Iris are stunning perennial flowers that bloom in a rainbow of colors. While most varieties thrive in zones 3-9, they do require some special care when cooler weather hits. Proper winter preparation is key to ensure your iris return healthy and vigorous the following spring. Here is a complete guide on how to get your … Read more
A lush green lawn is the dream for many homeowners. However, achieving that perfect carpet of grass requires using high-quality grass seed This leads many gardeners to wonder – how long does grass seed last in a bag? Understanding the shelf life and viability of grass seed is crucial to lawn success. Read on to … Read more
Mulch is a gardener’s best friend This organic or inorganic ground cover retains moisture, suppresses weeds, and improves soil health over time But what happens if you need to add new soil after applying mulch? Can you simply spread soil on top of the mulch layer? Or does mulch need to be removed before topping … Read more
Growing strawberries can be difficult but rewarding. We love those tasty red (or white) berries, and you will too. You’ll want every tip you can get. Since most people grow their own food these days, you may be wondering what kind of mulch is best for growing strawberries. The answer to that is straw. Straw … Read more
You can get a lot of great wooden containers for cheap or even free. These can be anything from old soda crates to tool boxes. And they can be turned into a quaint DIY wooden container planter for use indoors or outside. Repurposing wooden containers into planters can make a rustic and organic design statement. … Read more
As the first frost heralds, it is time to figure out how to overwinter dahlias. The beautiful blooms on dahlias will keep coming out until the temperature drops and the frost comes. At this point, any remaining flowers, buds and foliage will die immediately. You should now start taking steps to protect your dahlias from … Read more
Leave the seed heads on the plant to fully dry. For best results, put a mesh bag or a piece of mesh cloth around each flower head to keep birds from getting to the seeds that are still growing. (I find it nice to also leave a couple sunflowers for the birds. There should be … Read more
After a long winter dormancy homeowners look forward to their lawns greening up again as a sign that spring has arrived. But exactly when does grass start growing again each year? The timing of renewed grass growth depends on several factors. Temperature, location and grass species all play a role in determining when those green … Read more
Plastic that looks like plastic adds its own surreal touch to any scene. I use sheets of food wrap to cover plugsheets trays until the seedlings push up above the surface. The plastic holds in heat and keeps the seedling mix moist, both of which the seeds definitely like. As soon as the seedlings emerge, … Read more
I’m not sure what kind of cannas my neighbor has, but they have a lot of them. The leaves and stalks are purple, and the flowers are bright orange. Anyway, some have volunteered over the years onto my side of the fence. Id like to move them to a better location in my garden. The … Read more