Don’t Tidy Up Dying Plants

If any of your plants seem to be dying off this August, mainly because of the excessive heat or rain in some parts of the country, the experts say to take a “wait and see” approach rather than immediately attempting to remove the dying foliage, buds or stems. Each of our flower plants have a […]

Gardner, Plant Thyself

This is part 2 of planting nothing but ourselves in comfortable chairs as we enjoy our beautiful gardens! Some of you reading this are newbies, sure you couldn’t plant anything successfully. Some of you are veterans at displaying successful gardens year after year. It doesn’t matter how small or large your garden is, the fact […]

What Do I Plant In August?

The answer? Me! That’s right! I’m being serious! At this point in the season, the only thing left for you to do is to “plant” yourself in the closest, most comfortable chair or recliner you can find and enjoy the rewards of all  your hard work. For those of us that garden, the benefits of […]

Marigold: Companion Plants

Both the French Marigold and African Marigold make excellent companion plants in your garden. This simply means that they attract beneficial insects that keep other pests away.  Let’s look at the French Marigold first. This flower can be a great one to plant close to your tomatoes and cucumbers.  They specifically repel nematodes. These are […]

Planting a Butterfly Garden

Planting a garden that will attract butterflies is best done in the spring. You want your flowers to be well established before the butterflies start to arrive. Consider these three things when choosing what flowers are best to draw them in.  Utilize some host plants for butterfly larvae. For example, they will lay their eggs […]

Watering Cans or Other Containers

Your watering can/container can be your best friend! Whether wetting down newly planted seeds or giving a drink to your fully grown plants, choosing and using the “right” one can be key to a beautiful garden.  First off, a metal watering can, when properly cared for, is better than a plastic one that is prone […]

Gardening with Arthritis

I have an elderly aunt who still enjoys gardening. She suffers from arthritis, though, so lately it hasn’t been the relaxing pastime it once was. She talked with her doctor about whether or not she should continue on with her gardening if it was causing her pain. The doctor’s response was a resounding “yes” – […]

Purple Coneflowers Should Go To the Head of the Class

We each have a personal preference as to which flower is our all-time favorite in our gardens. For me it’s the Purple Coneflower. With its purple petals and its large, reddish center, no other flower provides me with such a colorful contrast. When I was out walking the other day, I found someone, like myself, […]

Why Deadheading Is So Important

I mentioned before, in a July 9 blog titled Midsummer Maintenance, that it’s important to deadhead certain flowers that bloom early in the spring. An example of this was the Shasta Daisy. It’s hard to find the time to provide this extra care to some of our flowers, but I wanted to show you a […]

Unique Locations for Gardens That Were Missed

Yesterday, I posted some pictures of neighbors who used unique locations in their yards to plant their “gardens”. Today, I’m going to post a few pics where others missed opportunities to turn browned out or dead spaces into colorful mini gardens for everyone to enjoy!  First, here’s a family who missed an opportunity to brighten […]