Winter is just around the corner, and that means it's time to start preparing garden equipment and tools for winter storage! There is nothing more important to a gardener than the tools they use. Whether it be a favorite shovel, a trusted old tractor, or anything in between, it takes working equipment to get things …
It's apple season, and we couldn't be happier that one of our loyal readers has shared her family's famous homemade freezer apple sauce recipe for all to enjoy! To be exact, it is actually her Aunt Jeanie's famous homemade freezer apple sauce recipe! In addition to our weekly gardening articles, we try each month to …
There is simply no better time to plant trees than in the cool, crisp air of autumn. Whether dealing with fruit, nut, shade or ornamental trees, fall planting gives a tree's root structure time to gently acclimate to the soil before going dormant for the winter. Although trees can be planted nearly anytime the ground …
Autumn is here, and its time to head out and perform the all-important fall garden clean up! Clearing out and cleaning up the garden may seem like small potatoes, but it has a huge impact on the health and vitality of next year's garden. A proper fall garden clean up will help keep disease at …
You might be surprised just how simple, quick and easy it is to make homemade hot pepper flakes from the hot peppers growing in your garden! Hot pepper flakes are a great way to spice up everything from morning eggs to a slice of pizza. And if you have a bumper crop of hot peppers …
Whether you have daylillies, daisies, hostas, coral bells, black-eyed susans or nearly any perennial for that matter, late Summer and early Fall are the perfect time to divide perennials! Dividing perennials is an excellent way to add a whole slew of free plants to your landscape It also helps keep plants healthy, manageable, and blooming strong …
Some of the most common garden mistakes and landscaping miscues occur during the middle of summer. Summertime is great time to enjoy the outdoors. Unfortunately, all of that enjoying sometimes leads to a few forgotten chores. As much as gardeners worry about getting things "just right" in the spring, or putting their yard and garden …
There is simply no shortage of folklore when it comes to predicting winter. For as long as humans have roamed the earth, they have been passing down stories, myths and legends about how to tell how much snow will fall, or how cold the temperatures will plummet this coming winter. Some involve animals, while others …
So much work goes into garden planning and planting, that sometimes gardeners forget how important the process of harvesting vegetables is to the overall success of a garden. But good harvesting techniques really do matter when it comes to the continued production levels of plants. Here are 3 big keys to harvesting vegetables, and how …
Autumn is just around the corner, and its time to think about creating beautiful fall containers! Fall containers and flowering baskets are a great way to add color when summer's blooms begin to fade. As the autumn air turns crisp, there are a wide variety of great-looking plants that actually thrive in the cooler conditions. …
This week's article comes straight from the backyard garden of Sally Junkin, as she shares her award-winning blue ribbon fresh salsa recipe! One of the best things about planting a backyard garden is enjoying all of the wonderful homemade, super-fresh foods you can create from it. Whether it is crunchy homemade pickles, roasted eggplant, or …
Yes, summertime really is the perfect time for dividing hostas and daylilies! Many think that the summer heat is simply too hot to split and divide perennials from the landscape. This is indeed true for some plants. Take for instance ornamental grasses. Splitting and replanting grasses while in full-growth mode can lead to instant death for …
When it comes to adding a vivid splash of color to your landscape, nothing can beat a few hardy purple perennials! The color purple can add a vibrant focal point to your landscape. It also works as a great accent color to the many variations of green foliage of shrubs, bushes, trees and other landscape …
You might be amazed that by simply avoiding a few common mowing mistakes, you can have your yard looking beautiful in just a few weeks. Believe it or not, how you mow has a huge impact on the overall health of your lawn. In a time when billions are spent on a myriad of lawn …
One of the biggest secrets to gardening success is watering vegetable plants and flowers correctly. Pests, disease and weeds can certainly spell trouble for a gardener, But it is usually the lack of too much or too little water that creates the most trouble for plants. Although water needs will vary from climate to climate, …
There is something special about taking a midnight stroll and seeing night blooming plants in glorious full-bloom. Especially when it's in your own backyard! Moonlight Gardens, or garden spaces that can be enjoyed best in the dusk and dark of evening, have become all the rage. They use a combination of traditional bright blooming plants …
Think its impossible to grow pineapple plants if you don't live in a tropical area? Think again! It's actually quite easy, especially if you grow them in containers. Many folks mistakenly think pineapples come from trees. They are, however, a perennial plant. And although they need warmth to survive, they can be grown almost anywhere. …
When it comes to finding perfect perennials for shady portions of the landscape, it's hard to beat Hosta plants! The Hosta, or Plantain Lilly as it is officially known, prefers shade over sun. In fact, most varieties of Hosta plants perform best with just a few hours of morning or evening sun. Making them even …
Growing hot peppers has become a passion for many gardeners. They can add plenty of heat to all types of dishes. Even more, they can add loads of color and interest to your garden as well. From mildly warm to near flame throwing hot, when it comes to growing hot peppers, the choices are almost …
Growing onions in your garden can be a great way to add wonderful flavor to all types of homemade soups, sauces and dishes. Even better, onions are one of the easiest crops to plant and maintain! They require little space, little long-term maintenance, and are simple to harvest and store. Let's take a look at …
When it comes to providing a little oomph to your plants this year, it's time to think about fertilizing naturally! Using organic solutions to boost plants can actually help build soil quality over time. Organic fertilizers, unlike man-made versions, replenish soil naturally as they break down. They add valuable minerals and nutrients back into the …
What does it take to grow beets? Very little! Beets are one of the easiest vegetables to grow in the garden. Compared to other vegetables, they excel when it comes to weather hardiness and disease resistance. In addition they require very little maintenance during the growing season. There is not even the need to start …
If you are looking for a great perennial vegetable to add unique flavor to your garden, then you need to grow rhubarb! Rhubarb is a wonderful perennial vegetable crop that will provide a tasty crop year after year. It is simply delicious in pies, jams, jellies and more. Rhubarb is one of the first vegetables …
When it comes to growing sweet peppers, the choices now available are simply astonishing! It used to be that most home gardeners were limited to planting and harvesting the traditional sweet varieties of red, yellow or orange bell peppers. It was simply all you could find to plant. But those days are long gone! With …
If you love to cook, then growing a few classic potted patio herbs might just need to be in your future! Herbs are among some of the easiest plants to grow. With a good potting soil mix and consistent watering, they require little to grow and thrive. And the flavor they bring to homemade dishes …
When it comes to growing peanuts, we can all learn a little something from Virginia Blass! Virginia hails from the great state of South Carolina, and growing peanuts has been a way of life for a couple of generations. "My grandfather grew peanuts and sold them at a roadside stand," says Virginia, "and for as …
The simple joy of growing easy care roses! It used to be you needed a proverbial "green thumb" to even think about growing roses. Classic rose bushes, although beautiful, could be a nightmare to grow when it came to controlling pests and disease. Black spot, powdery mildew, brown canker, blight, and a host of other ailments …
Today's garden feature is an inspiration to a Potager Garden from long ago. It comes to us from the 1.6 acre mini farm of Sandy Greig from Eldred, New York. Eldred is located 5 miles from the Pennsylvania border in the rolling hills of New York. Sandy created her garden in the likeness of an …
When it comes to raising your own food, nothing can be more simple than growing loose leaf lettuce! Not only is it simple to grow, it can keep fresh salads on the dinner table from early spring to late fall. In fact, with a cold frame, it can even grow through the harshest of winter …
Growing container tomatoes on your back patio or deck is an excellent way to keep the fresh taste of garden produce close at hand. There are a lot of built-in advantages when growing container tomatoes vs. a traditional garden setting. For one, they can be planted earlier. Container tomatoes are easy to protect if a …
The beauty of a Prairie Garden! No matter where you live, in the city, suburbs, or countryside - you can find a way to garden. I think that is why we love Tricia's story below so much! Tricia found a way to take some rocky, clay-like soil and turn it into a home-grown prairie oasis. …
When we saw Kelli's story below about her granny's icebox pickles, it brought a big smile to our faces. So many of the gardens and garden stories shared by our readers revolve around canning and preserving from the garden. And they almost always include traditions and recipes passed down from parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents. …
Announcing our first ever Garden Showcase Contest! Share your garden with the world and win some cool gifts - like a $100 Visa gift card, some great garden tools - and a visit from us to deliver the winnings and write a full featured story on you and your garden! Ever since launching This Is …
Nothing quite completes a home beautiful home landscape like a few properly placed shade trees. Shade trees are an excellent way to add lasting color and texture to your home. In addition, they provide much-needed protection from the scorching hot rays of the sun. A well placed tree or set of trees can keep a house, patio …
When it comes to adding a big splash of color to your patio, porch, or landscape, think ornamental peppers! That's right, ornamental peppers! These plants have exploded in popularity the last 5 years, and are being used now to create incredible hanging baskets and planters! Many gardeners are finding out that they are the perfect choice for a …
Nothing quite says summertime like biting into a crisp, ripe slice of watermelon! The juicy, refreshing fruit is an absolute favorite at picnics, barbecues and family cookouts everywhere. But for one reason or another, many home gardeners shy away from trying to grow watermelons. And it really is a shame. As our guest gardener Randy Desoto …
A few times a year, business travels take me through Charleston, West Virginia, and a mandatory side stop at what has become one of my favorite farmers markets to visit, the Charleston Capitol Market. I can never seem to leave there without loading up the car with some type of vegetable plant, shrub, or hanging basket …
So what is your favorite garden tool? A trusty weeding hoe? Maybe a favorite shovel or rake? Perhaps i's an old tool passed down a few generations from grandma or grandpa? One thing is for sure, gardeners love their tools! And when we received Trisha Smith's email about her favorite, we loved it so much …
Today's article comes to us from Jeff who lives just outside of Evansville, Indiana, and it's all about growing sweet corn! We absolutely loved Jeff's story about growing up in a garden-crazy neighborhood, and how he is now carrying on the traditions of a home garden like his parents and grandparents did. we especially love …
There are so many ways to enjoy gardening, whether it be with raised beds, potted plants, hanging baskets, or wide open flower beds. And when it comes to Cheryl Kagey's landscape, she uses a combination of all of them! The result? A gorgeous display of color and beauty outside of her Alexandria, Ohio home. Cheryl's garden …
When we received this week's garden tip article from Stacy Sulinger, it made us long for the taste of a fresh homemade blackberry pie. Or perhaps a scoop of vanilla ice cream with fresh raspberries draped over the top! Both blackberries and raspberries are members of the bramble family, and are a fantastic perennial crop …
Is there anything better than homemade maple syrup on a stack of pancakes? Today's garden tip article is all about creating the delectable treat made simply from the humble maple tree. It comes to us from West Virginia's Chris Feick. The making of homemade maple syrup is certainly a bit labor intensive. But as Chris …