Back when winter-long snow-covers were the norm, plants and their leafless skeletons were little more than different forms of white sticking out above the snowy sea. But now that winter typically gives us at least periodic spells of bare ground, the winter landscape is no longer a three-month write-off. Cold weather no longer […]
One antidote to the months of cold weather coming our way soon is blooming flowers. You could just go out and buy some blooms whenever you’re fed up with snow and dark. Or you could get some ready yourself via the botanical trickery known as “bulb forcing.” Forcing involves planting and chilling […]
Most of our yards are seriously under-bulbed – probably for several reasons. One is that bulbs have the unfortunate trait of lacking badly on the instant-gratification scale. You plant the things in fall, then end up with a bare bed for at least 4 months before anything happens. Another is the cost […]
Native plants help draw and feed pollinators, but that doesn’t mean non-natives are useless to wildlife.
Here’s an article on an interesting native-plant talk by entomologist Dr. Doug Tallamy and author Rick Darke that made the case for why we should plant more native plants.
Native plants make good sense in the garden. But that doesn’t mean we should plant nothing but natives… or feel guilty about our peonies and hydrangeas.
Dividing perennials is easier than most people think. It basically boils down to digging up a clump, yanking them apart and replanting the pieces. A few more details…
Here’s a primer on how to get poinsettias to color back up for a repeat holiday show the next year.
Gardening is good for burning off calories, but I’ve found I have to lug compost for three solid hours to counteract the effect of a half of a piece of cherry pie.
I’m not getting tired of my plants or gardening. I’m just getting tired.