Get ahead of the problem before they devour everything green
In the next few months many gardeners will have to wage a battle in earnest against snails and slugs. …
A workspace that’s well-stocked and organized makes garden chores a breeze
Whether you call it a potting bench, propagation area, or transplant table, a gardener needs a dedicated space to perform all those tasks — sowing seeds, planting containers, cleaning tools, and much more — that require a clear, flat surface and easy access to your tools and supplies. …
The answer depends on your location and gardening conditions
If you want to grow truly delicious tomatoes this summer, the first step is the most crucial to your success: picking the best variety for your climate and growing conditions. Make the wrong choice and you’ll get fruit that is smaller and blander than you were hoping for. …
A contained patio space is the best and safest way to let your cat experience the outdoors
My Maine Coon cat, Henry, is sending me a message. He spends most of the day sitting on a shelf staring out the laundry room window into the back yard. Whenever I open the front door, he is suddenly right there, considering whether there is an opportunity for him to…
Choosing the right trees and growing conditions is key to a bountiful harvest
You don’t need to have acres of land to have a successful fruit orchard. By selecting the right varieties, utilizing space-saving planting techniques, and employing simple garden practices, you can grow numerous types of fruit in a relatively small garden and keep your fruit bowl overflowing with home-grown fresh produce.
What you need to know before buying
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If you really think you’re a special case, read on
Every day it seems there are new stories popping up about people (usually wealthy or at least well off, usually white) gaming the system in whatever way they can manage to get their COVID vaccination before they were due to.
It started with the politicians. We all got to see…
Treat pest and disease problems early with a dormant tree spray
Leaf curl. Fireblight. Rust. Aphids. Mites. If you’ve had a serious problem with these or other diseases or pests on any of your deciduous fruit trees, the best remedy is often to spray the tree while it is in its dormant state.
What to spray
Dormant sprays can be fungicides, horticultural oils, or…
Planting bare-root roses is the best and most cost-efficient way to make your spring and summer bloom like mad
If your garden dreams include a lush and colorful rose garden, the best time to plan and plant it is in the winter months when bare-root roses are available in local and mail-order nurseries.
Bare-root roses are dormant bushes that are packaged and shipped without a container. Shipping the plants…
Brighten your life and your garden by planting a citrus tree
Citrus trees are one of my favorite choices for almost any garden. They are evergreen, prolific, and relatively low maintenance. And they just make a garden look sunnier!
Selecting and planting
In climates where frosts do not occur, citrus (Citrus spp.) can be planted at any time. Elsewhere, plant trees in early spring.
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Follow these basic steps to be a more successful seed-starter!
Growing most plants from seed is easy as long as you provide the basics that all plants require — soil, heat, light, and water — and then avoid a few common pitfalls.
The Basics
1. Begin by purchasing a commercial seed-starting medium or mixing your own blend. Whichever you way you decide…
Claire Splan
Author/Editor. Writes about gardening, writing, etc. Website: ClaireSplan.com. Newsletters: WritingInPlace.substack.com and GardenToTable.substack.com
