Practical, patient gardening for real gardens — grow something good.
Second week of August. Counters gone. Dining table gone. Somewhere under that mountain is the bowl your grandmother gave you, and you haven’t seen it in four days. Welcome to tomato season. Anyone who planted more than six vines has lived this. The plants do not care about your schedule or the fact that you … Read more
September is the month most American gardeners stop sowing. The tomatoes are winding down, the squash has powdery mildew, the beds look tired, and putting seeds in the ground feels like something that belongs to spring. For a good deal of the country that instinct is wrong by about six weeks. There are vegetables that … Read more
The vines never quit. A handful became a colander. Then a mixing bowl. Now the Sun Golds you doted on in June feel like homework. Don’t cook. Don’t can. Don’t toss. Pickle! There’s one step that keeps them snappy instead of soggy. We’ll hit it in a minute. First, a promise. Load a jar tonight … Read more
Hydrangeas are garden favorites thanks to their big, showy flowers. But if yours aren’t blooming as much as you’d like, the right fertilization routine can make a big difference. Here’s how to feed your hydrangeas for lush growth and impressive blooms. Know Your Type Before you fertilize, identify what kind of hydrangea you have. Bigleaf … Read more
We all love a fabulous flower-filled garden, but not everyone has the time to baby their plants. If you want color and life in your garden without constant care, these ten flowering perennials are tough enough to thrive on neglect. 1. Coneflower (Echinacea) Coneflowers are North American natives that handle heat, drought, and poor soil … Read more
Hollyhocks are tall, old-fashioned flowers that bring charm and color to any garden. With their towering spikes of blooms, they create a dramatic backdrop along fences, walls, or the back of flower beds. If you are looking for a plant that is easy to grow and makes a big impact, hollyhocks are a great choice. … Read more
Feeding peppers is one way to get bigger harvests, but when and what should you fertilize them? Let me help you out! NPK Balance Your pepper plants will need different nutrients at different stages of their life. When they are young and growing, they want lots of nitrogen, as this is responsible for the growth … Read more
When a peony comes up blind, the plant produces leaves and stems but fails to develop any flower buds. This is a common issue and usually points to something not quite right in its growing conditions or care routine. It’s frustrating, especially since we only grow Peonies for their blooms. Unlike many plants, peonies can … Read more
If you prune your basil plant correctly you will end up with a huge bushy plant that gives you lots of leaves and never goes to flower. But how do you prune a basil plant correctly? Read on to find out. Watch The Video Prefer to watch a video instead of reading the article, don’t … Read more
Who doesn’t want easy-to-grow flowers that add a touch of beauty to your garden or allotment without too much hassle? Direct sowing flower seeds bypasses the need for seed starting indoors and transplanting, making it a perfect approach for busy or beginner gardeners. In this article, I’ll be sharing eight flowers that you can easily … Read more
Creating free fertilizers and feeds from waste products is a great way to make growing your own fruit, vegetables, and flowers more affordable. It also reduces waste and helps out the planet, so everyone wins. But what can you use to make your own fertilizers? I have previously talked about Nettles and Comfrey, but today’s … Read more
We are at that time of year when seedlings are starting to sprout and grow. It is a time filled with excitement and anticipation of the season to come. But there is one job that many people get wrong, and getting it wrong can lead to disaster—that job is translating your young seedlings into bigger … Read more
Tomatoes are a staple in many gardens, and companion planting is a natural way to enhance your tomato plants’ health and yield without resorting to chemicals. Certain plants, when grown alongside tomatoes, can deter pests, attract beneficial insects, and even improve soil health. Let’s dive into the world of companion planting and discover the best … Read more
Growing potatoes in a tower is a space-saving, high-yield method that has gained popularity recently. Whether you have limited garden space, have poor soil conditions, or just want to try a fun and efficient way to grow your spuds, a potato tower could be the perfect solution. Here’s why you should consider growing potatoes in … Read more
Wood ash, a by-product of wood-burning stoves and fireplaces, is often overlooked as a helpful addition to the garden. Its composition, rich in nutrients like potassium, phosphorus, and calcium, can benefit garden soil and plants and even act as a natural pest deterrent. Knowing how to use wood ash effectively in your garden can improve … Read more
Blueberries make the perfect container plant. They like acidic, well-draining soil, which is hard to find in the garden but can be easily created in a pot. They are also beautiful bushes, even without the harvest. In springtime, the leaves are bright green and soon followed by delicate white blooms. Then the good part comes, … Read more
Let’s face it, not everyone has acres of land – many of us have to garden in smaller spaces. Growing in containers in a backyard or on a patio is one way around this problem, but another issue arises. Plant pots are stupid expensive, even the plastic ones are a complete rip-off. But there is … Read more
Gardeners always look for innovative ways to make planting easier and more efficient. One such method gaining popularity at the moment is seed snails—a simple and effective technique in which seeds are sown into a roll of material that is then wrapped up into a spiral. If you’re new to this method or simply curious … Read more
Beet is an easy-to-grow root vegetable that can be grown in various settings, including pots and garden beds. It is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals and can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes, from salads to soups. Whether you are a seasoned gardener or a beginner, growing beets is a simple and … Read more
We all want more blueberries. A simple way to get healthy plants and big harvests is to feed your blueberry bushes. In this quick and concise guide, I show you exactly how and when you want to feed your blueberries. When To Feed The best time to feed blueberries is in early spring, as they … Read more