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
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Make Your Own Houseplant Soil Mix
Make your own houseplant soil mix or potting soil and you will save lots of money. You will also give your houseplants and container gardening plants the perfect growing media they need for optimal health and growth. One of the most critical aspects of houseplant and container plant care is soil. The right potting mix can mean the difference between a happy, healthy plant and one that struggles. While buying pre-mixed potting soil is possible, it's also easy to make your own. This article about how to make your houseplant soil mix will cover potting soil recipes and the proper ingredients. That’s because houseplants grow best in a soil mix that is specifically designed for them. A good houseplant soil mix comprises several ingredients, including potting soil, peat moss, and compost. Each component adds a particular characteristic to the soil mix. By varying the proportions, you can achieve the desired attributes. Let us discuss in detail the essential characteristics of … [Read more...] about Make Your Own Houseplant Soil Mix
Top Calathea Plants and How to Grow Them
How to Grow the Top Varieties of Calathea Plants Calatheas are renowned for their stunning green foliage adorned with stunning patterns and striking hues. The leaves of the Calathea plant represent stunning shades of green, making them the perfect choice for any room. Calathea plants are usually referred to as Prayer plants because of the leaves’ distinctive movement with day and night light variation. Calathea can be a difficult houseplant choice for plant parents. People appear to either like them or dislike them. This is understandable since they can be somewhat demanding to maintain. However, once you've figured them out, they are fairly easy to care for. 7 Popular Varieties of Calathea Plants Here are a few of my top Calathea varieties I'm sure you'll enjoy as much as I do! Calathea Orbifolia Calathea Orbifolia or Round Leaf Calathea is a beautiful but difficult plant to maintain. It has large, round leaves with silvery stripes. It is so attractive, and those who … [Read more...] about Top Calathea Plants and How to Grow Them
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
Best Gardening Podcasts for Fun and Inspiration
The best gardening podcasts can entertain, inform, and inspire you. You might be a beginning gardener or a professional landscaper. Either way, there is plenty you can learn from the best gardening podcasts. How many garden podcasts are there? More than the number of ripening fruits on a healthy cherry tomato plant. Way more. Each of these best gardening podcasts offers a wealth of ideas, tips and tricks to help you become a better gardener. Here are some of the best gardening podcasts that you can listen to right now. And don't forget to check out the Home Garden and Homestead Store on Amazon to find great garden and home products. Best Gardening Podcasts: Plantrama The co-hosts of Plantrama, Ellen Zachos and C.L. Fornari, like to say that this is the podcast where there are no stupid questions…as long as the topic is plants. From houseplants to holly, cacti to cannabis, or roses to radishes, each weekly episode covers the world of plants. Zachos and Fornari deliver … [Read more...] about Best Gardening Podcasts for Fun and Inspiration
