A beloved symbol of autumn, Pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo) are plump annuals grown for their fleshy, nutritious fruits. Pumpkins are easy and fun to grow. In the US and Canada, they are carved into jack-o’-lanterns for Halloween and baked into pies for Thanksgiving dessert. Pumpkins are a fun and tasty crop to grow in the garden. … Read more
Grapes are one of the most popular and beloved fruits used for wine jams, juices, and eating fresh off the vine. But where do grapes actually grow – on vines, or trees? The answer is vines! Here’s an overview of the unique growth habits of grapevines. Grapevines Are Climbing Vines Grapes grow on flexible, woody … Read more
Growing tomatoes in containers is almost always an adventure. It can be incredibly rewarding or flat-out disastrous. Epic failures can happen for reasons you can’t control, like tomato blight or a summer that is too wet or cold. But if you don’t do these common mistakes when growing tomatoes in pots, you will have a … Read more
Before you put chemicals into your pond to kill weeds or algae, read this! Chemical weed removal is not the only way to get rid of pond weeds. We tell people not to put chemicals in ponds, rivers, lakes, and other small bodies of water because they hurt the quality of the water and make … Read more
Rhododendrons are popular broadleaf evergreen shrubs that add year-round structure and interest to gardens with their large, lush leaves and abundant spring blooms. However, rhododendrons can suffer foliar damage during harsh winters, leaving them with unsightly brown leaves that make them appear dead. So how do you determine if a rhododendron is truly dead or … Read more
My seed potato-buying friend and I were both having a hard time as we filled out the order form. We left blanks on the line that said “preferred ship date.” ” How early do we want them to arrive, we asked ourselves as we do every year. Let’s go over that again and another question … Read more
You may be wondering how to determine the best time for removing tree stakes. Most likely, if you just planted trees in your yard, you put up tree stakes to support your seedlings or young trees. Most trees that are just planted need tree stakes and guy wires to stay healthy and straight until they … Read more
This week’s 5-Minute Friday Gardening Tip Video is all about starting lettuce seeds indoors every year. I don’t grow all of my plants indoors, but I do start some of my lettuce seeds there. This post contains some affiliate links. Through the Amazon Affiliate Program, clicking on these links doesn’t cost you anything but helps … Read more
Shasta daisies are beautiful, perennial daisies that produce 3 inch (8 cm. ) wide white flowers with yellow centers. If you treat them right, they should bloom abundantly all summer long. Shasta daisies are easy to take care of and can be used for many things. They look great in garden borders and can also … Read more
California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) are stunning wildflowers that paint the hillsides of California bright orange. Their satiny petals and delicate fringed centers make them a favorite in wildflower gardens. While poppies readily self-seed collecting the seeds to spread in new areas of your garden or to share with friends can extend their beauty. Harvesting poppy … Read more