Mulch can protect your plants, reduce your water consumption, and add that finishing touch to your garden beds. However, many of them are made from organic materials, and they can decompose over time. To keep it looking great over the years, you will need to do maintenance whether you use natural or inorganic materials. Depending … Read more
Weigela shrubs are prized for their trumpet-shaped blooms that usher in springtime. But if your vibrant weigela comes out of winter looking drab and lifeless, it’s understandable to worry it didn’t survive the cold months. However, brown stems on weigela after winter are often just due to dieback, not death. This guide will walk you … Read more
This month you can plant a lot of annual and perennial flowers inside and outside to get beautiful displays of bright flowers. April is an ideal time to sow many flowers from seed. Growing flowers from seeds is a quick, easy, and cheap way to get plants that will add lots of color to your … Read more
Most nurseries sell native maple trees in one of three styles: container grown, balled and burlapped, or Each type of tree has its own advantages and disadvantages. When you plant trees that were grown in containers, the roots aren’t disturbed as much, which is an advantage. Native Maples can also be bought as bigger trees, … Read more
Rose bushes are treasured additions to many gardens Who doesn’t love stopping to smell gorgeous, fragrant rose blooms? But after some years, your rose bush may outgrow its space or the blooms may dwindle You may wonder – can you split a rose bush to propagate new plants or reinvigorate growth? While dividing perennials like … Read more
Canna is one of several tropical garden plants that can be grown in northern climates with specialized care. The roots of cannas are technically rhizomes, but they are usually called bulbs because they look a lot like the roots of a normal plant bulb. Canna bulbs can be left in the ground over the winter … Read more
Unlike typical desert cacti, Christmas cactus is native to the tropical rain forest. The weather is damp for most of the year, but the roots dry out quickly because the plants don’t grow in soil but in tree branches with dead leaves. Christmas cactus problems are usually caused by improper watering or poor drainage. The … Read more
For gardeners in USDA zone 7 knowing when to plant cucumbers is key to getting a prolific harvest of delicious, fresh cukes. With proper timing and care it’s easy to grow boatloads of cucumbers in zone 7. This guide will cover the optimal planting times and other tips to help ensure your cucumber vines stay … Read more
As a vegetable gardener, you likely know that cucumbers are a warm-season crop that bear crunchy, refreshing fruits perfect for salads, pickling and more. But if you’re new to growing cukes, you may be wondering – how long do cucumber plants actually live? The simple answer is that cucumbers are annual plants. This means they … Read more
Catalpa is a large deciduous tree with a wide-spreading habit. It can grow to 50 feet (15m) tall and wide. Catalpa bear mid-green leaves that are ovate and heart-shaped at the base. White flowers are borne in upright panicles in summer. Slender bean-like pods follow the flowers. Catalpa are well adapted to extremes of heat … Read more