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Gardening Advice
Don’t be tempted to start planting too soon! Average spring frosts are just a rough guide. Springcasting is a way to predict and track the progress of spring across the continent—as defined by plants. See when spring “officially” makes it to your neck of the woods.During an unusually warm stretch of weather in March, I was greatly tempted to start planting. Thankfully, I did…
Goodness, there are some gorgeous purple flowers! In ancient times, purple dye was so rare that it was only used by the rich and powerful. Luckily, nowadays, purple is available for all of us to use in our landscapes. See 20 purple-flowering plants to add to your garden.Purple, a symbol of royalty and wealth, adds richness and depth to a flowerbed or container. A mix of blue and red, purple…
I have two indoor cats that are curious kittens. They like to knock over pots, uproot my plants, and drag them around the house. Now that they are older, these incidents happen less often, but they still like to nibble on the leaves, often to the detriment of their tummies. Here are tips on keeping your cats out of your houseplants!I’ve also written about how I keep my cats away from the outdoor…
Got allergies? It helps to know which are the best plants and worst plants for allergies—plus, here are six smart practices to cut down on allergic reactions.Depending on what triggers your allergic reactions—tree pollen, dust, mold spores, grasses, weeds, or strongly scented flowers—there are irritants present from early spring until hard frost. As hard as we try to eliminate the offending…
For years, gardeners have used peat-based soilless mixes to get those seeds off to a good start, but as with many aspects of gardening that are proving to not be sustainable or good for the planet, we need to give peat a second look. Many of us are trying out alternatives with good success. Learn more about peat and peat alternatives.What Is Peat Moss?Peat moss or “peat” is made of…
Propagating roses may seem like something only an experienced gardener could do, but it is actually rather easy. If you have a cherished rose bush and want to create more of it for yourself or to share with friends and family, it is easy to do by taking cuttings. Just follow this simple step-by-step guide.When to Take Rose CuttingsTo “propagate” a rose means starting a young rose plant…
Grow a garden that looks—and tastes—great by mixing flowers with herbs and vegetables! It’s only been in recent times that we have developed this urge to separate ornamentals from edibles. Discover what we call “edible landscaping” to make your yard more of a livable retreat.What is Edible Landscaping?Edible landscaping incorporates fruit-bearing plants, culinary herbs, vegetables, and…
In the past several years, victory gardening has seen a dramatic resurgence as more people discovered the practical benefits of growing food and self-reliance! Find out why we call it a victory garden, what’s planted in a victory garden, and how to start a victory garden in modern times!What is a Victory Garden?The name comes from the Victory Gardens that were planted across the…
How long do garden seeds last? How do you tell if your old seeds are still good? Let’s find out!Wintertime is the season when these questions matter. The gorgeous seed catalogs arrive in the mail, tempting you with beautiful photographs.But before you go crazy, it’s time to inventory your leftover seeds to avoid duplication and determine viability.How Long Do Vegetable…
There are so many interesting new and notable garden plants available for 2025 that it is hard to narrow down the choices. How about a tomato that doesn’t crack? Or the ‘Firefly’ petunia that glows in the dark! Here are a dozen veggies and flowers that I found tempting. 1. ‘Purple Magic’ Broccoli An AAS winner, this purple broccoli also won the National Garden Bureau People’s…
Gardening in regions with a short growing season can be an adventure. There always seems to be another spring snowstorm around the corner! To take advantage of every possible growing day, we need to get our snow melted and garden soil thawed as quickly as possible. We run a plant business here in New Hampshire, where our growing season is short, so it’s important to get seeds…
Does wildfire smoke harm plants? Are garden vegetables and fruit safe to eat? How do you make your landscape less vulnerable to fire, especially if you live in a high-risk area? Learn more.Wildfires have often been a challenge out West, though recent wildfires from Canada have brought this reality to the East Coast and other U.S. regions.Western wildfires have been at historic levels,…
