Douglas Tallamy, world renowned and influential ecologist/entymologist, urges Americans to go native and go natural. Many people shorten this and call it 'ReWilding'. For a great article on his philosophy, read all about him in the Smithsonian magazine. For tips on ReWilding your own garden, read on. What is ReWilding? ReWilding, returning your landscape back …
How to Get Started Gardening (Without a Green Thumb)
If you are on the fence about starting a garden in 2021, and have watched all your neighbors jump into growing everything under the sun, then read the following guest post from Carrie Spencer of TheSpensersAdventures. The images are property of TheGardenDiaries. Gardening can seem intimidating when you’re just starting out. Fortunately, most plants are …
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2020-A Great Gardening Year
Hearing from everyone how awful this year has been- I agree! Until I remember everything good that came from the garden. If you don't have a garden, I commiserate. Gardening has kept me sane and quite busy this year. January I recycled my Christmas tree for the birds. Try that this year instead of setting …
Magnolia-The King of Greens for Decorating
Evergreen Magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora, is one of my favorite greens to decorate for the holidays. The large textured leaves are the perfect evergreen to embellish with for Fall and Winter, simplifying the making of wreaths, table pieces, and mantel garlands. Using them extensively in my porch pots, it is always the Magnolia that stands out. …
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Poinsettias: Selection, Care & Uses
No flower says Christmas like the beautiful Poinsettia. I was amazed to learn that the Poinsettia is the most popular potted plant by far in the U.S. and Canada. But here are a few tips in buying the perfect Poinsettia to adorn your Christmas season. Selecting a Healthy Poinsettia Before Care-Have you ever brought home …
Thanksgiving Decor Ideas With Succulents
Decorating for the fall season is always top of my list of feel good things to do. The variety and colors of pumpkins and gourds that are outside of the normal fall color range is exciting to arrange with. Also, succulents that have grown like crazy all summer need to be pruned, brought in to …
Lemon Grass: From Garden to Kitchen
Lemon Grass hasn't really been on my radar much. But I grew it last year and overwintered it in my greenhouse and this year ended up with a humongous plant! I thought it would be a shame not to do anything with it, so I dug the huge mass up in the waning days of …
Awesome Gifts for Gardeners and Homeowners
Here are the gifts for gardeners and homeowners on your holiday shopping list! It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Holiday decorations! Pumpkin pie! Hot Chocolate! Christmas carols. And lots of shopping for holiday gifts. But don’t fret. It is actually quite easy to find great gifts for gardeners and homeowners. These folks always …
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Garden Mums
Garden mums have been on my mind for a while with the many ones I see in full bloom right now. Forget the ones in a large plastic pot that you set on your front porch and throw away when it is a dried desiccated plant corpse. I am talking about the mums that grow …
Hairy Toad Lily – Gem of the Garden
An under-used and under-appreciated perennial in the U.S, Tricyrtus or Toad Lily, is gaining in popularity. Uncommon beauty, late-season blooms and wonderful adaptability to shade, give the toad lilies a place in just about any garden. Called toad lilies because of the spotting like a toad, these beautiful flowers thrive in moist deep shade to …