Plants are biologically programmed to reproduce and then retire. To keep the show going, you must intervene. When we deadheading, we’re removing the spent blooms before the plant can focus fully on seed production, encouraging it to make more flowers instead. Is it a form of garden gaslighting? Darn, I think it might be. Now…
A peony without support is like a celebrity without an agent, a total catastrophe. Come spring, they crave attention, nutrients, and a bit of firm discipline. Feed them, prop them up, and hope they forgive your intrusion as they chase their moment of glory. Here are the eight tasks I do on my peonies each…
Waiting for perfect weather is an April fool’s errand. You can either get in the dirt now or spend the rest of the season apologizing to your empty dinner plate. Anyway, a shovel in hand beats a grocery store receipt every time. Here are some of the best cold-hardy vegetables to plant in April before…
I spent too much money at the nursery just to go home and pinch the tops off. It feels wrong. It feels wasteful. Yet, here we are. Early-season pinching is often the only thing standing between us and a floppy garden later on. If you’re not sure which plants actually benefit from this, we put…
I know you’re afraid of flowers behaving like toddlers in a ball pit. They’re cute for five minutes, max. Then there’s chaos everywhere, and your border looks like it gave up. If you want a garden border that stays within the lines, you just need plants with a basic sense of decorum. If you’re trying…
Good morning to everyone except people who forget their perennials need a little love, too. Don’t let your plants go hungry while you sip your sip lattes. I’m here to help you because every garden deserves a boost in early spring. If you’re already working in your beds, it’s also a great time to divide…