As temperatures drop, a dangerous grandmotherly impulse takes hold of many gardeners. The infamous urge to stuff their beloved (plants) with one last, huge meal before they go dormant. Stop right there, Gramma! Put down that fertilizer shaker now. Save the heavy feeding for the select few who are actually still working. Why Most Plants…
As the last colorful petals drop, your chrysanthemums begin their slow descent into plant purgatory. Most people would see this as a sign to say goodbye, but not you. Instead of tossing them on the compost heap with the rest of this year’s bad decisions, what if you could give them a second life? Now…
Some people say good things come to those who wait, but some apparently haven’t tried cheating nature. Forcing branches is the clever technique where you snip dormant limbs from your yard, bring them inside, soak, and watch blossoms appear right on your kitchen counter. Consider this your official invitation to skip the line to spring….
Autumn arrives, and suddenly, everybody wants to nap. The trees are shedding, the garden’s giving up, your cat is already in snail-mode curling up, and the world is demanding a six-month break. Not on your watch! Why wait for spring when you can stage a Crocus d’état right now? Get ready to discover which bulbs…
Admit it. You perfectly fit the unique role of the adrenaline gardener. While others were out enjoying autumn weather, you were wisely saving your bulb-planting energy for a last-gasp sprint. We, the glorious procrastinators, prefer a thrilling challenge. You are not late, fellow deadline dodger. You’re a time optimist with a unique planting schedule. If…
Rose care in the fall is a thorny subject. If your rose had its way, it would probably whisper, “I’ll never let go, Jack. I’ll never let go”. Should you, by chance, prune incorrectly, you will soon feel like you are standing in a crowded room, screaming at the top of your lungs, and no…