Say Goodbye To Garden Pests

 

Photo source:  Outdoor Guide

"If you frequently find yourself battling pests in the garden, you're probably willing to try anything to get rid of them. Store-bought sprays offer a chemical solution, but those can sometimes be harmful to plants. They also pose a risk to bees, butterflies, and other garden pollinators. Luckily, there are several home remedies worth trying, some of which require little more than basic kitchen scraps."  Comment from Outdoor Guide

I've had fierce battles with the slugs in my part of the world.  As an organic gardener, you must learn natural tricks other than using chemicals.  It can be done!

Click here to go to the Outdoor Guide article.

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Low-Cost DIY Garden Path Ideas

 

Photo source: Better Homes and Gardens

"The purpose of a garden path is to make it easier to get where you’re going. But garden paths are also important aesthetically, directing the eye toward a focal point or a destination. The good news is that several options perform both functions handsomely without breaking the bank.

Here are 10 money-saving ways to create a garden path that will make a big impact on your yard, not your wallet."  Comment from Better Homes and Gardens

My preference is a stone path.  I've had the mulch path that ended up being a big weed farm.  If you do the mulch thing, be careful who you buy the mulch from.

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

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Spring Jobs For Stunning Azaleas

 

Photo source:  Rural Sprout

"When it comes to spring azalea care, three things hold true: It’s the most important time of the year for taking care of these plants.

You have a specific window of opportunity to meet their needs.

Finally, those needs are pretty easy to take care of.

So don’t sweat it. We’ll get your azaleas squared away and your spring off to a great start."

Comments from Rural Sprout

If you want a hedge that blooms like crazy and makes a bold statement, the azalea is for you.  Check out the article to learn all about the azalea and how to care for it.

Click here to go to the Rural Sprout article.

 

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The Easiest Way To Ruin Lavender

 

Photo source:  Southern Living

"This plant isn’t finicky, but you do need to understand its needs and how it grows in its original native range. “Lavender is a resilient, drought-tolerant plant, native to the Mediterranean,” says Josh Geiger, propagation manager for the Southern Living Plant Collection. “It thrives in dry, sunny conditions and well-drained soil.”  Comment from Southern Living

Click here to go to the Southern Living article if you are a gardener who grows or wants to grow lavender.

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Don't Start Your Spring Yard Cleanup Too Soon

 

Photo source:  Better Homes and Gardens

"As the weather warms and the first green shoots appear after the winter, many gardeners are eager to start tidying up their yard. Yet, starting yard cleanup too soon can do more harm than good. That's because our yards are important habitats for a wide range of beneficial insects that play a key role in maintaining the health of our garden plants."  Comment from Better Homes and Gardens

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

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Best Place to Hang Your Hummingbird Feeder

 

Photo source:  Real Simple

"You’ve purchased and hung your hummingbird feeder, added the nectar, and waited for your fluttering friends to arrive… but they haven’t. “Hummingbirds are remarkably good at finding feeders,” says Noah Perlut, PhD, ornithologist and professor in the School of Marine and Environmental Programs at the University of New England. So, if you’re noticing a lack of feathery guests, it’s probably a sign your setup isn’t quite right."  Comment from Real Simple

This is an article that I need to pay attention to and learn what I am doing wrong!

Click here to go to the Real Simple article.

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How To Use Stone As A Mulch

 

Photo source:  This Is My Garden

"When it comes to using stone as a mulch in the landscape successfully, it all comes down to knowing where stone will work well, and where using it may cause more problems than it solves."  Comment from This Is My Garden

This article speaks to me since this is what I want to do in my gardens.

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

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Christmas Cactus Annual Care

 

Photo source:  Rural Sprout

The editor for Rural Sprout gets questions from gardeners  around October about their Christmas Cactus and what to do to make their plant bloom.  He has the unfortunate task to answer the following.

“Well, these plants have specific needs that must be met throughout the year for them to have enough energy to bloom. At this point in the cycle, there isn’t a whole lot you can do. However, I’ll happily walk you through what you need to do next year to ensure you have plenty of blossoms come Christmastime.”

Check out the article at Rural Sprout to get the answers.

Click here to go to there.

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Tips for Designing a Nature-Inspired Garden That Looks Beautiful Year Round

 

Photo source:  Better Homes and Gardens

"Maybe you're thinking about replacing some lawn with something more sustainable. Perhaps you have a shady spot where nothing grows. Or you may be looking to create more habitat for wildlife such as birds and butterflies. A natural garden or landscape is an increasingly popular solution for all of these situations, but perhaps you're worried it will look too weedy or messy. Here are five design tips that will help you create a space that appeals to both people and wildlife."  Comment from Better Homes and Gardens

Click here to go to the Better Homes and Gardens article for some great advise.

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How To Plant & Grow Hanging Baskets From Seed

 

Photo source:  Old World Garden Farms

"We use a lot of hanging baskets all over the farm - and because of that, we started growing all of ours directly from seed.  And one thing we have found out is that not only is growing all of ours directly from seed.  And one thing we have found out is that not only  is growing from seed easy and cost effective, it also allows us to start and grow all kinds of amazing and unique plants from seed that we could never find at local stores."  Comment from Old World Garden Farms

Excellent article, very detailed and informative . . . check it out!  I plan on learning from their experience.

Click here to go to the Old World Garden Farms article.

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Small Patio Ideas That Level Up Your Outdoor Space

 

Photo source:  Better Homes and Gardens

"If you have a small patio, you might be tempted to skip decorative elements and stick to the essentials. But these small patio ideas can significantly impact even the tiniest spaces. With the right know-how, you can transform your petite patio into a dreamy getaway.

Sometimes all it takes is placing furniture in a space-maximizing arrangement or the clever use of color to help a patio feel larger. Read on to create your tiny backyard oasis."  Comment from Better Homes and Gardens

Great ideas and I love all of them!  

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

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March Gardening Jobs

 

Photo source:  Rural Sprout

In my part of the world, March brings the excitement that Spring has arrived.   The trees come alive with squirrels running around and birds singing their happy tunes.  It is a happy time of the year for me.  

This article from Rural Sprout leads us to the jobs that need to be done in the garden.

Happy gardening!

https://www.ruralsprout.com/march-gardening-jobs/

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Ways to Reuse Nursery Pots

 

Photo source:  Rural Sprout

"Nursery pots are incredibly useful. With a little creativity and just the tiniest bit of hoarding, you may find yourself grateful for that growing stack in the corner of the basement.

Here are some of my favorite ways to reuse nursery pots around the garden and home. Grab your stash, and let’s put those pots to work."

Comments from Rural Sprout


Since I am a hoarder, I never throw away nursery pots. I have used them in many ways, but these articles gave me more ideas. 

Click here to go to the Rural Sprout article.

MORE IDEAS!

Check out this post for some garden design inspiration using your nursery pots.

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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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