"There's a lot of bogus ideas out there about these brilliant birds. Learn the truth behind these common hummingbird myths." Comment from Birds and Blooms
There is so much to learn about hummingbirds.
Click here to go to the Birds and Blooms article to learn more.
"As winter loosens its grip across the South, one of the season’s smallest migrants begins its return. Hummingbirds, fresh from wintering grounds in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, are already pushing north, and Southern backyards are their first stop." Comment from Southern Living
I am hoping they will visit my yard this year.
Click here to go to the Southern Living article.
"Plant it and they will come. Believe it or not, it really is that simple when it comes to butterfly host plants. Scatter dill seeds among your lovely pink cosmos, and soon you’ll see swallowtails. Plant a patch of milkweed, and you’re bound to get monarchs. Got an out-of-the-way corner for nettles? Get ready to welcome red admirals. Butterfly gardening truly is this easy, but myths abound, so let’s set the story straight." Comment from Birds and Blooms
If you are in my part of the world, zone 9b, pentas attracted the butterflies into my garden more than the other plants. I had them planted all over my property.
Click here to go to the Birds and Blooms article.
"Growing houseplants is a great way to brighten up the indoors when the outdoors is gray and chilly. Whether you’re an expert gardener or a total newbie, many houseplants don’t require a ton of tending—and they add a welcome burst of green to any room. Hanging houseplants, much like spring and summer’s hanging flower baskets, provide eye-catching intrigue to an indoor garden. Check out these simple, easy-to-grow trailing houseplants for hanging containers." Comment from Birds and Blooms
Click here to go to the Birds and Blooms very informative article.
"Did your seedlings suddenly fall over and die overnight? It’s not from pests, and it’s not because the wind knocked them over. In fact, the problem starts below the surface… not above it. Find out why damping off disease happens to even healthy seedlings and how to prevent this common fungal infection." Comment from Garden Betty
An important phase in growing from seed that needs to be learned.
Click here to go to the Garden Betty article.
"The South is the heart of camellia country. Indeed, common camellia (Camellia japonica) is even Alabama's state flower. Although it seems like these evergreen flowering shrubs, which are so well suited to our area, must have been born here, they actually hail from eastern and southern Asia. Camellias are members of the tea family, Theaceae, and bring beautiful blooms to our gardens during the cold months.
More than 3,000 named kinds of camellias exist in a remarkable range of colors, forms, and sizes. They are not browsed by deer, another plus point for life outdoors in the South. These beautiful shrubs—some grow as much as a foot a year to eventually form a small tree—can be planted in the fall through early spring in Southern gardens. Read on for more tips on planting and tending camellias." Comment from Southern Living
Trying to learn as much as I can about this beautiful plant I'd love to grow.
Click here to go to the Southern Living article.
"If it seems like the camellia flower blooms almost all year, that's because they do. Sometimes called the rose of winter or the queen of winter flowers, camellia varieties usually bloom during the colder months. What does a camellia look like? In addition to resembling roses, camellia flowers can be shaped like anemones or peonies. The blooms can be single, double, and semi-double, and come in red, pink, white, or a mix of these colors. There's more to camellias than just their beautiful blooms—here are some fascinating facts to make you love them even more." Comment from Better Homes and Gardens
This is one plant that I have always wanted to grow, but never did. It is so beautiful!
Click here to go to the Better Homes and Gardens article.
"Americans are rethinking their relationship with lawns. While traditional turfgrasses do serve many purposes in the landscape, such as a place to play, erosion control, and mitigating solar heat, they are not always the best solution. They require vast amounts of time and resources to maintain while supporting little ecological diversity. In the face of increasing drought and water restrictions, the time has come to consider grass alternatives." Comment from Southern Living
I'm looking into all possibilities so I can get rid of the grass and weeds that I totally dislike.
Click here to go to the Southern Living article.
"Do you know what’s in your potting mix? Perlite and vermiculite are natural soil additives that help improve soil structure in similar ways, but this one key difference between them can make or break a gardening project." Comment from Garden Betty
Click here to go to the Garden Betty article.
"Many of us love attracting birds to our yards with feeders, but did you know that certain native plants work even better? Native plants offer birds natural food, shelter, and nesting sites year-round. Plus, their diverse food supply supports a wider variety of birds than feeders do. Here are 25 native trees, shrubs, vines, and flowers that birds adore. Plant a few (or all!) and transform your yard into a bird paradise." Comment from Better Homes and Gardens
Being a bird lover, I am going to use some of their advise to attract more birds into my garden.
Click here to go to the Better Homes and Gardens article.
"Juicy slicers for BLT sandwiches, cherry types for salads and snacking, Romas for homemade sauce—the tomato varieties are endless, but the amount of space in your garden and on your countertop is most likely not. One tomato plant goes a long way, so before you run out and buy the first seedling you spot, first decide how you’re going to use your harvest in the kitchen." Comment from Birds And Blooms
Click here to go to the Birds and Blooms article to learn all about growing tomato plants.
"The best time to plant pansies is earlier than most gardeners expect. In many regions, pansies can be planted as soon as the soil can be worked and daytime temperatures remain consistently above freezing. And yes, you can keep them blooming until Summer!" Comment from Old World Garden Farms
Click here to go to Old World Garden Farms article.
"Early to mid-spring is the perfect time to make more plants by dividing the ones you (or your neighbors, friends and family) already have growing in the garden. That is genuinely the only disadvantage I can think of when it comes to this method of propagation: you must already have a plant to divide."
Click here to go to the Rural Sprout article.
"You don't need a big garden to grow delicious onions at home—a bright location, the right container, and well-draining soil are all it takes to yield flavorful results. Whether you have a small balcony, patio, or windowsill, growing onions in pots and containers is an easy solution for gardeners with limited space. While this method is best suited for small-bulb varieties, such as bunching or pearl onions, it still yields an abundant harvest when done properly. Ahead, experts share their tips for growing onions in containers, from planting to harvesting." Comment from Martha Stewart.com
This is an article that I need to learn from so I can grow these green onion bulbs successfully.
Click here to go to the Martha Stewart.com article.
"When it comes to flowers in the vegetable garden, marigolds, nasturtiums and calendula are the first blossoms that pop into my mind. I can see them vividly, swaying in the breeze, bejeweled with yellow-orange petals, being visited by a great variety of beneficial insects.
So, for the sake of beauty, among other things, let’s bring them on over to the vegetable patch. Trust me, the zinnias will fit right in with the other flowers growing in your vegetable garden." Comments from Rural Sprout
I have many packs of zinnia seeds that I should have already sown, but they will be the first to get started. I love zinnias! Some are tall, some are short . . . all with varying colors.
Click here to go to the Rural Sprout article to find out about zinnias.
