It’s easier than ever to grow tomatoes in containers. Here’s how. Tomatoes are the queens of the backyard vegetable garden, and growing vegetables is more popular than ever. But not everyone has a backyard with lots of space for an impressive garden plot. Fortunately, most flowers and many vegetables can be grown in containers. This makes growing vegetables such as tomatoes, squash, peppers, salad greens, and all types of flowers possible on decks, balconies, and other small spaces. Thanks to new types of growing containers and new dwarf varieties of popular plants, virtually anyone can successfully grow a fabulous garden. Quick Tips on Container Gardening There are a few important things to know about how to grow tomatoes in containers (or any kind of plant). Even before you select the pots or containers for your plants, pick the best location for your container garden. Tomato plants (and most vegetable plants) like at least 6 hours of full sun a day. So, pick a … [Read more...] about How to Grow Tomatoes in Containers
containers
How to Grow Sunflowers
How to Grow Sunflowers: Classic Sunflowers and Popular Varieties. Sunflowers are well-loved flowers that bloom all summer. Their cheerful faces brighten the garden. They come in different colors from traditional sunny yellow to dark shades of ruby and claret red. And other varieties can also come in orange, gold, and brownish tones. Sunflowers are drought tolerant, resistant to pests, and attractive to pollinators and birds. Their large flowers make beautiful bouquets, and their seeds are a great source of food for birds and people. So, if you have considered growing sunflowers in your garden, we have growing and care tips that will keep your sunflowers healthy and strong. Types of Sunflowers The classic sunflower goes by the botanical name of Helianthus annuus. The petals are bright yellow, and the large circular center (where the seeds form) is dark brown. There are many varieties (or cultivars) of this classic sunflower. These include mammoth sunflower, Helianthus … [Read more...] about How to Grow Sunflowers
A Spring Garden Jump Start in 12 Easy Steps
It's time for a spring garden jump start. There are gardening tasks to be done, and the growing season is coming. The grass is starting to green up, bulbs are peeking through the soil, and spring is around the corner. Gardening chores come fast and furious once warm weather hits. Sometimes you don’t have time to fit all the tasks in. A spring garden jump-start is a productive way to begin your gardening year. You can hit the ground running and get ahead of the season. That's why late winter is my favorite time to get many of the spring jobs done-- or at least get them started. It's a great way to reduce the springtime stress of too many gardening tasks to do. So what are we waiting for? Let's use these garden tips and get this spring garden jump start going! Step 1: Weeding My top priority in late winter/early spring is keeping weeds under control. Cold weather weeds such as chickweed and mustard are much easier to hand weed when small. Plus, the weeds haven’t gone to seed … [Read more...] about A Spring Garden Jump Start in 12 Easy Steps
How to Grow Tropical Fruits in Containers
It's easy to grow tropical fruits in containers. Way easier than you think. If you live in a climate where temperatures dip below freezing during the winter months, growing tropical fruit in containers probably sounds like a fantasy. But garden experts say virtually anyone can do it. “If you want to grow tropical fruits, I have good news for you,” said Byron Martin, co-owner of Logee’s Tropical Plants. “You can grow tropical fruits in containers in most climates." According to Martin, all you have to do is follow these three tips. Tips to Grow Tropical Fruit in Containers The first tip is to choose the right plant varieties. The key is to choose dwarf varieties of plants that have been bred to produce fruit on smaller plants. Varieties such as Changshou Kumquat and Super Dwarf Cavendish Banana are perfect for growing in pots or containers. Tip number two, according to Byron Martin, is to move your potted tropical plants as the seasons change. "To grow tropical fruits … [Read more...] about How to Grow Tropical Fruits in Containers
Awesome Homegrown Flower Arrangements
A blooming garden is all you need to create awesome homegrown flower arrangements. I love going out to my garden and cutting everything I need to create a beautiful homegrown floral bouquet. I have always loved arranging flowers. With the onset of COVID-19, I started creating a ‘bouquet of the day’ to beautify my home. I knew I would be spending more time at home. So why not create a colorful floral arrangement to brighten my home—and my day? After all, growing and arranging flowers is therapeutic. Instead of spending money on greenhouse-grown or imported flowers, I challenged myself to arrange with only those flowers that I could grow. Thankfully, the pandemic no longer dominates my life—and I have awesome homegrown flower arrangements to enjoy every day. Flowers and Foliage: The Great Duo of Flower Arrangements Many stunning flowers can be home grown and last well in bouquets. We commonly talk about flower bouquets and floral arrangements. But most people … [Read more...] about Awesome Homegrown Flower Arrangements
