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.

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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