Member Ideas

Welcome to the Member Ideas area! This community feature is where our members can post their own ideas. These posts are unedited and not necessarily endorsed by the National Gardening Association.

Want to share your own idea? Submit an idea here.
Winter in the NorthWinter in the North
By 4susiesjoy on February 17, 2015

I've always had a chuckle when I've seen articles in garden magazines that talk about planting for winter interest. Here in zone 3, everything usually has frozen before the middle of October and is covered with snow shortly afterward. But then I started looking around.

(Full article22 comments)

Winter Interest in the SnowbeltWinter Interest in the Snowbelt
By chelle on February 16, 2015

Creating winter interest and a pleasant view once your prized evergreen shrubs are buried for the duration, and after your brightly colored berries have been consumed by wildlife, can be done, but think hip-height or higher, and plan for more than one focal point.

(Full article13 comments)

Winter in My Wisconsin GardenWinter in My Wisconsin Garden
By goldfinch4 on February 15, 2015

One thing is certain about winter in Wisconsin – it’ll never be the same two years in a row.

(Full article26 comments)

Celebrating Winter Interest!Celebrating Winter Interest!
By dave on February 14, 2015

Pine cones, seed heads, winter bloomers, colorful red berries, and much more! Let's kick off Winter Interest Week with a look at the most popular plants in our database that give some kind of interest to our gardens in the winter. We also introduce a new gallery option in our database for winter interest, with bonus acorns this week!

(Full article9 comments)

ATP Podcast #78: Late Winter GardeningATP Podcast #78: Late Winter Gardening
By dave on February 13, 2015

We're half way through February and that means that we're approaching the finishing line in our race to get through winter, so in this episode we're going to talk about those mid to late winter chores you might want to get to. We'll also feature a fun new segment of the podcast, "plant this," where Dave and Trish will each share their thoughts on a specific plant.

(Full article16 comments)

How To Make a Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder SetupHow To Make a Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder Setup
By keithp2012 on February 12, 2015

Do you have trouble with squirrels getting to your bird feeders and you want to find a way for birds and squirrels to eat peacefully? I'm sharing a setup my grandfather designed to hang my bird feeders.

(Full article3 comments)

Team Pick It Off, or Team Leave It Be?Team Pick It Off, or Team Leave It Be?
By Trish on February 11, 2015

Many gardeners are beginning to start their seeds as spring approaches. Each gardener has their own way of doing things, so let's find out which team you are on!

(Full article45 comments)

Keep Compost AerobicKeep Compost Aerobic
By Anderwood on February 10, 2015

Once a compost pile goes anaerobic, it is toxic to plants.

(Full article19 comments)

Plant Pole -- 8 Hanging Plants in Less Than 2 sq. ft. of Greenhouse SpacePlant Pole -- 8 Hanging Plants in Less Than 2 sq. ft. of Greenhouse Space
By Ecscuba on February 9, 2015

Make this plant pole for under $20 in about an hour. It uses less than 2 feet of floor space in your greenhouse. It holds small to medium-sized pots (herbs, seedlings, etc.). Great for on the patio too. As an added bonus, a light can be hung at the top, which will be handy when you absolutely must go to the greenhouse after dark :) Feeling really creative? Paint and decorate the pole.

(Full article19 comments)

 Using Vinyl Blinds for Tagging Plant Crosses Using Vinyl Blinds for Tagging Plant Crosses
By blue23rose on February 8, 2015

Because they are so easy to cut and are durable enough to last through the summer, vinyl blinds are a cheap and easy way to tag plant crosses.

(Full article17 comments)

Use a Tall Shepherd Hook To Hang Suet FeedersUse a Tall Shepherd Hook To Hang Suet Feeders
By Newyorkrita on February 7, 2015

Keep the suet away from squirrels and raccoons by using a shepherd hook to hang the suet cage.

(Full article22 comments)

A Look at the Database Contributions from This WeekA Look at the Database Contributions from This Week
By dave on February 6, 2015

The Celebration Week for the database is coming to a close, so let's look back on the week and see what was posted, who posted it, and what were the most noteworthy contributions.

(Full article3 comments)

ATP Podcast #77: Chatting about our Plant DatabaseATP Podcast #77: Chatting about our Plant Database
By dave on February 5, 2015

Is it possible to spend over 30 minutes talking about the All Things Plants Database? Yes! There's so much to talk about, from the custom databases, parentage of cultivars, multi-plant images, comments, moderators, green pages, planting calendars, growers reports, and so much more!

(5 comments)

Let's Do a Mid-Week Check on the Database ContestLet's Do a Mid-Week Check on the Database Contest
By dave on February 4, 2015

As you all know, this week we are hosting a contest in the Plant Database. The two most active users will receive gift certificates from Victory Seed Company. Well, we're halfway through with the week, so let's see what the numbers look like so far.

(Full article6 comments)

All About the Custom DatabasesAll About the Custom Databases
By dave on February 3, 2015

In today's article, I'll explain what our custom databases are, why we made them, how they work, and what kinds of powers they give us in using the database. Anyone interested in a specific kind of plant will likely find this information quite informative and useful!

(Full article13 comments)

Let's Hear from the Database ModeratorsLet's Hear from the Database Moderators
By dave on February 2, 2015

One of the biggest strengths of our plant database is that we have it sectioned off into "custom databases," each dedicated to a specific kind of plant, and that members can be given power to moderate every aspect of those areas. Come read what our moderators think about the database in this interesting multi-person interview!

(Full article23 comments)

Two Database Features You May Not Know AboutTwo Database Features You May Not Know About
By dave on February 1, 2015

We have a powerful photo browsing tool that I want to make sure you know about, and we have a planting calendar tool that hooks into the database and makes planning your vegetable garden a breeze.

(Full article9 comments)

Celebrating the All Things Plants Database...with a contest!Celebrating the All Things Plants Database...with a contest!
By dave on January 31, 2015

Almost every feature of All Things Plants taps into the database in one way or another, and this week we are celebrating this aspect of ATP! Come in and read what activities we have planned for the week, and to learn about our contest with prizes offered by Victory Seed Company!

(Full article37 comments)

Brassicas for Early Spring PlantingBrassicas for Early Spring Planting
By abhege on January 30, 2015

As we start planning our spring vegetable gardens, one of the first crops we plant may include members of the brassica family, such as cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli.

(Full article8 comments)

ATP Podcast #76: Composting in the WinterATP Podcast #76: Composting in the Winter
By dave on January 29, 2015

In today's podcast, Trish and Dave share their thoughts on composting in winter. What to do to keep it alive, when there are no grass clippings or weeds? We also talk about the Green Pages feature at All Things Plants, and give miscellaneous thoughts on the goings-on around our farm.

(8 comments)

Moving a Young Tree or BushMoving a Young Tree or Bush
By valleylynn on January 28, 2015

If you soak the ground the day before, really well, it will be that much easier to dig up a young tree or bush that you want to move to a different area of the garden.

(Full article3 comments)

Create Your Own Grow-Light Shelving UnitCreate Your Own Grow-Light Shelving Unit
By beckygardener on January 27, 2015

Need an indoor grow-light shelving unit to sow and grow your plants during the winter months? This is how I made one.

(Full article32 comments)

Don't Throw Broken Pots Away!Don't Throw Broken Pots Away!
By Dinu on January 26, 2015

Once a pot breaks, many people throw it away. I am going to share what I do with a pot that is broken at the top while the rest of it is still good.

(Full article29 comments)

Are Vermiculite and Perlite the Same?Are Vermiculite and Perlite the Same?
By drdawg on January 25, 2015

It seems that many people believe that vermiculite and perlite are similar products used for similar purposes. This is not true.

(Full article27 comments)

The Amaryllis Plant for the Brown-Thumbed GardenerThe Amaryllis Plant for the Brown-Thumbed Gardener
By PAgirl63 on January 24, 2015

I've always had a "brown" thumb when it comes to growing amaryllises. Either I'll grow plants that have lush green leaves and no flowers, or the bulbs will just sit there and sulk. Or even worse, the bulbs turn to mush or they just shrivel up. This year I cheated and had success!

(Full article15 comments)

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