to “string of dolphins,” this plant also goes by the names “dolphin plant,” “flying dolphins,” and “the dolphin necklace.” This plant is shown off best by planting in a hanging basket or placing its container on top of a high stand, so these trailing strings can wave in the wind....
One of the oldest cultivated crops, figs have been a staple food for years. There’s many cultivars, but the Chicago hardy fig is one that’s growing in popularity. Surprisingly cold-hardy, this tree can tolerate cooler climate conditions than other fig trees. Table of Contents But it’s also really good in warmer, Mediterranean-type climates. And because of its wide range of climate tolerances, it’s able to be grown in much of the continental US....
Growing and Planting Spirea is quite easy as long as you provide it with plenty of bright light. For everything else, our Spirea Care Guide will help you! Other Names: Spiraea japonica, Japanese meadowsweet, Japanese spiraea Find out the best shrubs for containers here Best Spirea Varieties to Grow Spirea Japonica ‘Alba’: It has beautiful white flowers and does best in bright and indirect light. Spirea Japonica ‘Bumalda’: Showcases bronze foliage and pink flowers....
Growing Squash Vertically is the best way to improve the yeild while saving plenty of space! Let’s have a look at how to do it easily! Have a look at the best squash trellis ideas here Why You Must Grow Squash Vertically? Squash plants have a dense growth habit, and they can sprawl and take over the garden in no time. To ensure their growth stays in check, training them on a trellis vertically helps you save up space while ensuring you get tonnes of fruits!...
Why grow sunflowers in pots There are many reasons to grow sunflowers in pots, but perhaps the best reason is space. Sunflower plants can take up a lot of room in the garden, but there are many compact and container-friendly varieties available to plant in pots. Sunflowers not only brighten up a sunny deck, patio, or balcony, but the blooms also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, and can be clipped for summer bouquets....
Here’s how you can help fireflies in your own backyard Step 1: Understand fireflies – You can’t help fireflies unless you know a few important facts about them. Members of the Lampyridae family of beetles, fireflies are found on every continent except Antarctica, and there are about 150 different species of fireflies in North America. Also commonly called lightning bugs, the adult insects use their bioluminescent abdomens to attract mates. The pattern of flashes is unique to each species, as is the color of their glow (it’s like an insect Morse code for mating!...
Shade vs sun The shade-tolerant herbs I discuss in this article produce their tasty leaves even with limited sunlight. While they may grow more robust if they receive full sun, they’ll still provide your family with enough harvests to satisfy your herbal appetite with just a few hours of sun per day. When it comes to herbs that grow in shade. you may wonder how much shade is too much. Ideally, these plants should receive at least 2 hours of full sun per day....
Flowers If you've added canna lilies to your garden this season, you may still be learning the care needs for this beautiful flowering plant. One of the most important factors is watering frequency. In this article, gardening expert Paige Folely walks through how much water your canna lilies need, and how frequently you should be watering them! By Paige Foley Last updated: October 20, 2022 | 5 min read Canna Lilies originated in hot and humid tropical regions such as South America, Central America and Asia....
Delicate underfoot, native wildflower baby blue eyes conjures incredible bright blue blooms that will captivate visitors to your garden. Nemophila menziesii If you’re looking for color and whimsy in your landscape, or you want to attract pollinators to your wildlife garden, baby blue eyes is the plant for you. There comes a moment when a gardener discovers they’re also a magician. When you plant the seed, water just right, and watch the tiny sprout emerge from beneath the soil, you feel the power of participating in nature....
In this article, you’ll learn all you need to know to grow Colchium, a unique flower that offers lush foliage in the spring and crocus-like blossoms in the fall. Colchicum spp. Autumn crocuses, Colchicum spp. are not crocuses at all. While they may resemble those familiar spring-blooming members of the iris family, Colchicum is a separate genus in the Colchicaceae family that grows from bulb-like corms. Their cup-like blossoms are pink or purple, often with a white center....
