Did you make any New Year's resolutions for gardeners for the coming New Year? Whether you’re a horticultural expert or you want to try gardening for the first time, these are my favorite New Year’s resolutions for gardeners in 2020. New Year's Resolutions for Gardeners #1: Get Gardening! The #1 resolution on my list is to get gardening! Gardening comes with many benefits for our physical, emotional and mental well-being. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gardening for just 2.5 hours a week can reduce the risk of common conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure and osteoporosis. Gardening has also been shown to ward off depression and anxiety. Plus, nothing beats the smell of flowers in bloom, or the taste of fresh, homegrown vegetables. Getting started and growing your first tomato plant (or any annual vegetable) is easier than you think. If you’re worried you might have a “black thumb,” or just short on space, try your … [Read more...] about 5 New Year’s Resolutions for Gardeners
12 Cold Hardy Tropical Plants to Grow Now
Everyone loves the feel of the tropics. Palm trees swaying in the breeze. Exotic flowers with intoxicating aromas. The fragrant fruit that seems to melt in your mouth. But did you know you can grow cold hardy tropical plants as far north as New York State? By incorporating some of these cold hardy tropical plants in your garden, you can enjoy your own tropical stay-cation without leaving your backyard! Cold-hardy tropical plants can be hard to find in local stores. That's why we have included some of our favorite website sources for these plants, including NatureHills.com and Amazon. When you click one of our links to a recommended product, Home, Garden and Homestead will receive a small commission for qualifying sales. Thanks for supporting this website! We really appreciate it! Happy Face Emogi! Best Cold Hardy Tropical Plants for Cooler Climates Hardy Banana You can’t get much more tropical than a banana tree. And luckily … [Read more...] about 12 Cold Hardy Tropical Plants to Grow Now
7 Perfect Patio Fruit Trees for Small Spaces
Patio fruit trees make it possible to grow delicious fruits even in the smallest of spaces. Imagine growing a small fruit tree right outside your back door. Patio fruit trees are small enough for virtually everyone to enjoy! Here are 7 perfect patio fruit trees that you can grow on a porch, patio--and just about everywhere. Note: We have included links to some of the products in this story. Home Garden and Homestead receives a small commission from qualifying purchases from clicking on the links below. Thank you for supporting this website! Click Here Just for Fun: What's Trending on Amazon.com Dwarf Fruit Trees on Amazon Another great place to shop for fruit trees is NatureHills.com Patio Apple Trees Apple trees might be the perfect patio fruit trees. Imagine picking your own tasty apples, grown right on your patio! It’s possible with the correct dwarf varieties and a bit of pruning. Many tasty varieties of apple trees can perform great in … [Read more...] about 7 Perfect Patio Fruit Trees for Small Spaces
How to Create a Dog-Friendly Yard
If you’ve got a dog—or you are consider getting one, then now is the time to think about creating a dog-friendly yard and garden. We've all heard tales of puppies pulling out flowers and dogs digging holes in the yard. Many of us have lived through these experiences ourselves. However, with some careful consideration, you can make sure both your plants and your pets will happily and safely share your yard. A dog-friendly garden can certainly be beautiful and lush, and these helpful tips will help guide you through the process. There are a few things to keep in mind when planning a dog-friendly yard that your pets will be able to access. Before you get started on creating a dog-friendly yard, it's important to understand your own dog's unique personality traits and characteristics. Is your dog large or small? Does it like to jump and dig? Is your dog a high energy puppy—or is he (or she) calmly enjoying the golden years? Does your dog chase squirrels, or would she rather laze around … [Read more...] about How to Create a Dog-Friendly Yard
9 Great Garden Catalogs in 2019
Another new year is here, and for thousands of us gardeners, that means a flood of exciting new garden catalogs for the 2019 growing season. And for those of us who are more inclined to buy online, a new gardening year means lots of great websites to peruse for new seeds and plants. The early part of the year is an ideal time for garden planning. The quiet days of winter are perfect for making lists, charting new garden beds and calculating sowing times. The early weeks of the year is also the time when mail-order garden catalogs arrive and online catalogs are posted, enticing us with dreams of a new growing season. Garden Catalogs in 2019 There are dozens of seed and plant catalogs and websites to choose from. If you don’t already have a stack of printed catalogs or a full email inbox with tantalizing new offers, here’s a list of some of our favorite places to buy heirlooms, hybrids, and everything that’s new and trending: Burpee Established in 1876, Burpee is one of the nation’s … [Read more...] about 9 Great Garden Catalogs in 2019
