Orchids don’t bloom well by accident. Over the years, I’ve learned that consistent feeding matters far more than occasional watering or guesswork. A quick splash of tap water isn’t enough to support healthy growth or reliable flowering. Orchids need nutrients delivered in the right way, at the right time, and in the right amounts. What…
February knocks, you do not open the shed doors. Ignore the siren song of the garden tools. Drop the clippers, don the slippers! Although the stalks of your loving perennials may look tattered, crunchy brown layers blanket the roots and protect the next generation of blossoms. Relax, the garden’s fine. These are the plants I…
Winter in February feels like that one unwelcome guest who drinks all your expensive whiskey. You could sulk, or you could sow the seeds of rebellion. Certain plants ignore the frost with indifference that puts your shivering spine to shame. So give your flowerbed a head start. Victory belongs to the cold-blooded gardener. On second…
Everyone loves a peony until it’s 30ºF outside and the wind is biting. Suddenly, the joy of gardening evaporates faster than your breath in the wind. Do it anyway! Let’s get these chores finished so we can both go back inside for coffee. A Peony for My Thoughts? Actually, a lot of pennies, because if…
January turns mild-mannered homeowners into hedge-trimming zealots, yet tidiness is a trap that leaves your perennials shivering and exposed. You finally have a hall pass to stay inside and drink coffee while the yard takes care of itself. Fulfill this New Year’s resolution some other time. The Logic Behind Leafing Them Alone Hollow stalks provide…
Ignore Susan next door staring at your mismatched gardening outfit while you assault your shrubs. Your February garden may look like a slow-motion documentary about beige, but your favorite blossoms are busy beneath the surface as winter loosens its grip. They can’t wait to bounce back. And Susan doesn’t know that. Surprise her. Flowers That…