A new, excited gardener wrote to me about goutweed, also known as ground elder or bishop’s weed, which is a tough customer. I had goutweed growing under cedars and along my fenceline about 20 years ago, in Maple Ridge. It likes to be in shady places, and some ornamental types are really pretty. The leaves … Read more
Raspberries are a favorite choice among fruit gardeners. They are delicious and packed with health benefits. These bright little fruits come from the Rubus genus in the Rosaceae family. They are full of fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C. There are different kinds, like red, black, purple, and golden ones. Each one gives your garden its … Read more
Plant lovers love hanging succulents with stems that trail, vine, or cascade. These plants look great in hanging baskets or pots. Hanging succulents are low maintenance and hard to kill since they don’t need frequent watering. From a hanging succulent planter or a basket, they can hang over the sides, grow in a mound over … Read more
If you already like plants and grow a lot of different kinds, you may know that there are many reasons to grow succulents. It’s easy to become fond of this kind of plant. Yet, you might not have discovered ALL the benefits of succulents. There are so many benefits to growing these plants that it’s … Read more
Lets get back to tips for building an awesome home garden. The girls and I were in line at Starbucks the other day when we saw a bin full of silver bags and a sign that said “Used Coffee Grounds Bags.” for free. Always in search of a “good deal” we grabbed a bag and … Read more
Installing turf on a flat, level landscape is straightforward enough But when faced with an angled or hilly slope, successfully laying sod can seem daunting. Don’t let the incline intimidate you! With some adaptable techniques and smart preparation, you can create a lush, even lawn on sloped ground Below I’ll share my best tips for … Read more
With their festive red and green foliage, poinsettias are a holiday staple. But keeping them looking their best requires meeting their picky preferences for sunlight. How much sun do poinsettias need, and what light conditions are ideal? Read on to discover the keys to providing the perfect amount of sunlight for a healthy, thriving poinsettia. … Read more
Lilies are one of the most iconic and beloved flowers prized for their elegant trumpet-shaped blooms and sweet fragrance. But if you take a close look at a lily flower you may notice something strange – the number of “petals” doesn’t seem to add up! So how many petals does a lily actually have? Read … Read more
Potatoes are one of the most versatile and commonly consumed vegetables They can be prepared in endless ways – mashed, fried, baked, roasted, and more With their neutral flavor, potatoes pair well with almost anything and are a staple ingredient in many cuisines. But with so many types and sizes of potatoes on the market, … Read more
Algae, also known as phytoplankton, is present in all ponds and lakes. Between 30,000 and 150,000 species of algae are thought to exist. Some are so small that they can’t be named without a microscope. Algae can appear in a number of different forms, colors, and quantities. Algae serves an important function in every ecosystem, … Read more