Team First Generation or Second-Generation Gardener?I've been thinking a lot about the word "heritage" lately. This week's Team Article explores if part of your heritage is a gardening one.
Roll Up Garden Hoses in Figure EightsRoll your garden hoses up in figure eights for the fewest kinks.
Honey Bees in the Garden: BeeswaxDid you know that candles and cosmetics are made with beeswax? Beeswax has many more little known uses; let's take a look at this important gift from the tiny honey bee.
Control Your BugsWatch for bugs and get control of them early. If they're small like aphids, try washing them off first. You can also spray a little soapy water or diluted Neem oil.
Use PVC Pipe To Water the RootsSink pieces of pipe in the garden to guide a hose when hand watering…paint them in fun colors and top them with garden art.
All About PetuniasPetunias are one of the most popular bedding plants ever grown. Among the array of colors, shapes, sizes and habits available, there is bound to be something to please every gardener. It wasn't always like this though.
Team Hand Weed, or Team Tool Weed?There's no question - we gardeners must weed if we want gardens. The question is: Are you on Team Hand-weed or Team Tool-Weed?
Garden Art Creations: QuikWall in the GardenOur garden art creation this week will both surprise and delight you. Beginners and pros alike will find this mini-tutorial easy to understand and fun to follow. Let's step into the Wisconsin garden of artist Chris Rentmeister, known at ATP as goldfinch4, and learn all about QuikWall.
All About AloeMy mother had a plethora of houseplants. They held no interest for me when I was growing up. I much preferred climbing the mountains with Aunt Bett, gathering wildflowers and herbs and learning of the magic they held. To a little tomboy, houseplants were nothing but boring, except for the one that I was told to never touch, Aloe vera.
All About GesneriadsThe plants of this group are among the best houseplants for a constant stream of blooms and ease of growth. Do you grow Gesneriads? If so, please share your photos and experiences in the comments section after the article.
Scientific Evidence That Being Outdoors Makes You HappyNow there’s actual proof that the effects of being outdoors and exercising are good for your health. An article in Scientific American magazine cited a research study conducted by scientists at the University of Essex just outside London. It was published in the Environmental Health and Technology journal.
Honey Bees in the Garden... AugustAugust is another hot month for both gardeners and honey bees. Water for plants and honey bees remains a top priority. You may also find the honey bees you encounter are more aggressive than they have been since spring. That's because they are anxious to store enough food to last the colony through the coming winter. Be careful when you bend to sniff a flower, a honey bee might be there and will think you are trying to get the nectar for yourself.
Team Whimsy or Team Traditional?This week's article takes a peak at the inside of our gardens. Would you describe yourself as being a whimsical gardener, or more traditional?
Introducing Heirlooms for the Beginner GardenerHeirlooms are a perfect choice for the beginner gardener. The seeds of many of these old cultivars have been saved and passed down for generations because of their easy-to-grow habits. They are those wonderful old fashioned flowers that your grandmother grew forever in her garden, or those delicious tasting tomatoes that you might remember eating as a child. But it doesn't stop there; as you begin to consider growing heirlooms, you will discover many unique and interesting flowers, herbs, vegetables and fruits.
All About MilkweedIt took many years but it finally occurred to me that some of our most common plants have a more colorful history than our notably famous people do. The common milkweed is one of them.
Hampton Court Palace Flower Show (Part 3)As the sun came out, my day at Hampton Court beside the River Thames was getting better, apart from the odd shower. Now I could at last get out and wander on this hallowed ground. Join me as I finish in the floral marquee and go for another trek.
Team Gloves or Team Bare Hands?We've talked feet, let's talk hands. Do you protect and pamper, or tough it out barehanded?
Honey Bees in the Garden: Propolis aka Bee GluePropolis is another wonderful product of the honey bee. Beekeepers call it bee glue because the honey bees use it for gluing their hive parts together. Let's learn more about this substance.
Cottage Gardening - The Art of ChaosThere is no secret to having a beautiful Cottage Garden. The main "rule" is to simply let the plants decide what they want to do. Here are some visual hints meant to inspire you.
Hampton Court Palace Flower Show (Part 2)Hampton Court Palace is in Surrey, which is to the west of London and lies on the side of the River Thames. The first Flower Show was held here in 1990 but it was not until 1993 that it became a Royal Horticultural Society Show. By concentrating on environmental issues, growing your own, and cookery, it was different from the Chelsea Flower Show. It also allowed people to test new tools and to buy plants, neither of which is allowed at the Chelsea Show until the last day. Please join me as I venture through the Surrey mud to see what I can find.
Hugelkultur Raised BedsSheet mulching is a technique of laying organic material in layers on the ground to build up a raised bed of rich soil for your plants. Hugelkultur is an extension of this technique, where a gardener builds quite tall raised beds using logs and dead branches as the first layer in this bed.
Team Shoes or Team Barefoot?Welcome to our Sunday weekly feature of Which Team? Every Sunday we will have a poll-type article for you to chime in on. Don't be shy! This week's question: Do you shoe, or no?
How To Grow Coleus from CuttingsColeus are one of the easiest plants to grow from cuttings. With a few simple steps and minor after-care, you can grow wonderful plants that will give you months of pleasure.
Easy Houseplants for BeginnersHave you finally decided you need a houseplant or two or three? Here are a few I love because they're both beautiful and easy to grow.
Hampton Court Palace Flower Show (Part 1)Built in 1514, Hampton Court Palace was home to King Henry VIII and is stunning, as are the gardens. It is now also home to the worlds biggest flower show! Unfortunately the day I went it rained and rained, but bear with me as I go through acres of mud to show you some of the sights!
