Smart Gardening

Best Tools for Weeding

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

These hand tools will help you win the war against weeds.

Best Way to Weed

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Follow these easy organic weed-control methods to keep weeds from overtaking your garden.

Tip of the Week: A good recipe for making your own houseplant soil

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Using just a few natural ingredients you can make your own potting soil

Gardening on the Cheap

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Gardening expert, writer and former nurserywoman Pam Baggett shares her tips for creating a beautiful garden without breaking the bank. Learn how to garden on a budget, save money at the garden center and get more for your gardening dollar.

Q&A: Water Lilies

Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Can you suggest some long-blooming plants for my water garden?

Q&A: Fall Planting

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I’ve heard fall is a good time to plant. Is this true for all plants, and can you give me some more specifics about timing?

The War Over Seeds

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

There is a billion-dollar war going on in the seed industry, and most gardeners are blissfully unaware of it. At stake are thousands of varieties that gardeners treasure, and a basic question: Who owns Nature?

Growing Food for the Hungry

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

At the Rhinelander Area Food Pantry and Community Garden, in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, volunteers grow food for low-income and unemployed neighbors and teach the community about gardening. This is an interview with one volunteer.

Restoring a Damaged Shrub

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Q&A: How do I ensure that agaves will survive the winter?

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On a recent trip to the Southwest, I fell in love with agaves. I've found some that are marginally hardy in my zone and I'm thinking about purchasing them next spring. Is there anything I can do to ensure they survive our winter?

Tip of the Week: Choosing Creative Containers

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Follow these tips for success with out-of-the-ordinary garden containers.

Chart for Border Basics 6: Renovating an Existing Border

Sat, 18 Oct 2003 00:00:00 GMT

In the September/October 2003 issue of Horticulture, noted Seattle designers Glenn Withey and Charles Price share their expertise on renovating an existing border. Included with the article is a chart detailing perennials for flower and foliage. Here you will find additional charts for key annuals, woody plants, and container plants.

Squash Pruning

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

I relish 'Buttercup' squash, but is there a way to prune it without hurting production too much? The vegetation rambles over an area 40 by 60 feet...

Q&A: Why Are My Coneflowers Dying?

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

My coneflowers (Echinacea) bloom then wilt, turn brown and die. What can I do?

Your Ideas: Organic Aphid Control

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here's an easy, organic tip for controlling aphids around rose bushes and other perennials.

Tip of the Week: Lay protective winter mulch for perennials

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Mulching perennials for winter is not about keeping them warm. Know how and when to successfully lay winter mulch.

Q&A: How do I locate the microclimates in my garden?

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Discover the warmest areas, or microclimates, in your garden where marginally hardy plants will thrive

Roasting Pumpkin Seeds

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

How to roast pumpkin seeds for snacking.

How to Avoid Potato Disease

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The secret to healthy potatoes is in the selection.

Tip of the Week: Wait to clean up those beds

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Traditionally, cleaning up beds and borders has been a fall chore. Here's why it's all right to postpone this task

Q&A: Any advice for growing mesclun in a cold frame this winter?

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Mesclun (pronounced mes-CLOON), the Nicoise dialect word for a mixture of tender, young salad greens, is the ideal crop to start in a cold frame around the time of the first frost.

Q&A: What is late blight?

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I heard there’s a disease spreading this year called late blight that affects tomato and potato crops. Should I be worried?

GardenersHub.com Grand Opening!

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

You're invited to the Grand Opening of GardenersHub.com—the official store of Horticulture!

Homemade Dill Pickles

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here’s an easy recipe for dill pickles. Use homegrown cucumbers or special pickling cukes.

Tip of the Week: Don�t Inhale

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

If you burn leaves and garden debris in the fall here’s a safety tip and an option to avoid the burn pile.

Variations on a Green Theme

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

When garden designer Suzanna Porter is working on a design in her Berkeley, California, office, she doesn't have to travel far for ideas and inspiration. A simple 90-degree turn from her drawing table reveals her own garden...

Tool Shed: High Stakes

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Though I try to minimize the total amount of staking necessary in my garden, there always remain those plants that demand to be staked.

Sunflower Seeds

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

I have tried to harvest sunflower seeds, but small worms or fungi take over. How should I harvest and preserve these seeds?...

Tip of the Week: Use Woody Stems As Bouquets

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In winter, turn to these deciduous shrubs for material for interesting indoor arrangements.

More Timely Tips: Many border plants will hold structure into winter

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As the last summer and autumn flowers fade, many gardeners rush to strip away the remnants of flowers and foliage. But left alone, many border plants will keep their structure, their dying stems a reflection of former glory, yet still captivating in their own right.

Cooking with Swiss Chard

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Quick and easy ways to use swiss chard in the kitchen.

Pros and Cons of Garden Chickens

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The theory behind keeping free-range poultry—chickens that are allowed to roam the garden at their will—is wonderful, but the practice is not always quite so simple. Here are the pros and cons.

Q&A: What can I plant instead of the invasive Japanese barberry?

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I like Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii), but I know it’s invasive. What do you suggest as an alternative?

Trial Roses at the University of Tennessee

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

New varieties of roses that are disease resistant and planted less frequently than Knockouts.

Tip of the Week: Guess a plant's habitat preferences by its species name

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Sometimes you can guess a plant's habitat preferences by decoding its Latin name

More Timely Tips: Herbs as good mixers

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It's become a horticultural tradition to grow herbs grouped together in an herb garden, but there are several good reasons for growing them among other plants

Q&A: Growing Raspberries

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I would like to grow raspberries this year. Do you have any advice?—SS, New York

Reaping Rewards of Ornamental Rhubarb

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Ornamental rhubarb provides a showy display

Bagworm

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Bagworm: The larvae feed on some 120 species of woody ornamentals-deciduous shrubs and trees as welt as conifers.

Yellow Nutsedge

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Every summer when the weather turns hot, my lawn is covered with yellow nutsedge. In the past, we've tried renovating the entire lawn—tilling, raking, and replanting—but to no avail. Is there any solution short of replacing the top six inches of soil in my lawn?...

The Amazing Spring Bulbs of Keukenhof

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Keukenhof is a garden in Holland that opens its gates every spring so that the public can enjoy its incredible flowering bulbs, which number in the millions. Here is a brief history.

Q & A: Black Walnut Leaves

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Is it safe to use black walnut leaves in compost?

Sterilize Soil

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Sometime back I read something in Horticulture about using a microwave over to sterilize soil. I have not been able to find it again. Could you provide me with the information?...

Biennial Plants

Mon, 04 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This article defines biennials plants, describes how to grow them and how to make the most of them in the garden and gives examples of biennial flowers to grow.

Citrus Mealybug

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The citrus mealybug (Planococcus citri) is a major greenhouse and houseplant pest. In subtropical climates, this sucking insect is also a problem outdoors.

Chocolate Crumb Crust

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A chocolate crumb crust is the perfect vehicle for homemade pumpkin pie and more.

Plant Umbrellas

Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Save time by rooting cuttings in your garden beds instead of pots. Here’s how to keep them healthy.

Flower Arranging

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here’s how to prepare your garden’s flowers for arranging, plus tips on handling flowers with care.

Q&A: How Do I Freeze Vegetables?

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Can I freeze my garden’s vegetables, like the frozen veggies in the supermarket?

Four Digging Tools

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

All gardening begins with soil preparation. Shovels, spades, forks, and hoes are tools used to shape beds, loosen the earth, mix in soil amendments, and prepare seed beds.

Row Covers Protect the Vegetable Garden

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Row covers are very thin synthetic fabrics that protect vegetable plants from insects, cold and wind. Here’s a guide to choosing and using row covers.

Planting Around Rocks

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

If you have a group of rocks as a landscape feature in your yard, you can show it off with appropriate plantings. Here are some ideas for what to plant, plus tips for planting near the rocks.

Q & A: Christmas Rose

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I saw an ad for a Christmas rose. The photo and additional text showed the plant was a hellebore. I always thought the common name for hellebores was Lenten rose. Can you clear this up for me?—PK, W. Va.

Four Great Weeping Trees

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

To add grace and elegance to the garden, try planting a weeping tree. These four choices are particularly nice.

Pro Power Equipment for Home Gardeners

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

For long-lasting, powerful yard equipment, home gardeners can shop for professional-level items such as mowers, augurs and tillers, such as these...

Tip of the Week: Prepare Now for Spring Planting

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Are you planning to plant a new bed next spring? There are a number of things you can do this fall to get those plants off to a running start.

Eastern Mole

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The eastern mole (Scalopus aquaticus) can be found from Ontario to Florida. Of the seven species of moles present in the United States, it is the most widespread, and the one that is most likely to disrupt lawns and landscapes with its tunneling.

Tip of the Week: Dress Up a Hanging Basket

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here’s an easy way to make a hanging basket look more lush and colorful. When you’re done, you won’t see the pot at all.

Conspiracy Theory

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

A beautiful garden is a collaborative effort between its maker and its plants, neither more important than the other. The gardener envisions the garden, but the plants realize it. And in so doing they frequently create effects the gardener never anticipated...

Protecting Perennials with Mulch

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Fluctuating winter temps can harm perennials. Here's how to prevent the damage.

Digital Cameras for Garden Photography

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

How to choose a digital camera for taking pictures of your garden.

The Main Ingredient

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Like many gardeners, I spent several years caught up in the overstuffed container craze. I simplified, and re-discovered that certain tropical plants—by virtue of their strength or flamboyance or natural charm—make dynamic focal points that deserve the spotlight, supported by a few beautiful, secondary companions...

Matching Row Covers to Plants

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Row covers come in three weights: light, medium and heavy. These are the plants that require each weight.

A Support for Sweet Peas

Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

How to support sweet peas with recycled garden material

Riding Mowers and Tractors

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The advantages of using a riding lawn mower, and how to choose one.

Call of the Wild

Mon, 18 Oct 2004 00:00:00 GMT

After seven Job-like years of gardening, a group of tried-and-true plants remained steadfast through deluge, drought, wind, hail, record-breaking heat, and subzero winters. These became signature plants of the garden—I planted more, eager for dependable beauty. . . .

Euonymus Scale

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

This armored scale from Asia is a serious pest of euonymus throughout the United States and Canada.

Q&A: Garden Games

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

What are some outdoor games I can play with my children and barbeque guests—without worrying about damage to my garden?

Potted Bulbs in the Garden

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Bury pots of bulbs in fall for a movable spring bloom.

Seed-Starting Equipment

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Seed-starting equipment has come a long way since the days of egg cartons and cutdown milk containers . . .

The Horticulture 100

Thu, 18 Mar 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Big anniversaries seem to call for lists. After all, it's not every day that a magazine passes the century mark. . . .

Tip of the Week: Transform Your Water Feature into a True Oasis

Tue, 27 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Ancient Egyptian and Persian gardens always contained pools, as they were considered to be sanctuaries from the harsh conditions of the desert. Today, gardeners value water not only for its soothing qualities, but because even a small pond or pool can provide huge ecological benefits. Check out these tips to help transform your pond or pool into a true oasis.

Dividing a Clumping Bamboo

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Steps for propagating clumping bamboo

Horticulture Techniques

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

These downloadable how-to articles help you garden through the seasons.

Renewing an Overgrown Houseplant

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

When a plant like outgrows its pot, the roots get crowded and can't convey sufficient nutrients and moisture to the foliage. Here's how to improve its situation.

Caring for Hanging Plants

Tue, 05 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Tips for keeping your hanging plants healthy and beautiful all summer long.

Mail-Order Seed Sources

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Check out these links when you’re shopping for flower, vegetable, heirloom and/or organic seeds

Q&A: Drought-Tolerant Annuals

Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I have a sunny patio where I put containers of blooming annuals last summer. I had a hard time keeping up with the watering. It seemed like I needed to water before and after work or they would wilt. Can you recommend annuals that can withstand some dryness?

Tip of the Week: Perennial Containers

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here’s a reader’s excellent tip for growing plants in the same container from year to year. Find out how to keep them from getting root bound, plus cut down on the amount of potting soil you have to buy.

Your Ideas: Keeping Clippers Clean

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here's one gardener's tip for easily keeping pruners sanitary.

Tip of the Week: Fall Rose Care

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In cold-winter areas, do this simple fall prep to ensure roses make it through the winter unharmed.

Ready to Rock?

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Southern garden writer Elizabeth Lawrence wrote: “All gardeners become rock gardeners if they garden long enough.” Gardening is an art, she explained, and rock gardening is the purest, most personal of all forms of horticulture...

Making Fast Compost with Leaves

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

To bring soil back to life—or, rather, to bring life back to the soil—you just have to add vegetative matter. Compost is the classic method, but fall is the best time of year to do it the easy way, with leaves.

The Alaskan Attitude

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

If complacency is the enemy of great gardening, then Alaskans are fortunate to the extreme. Every few years, we lose big chunks of our gardens to winters that are unusually terrible, and we get to start all over again, or very nearly so. However, when many hundreds of favorite plants were killed in a recent snowless winter, I was tempted to give up gardening in the subarctic...Even before I could see the full extent of the damage, a saving thought struck me: I would have to view the massive winter kill as an opportunity rather than a problem. That’s right—the garden wasn’t two-thirds dead, it was one-third full...

Brown Soft Scale

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

This common scale (Coccus hesperidum) attacks a wide range of houseplants, including anthuriums, citrus, dieffenbachia, ferns, orchids, and ornamental figs.

Q&A: How Do I Cold Stratify Perennial Seeds?

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I've ordered some perennial seeds that need to be cold stratified. How do I do it?

Tip of the Week: Finding a Microclimate

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Do you want to grow a certain plant in your garden, but it’s not quite hardy in your Zone? Aside from overwintering it indoors, you can try growing it in a microclimate in your yard. Here’s how to find one.

When can I plant broccoli?

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

What is the earliest date I can plant a fall crop of broccoli and not have it bolt?

Tip of the Week: The Right Rose for Your Region

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

One key to success with roses is to choose a variety that agrees with the climate and conditions in your region. But how do you do that?

Cheap Trick: Don�t Waste Seeds

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Follow this tip to get the most out of your seed purchase.

String Trimmers

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

It is an incredibly modest machine, right down to its name: string trimmer. At its heart, or more precisely its foot, lies a monofilament line that spins swiftly enough to cut vegetation and still yield gracefully when it encounters brick, cement, or stone.

Tip of the Week: Make your garden a mood-setter

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The plants a gardener chooses, and the way they are arranged together, affect the mood of a garden.

Fall Cleanup

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Fall. It's more of a verb than a season for some people. In autumn, if you have deciduous trees in your yard, then you also have a front-row seat for their seasonal strip tease. . . .

Today's Low-Maintenance Roses

Fri, 18 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

It's easy to spot the low-maintenance roses of yesterday. They're the ones that are still here, planted by some long-gone gardener, growing and blooming even as new families—and interest in gardening—come and go. . . .

Plan a Butterfly Garden

Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A successful butterfly garden must support butterflies at all stages of their lives. Learn what plants will attract butterflies to make your garden their home.

Pineapple plants

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Could you please tell me how to grow a pineapple plant (Ananas comosus) from a store-bought fruit?...

Artichoke Aioli

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here’s a recipe for enjoying freshly harvested artichokes. Just make this easy dressing and dip in the artichoke leaves.

Q&A: How do I assure my Christmas cactus will bloom in time?

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Christmas cacti (Schlumbergera xbuckleyi) are easy to keep and so long-lived they often become family heirlooms. Here's how to keep yours blooming on time

Q&A: Should I Use Floral Preservative?

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Should I use preservative for the bouquets I cut from my garden?

Tip of the Week: From leaves to compost

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Turn fallen leaves into nutrient-packed compost.

Training a Standard

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The word standard in a horticultural context doesn't mean regular, or usual; rather, it refers to a plant, either woody or herbaceous, that has been trained to have a single, treelike stem. Here are the steps to acheive it.

Planting a Mixed Container

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Q&A: Chicken Commitment

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

How much care do garden chickens require?

Tip of the Week: Build a Bouquet

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here’s how to build a fresh summer bouquet as you wander through your garden.

Gardening on the Cheap: Stretch Those Annuals

Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Find out how to make pricey flowering annual plants work harder for you. You can fill those empty spaces without going back to the nursery for more plants.

Q & A: Storing Canna and Elephant Ears

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Cannas and elephant ears aren’t hardy in my area. How should I store them over the winter?

Gardening on the Cheap: Starting from Seed

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In a tight economy, one way to reduce the cost of gardening is to grow more plants from seed. Here are some easy flower varieties to try and the cheapest way to get them going.

Tip of the Week: Fall Lawn Care

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Fall is the best time to do certain lawn-care tasks. Here’s what to do and why.

Q & A: Groundcover Under Pines

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I’m planting an area beneath 30- to 40-foot pine trees. Is there a groundcover for shade that can live in pine needles?—D.T., Tenn.

Flower Blasting

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Some of my bulbs were disappointing this spring. They produced flower stalks, but the flowers themselves either never opened or were misshapen. I examined some of the buds and found that they were brown and dry inside. What can I do to get better results next spring?...

Black Spot

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Black spot is the most serious and widespread disease of roses, thriving wherever there is adequate humidity and rainfall.

Tip of the Week: Plant This to Repel Pests

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Certain plants repel pests. Planting them in or near your vegetable garden will reduce the need for pesticides.

SOS: Save Our Seeds

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

What you can do to protect your favorite seed varieties.

Q & A: Planting Acorns

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I’ve been admiring some native oaks recently and thinking about starting some from seed to make a grove at the back of my yard. Is there any special trick to sprouting acorns? — MJ, S.C.

Tips for Growing Strawberries

Mon, 04 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Strawberries aren’t difficult to grow. Meet their basic requirements and you can enjoy a sweet harvest.

Your Ideas: Bulb Markers that Bloom

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Carol Gras, a Michigan reader, has a clever tip for remembering where you’ve planted spring-blooming bulbs. Read it before you make your bulb order!

Seed Storing

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

I know that it is important to store seeds where they are cool and dry, but I am wondering if it would be even better if I kept my leftover seeds in the freezer...

Tip of the Week: Creating More Climbers

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Yearning for a sweltering swag of Clematis that mirrors your courtyard cascade? Rest assured, early summer is a great time to spur new growth for such a climbing creation.

Q&A: Starting a Woodland Garden

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I have a wooded area at the edge of my property and I’d like to turn it into a woodland garden. Do you have any advice?

10 Common Foes in the Garden

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

10 common bugs from Pest Watch to swat away from your garden

Creating a Layered Bulb Display

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Steps for a stunning container of bulbs

Tip of the Week: Planting Under Trees

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Keep these facts about tree roots in mind when planting under or near trees.

Winterberry Holly Pairs

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

You must plant a male winterberry and a female winterberry that bloom simultaneously to ensure fruit set.

Q&A: Rose Vocab

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I’ve been looking at some “low-maintenance” roses in a catalog. Can you tell me what they mean by “disease resistant” and “self cleaning”? Can I really believe these roses won’t get diseases?

Q&A: Ornamental Grasses for Shade

Tue, 26 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I love ornamental grasses, but all the ones I see at the garden center are labeled for sun. Will any survive in my shady landscape?

Q&A: Hostas Identity Crisis

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The hostas looks different at almost every location, even though they started out from the same plant.

Tip of the Week: Placing Color According to Light

Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Light changes according to the time of day; make use of this phenomenon to make your garden more beautiful.

Overwintering Tropical Plants

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Pam Baggett’s tricks for overwintering all types of tropical and tender plants.

Flower-Arranging Tools

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

With just a few tools and supplies, you can turn your garden’s flowers into stunning arrangements for your home and for friends.

From Paint to Petals

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

How to harmonize the garden with your home's color.

Tip of the Week: Drying Herbs and Flowers

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

You can buy dried herbs and flowers, but if you dry your own they’ll have better scents and flavors and brighter colors. Here’s how to do it.

Organic Weed Control

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Take this one easy step in the spring to prevent weeds all summer long. This is an organic weed-control method that’s very eco-friendly.

Pruning Grape Vines

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

When I pruned my grape vines this month they bled badly. Will this harm the vines or prevent fruit set?...

Going on a tilling spree

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

In the spring, I load up a garden cart with well-composted manure and set out to start working the soil in the garden, getting it ready for the first planting of the year. After forking compost into the winter-hardened ground for an hour and enjoying just the first 15 minutes (the last 45 minutes create fireworks of shooting pains in my lower back from my sedentary winter in front of the fireplace), I realize that I am a woman in need of a tiller. . . .

Q&A: Fall Vegetable Garden

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I’ve heard fall is a good time to grow certain kinds of vegetables. Which ones? When should I plant them?

Q & A: Fall-Flowering Plants

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

What can I plant that will flower into the fall?

How Do You Say That?

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Along with slugs and aching backs, botanical Latin ranks high on the list of things that people hate most about gardening. Yet anyone who has gardened more than a year or two will usually—if grudgingly—admit the necessity of using Latin plant names, for the very good reason that if we rely only on common English names, precise communication about plants becomes impossible.

Tip of the Week: Plant This to Repel Mosquitoes

Tue, 26 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Find out the #1 plant you should grow in your garden and in pots on your patio or deck to keep the mosquitoes at bay all summer, and learn other eco-friendly mosquito-busting tricks.

Preparing Roasted Beets and Toasted Fennel Seeds

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

These tips complement Lora Brody’s recipe for Beet and Fennel Salad.

A Prickly Situation

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Tips for painless repotting of the spiniest plants

Tip of the Week: Tomatoes for Small Spaces

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Did you know you can grow tomatoes on a patio without even using a pot? Find out how and get more patio tomato tips.

Q&A: Pruning Sedge

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Should I prune my sedges (Carex)? How and when?

Greenhouse Whitefly

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) is one of the most common house-plant pests.

Indoor Plants

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

I consider Tahitian bridal veil to be a delightful houseplant. I’ve heard that it can be grown as a groundcover in greenhouses. Can you tell me how to care for it?...

Editing the Garden

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

All gardens need to be revised from time to time. Here's why and how.

Q&A: Getting Rid of Raspberries

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Aside from constant vigilance, any thoughts on how to get rid of raspberry without getting rid of everything else too?

Composting Leaves

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

How to make the most of fall leaves

organic approach: pest control

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Ladybugs are a gardener’s friend. Many of us, however, treat every other bug as the enemy. Learn to recognize common garden insects so you don’t zap or squash the good ones.

Q&A: Starting a Compost Pile

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This is the year I’m going to start composting. Do you have any advice to help me get my compost pile going?

Groundcovers

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The roles groundcovers play, plus some excellent choices for different situations

Edging a Bed

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Steps for neating the line between bed and lawn

Winter Herb Growing

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

I'd like to grow some herbs indoors on the windowsill. Which ones grow best during the winter months?...

Monkshood

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

For 20 years I have had a clump of monkshood that comes up vigorously every spring. About June the bottom leaves blacken and drop. It manages to put out a flower or two, but it is getting worse each year. I gave a part of this plant to a niece, and she won a prize with it! I’ve moved mine three times with no success. So I must be doing something wrong...

Thyme For A Change

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

For Amy Goldman—the consummate vegetable gardener and prominent proponent of all things connected with cucurbits—herbs were a natural progression. In her initial encounters of an herbal kind, Amy added them to her vegetables for a little pizzazz...

Composting

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Some years ago I heard discussions about injecting compressed air into compost pile either with a lance or a perforated pipe laid under the pile. Have you heard about doing this, and are there any problems with it?...

More Timely Tips: Colorful Latin Translations

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This week's Latin lesson helps you determine color simply by the plant's name

Ornamental Grasses Tip

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Reader Joene Hendry of Connecticut shares a tip that makes cutting back ornamental grasses easier.

Growing Pole Beans on an Arbor

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here’s a reader tip about growing pole beans on an arbor to increase their production and save space.

Mount Trellises on Stakes

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

By mounting a trellis to stakes before inserting it into the ground, you can protect it from rotting.

Homemade Seed-Starting Trays

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 10:17:53 GMT

Readers share how they make their own seed-starting trays.

Q&A with Bob Polomski 30

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Readers' ask about African milk tree, crowded boxwood, seed storage, and mini roses

Another Use for the Christmas Tree

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

One more tip for reusing Christmas tree branches after the holidays

Christmas Cactus Care

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I have just purchased a hot pink Christmas cactus. What should I do throughout next year to ensure that it blooms again in time for next Christmas?—AW, Pearisburg, Va.

Homemade Pumpkin Puree

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

How to puree your own pumpkins for pies and more.

Northeast: Summer Munchers

Sat, 18 May 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Here's how summer comes to the Northeast: "Leaf subsides to leaf," and with the lush greenery of early summer come the garden predators . . .

Q&A: Growing Leeks

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Lately leeks have become available at my supermarket, and I’ve enjoyed cooking with them. Are they hard to grow?—SW, Troy, Mich.

Tip of the Week: Ways to Help the Bees

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As pollinators, bees are crucial in making backyard gardens fully productive. Sadly, pesticide use, habitat loss and other factors have created a decline in bee populations. Follow these tips to help them recover.

Compost Pile

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Could you please discuss the merits of putting weeds in the compost pile...

Planting and Caring for Hostas

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hostas are low-growing, low-maintenance perennials with large, bold leaves. There are endless varieties from which to choose. Here are care tips for hostas, plus ways to use them in the garden’s design.

Leaves, Glorious Leaves

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Your trees are your best friends in summer, cooling your home and spreading verdant shade across your yard. In fall, however, the love affair wanes as they dump a smothering carpet of leaves onto your lawn. How can you make the most of what they bestow upon you?...

Junior Master Gardeners in Latin America

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In 2009, volunteers from Texas A&M trained Guatemalan teachers and community leaders in horticulture so that they could in turn teach their students to be Junior Master Gardeners, improve science and math skills and help the local economy through gardening.

Tip of the Week: Planting Trees on Alkaline Soil

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Learn how to prep the soil, problems to look for and flowering trees that work.

Protecting Plants for Winter

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Ways to protect trees and shrubs from winter weather and deer.

Native Ornamental Grasses

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Can you suggest any ornamental grasses that are native to the United States?...

Organic Herbicide, Clematis Wilt, Overwintering Pelargoniums

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Corn gluten meal, a yellow powder that is a by-product of the wet milling process, has long been used as an additive to animal feed...

Tip of the Week: Swim in Spinach this Spring

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

There is nothing like a leafy, green spinach salad fresh from the garden. Jumpstart your spring spinach yield this fall with this tip from author Jeff Cox.

Q & A: Marker Plants

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

It never fails—I end the growing season with a good grip on what’s growing where, but come spring I manage to step on at least one dormant perennial. Any advice for a forgetful gardener?—BB, Idaho

Q&A: Nonblooming Daffodils and an Unruly Shrub

Tue, 27 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Question: Potentilla bushes—I have three of these in my front flowerbed. They have outgrown the space and in the center they look dead. Can I trim them down to half their size now or do I need to wait until after they have bloomed? I also was given what was told to me to be daffodils. They have beautiful green leaves but no flowers. How do I get them to bloom?

Magnolias

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

I started four magnolia plants from seed. They are now about two inches tall and in a sunny indoor location. Should they be transplanted outdoors in the spring?...

Alliums

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

My favorite summer-flowering bulb is Allium giganteum. I plant new bulbs every fall, following cultural directions exactly. The first season they produce healthy foliage and perfect flowering stalks. The second year they put out sparse foliage and have no flowers. I live in Zone 4 and wonder if I should consider this bulb an annual in my area...

Plan Ahead for Bulbs

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

While autumn may be just peeking around the corner, it’s not too early to start thinking about spring—that is, about the spring-flowering bulbs you need to plant this fall. You can save 10% and earn FREE SHIPPING* on Horticulture books and CDs, including “Bulbs,” from now until September 18!

Watch the Weather to Garden Better

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

With a few simple tools you can watch and record weather statistics such as air temperature and rainfall in your garden. Use your findings to make smart choices about garden chores.

Heat Islands

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

I've recently moved up North and miss my southern plants. I know I can grow them as annuals, but I would like them to survive winters outdoors. Is there anything I can do to improve their hardiness here in Zone 6?...

The Bigger, The Better

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

We've all heard the expression "you can't see the forest for the trees." Though it refers to one's perspective on life, it does apply to the horticultural arts as well. . . .

Lawn Watering Tips

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Follow these tips to conserve water while tending your lawn.

Your Ideas: Beating the Weeds

Tue, 26 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Carol Goebel, an e-news reader, shares her best tip for a weed-free summer.

Tools That Multitask

Sat, 18 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Multitasking. In today's busy world, being able to do more than one thing, at the drop of a hat, is indeed an asset. This Swiss-Army-knife mentality has made us look for dual purposes in many of our favorite products . . .

Pruning Deciduous Hedges

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

How and when to prune several types of deciduous hedge

Two Spotted Spider Mite

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Identify and control the two spotted spider mite

Use Those Prunings

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Check out this reader tip for increasing your plant collection while you prune.

An Egg-Carton Seed Tray

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A Louisiana reader shares how to make a seed-starting tray.

Growing Leeks from Seed

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Delicious leeks are easy to grow from seed.

Tips for Healthy Seedlings on a Light Stand

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Easy steps for strong growth

Dividing a Daylily

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Steps for making more of this popular perennial

Dividing a Bearded Iris

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Steps for making more bearded irises

Propagating by Leaf Cuttings

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Cape primrose (Streptocarpus), rex begonia, and snake plant (Sanseviera) are a few houseplants that can be propagated by cutting segments of their broad leaves.

Propagating by Softwood Cuttings

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Many shrubs can be propagated in late spring by taking softwood cuttings. Here are the steps to follow and a list of appropriate plants.

Propagating by Root Cuttings

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Although the primary function of a plant's roots is to take up moisture and nutrients and to anchor the plant in the soil, roots also have adventitious buds on their surface that, under the right conditions, can give rise to new plants. Here are the steps to follow and some appropriate perennials.

Bye-bye, Bindweed

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here’s a great tip for removing bindweed from a perennial bed without laborious hand-pulling.

Coping with Poison Ivy

Tue, 05 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Why poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac make us itchy, plus how to rid the yard and garden of these plants, and what to do when contact occurs.

Q&A: Getting Rid of Crabgrass

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

How can I get rid of crabgrass in my lawn? It was awful all last summer. Is there something I can do in spring to fend it off?

Q&A: Signs of Slugs

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I know that slugs love hostas, but are there other plants they especially like? Also, what does slug damage look like?—TO, N.Y.

Tip of the Week: How to safeguard plants in high-traffic areas

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

If your garden borders the sidewalk or shares the yard with kids and pets, sone way to afeguard delicate plants is by placing them behind tough ones.

Fall Webworm

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

This native insect found throughout North America feeds on at least 88 species of deciduous trees, from apple to willow.

Greenhouse Whitefly

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The greenhouse whitefly is one of the most common houseplant pests.

Q&A: Ornamental Grasses: Friend or Foe?

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

If I plant ornamental grasses will they take over my garden and become invasive?

Q&A: Trade Names vs. Cultivar Names

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I noticed plants’ cultivar names are sometimes in quotation marks and sometimes not. Is this a typo or does it signify something?

Horticulture October/November 2009

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here’s what’s covered in the October/November 2009 issue of Horticulture.

Therapeutic Horticulture Helps Elders

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Residents at Brightview Assisted Living in Maryland find health and wellness through gardening.

David Parks�s Favorite Plants

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Nurseryman David Parks recommends some of his favorite trees, shrubs and perennials.

Highbush vs. Rabbiteye Blueberries

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Understanding the difference between highbush and rabbiteye blueberries. Learn which to grow.

Oven-Roasted Tomato Catsup

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here’s how to use your homegrown tomatoes to make your own catsup.

Herbs With Scented Leaves

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Plant these scented-leaf herbs throughout the garden and in containers to enjoy their refreshing fragrance as you garden or relax on the patio.

Rose Classifications Explained

Mon, 04 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Confused by terms like Hybrid Tea Rose, Grandiflora Rose, Floribunda Rose and other like them? This article explains the differences between rose classes and gives tips on the care and use of the different types of roses.

Planting shrubs in Clay Soil

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Planting shrubs in clay soil can be difficult, but on the plus side, it can be very fertile.

A Town Transformed

Fri, 18 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Gardens are not just about plants; they are about the people who create them. Gardens need a personality and a vision to be successful. These things are especially crucial for public gardens—without them, they are only background landscape. . . .

The Garden Fairies Improve Lives through Volunteer Garden Projects

Mon, 04 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

For more than 10 years, a Florida-based group called the Garden Fairies has helped neighbors through community gardening projects. Read about them, see photos and get inspired.

The Gardener Next Door: Anne Nagro

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

An interview with Anne Nagro, a Master Gardener, school-garden volunteer and the author of Our Generous Garden (Dancing Rhinoceros Press, 2008).

Q&A: Moving Flower Bulbs

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

When is the best time to move flower bulbs from one spot to another, fall or spring?

Tip of the Week: Plant Shopping

Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

When you buy a plant, make sure it is healthy.

Size Matters with Garden Beds

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Use these 5 tips for creating beds that have adequate space for your plants to grow.

Meadow and Pine Vole

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Tip of the Week: Rue vs. Meadow Rue

Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Are you planning a butterfly garden? Make sure you know the difference between rue and meadow rue. One is an important host plant; the other, not so much.

Q & A: The Fall Veggie Garden

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Is it true I can harvest a crop this fall?

Euonymus Scale

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

This armored scale (Unaspis euonymi) from Asia is a serious pest of euonymus throughout the United States and Canada.

String Trimmers and Brush Cutters

Fri, 18 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The first time I laid hands on a string trimmer, I felt like the Wicked Witch of the West. The gentlest squeeze of my hand activated the whirring string at the base of this broomstick-like weed-whacker. It leapt into action, grinding away the messy outer edges of my yard and garden. . . .

More Mow, More Go

Sat, 18 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

When Tom Corso's wife, Colleen Van Pelt, left for a two-week business trip to Japan, her last words to her husband were: "Why don't you get something to mow the yard?" Tom and Colleen had just moved into a new house, in Groton, New York, with 15 acres of land. The five acres surrounding the house were lawn (or would be—as soon as Tom and Colleen got the area sodded or seeded). The other 10 acres were a low, brushy wilderness. . . .

Dutch Designer

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Dutchman Piet Oudolf is very much part of a movement, a tendency in garden and landscape design that seeks to bring the wild and the natural back into the human habitat.

Canna Pests, Pruning Dwarf Oleander, Propagating Oriental Poppies, Cold-Hardy Crape Myrtles

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Some kind of insect has been feeding on the young growth of my cannas. The leaves are frayed, tattered, and shot full of holes. Some appear to be sealed together with webbing. What’s going on, and how can I control it?...

Q&A: Black Plastic Weed Control

Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I installed a trickle-irrigation system in the vegetable garden last year and am very pleased with the results. Should I lay down black plastic over the systems this year for weed control?

Apple-Rhubarb Pandowdy

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Rhubarb is an early spring vegetable with a bold tart flavor. It’s usually used in desserts since a lot of sugar is required to balance its flavor. Rhubarb often pairs with strawberries, but here’s a delicious way to use it with apples for something a little different.

Attracting Native Bees to the Garden

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

These tips will help you attract native bees to your garden, where they’ll pollinate your plants.

Composting Coffee Grounds

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A tip for composting that is both good for the garden and good for the environment as a whole.

Roasted Root Vegetable Soup

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A deliciously warming soup for the winter months.

Tip of the Week: Evergreens for Shade

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Here’s a surprising but effective design choice for deep shade.

Q&A: Vinegar As Weed Killer

Tue, 05 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Is it true I can use vinegar as a weed killer?

Tip of the Week: Holiday Houseplants

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Here’s how to best care for poinsettia, amaryllis and other plants often given during the holiday season. Pass these tips along with the plants you give!

Homemade Seed Packets

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

One way to store the seeds you harvest from your garden.

Clematis Wilt

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Identify and control the fungal disease clematis wilt

Q&A: Designing with Variegated Plants

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I’m thinking about adding some plants with variegated leaves to my garden next spring, but I’m nervous about making the scene too busy. Do you have any advice for how to place them? —BH, Conn.

The Organized Tool Shed

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

How to clean out and organize your storage space.

The Idylls of Innisfree

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

It came within a heartbeat of being just another English garden. Walter and Marion Beck were well on their way to putting in something very traditional, European, and floral when they began work on their Millbrook, New York, property in the 1930s. Then the land spoke to them.

Q&A: Starting Cyclamen From Seed

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I’ve tried four times to grow cyclamen from seed. Do you know of a sure-proof way to succeed with this?

Tip of the Week: What�s in a Name?

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Latin names mean more once you look a little bit closer. Find out how these terms can help you know a plant's shape without even seeing it.

Q&A: Replanting Tulips

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I received a pot of blooming tulips for Easter. Can I plant the bulbs in my garden and expect them to bloom next year?

Tip of the Week: Fall Planting

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Why plant in fall, plus 3 tips for keeping new plants healthy

Tip of the Week: Using Annuals as Screens

Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The majority of gardens have something that needs screening from view—an oil tank, a compost bin, a neighboring house. There are two ways of using annual climbers to make a quick and colorful screen.

Plant-Sitter Tip

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here’s how Pam Baggett makes sure her plant sitter waters properly.

Black Spot

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Black spot (Diplocarpon rosae) is the most serious and widespread disease of roses, thriving wherever there is adequate humidity and rainfall.

Fall Planting Guide

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Why fall is a great time to plant in your garden, plus tips for success.

The New German Style

Fri, 18 Oct 2002 00:00:00 GMT

PICTURE THIS: Orange 'Fire King' lilies standing between mounds of Euphorbia griffithii 'Fireglow' and scattered tufts of cream-plumed dropwort (Filipendula vulgaris 'Multiplex'), all set in a low silver and violet-blue wash of catmint, stachys, and sages, and speared by the fat rockets of apricot foxtail lilies (Eremerus Ruiter hybrids). . . .

Automatic Sprinklers

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Things to consider when planning and installing an automatic sprinkler system.

Tip of the Week: Fall propagation

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

One of the easiest ways to propagate perennials is by taking root cuttings, and the best time to take root cuttings is from early fall to early winter.

Q&A: The Right Mowing Height

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I’ve heard I should mow my lawn to a certain height. What is it, and why?

Q&A: Attracting Bees

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Can you recommend some plants that are particularly attractive to bees? I’m hoping to lure many bees toward my vegetable garden so they will also pollinate my veggie plants and help ensure a good harvest.

Tip of the Week: Space-Saving Planting

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The planting space in a small flower border can be effectively doubled to tripled by “layered" planting through the seasons.

More Christmas-Tree Recycling Tips

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A tip for reusing Christmas tree branches after the holidays, and more

Two Spotted Spider Mites

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

This pest attacks indoor plants as well as outdoor plants during hot, dry summers.

Q&A: Seedling Shrubs

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

When transplanting a seedling shrub into a larger pot, can I skip the intermediate sizes and put it in the largest pot I have?

Honing in on Honeysuckle Woes

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I have an old honeysuckle vine that seems to get a fungus/insects every year.

Mow and Mow Quiet, Please

Wed, 18 Jun 2003 00:00:00 GMT

It's 8:30 a.m. on a sunny Sunday morning and the lawn needs mowing. The grass is already dry, but the neighbors are all still asleep. Is there any ruder awakening than a power mower starting up? With my lawn mower, however, I don't need to worry. . . .

Review: The Plantfinder's Guide to Daisies

Fri, 18 Oct 2002 00:00:00 GMT

IT WASN'T JUST the golden-rayed, chocolate-centered Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm' adorning the cover that drew me to this new book. I love that an entire book has been devoted to these common favorites. . . .

Power Tools for Fall Cleanup

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Chain saws, chipper-shredders, brush cutters and log splitters make fall yard work quick and easy.

What is Pandowdy?

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Lora Brody provides a fresh-from-the-garden spring recipe for Apple-Rhubarb Pandowdy in the April issue of Horticulture and at hortmag.com/article/pandowdy. But what exactly is pandowdy?

Tip of the Week: When to Move Plants Outside

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In spring, houseplants can migrate to the porch or yard to enjoy an extended fresh air vacation. Tropical container plants and tender perennials that were held inside for the winter return to the great outdoors, too. Here’s how to tell if the time is right to make the move.

Forward Charge

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

You recycle. You compost. You buy local produce. Could you be ready to “green” your lawn with an emission-free (not to mention whisper-quiet) lawn mower? Today’s electric mowers have a number of advantages over gas-powered ones...

Tip of the Week: Get Kids Involved in the Garden

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 12:03:45 GMT

Want to get the children in your life involved in your garden? Follow these tips.

Tip of the Week: Late-Summer Blues

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here are some plants that flower blue in late summer and autumn, plus complementary companions.

Glorious Hydrangeas

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

We have a border of six-foot blue-flowered hydrangeas that bloomed three years ago and again this past summer (but not in between). To diddle with the flower colors, I fed each one a tablespoonful of ground limestone. Disaster! The flowers were mottled green and brownish, and looked like dried bouquets. Should I cut back the bushes? Should I feed them? What must one do to have glorious hydrangeas?...

Pest Watch Bagworm

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The larvae feed on some 120 species of woody ornamentals-deciduous shrubs and trees as welt as conifers.

Q&A: What Causes Variegation?

Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I’m curious—what makes certain plants have variegated leaves? Is this an adaptation for survival, the way cactus features are or the way flowers are built to appeal to pollinators?

Growing Crinums

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Can you give me information on crinums? Catalogs say they are hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. I live in USDA Zone 6, where the ground remains frozen for weeks. I am skeptical but intend to try growing some in pots...

The Safe Seed Pledge

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In response to the increasing proliferation of genetically modified seeds, these mail-order seed companies have signed the Safe Seed Pledge.

Q & A: Roses from Seed

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

My neighbor’s rose bush has lots of hips. We’ve never thought about starting roses from seed before, but it has some economic appeal. Is it possible?—DL, R.I.

Q&A: Improving the View

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

There is a telephone pole directly in my line of sight when I look out my kitchen window. Any suggestions for how I can hide it? For a few reasons, I don’t want to plant a tree.—BG, Mont.

Q & A: Fall Fertilization

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Should I feed shrubs in the fall?

Plant Spacing

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In designing this year’s garden, I'd like to know exactly how many plants I need for my flower border. In the past, I've overplanted and have ended up transplanting or giving away the extras. Are there any general rules of thumb when it comes to plant spacing?...

Growing milkweed from seed: 3 tips

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The most practical way to propagate Asclepias is from seed

Cactus Seeds

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

How do I go about starting cactus seeds indoors?...

Reader Tip: Freezing Garden Peas

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The best way to freeze homegrown peas. Quick, easy and tasty!

Q & A: What is micropropagation?

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I recently heard the term “micropropagation” during a radio interview with a nursery owner. I didn’t catch the meaning of the word. What is micropropagation?—TS, Los Angeles

Poll: Cut Costs by Growing Food?

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

There’s much buzz in the media this year about more people turning to vegetable gardening as a way to cut grocery expenses. Based on your experience, do you think people can save money by growing their own vegetables?

Q & A: To Clean or Not to Clean?

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I’ve noticed that some of the gardens in my town get a good fall cleanup and others do not. Which way is better? — CD, Rome, NY

Saddle Up

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

If your property is of a certain size (an acre or more), a riding lawn mower is probably sitting in your garage—or topping your wish list. Today’s models come in three styles: lawn tractor, garden tractor, and zero-turn radius mower...

Air Ferns

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Are air ferns really plants? Since they need no sun or water, do they survive on just moisture?...

Tip of the Week: �Walk Test� the Lawn

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here’s an easy way to determine if your lawn truly needs watering. Follow it to cut down on wasted water and money.

Tip of the Week: Tiny Bulbs, Big Color

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Tips for choosing and growing dwarf irises and early crocuses, some of spring’s very first flowers.

Q&A: Fungus Gnats Swarming Houseplants

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I mistakenly introduced a houseplant from a less than desirable source into my home and it was tainted with fungus gnats. Now they are everywhere! What can I do to get rid of them?

Q&A: Weeping birch looking sad

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Question: My weeping birch seems to be "half" dead. One side is leafing out, but the other is not. What causes this and how can I save this beautiful tree?—EG, by e-mail

Q&A: Intriguing or Invasive Ivies?

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Question: I have ivy growing to the top of several tall oak trees. Is this dangerous to the long-term health of these trees? Should I take it down?

Q&A: Non-Flowering Dogwood-What to do?

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I purchased a Flowering Dogwood last year. The info says that it’s supposed to bloom rose-colored flowers in the spring, but it didn't. What have I done wrong?

Q&A: Getting Bogged-down

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

How can I create my own swampy bog without leaving my hose on all day?

Q&A

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

What is the correct way to prune a Physocarpus ‘Summer Wine’?

Mowers

Wed, 18 Jun 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Tip of the Week: Designing Winter Containers

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In all but the coldest zones (1–5), planting in tubs, pots, window boxes and hanging baskets is an easy and effective way to bring color and interest to the garden in winter. Here are some planting ideas.

Tip of the Week: A Tree for Every Garden

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Just because your garden is small, doesn't mean that it should be deprived of a tree.

Tip of the Week: Integrate herbs with ease in small spaces

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In small gardens especially, careful selection and planning of herbs are needed to fit them in successfully.

Onion Harvesting

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

I've been told that if I knock over the tops of my onions, they will be ready to harvest earlier. Is this true?...

Fall Cleanup

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Nature saves her biggest show for last. Late in the year, the world seems to take a deep, cold breath and hold it. In the stillness of glittery October sunlight, the trees and shrubs flame. A walk down a country lane becomes an awe-inspiring extravaganza of color. And then . . . wham! All those beautiful leaves fall off and cover your lawn and gardens with a mess. . . .

Pepper Flavor

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

This year I grew 'Ace' pepper plants, which produced many, many fruits. Unfortunately the peppers were bitter, and I threw them all on the compost pile. Is it the soil?...

Citrus Mealybug

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The citrus mealybug is a major greenhouse and houseplant pest. In subtropical climates, this sucking insect is also a problem outdoors.

Tip of the Week: A Mini Potager

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The ornamental vegetable garden, or potager, is a long-respected garden tradition. Here’s how to create a miniature version, which is easy to accommodate, maintain, admire and enjoy.

Garden Tractors

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Homeowners with large yards benefit from a garden tractor. Here are the jobs garden tractors perform and how to choose one.

Reader Tip: Easy Waste-free Watering

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Read how these gardeners keep their tomato plants watered without losing a drop to runoff.

Keeping Tabs on Plants

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here’s how one gardener keeps track of the new plants she adds to her garden each year.

Tip of the Week: Plan Ahead for Early Tomatoes

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

To harvest tomatoes well before your neighbors do, plan ahead! You’ll need to start tomato seeds in February and then follow a few easy steps.

Pruning Shears

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

If you are going to buy just one tool for pruning, make it a pair of pruning shears. This tool is what you'll use for pruning roses and for the majority of cuts on fruit plants, houseplants, and young ornamental trees and bushes.

Tip of the Week: Making the Most of Blue

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 10:06:14 GMT

The color blue can look very different depending on the level of light. Here are some tips for incorporating blue flowers into sun and shade gardens.

Growing eggplants in cold climates

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

For two years I have tried and failed to grow eggplant. I start the seeds indoors, move the seedlings out to the garden after the last frost, and water and fertilize them throughout the summer. But the plants, which look perfectly healthy, produce only flowers, and these often fall off without producing fruit. What am I doing wrong?...

Tip of the Week: Save Money at the Garden Center

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here’s a simple way to cut down on what you spend at the garden center in spring. Eliminate impulse purchases by following this one easy tip.

Pork & Chestnut Stew

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Try this mouth-watering recipe for Pork and Chestnut Stew!

Q&A: Why Isn�t My Redtwig Dogwood Red?

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Several years ago, I was struck by the beauty of some redtwig dogwoods and made a point of buying the same variety. They are healthy but much taller than the ones I saw, and they’ve never looked as colorful. Do they need special care?—MB, Minneapolis, Minn.

Q&A: Deer-Chewed Rhododendrons

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:23:04 GMT

Deer jumped over my fence and ate all the leaves off my rhododendrons this winter. Can I expect the leaves to grow back, or should I replace these shrubs?

Brown Soft Scale

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

This common scale attacks a wide range of houseplants, including anthuriums, citrus, dieffenbachia, ferns, orchids and ornamental figs.

Dry Leaf Tips

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

I have corn plants (Dracaena fragrans 'Massangeana') that seem to be growing well except that the tips and sides of some of the leaves turn brown and dry. This happens not only to the lower leaves but to the top leaves as well...

Clean Kitchen Compost

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A tip for tidy composting of kitchen scraps.

Tip of the Week: Siting a Vegetable Garden

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here’s how to choose the best place in your yard for a vegetable garden.

Pacific Northwest: Sustainable Gardening

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

I've never understood how sustainability applies to home gardens. Is it more than using organic gardening principles?

Spring-Flowering Shrubs

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

What have I done wrong with my spring-flowering shrubs? I grow rhododendron, forsythia, bridal wreath, lilac, and dogwood. I try to take good care of them, but the flowering is so disappointing every year! I fertilize them with 10-6-4 in spring, water well in summer, prune and shape them by mid-October every fall, and mulch them well in December. Too much loving care perhaps?..

Tip of the Week: Pruning Shrubs

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

If you have to prune, and want to prune, do it immediately after flowering. The new shoots that are made after pruning then have time to grow, ripen and produce flower buds for the following year.

Q&A: Keeping Slugs Off Hosta

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I want to grow hostas but every time I’ve tried, they’ve been eaten to death by slugs. I don’t want to use any sort of chemical pesticide. What can I do?—DM, Bettendorf, Iowa

Riding Mowers and Tractors

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

When I was a kid, lawn mowing was never my favorite activity. Pushing a loud, heavy, fume-spewing machine around the yard in the blazing sun could hardly be anyone's definition of a good time. . . .

Q&A: Blooming Wax Plant

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A favorite houseplant has finally set some flower buds. What steps should I take to be sure it blooms?

Cherry Trees, Fuchsia, Diseases, Water-lines

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

My sweet cherry tree has produced no fruit the last two years, though it had a few tasty cherries the year I planted it. Is there some special fertilizer I should be using? Could the ants I've seen on it be causing a problem?...

Q & A: Indoor Hanging Basket

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Do you have any suggestions for creative indoor hanging baskets for winter? I’m reusing the plastic pots I had hanging on my porch over the summer.—BD, Ward Hill, Mo.

Power Garden Tillers

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Reasons for tilling the garden, and options among power tillers.

Q&A: How to Prune Climbing, Rambling Roses

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I’ve never pruned them and don’t want to jeopardize next year’s growth by being too much of a bully or too timid with my pruning shears. How do I know what to snip?

Tip of the Week: Homegrown Gifts

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Pam Baggett is back with a quick tip for creating homegrown (and free) gifts. A great idea for Mother’s Day!

Q&A: Changing Plant Names

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Sometimes as I read my gardening books and magazines I come across a Latin plant name followed by a parentheses that says another name the plant was formerly known as—which is often more familiar to me. Why do the plant namers do this to us?

Growing Seedlings on a Light Stand

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The why’s and how’s of using artificial light to start seedlings

Q & A: Bulbs Under Trees

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

What are some bulbs that will grow and bloom in the shade under trees?—DW, Lenox, Pa.

Planting Bulbs

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

I am a little confused about bulb planting depths. I understand that different species need to be planted at different depths. But what happens in nature? When these plants reproduce by seed, how do the bulbs magically end up at the right depth?...

Bronze Birch Borer

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Birch trees are the target of this pest, often consuming the tree branch by branch.

Q&A: Hope for Hollyhocks?

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I bought and planted some hollyhocks this year and they bloomed beautifully. Will they come back next year?

Q&A: What To Do With Grass Clippings

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

When I mow, should I bag the grass clippings or leave them on the lawn? I’ve heard conflicting advice.

Holding the Line

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Living in a clearing in the woods for 12 years gave me an enormous appreciation for nature's tenacity. If I skipped even one year of keeping down woody scrub, small trees, rough grasses, and greenbrier as tough as nylon cord, they came creeping back into my two-acre meadow-the vanguard of a wholesale takeover that would soon return the meadow to oak, poplar, beech, hornbeam, and black birch forest. . . .

Tip of the Week: Storing Tender Tubers

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Dahlias and tuberous begonias won’t survive your winter? Don’t give up on them—put them in winter storage.

Mums, Shrubs, Cannas, Walnut Leaves

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

I finally moved into my own home, and last fall I planted dozens of colorful mums in the beds along the driveway. None of them survived the winter. What should I do this year?...

Gardening Gloves

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Here are some good choices among gardening gloves.

Tip of the Week: Sneaky Weeds

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A recent study by the Weed Science Society of America shows one sneaky way invasive weeds are increasing their domain.

Use Deer Fencing to Protect Plants

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The surest way to keep deer out of the garden is to put up a fence. This article explains the details a fence must have to be effective against deer.

Tip of the Week: Bargain Containers

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Garden writer Pam Baggett has a great idea for a clever and cheap container display. Find out what she uses for a pot and what she plants in it.

Q & A: What is �limbing up�?

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I was told that some of the overgrown shrubs at my house should be “limbed up.” What does that mean?—GG, Texas

Make Butterfly Bush Fly as Winter Foliage

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Prolong Your Butterfly Bush’s Beauty Through Winter.

Cactus Weeder

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Early in my desert gardening career, I found myself sporting linear scars on my hands and forearms consistent with intravenous heroin use after I weeded around my cactus and agave plants...

Q&A: What�s an heirloom tomato?

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I’ve heard a lot about “heirloom” tomatoes. I understand their appeal having tasted a few varieties, but I wonder, what exactly qualifies a tomato as “heirloom”? —AM, Mass.

Q & A: Planning Ahead�Winter Gardens

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I’m planning a winter vacation. I’d like to visit a public garden with great winter interest, so I can learn some things to improve my own garden’s winter look. Where should I go?—Casey, Michigan

Q&A: Out-of-Control Dracaena

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I have a dracaena plant in my living room that has grown very tall. Its bare trunk looks ugly. I prefer to see its leafy top, but its up too high. If I cut the trunk, will a new top grow?—EV, Fla.

Fall Webworm

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

This native insect found throughout North America feeds on at least 88 species of deciduous trees, from apple to willow.

Tip of the Week: Get Clever with a Clothesline

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Wayne Winterrrowd dishes his white clothesline tip for creating beds with an edge.

Mexican Bean Beetle

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Mexican bean beetle, a member of the ladybug family, attacks many kinds of beans—bush, pole, and lima—as well as cowpeas and soybeans.

Tip of the Week: Staying Safe in the Garden

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Check out these quick tips for keeping yourself and visitors (especially little ones) safe in the garden this summer, plus see a list of poisonous common garden plants.

Tip of the Week: Choose Perennials by Shape

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

When adding new perennials to an existing bed, narrow your choices by considering shape.

Commercial-Grade Power Equipment

Fri, 18 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT

If you chill your food in a Sub-Zero refrigerator, make your morning omelet on a Wolfe stove, or drive a pickup truck or SUV to work (even if your route isn't off road), then you may be the sort of consumer who would enjoy commercial-grade outdoor power equipment. . . .

Sources for Light Stands

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Where to find mail-order light stands and plans for do-it-yourself stands

Working Wood

Sat, 18 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Taming a feral yard isn't easy—especially in the fall, when the garden and surrounding area are bursting at the seams with summer growth. But there are several pieces of equipment that can help any homeowner process an overabundance of plant material with efficiency and ease. . . .

Mexican Bean Beetle

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Mexican bean beetle (Epilachna varivestis), a member of the ladybug family, attacks many kinds of beans—bush, pole, and lima—as well as cowpeas and soybeans.

Happy Valleys

Sun, 18 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Adored and spurned by gardeners, lily of the valley (Convallaria spp.) is the most familiar member of the family that bears its name (Convallariaceae). . . . Lily of the valley's relations—Solomon's plume and mayflower (Maianthemum spp.) and a host of others, including Solomon's seal (Polygonatum spp.)—are less storied but no less garden worthy. . . .

Your Ideas: Shred Debris for Mulch

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Do this task in fall to help prevent weeds next spring.

Call of the Wild

Wed, 18 Aug 2004 00:00:00 GMT

In our July/August 2004 issue, contributing editor Lauren Springer describes the challenges she faced when gardening in the foothills west of Fort Collins, Colorado, and lists the plants she came to find success with. Here, we bring you Springer's expanded plant lists — those listed in the magazine, as well as a number of additional choices. . . .

Save on Spring Bulbs

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

To spend less on spring-flowering bulbs, try this trick.

Keep Deer Out of the Garden

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

How to keep deer out of the garden by using scare tactics and deer repellents.

Growing milkweed from seed: 3 tips

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Growing milkweed from seed: 3 tips

Q&A: Are Grow Lights Necessary?

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I grew a small vegetable garden last year with reasonable success. This year I want to start my plants indoors, to get a jump-start on the season. Do I really need grow lights or is the light from a western window sufficient?—MS, Smithfield, R.I.

Tip of the Week: Choosing and Using Pots

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As you plan your containers for 2009, remember these tips about choosing pots and container gardening.

Night-Blooming Flowers

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Being a nonconformist and a night owl, I thought it would be interesting to grow flowers that can be appreciated at night. Can you suggest some night-blooming flowers that can be grown outdoors?...

Tip of the Week: Drying Seeds

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Increase the plants in your garden the cheap and easy way: harvest their seeds for sowing next spring. Here’s a quick tip from Pam Baggett on properly drying fresh seed.

Tip of the Week: Naturalizing Bulbs

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 14:32:17 GMT

Spring bulbs look beautiful blooming in neat beds and rows, but a landscape of naturalized, or scattered, bulbs is a magical sight. Here are some tips for getting the naturalized look.

Tip of the Week: Caring for Silver-Leaved Plants

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Take these steps to ensure your silver-leaved plants look their best.

Protect Melons, Squash, Gourds and Cucumbers

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:35:53 GMT

Medium-weight row covers offer an organic way to keep pests off of melons, squash, gourds and cucumbers.

Q&A: Beat the Tomato pest of the south

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

When I grow tomatoes, It doesn't matter what kind, they grow well for a while, start to produce fruit, and then the leaves start to brown and wither from the bottom up.

Revenge of the Redneck Lupines

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Follow Tony Avent’s steps for propagating baptisias.

Sources for Bulbs & Co. Article

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Click here to view sources for Bulbs & Co.

Jacobean Lilies

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

My pot-grown Jacobean lilies have never flowered in the seven years that I’ve had them. Please enlighten me as to their proper culture...

Clematis pruning

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

When and how should I prune clematis vines?...

Q & A: Poisonous Houseplants

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I’ve heard there are a lot of poisonous houseplants. I have many indoor plants and I keep my son’s cats here when he travels. Should I be worried?—WB, Las Vegas, Nev.

Q&A: Bluebells and bluebells?

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I bought what was labeled bluebells from an online catalog. When they arrived, I found that it was something completely different.

Rose Remedy

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I have several roses, both climbers and teas, that have many nice leaves but no flowers. Why, and what is the remedy?...

Surfaced Tree Roots

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The roots of our five-year-old maple tree are on the surface of our lawn. Is it advisable to add more loam over these roots? Will the roots continue to come through or will the tree suffocate?...

Witch Hazel

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

I'm looking for a plant that will perk up my dreary winter landscape. A friend of mine suggested witch hazels. Can you tell me more about them?...

Terrestrial Cymbidium Orchids

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

I had two cymbidiums outside last summer. Although there was practically no rain and I was not home to water them, each plant bloomed as never before. I have heard that orchids need misting and thrive in the jungle. So why the lush flowering?...

Tip of the Week: Double-Plant Your Bulbs

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Plant bulbs in pots, then plant the pots in the ground for a spring bloom you can rearrange.

Tip of the Week: Improving Clay Soil

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Take these steps to prepare clay soil for planting.

Tip of the week: 5 ways to Keep Climbers Content

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Follow these five tips to keep your climbers content.

Tip of the Week: Ouchless Digging

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Don’t let dirty work ruin your body. Check out these 6 tips for happy digging.

Establishing Climbing, Rambling Roses

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Learn simple planting tips for establishing climbing, rambling roses.

Tip of the Week: Reusing Net Bags

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This container-gardening tip reuses the net bags in which oranges and onions come.

Tip of the Week: Fire-Safe Landscaping

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Design tips for gardeners in fire-prone areas, such as Southern California.

Tip of the Week: Ways to Recycle the Christmas Tree

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Christmas trees can go to good use after the holidays. Here are some tips for repurposing a de-decorated tree.