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Easy DIY Garden Projects
These DIY gardening projects make the perfect home decor projects for indoor plants. They are simple to do and add so much appeal to a bare indoor space just crying out for some TLC. The beauty of these projects is that they are fast to do and don’t require a degree in gardening 101. Most […]
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Butterflies, Bugs, Bees and Other Garden Critters
We all know that gardens need bees for pollination but so many other garden insects will find their way into a garden too. Just provide them with flowers and leaves, and they will seem to find us! There is nothing like wandering around in my garden and seeing the wildlife in the form of insects […]
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Creative Outdoor Lighting Ideas
These creative outdoor lighting ideas are not only functional, but beautiful as well. Sitting outside in the evening with friends is one of my favorite things to do in the summer. Lighting the setting is a must, since we don’t have much lighting on our deck. In the past, I have used hurricane lamps with […]
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Shed Makeover – My Garden Shed Needs some TLC
It’s time for a shed makeover. My garden shed is definitely in need of some decor. I see so many garden sheds that are as sweet as can be. Some are tiny, some are huge and all seem to have character. I have one of the “huge without character” types. My husband and his friend […]
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Creative Garden Planters – Garden Bloggers Share Creative Planter Ideas
What is better than an idea for a creative planter? Why, many creative garden planters, of course! I recently asked some of my gardening friends to share their creative planter and container ideas and they did not disappoint. Their ideas are a cascade of fun and will add a great look to any garden setting. […]
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Cowboy Boot Planter for Succulents – Creative Gardening Idea
I love creative gardening ideas. This cowboy boot planter is would make a great table accent. This metal cowboy boot is gorgeous all by itself, but the star shaped cut outs on the side of the boot make it the perfect container for a whole host of succulents. Creative succulent planters come in all sorts […]
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Gardening Signs – Fans of the Gardening Cook Share
I love gardening signs of all types. They add a touch of whimsy to any garden setting and give you an idea of the personality of the gardener too. Just about any saying can be made into a garden sign. All you need, really, is a piece of wood, some paint and a paint brush […]
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Where do you keep your vegetables when the season ends?
It is never too early to consider how you will deal with storing garden vegetables that you have at the end of the season. The growing season still has time to go and many of us are in the middle of the vegetable gardening season. Very few homes have the perfect storage conditions for fresh produce. […]
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Victoria Crowned Pigeon – Goura Victoria Facts
We had visitors from the UK recently and spent a day at the North Carolina Zoo, in Ashville, NC. The zoo is divided into two parts – North America and African animals. We spent our time at the African animal exhibits since we all wanted to see the large wild animals not on our continent. […]
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Keep Squirrels away with These Repellents
These DIY Squirrel Repellents were easy to make and did a pretty good job of keeping them out of my vegetable patch. The squirrels have made a mess of both my crop of tulips, and my vegetable gardening attempts, this year, in a big way. I decided to see what I could come up with […]
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Squirrel Damage in a Vegetable Garden.
It didn’t take long before I changed my mind about one of my favorite critters because of the squirrel damage in my vegetable garden – all caused in a couple of days. To make matters worse they started digging up and eating all my tulips last year! I am an animal lover. I don’t like […]
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Progress on my Test Garden
Readers of my blog will know that my project for this year (and the next two) is my test garden. I have a model that I am emulating from Garden Gate and will grow shade, semi shade and full sun plants in it to write articles about for my blog. Read about the beginning here. […]
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How To Grow a Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia is one of those stately looking indoor plants with very large leaves that are variegated. It is fairly easy to grow, and makes a great addition to your collection of indoor plants. Most people grow dieffenbachia for their eye catching leaves. The plant has a tropical look and various varieties can be striped, spotted […]
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Variegated Roses in Raleigh’s rose Garden
The Raleigh Rose Garden is a place that you should visit if you are ever in Raleigh, North Carolina. Raleigh’s little Theater has a wonderful rose garden behind it. I discovered it year’s ago when my daughter performed in a play there as a middle schooler. It has a splendid array of roses of all […]
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Uses for Aluminum Pie Plates in the Garden
Aluminum disposable pie plates are recycled all the time to use as trays for left overs. But they are also very useful in the garden, as well. I love to find neat garden uses for common household items. There are so many things that we throw away that can be put to good use around […]
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19 Easy Vegetable Gardening Tips
The middle of summer is the peak time for vegetable gardening. This type of garden gives us loads of fresh vegetables to use in healthy recipes. But an amazing garden doesn’t just happen by planting seeds. These 19 easy vegetable gardening tips will make sure that your crop is amazing this year. If you like […]
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Easy DIY Garden Projects
These easy DIY garden projects are all simple to do but have an elegant look when finished. Most require just a few tools and can be done in a few hours on a weekend. I love to craft, but never have much time for intricate projects. I enjoy those that require just a few supplies […]
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Mimosa Trees Are Rampant Seeders
Mimosa trees are one of those trees that you either love or hate. They are considered by some to be “trash trees” because of their short lifespan. They also have weak wood which breaks easily in high winds, and are vulnerable to disease. To make it worse, they are a rampant spreader, sending out hitchhiker […]
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Did Bees Cause This Lily to Change Colors?
Bees are extraordinary creatures. They move from plant to plant transferring pollen, making sure that the species thrives. They are so necessary in our gardens and it is a shame that their numbers are decreasing in part due to huge mega farming operations, loss of their habitats and pesticide use. One of the Fans of […]
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Inspirational Quotes about Happiness
It is often said that happiness is a choice….a state of mind. Some people find it illusive but just look within and it’s usually there. Even the term inspirational happiness quotes just puts a smile on my face. Quotes and inspirational sayings are very popular with my readers so I am always on the lookout […]
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My Test Garden Transformation in July
Earlier this year, I wrote about a test garden that I will be having in my back yard. I am using the garden bed to grow all sorts of things as test plants for the blog posts that I write. Some grow well there and some don’t like it at all, but everything gives me […]
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Japanese Silver Grass – Graceful Perennial with Winter Appeal
Japanese Silver Grass – Miscanthus sinensis – is a perennial plant that has variegated green and white striped leaves and huge plumes in the fall that stall well above the top of the plant. The plant can be used to hide neighboring views and completely cover a chain link fence. It also has lots of winter […]
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Vegetable Gardens – Favorites from my Facebook Fans
Growing vegetables is one of the true joys of summer for me. It appears the same is true of my Facebook fans, from the look of these vegetable gardens. One of my favorite things to do on my Facebook page The Gardening Cook, is to ask my fans to share their favorite photos from their […]
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Gardening Cooking Humor – Collection of Jokes and Funnies
Every now and then, it is fun to just let your hair down and enjoy a bit of gardening and cooking humor. These graphics and jokes are a way for us to lighten your day. Life should not always be too serious. The Gardening Cook agrees. So we have made a collection of some of […]
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Today’s Flower Eye Candy – Red Emperor Tulip
Today’s featured flower is the Red Emperor Tulip. I love tulips. I have a big patch of these perennial bulbs in my front garden bed and they are gorgeous. They don’t last long but the show that they put on is just incredible for a few short weeks. Emperor tulips are old hybrids, but have […]
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Re-blooming Iris Varieties and Colors
There is nothing quite like a re-bloom of your favorite flower later in the year. A re-blooming iris gives me a chance to enjoy the beauty twice in one season. If you love growing perennials, you will probably have an iris or two in your garden. Many iris plants bloom once for the season and […]