How Often to Water Succulents—and the Right Way to Do It

 

Photo source:  Martha Stewart

"Succulents are known for being low-maintenance plants that can withstand periods of drought. But like any plant, succulents need the occasional watering to stay lush and healthy. While watering too often can lead to mushy leaves and root rot, watering too little will cause the leaves to turn brown and shrivel up. Striking the perfect balance will ensure these heat-tolerant plants stay happy. To keep you from over or underwatering your succulents, we spoke to gardening experts who shared their tips for how often to water succulents—and the best way to do so."  Comment from Martha Stewart.com

I hope to grow succulents this year and need to read this article to learn about some of their needs.

Click here to go to the Martha Stewart.com article.

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This Potting Soil Mistake Is Secretly Ruining Your Houseplants

 

Photo source:  Martha Stewart

"If you care for houseplants for long enough, you'll start to notice they fall into two categories. "[They] need soil that dries out quickly, or soil that holds some moisture while staying airy,” says Adrian Aviles, owner of Athletic Club Flower Shop.

The catch? All-purpose soil doesn't do either, despite its name. It holds onto moisture for too long, leading to root rot and eventual failure. One of the biggest mistakes people make with their soil is simply using the wrong one. Here, we spoke to experts about the repercussions of using incorrect soil and how to choose the best kind for your houseplants." Comment from Martha Stewart.com

When I am being serious about gardening, I make my own mixes for different types of plants.  It does make a difference.

Click here to go to the Martha Stewart.com article.

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Martha Stewart’s 5 Go-To Gardening Tips for a Smooth Winter-to-Spring Transition

 

Photo source:  Better Homes and Gardens

"We’ve arrived at winter’s most intriguing stretch—the moment when home gardeners start to wonder, Is spring finally on its way, or is another cold snap around the corner? Whatever the forecast holds, Martha Stewart tells us there’s plenty you can do right now to prepare. We spoke with her about how gardeners can make the most of this in-between season."  Comment from Better Homes and Gardens

Back when I first began serious gardening, Martha Stewart is who I learned from.  She knows what she is talking about!  Love her!

Click here to go to the Better Homes and Gardens article.

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Hardy Perennials to Plant in March for a Low-Maintenance, Dreamy Garden

 

Photo source:  Real Simple

"Ready for spring? Same! To get you pumped for warmer weather, we spoke to some experts on what you can plant in March for a gorgeous garden come proper spring. "March is actually a great time to plant because the ground is beginning to thaw and roots can grow before the heat of summer," says Tammy Sons, founder and CEO of TN Nursery."  Comment from Real Simple

Getting ready for spring is the most exciting time for me in the garden.  New beginnings for the garden!  If you are a beginning gardening this is an awesome article to give you a great start.

Click here to go to the Real Simple article.

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English Garden Design Ideas That Bring Cottage-Style Charm to Any Yard

 

Photo source:  Better Homes and Gardens

"English gardens are particularly known for their mixed borders, large beds planted with a combination of annuals, perennials, ornamental grasses, and shrubs. They're charming, colorful, and tougher to pull off than they look. “It's a fine line between a beautiful naturalistic planting and a bloody mess,” says Tom Coward, head gardener at Gravetye Manor, an iconic British hotel on the former grounds of a Victorian garden. Read on for his expert tips on artfully blending English garden ideas with the timeless informality of cottage style gardens to create stunning mixed borders."  Comment from Better Homes and Gardens

Great article!  I've always been inspired by cottage style gardens.

Click here to go to the Better Homes and Gardens article to learn more about English gardens.

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Blooming Houseplants to Grow Indoors

 

Photo source:  Birds and Blooms

"Flowering house plants are a colorful, easy way to combat winter’s gloom. We rounded up 10 of our favorite blooming houseplants that you can try growing this winter, like African violets, orchids, and amaryllis."  Comment from Birds and Blooms 

I have not done much gardening indoors in recent years, however, I'm planning on learning as much as I can about what I can grow indoors and would love blooming plants.  Know before you grow!

Click here to go to the Birds and Blooms article.

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Gardening Tasks to Complete Before Spring to Prevent Pests and Diseases

 

"While there is no infallible defense against pests and diseases affecting your flower and veggie beds, there are preventative steps you can take before the growing season starts. If you don't act, pests and diseases from the previous growing season may linger through the winter and reinfect your garden in spring."  Comment from Better Homes and Gardens

Excellent article!

Click here to go to Better Homes and Gardens article.

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Flavorful Herbs to Plant in Shady Spots Around Your Garden

 

Photo source:  Better Homes and Gardens

"Some herbs require a little less light than others to thrive; they tolerate partial shade, which translates into 3 to 6 hours of direct sun daily. Here is a selection of popular herbs that grow in partial shade, along with must-know planting tips."  Comment from Better Homes and Gardens

Great information to learn about growing herbs in your shady spots.

Click here to go to the Better Homes and Gardens article.

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How to Grow Tomatoes in Pots—Even Without a Garden

Photo source:  Garden Betty

 "Growing tomatoes has never been so easy! And you don’t need a big space to yield hundreds of pounds of tomatoes from just a handful of container plants. This step-by-step guide will show you how to grow tomatoes in pots with big results—even if you don’t have a “proper” garden."  Comment from Garden Betty

We have grown tomatoes in five-gallon buckets with great success.

Click here to go to the Garden Betty article.

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Types of Squirrels and How to Tell Them Apart

 

Photo source:  Birds and Blooms

"You may have a concrete idea of what a squirrel is and looks like but there are many distinct types of squirrels, with over 65 species that live in North America. The most common types of squirrels are tree squirrels, ground squirrels and flying squirrels. Here is what sets them apart."  Comment from Birds and Blooms

Love the squirrels and would like to learn more about them.

Click here to go to the Birds and Blooms article.

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Simple Ways to Attract More Birds to Your Birdhouse

 

"Love birds and want to create a space for them to spend more time in your yard? A birdhouse will help entice feathered beauties to spend more time near your home. Along with making sure you're providing a bird-friendly backyard habitat, you'll want to hang your birdhouse in the optimal place and consider the best type of birdhouses to use. Here’s what you need to know about how to attract birds to a birdhouse in your yard."  Comments from Better Homes and Gardens

Good information to know if you love the birds visiting your garden.

Click here to go to the Better Homes and Gardens article.

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Why You Need To Prune Pepper Plants

 

Photo source:  This Is My Garden

"When it comes to growing healthy, vibrant and extremely productive pepper plants, pruning can play a big role in the overall success of your plants. Not only can pruning your pepper plants help improve the amount of air, water and sunlight they receive for strong growth – it can also boost pollination and yields."  Comment from This Is My Garden

Great information to learn how to be a better gardener.

Click here to go to the This Is My Garden article.

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Keep Zinnias Blooming All Summer

 

Photo source:  This Is My Garden

"If you want a flower that can brighten up your landscape for almost the entire growing season, it’s hard to beat zinnias. Their colorful, daisy-like blooms are not only beautiful, they’re also incredibly easy to grow. Even better, with the slightest of care, you can keep them constantly flowering."  Comment from This Is My Garden

When I am serious about gardening, I always plant zinnias all over.  I love them!  Easy to grow from seed.

Click here to go to the This Is My Garden article.

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Flower Bed Ideas That Will Inspire Your Garden Design

 

Photo source:  Martha Stewart

"There are so many beautiful flowers that you can grow in your garden and even more ways to arrange them. Choosing the right colors and blossoms for your flower bed can feel like a daunting task, though—especially if it's your first time really digging into gardening.

Of course, every flower bed will be different. Some will want to create a pollinator garden, while others may be more interested in nurturing blooms for homegrown bouquets. Whatever your personal preference, we've gathered 25 different flower bed ideas from the experts to help get you started."  Comment from Martha Stewart.com

So many beautiful flower bed ideas to inspire us.  Check it out!

Click here to go to the Martha Stewart.com article.

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Hardy Perennials That Survive Heat, Rain & Neglect in Containers

 

It is always good for a gardener to know the best plants for you to grow that matches your lifestyle.  If you don't have enough time to take care of a high maintenance plant, you should not waste your money on a plant you don't have time for.  However, there are plants that can tolerate neglect and those are you ones you should choose to grow.

The following video features perennials that can take the neglect.  It concentrates on container plants, but generally applies to all gardening methods and provides lots of good information.

Check it out!

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Why Are My Plant Leaves Yellow?

 

Photo source:  Birds and Blooms

"Are you seeing yellow leaves on plants? Learn the proper way to water and fertilize your indoor plants to prevent yellow leaves."  Comment from Birds and Blooms

Good information to know.

Click here to go to the Birds and Blooms article.

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