Creating a vibrant, beautiful garden that returns year after year doesn’t have to be an expensive undertaking. While buying mature perennial plants from a nursery offers instant gratification, the costs can quickly add up. Growing perennials from seed is a budget-friendly alternative that offers immense satisfaction and a deeper connection to your garden. With a …
Gardening
Chrysanthemums, or mums as they are lovingly called, are the undisputed stars of autumn gardens and porches. With their vibrant domes of color, they perfectly capture the warm, cozy feeling of the fall season. Yet, for all their beauty, many gardeners feel a sense of frustration when their gorgeous mums begin to fade almost as …
Dahlias are the undisputed queens of the summer and fall gardens. With their intricate petals and stunning, kaleidoscopic colors, they bring a level of drama and beauty that few other flowers can match. But if you’ve ever planted dahlia tubers with dreams of dinner-plate-sized blossoms, only to be met with underwhelming, modest flowers, you know …
As the vibrant greens of summer give way to the rich yellows, oranges, and reds of autumn, your garden puts on a spectacular final show. When the show is over, a blanket of fallen leaves covers your lawn and garden beds. For many, the first instinct is to rake them up and get rid of …
As the vibrant colors of your garden fade and autumn gives way to the quiet chill of winter, it can be tempting to tidy everything up. Many gardeners spend fall weekends cutting back spent stems and clearing away old flower heads. But what if a “messy” garden is actually a healthier one? Leaving perennial seed …
As the cooler autumn air settles in and leaves begin their colorful descent, a gardener’s mind turns not to endings, but to new beginnings. Fall is the secret season for spring success, the perfect time to plant the bulbs that will burst forth in a symphony of color after winter’s quiet slumber. Planning your spring …
When you think of autumn, vibrant images of trees ablaze in red, orange, and yellow likely come to mind. While towering maples and oaks often steal the show, you can bring that same spectacular fall color right into your own backyard with carefully chosen shrubs. Adding bushes that turn a brilliant red in the fall …
Basil is the heart of the summer garden. Its sweet, aromatic leaves can transform a simple pasta dish, elevate a fresh tomato salad, and form the soul of a perfect pesto. For home gardeners, there’s nothing quite like stepping outside to snip a few fresh leaves. But often, basil plants grow tall and lanky, producing …
For the birds that have brought life and song to your backyard this past summer, the transition to fall is a season of urgency. Migratory species are fueling up for long journeys, while resident birds are busy preparing for the colder months ahead. By making a few simple adjustments to your garden and routine, you …
As summer fades and the crisp autumn air settles in, our gardens begin to wind down. But while most of the flowers may be finished for the season, a vital group of garden helpers is just starting to prepare for the cold months ahead. The bees that diligently pollinated our flowers, vegetables, and fruit trees …