Category: Gardens

  • Wellfield Botanic Gardens – A Fun Filled Day in a Living Museum

    Wellfield Botanic Gardens – A Fun Filled Day in a Living Museum

    The Wellfield Botanic Gardens in Elkhart, Indiana are like a living museum with art, nature, and structure all coordinating beautifully. The waters of Christiana Creek stream through the gardens, which are a combination of nature, art and hardscaping that is sure to delight. The Botanic Gardens feature 36 acres of lush gardens against a backdrop […]

  • 13 Tips for Growing Liatris – Attract Bees like a Magnet!

    13 Tips for Growing Liatris – Attract Bees like a Magnet!

    If you want to attract both butterflies and bees to your garden this year, try growing liatris. This perennial corm flowers in mid summer with a blast of flowers that are a magnet for them. I have 10 garden beds around my home and I’m always interested in growing perennials of all types since they come […]

  • Asiatic and Oriental Lilies – What is the Difference?

    Asiatic and Oriental Lilies – What is the Difference?

    Asiatic and Oriental Lilies may look similar but they actually have several differences. All types of lilies are grown by home gardeners for their dramatic and colorful flowers on long, sturdy stems. Each type has their own particular growing needs, which may make one a better choice for your gardening needs. Although these types of lilies […]

  • Pink Flowers – The Best Flowering Pink Annuals and Perennials for Your Garden

    Pink Flowers – The Best Flowering Pink Annuals and Perennials for Your Garden

    Pink flowers are soft and romantic looking in a garden bed. They are often seen in cottage gardens and there are so many varieties of them that it’s hard to pick favorites. I am a romantic at heart.  One would never think it to look at me.  I’m a rugged girl and my nails usually […]

  • Why Heirloom Vegetable Seeds? – 6 Advantages for Growing Heirloom Seeds

    Why Heirloom Vegetable Seeds? – 6 Advantages for Growing Heirloom Seeds

    If you enjoy vegetable gardening, you may have heard about heirloom vegetable seeds. These are vegetables grown from heirloom seeds which are an open pollinated variety of seeds developed prior to 1940. There are many advantages for growing this type of vegetable. Experts vary in their definition of heirloom vegetables, but typically they will agree […]

  • Growing Melons – How to Grow Cantaloupe & Honey Dew

    Growing Melons – How to Grow Cantaloupe & Honey Dew

    Growing melons such as cantaloupe and honeydew require a few things:  plenty of sunshine and lots of room to grow. We tend to think of edible gardens as those that grow vegetables but there are also many fruits that can be grown just as easily at home. There are several types of melons that are right […]

  • 15 Tested Tips for Using, Storing and Growing Shallots

    15 Tested Tips for Using, Storing and Growing Shallots

    Shallots are starting to be seen in grocery stores more and often lately. What are shallots? Like onions and garlic, shallots are a member of the allium family. They are a cold hardy vegetable and, like onions, are easy to grow. Their flavor is richer and sweeter and they are very versatile in recipes. This […]

  • Purple Passion Plant Cuttings – How to Propagate Gynura Aurantiaca from Stem Cuttings

    Purple Passion Plant Cuttings – How to Propagate Gynura Aurantiaca from Stem Cuttings

    I love to get new plants for free by taking cuttings of some of my existing indoor plants. Purple passion plant cuttings root very easily and I’ll be showing you how to propagate it today. Gynura Aurantiaca – also known as purple passion plant or purple velvet plant is an easy to grow houseplant with […]

  • Wooden Succulent Arrangement – Upcycled Junk Gardening Planter for Succulents

    Wooden Succulent Arrangement – Upcycled Junk Gardening Planter for Succulents

    This gorgeous succulent arrangement started out life as a wooden drawer meant for tools of some sort. The upcycled junk gardening planter got a new coat of paint, some TLC and a few succulent plants and now looks as though it had been intentionally designed for the job. If you love succulents as much as […]

  • Starting Seeds Indoors with Jiffy Peat Pellets – How to Grow Seeds in Peat Pots

    Starting Seeds Indoors with Jiffy Peat Pellets – How to Grow Seeds in Peat Pots

    Get a head start on spring gardening by starting seeds indoors with Jiffy Peat Pellets. These handy peat pots have the perfect soil for seedlings and they can be transplanted right into the ground as soon as the weather is warm enough. This step by step tutorial features a Jiffy Peat Pellet Greenhouse with perennial, […]

  • Renovation Pruning Forsythia Shrubs vs Hard Pruning Forsythia

    Renovation Pruning Forsythia Shrubs vs Hard Pruning Forsythia

    Forsythia bushes have a wonderful arching habit will makes them a great focal point when planted in a large garden bed. All shrubs need pruning, but what do you do when you have totally overgrown forsythia shrub? It’s either time for hard pruning or renovation pruning for them. Rejuvenating forsythia gives them a new lease […]

  • Garden Arbors and Arches – Types of Gardening Trellises and Walk Through Arbors

    Garden Arbors and Arches – Types of Gardening Trellises and Walk Through Arbors

    Garden arbors and arches are set up as walk through areas in home gardens or public parks where one can welcome guests. There are many styles of arbors to choose from. Some are man made and others formed over time by nature. Trellises are often a part of arbors for the garden, giving some support […]

  • Hahn Horticulture Garden – Virginia Tech – Blacksburg, VA

    Hahn Horticulture Garden – Virginia Tech – Blacksburg, VA

    Today we will visit Hahn Horticulture Garden in Blacksburg, Virginia. Garden tours are one of my favorite things to do when I am on the road. I love touring Botanical Gardens that I have not previously visited and sharing details and photos of them with my readers.  This Horticulture Gardens are set on 6 acres of […]

  • Propagating Succulent Leaves and Cuttings – Tips for Propagating Succulents

    Propagating Succulent Leaves and Cuttings – Tips for Propagating Succulents

    Nothing is more attractive to a gardener than getting new plants without having to pay for them.  And since succulents are a very sought after plant, it stands to reason that  propagating succulent leaves and cuttings is a popular project for many gardeners. Best of all, it’s easy and free! Succulents make fantastic houseplants and […]

  • Growing Astilbe – False Spirea Plant- How to Grow and Care for Astilbe

    Growing Astilbe – False Spirea Plant- How to Grow and Care for Astilbe

    Try growing astilbe for beautiful, showy flowers that do well in a shady garden bed. This perennial has feathery flowers that sit above the fern like foliage in a majestic way. These tips will show you how to grow astilbe and bring color to your shady perennial garden beds. Most shady garden beds are filled […]

  • Growing Wheatgrass Seeds Indoors – How to Grow Wheat Berries at Home

    Growing Wheatgrass Seeds Indoors – How to Grow Wheat Berries at Home

    This tutorial shows everything you need to know about growing wheatgrass at home. Wheatgrass is also known as winter wheat or wheat berries.  Sprouted seeds have many health benefits and can also be use in home decor projects and used as a stimulant for your cat’s digestive system.  Kitty is not the only one who […]

  • Earth Day Activities – Crafts, Food and Fun for April 22

    Earth Day Activities – Crafts, Food and Fun for April 22

    Ever since it was established in 1970, people around the world take part in Earth Day Activities as a way to celebrate National Earth Day on April 22. This day is now a worldwide event where more than 1 billion people take part in a day of action. Here are some things that you can […]

  • Care of Boston Fern – Growing Nephrolepis Exaltata

    Care of Boston Fern – Growing Nephrolepis Exaltata

    Nephrolepis Exaltata Bostoniensis is one of the most popular indoor plants, and can also be grown outdoors in some parts of the country.  Care of Boston Fern means providing extra humidity to keep the fronds fresh and fluffy and not giving the plant too much sunlight.  Luckily for gardeners who don’t seem to possess a green thumb, […]

  • Growing Cilantro – How to Grow, Harvest and Use Fresh Cilantro

    Growing Cilantro – How to Grow, Harvest and Use Fresh Cilantro

    Growing Cilantro is quite easy as long as you take care to keep it away from the hottest heat. Love it or hate it, cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) is still one of the most popular herbs for kitchen gardens . Cilantro is a staple of Mexican and Asian cooking. It makes a great garnish and is best served […]

  • Echeveria Neon Breakers – Grow this Amazing Succulent for Great Color

    Echeveria Neon Breakers – Grow this Amazing Succulent for Great Color

    Echeveria Neon Breakers is a Renee O’Donnell hybrid of the succulent Pink Frills crossed with an unknown parent. It is a drought tolerant succulent with green leaves that have pretty pink frilly edges and deep margins. Succulents like echeveria are drought smart plants that are super easy to grow and make fantastic houseplants.  Be sure […]

  • Growing Microgreens – How to Grow Micro Greens at Home

    Growing Microgreens – How to Grow Micro Greens at Home

    Microgreens are the closest a gardener can get to instant gratification. Instead of three months, you can enjoy your harvest in just two weeks. These tips for growing microgreens will help you get started. Microgreens have lots of uses. Throw a microgreen mix into your smoothie to boost the nutritional value. Add some radish microgreens […]

  • Hosta Minuteman – Tips for Growing Plantain Lily

    Hosta Minuteman – Tips for Growing Plantain Lily

    Hosta Minuteman is a delight in a shade garden with its deep white margins. It makes a great container plant and will stand out against other plain green hostas in any shady garden spot. This plant is one of the few hostas that don’t mind more sun as long as you take care to keep […]

  • Watering Can Planters and Garden Art – Recycle your Watering Cans

    Watering Can Planters and Garden Art – Recycle your Watering Cans

    Watering cans are a staple of any gardener but, for me,  they are not just for watering plants.  I love turning them into watering can planters and using them as garden art. The size is perfect for potted indoor plants and the look of them transforms a plant into a work of art that looks great […]

  • Growing Chives – How to Plant, Grow and Harvest Fresh Chives

    Growing Chives – How to Plant, Grow and Harvest Fresh Chives

    Growing chives is very easy to do. These tips will show you how to plant, grow and harvest this tasty herb. Chives are a perennial herb found throughout the world. They are a very versatile herb that can be grown in herb garden beds, in patio containers and flower pots. This popular herb is a […]

  • Preparing Spring Flower Beds – Leaf Mulch – Soil Testing – Lasagna Garden Beds

    Preparing Spring Flower Beds – Leaf Mulch – Soil Testing – Lasagna Garden Beds

    These tips for preparing spring flower beds will make things much less hectic when the warm weather arrives in a few weeks (or months!) Spring is just around the corner and daylight savings on the horizon, we’ll soon be wanting to start planting for flowers and vegetable gardening.  The weather is so cool now, and […]

  • Purple Passion Plant (Gynura Aurantiaca) – Growing Purple Velvet Plants

    Purple Passion Plant (Gynura Aurantiaca) – Growing Purple Velvet Plants

    Looking for a pretty indoor plant to brighten up a window sill or table?  Try this purple passion plant – gynura aurantiaca. This distinctive plant has velvety leaves with slightly raised hairs on greenish purple stems. Gynura aurantiaca is native to Java and is fairly easy to grow if you have a brightly lit room. […]