Power Planter Changes Gardening Forever. Each spring, millions of pansies, petunias and other flowering plants are carefully planted in yards and gardens to beautify homes and landscapes. The same thing happens in vegetable gardens, where millions of tomatoes, peppers and other edible plants are planted. It doesn’t end there. Fall is the best time to plant spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils, tulips and hyacinths are planted. Planting bulbs in the autumn ensures that yards and landscapes are brightened by colorful flowers as soon as winter fades. What do all those billions of plants and bulbs have in common? A hole has to be dug for every one of them. And that means a whole lot of time and energy is spent digging in the dirt. “The number of holes that are dug every year is astounding,” said Greg Niewold, president of Power Planter, the company that makes Power Planter augers. “Our mission is to reduce the time and effort it takes to dig planting … [Read more...] about Power Planter Augers: Digging Made Easy
Garden
Creating Your Ideal Garden Space
Whether you have a large lawned garden with fruit trees or a small shady backyard, you want to make the most of your outdoor space. But how do you turn it into the ideal garden space for you, and how do you keep it looking good? Even if you’re not an experienced gardener, you can still create your perfect outdoor space. Hiring expert help and adding new features to your garden will make a big difference. Here’s some quick tips to help you do that. How to find the right gardener First, it’s wise to hire someone local to help create your ideal garden space. The quickest and easiest way to find a gardener is to search on the internet for a gardener near me. But before you start handing over your money, you need to make sure you know what you want doing, how much it’s likely to cost, and whether the gardener can deliver the service you need. Make a shortlist of local gardeners, then give them a call and find out if they are taking on new clients and what sort of prices … [Read more...] about Creating Your Ideal Garden Space
Soil Testing for Beginners
Soil testing and examining the soil is crucial to growing healthy plants. Quite simply, plants won't survive without good, healthy soil. Good soil can support plant growth because it contains the right amounts of nutrients plants need. Also, healthy soil has the right consistency to support root health and development. When the roots are growing rapidly, healthily, and happily, you can grow the healthiest plants. That’s why soil testing is so important. Soil testing is checking for all the qualities of good soil: structure, compaction, ease of use or workability, the presence of natural organisms, plant development, water infiltration, and soil pH. Here are some practical soil testing techniques. Soil Testing for Structure You can't tell if your garden soil is dry or wet just by looking at the surface. Dig a small hole about 10 inches deep and place the soil in a small tray. Try to take an intact soil sample and break it apart with your hands. Check if the soil is … [Read more...] about Soil Testing for Beginners
A Guide to American Hummingbirds
American hummingbirds offer endless entertainment with their aerial acrobatics as they buzz among flowers and defend backyard feeders against rivals. (OK, they aren’t really American hummingbirds, they are hummingbirds that can be seen in the United States.) But whatever you call them, the delightful species of hummingbirds found in America boast jeweled hues and distinctive markings that reveal their species. Pay close attention to their colors (and sometimes their size) and you can identify which species are visiting your backyard. Also note that most male hummingbirds look very different from their female mates. As with most birds, the males are the colorful ones. Here’s a guide to 10 of the most common hummingbirds to visit yards and gardens in the United States. Hummingbirds are much more common in the western states, so that part of the country is best for watching these marvelous creatures. NOTE: If you want to attract more hummingbirds to your yard and garden, consider … [Read more...] about A Guide to American Hummingbirds
Grow a Mini Wildflower Garden
If you have ever thought about growing a mini wildflower garden, you are not alone. Natural-looking flower gardens are more popular than ever. In fact, wildflower gardens (also called meadow gardens) are trending all over social media. Mike Lizotte is the author of Mini Meadows: Grow a Little Patch of Colorful Flowers Anywhere Around Your Yard. He is also the owner of American Meadows, a top source for wildflower seeds including regional seed mixes that make it easy to grow a mini wildflower garden no matter where you live. We asked Mike to give us some tips on growing a wildflower garden—or as he now famously calls them, a meadow garden. Here’s what he had to say. Can anyone grow a meadow garden? Yes, they certainly can. My definition of a ‘meadow’ certainly includes large, sprawling spaces. (If you have a large plot of land, count yourself fortunate!) But a 50-square-foot-patch of lawn or a planter box in a high-rise can also be a great place for a mini wildflower … [Read more...] about Grow a Mini Wildflower Garden
