Plain White Paper Plates Help Seed SortingUsing paper plates makes cleaning and sorting seeds so much easier.
Mulch Those Daylilies with Fall LeavesEach fall I use the abundance of free leaves to heavily mulch my daylily gardens before the winter.
Rube Goldberg, Macro Photography, and You: Close-Ups on a BudgetDedicated macro lenses can be expensive, but there are a variety of other methods to shoot close-up photos using the lens(es) you already have, paired with inexpensive accessories. This article examines and illustrates some of these methods.
How To Make a Cheap "Light Box" for Sorting SeedsDo you have seeds that can be candled to check for viability? Make a cheap light box that is customizable and will get the job done!
Hardy Cactus OpuntiaIf you live with snow a few months a year and yearn to have a desert garden but think it is not possible, think again: It is possible. There are many cacti that are cold hardy down to -30 degrees, but I will discuss mainly Opuntia cactus planting, designs, and companion plants that will give the appearance of a desert garden. There are numerous hardy Opuntia cacti that are hardy to -30 degrees and will survive under a foot of snow. When spring arrives for us northern gardeners, the opuntias usually are lying flat and may look dead, but they will plump up and reward you with 4" - 6" peony-form flowers in colors of yellow, pink, peach, and red in June-July.
Where To Look for Sempervivum Color at ATPSempervivums are available in a great variety of vibrant colors, but within a year's worth of growing time Sempervivums can undergo several color changes.
Sempervivum: My FavoriteA plant genus that has minimal needs, thrives in some of the coldest climates and least hospitable conditions, yet provides interest throughout the year. Yet they do well in the rainy old Northwest. What more could you ask?
Peter Dieckmann BiographyAt times there are special people that come into our lives. For me, Peter Dieckmann was one of those very special people and I wish that all of you also could have had the privilege of knowing him.
Sedum acre and the Mother Pot: the Making of Glowing GroundcoversGlowing yellow, stunningly good on the eye, and beloved of bees, this sedum is one I had tried to use before as a groundcover. It was a big fail. The cuttings usually did not take. One day I accidentally discovered the secret of the mother pot.
Easy Propagation of SedumsGot a bunch of empty pots and some sedum? Looking for something to do with both?
The Top Sempervivums and SedumsSempervivum and Sedum are the cornerstone genera of hardy succulents, so let's have a look at the most popular of these fun plants.
Hybridizing Hardy Water Lilies, Part 2You can hybridize your own hardy water lilies. It is not too difficult with a little preparation. Give it a try. You just might produce a new cultivar that is worth naming and registering!
Hybridizing Hardy Water Lilies, Part 1You can hybridize your own hardy water lilies. It is not too difficult with a little preparation. Give it a try. You just might produce a new cultivar that is worth naming and registering!
ATP Podcast #72: Heading into FallThis is it! We made it! It's fall and that means a whole world of activities around the garden. Today we'll talk about our favorite parts of fall and what kinds of things you might want to do in your garden during this early fall season.
Trash to TreasureA CD stand discarded for recycling makes a perfect plant stand.
Simple Seed CanistersThese little airline salt and pepper shakers can be used for mixing fine seed with sand and then distributing the mix on a seed tray.
Want To Extend Your Bloom Season? Go with Late Bloomers. Here's HowDaylily bloom season never seems to last long enough to please us all, but around here it lasts for months longer than it used to when my garden was first planted.
Beautiful 'Blue Fortune' AgastacheI didn't grow Agastaches out West. Since moving to Tennessee, I have discovered the many positive attributes and beautiful colors of this wonderful plant.
Salvias: Wonderful Flowering PlantsSalvias are also known as Sage. They can be hardy perennials or tender perennials grown as annuals, and they are loved by many. They come in many different colors, such as blue, red, pink, purple, white, and others. Most of them prefer full sun, but some will tolerate anything from full sun to full shade.
Salvia, a Plant for All GardensNo matter what kind of garden you grow, there's always room for a salvia.
ATP Podcast #71: Let's Talk about Salvias and AgastachesWith the long, hot and dry summer behind us, we're ready to get back into the podcasting saddle, and this week is salvias and agastaches week, so that's what we'll talk about. We'll share interesting facts and useful growing tips on these easy and hardy perennials, and we'll chat about our favorite cultivars.
Both Sight and Scent: Agastaches Have It All!With a scent that will make you come back for more, plus the bright happy colors, a non-fussy agastache plant is a definite plus for every garden!
Agastaches: a Wonderful Plant for Every GardenI love Agastaches and I have been growing them for years. I will show you why I wouldn't be without them in my yard, and why you should grow them in your garden.
Agastache in the GardenThis plant lends itself to many garden compositions.
The All Things Plants Top 25 Salvias and AgastachesLet's open Salvias and Agastaches week with a look at the most popular plants in the database. 'Black and Blue', 'Golden Jubilee', and 'Hot Lips' top the list, of course.
