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
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5 Tips To Grow The Perfect Garden
The “perfect garden” is simple. It’s the garden you imagine with vegetables or flowers or a mix of both. It’s the garden in a size and location and design that suits your needs and wants. In reality, the perfect garden is where, how and when you want it – because there is no right or wrong way to garden. There is only your way. There are, however, ways to make it more perfect in terms of success so your time, energy and money are put to good use. Here are 5 tips for the “perfect garden,” all gleaned from my decades of successes and failures and training as a Virginia Master Gardener and horticulture student. For more specific tips about vegetable gardening, read How to Start a Victory Garden 2.0. Tips for a Perfect Garden Perfect Garden Tip 1: Know your zone. When I first started gardening in southeastern Virginia, I lived in USDA cold hardiness Zone 7. Tender plants were likely to freeze and die in a typical winter that often dipped below 32 degrees. Oh, … [Read more...] about 5 Tips To Grow The Perfect Garden
Tips for Growing Healthy Roses
Follow these tips for growing healthy roses and your garden will be the envy of the neighborhood. Roses are the rock stars of the garden. Rose bushes are stately and impressive, and the flowers look lovely for weeks at a time. Back in 1986 when Ronald Reagan was President of the United States, he signed a proclamation that named the rose as America’s national flower. Fittingly enough, the ceremony that certified “national flower” status for the rose was held at the White House Rose Garden. That’s just one reason why millions of rose bushes are planted every year. Despite the old-fashioned beliefs that roses can be tough to grow, advice from respected rose experts says otherwise. “All plants need the right growing conditions to thrive, and roses are no different,” said Chris Van Cleve, a writer and rose expert who calls himself the Redneck Rosarian. “Just provide the right growing conditions and the right care, and rose bushes can thrive in almost any garden.” Below are 5 … [Read more...] about Tips for Growing Healthy Roses
The Joys of Fall Gardening
The joys of fall gardening include planting bulbs, planting cool season vegetables, planting trees and shrubs, and getting the garden ready for the winter to come. That's because fall just happens to be a great time in the garden. Even novice gardeners know that spring is a wonderful time for planting. Spring is Mother Nature’s season for rebirth, as new leaves emerge and flowers bloom. In Spring, every garden center is filled with annuals and perennials for planting. And seeds are sown for millions of backyard vegetable gardens. But experienced gardeners know the joys of fall gardening. They know autumn is also a wonderful time for gardening. And especially for planting. The summer days have cooled down, and plants are growing roots to help them hunker down for the chilly winter weather. Mike Lizotte is an experienced gardener. He is the managing partner of American Meadows, one of the top gardening companies in the United States. Mike is also known as "the seed man," … [Read more...] about The Joys of Fall Gardening
Best Gardening Shoes and Outdoor Boots
What are the best gardening shoes and outdoor boots for wet and dirty conditions? We’re talking about footwear for the great outdoors—in gardens, homesteads, farms, ranches, and other outdoor environments. Clearly, a pair of Van’s sneakers or beach flip-flops aren’t the best footwear for most garden activities. I can tell you this from personal experience. Cold, wet feet and injured toes are never a good idea. That’s why it’s important to find yourself a great pair of the best gardening shoes and outdoor boots. Your feet deserve nothing less than the best. Here’s the good news: there are LOTS of good choices when searching for the best gardening shoes and outdoor boots. We’re talking about waterproof shoes and tough, reinforced boots. And we’re also talking about gardening shoes and boots that are stylish enough to wear on errands. Like to the local coffee shop or the hardware store. Best Gardening Shoes and Outdoor Boots for Men and Women Here is a selection of the best … [Read more...] about Best Gardening Shoes and Outdoor Boots
