Preparing your garden for winter is a fall activity for millions of gardeners and homeowners. If you are reading this story right now, you are in good company! Most people tend to think of spring when it comes to planting and gardening. However, autumn is a great time to get a head start on your garden for the following year. Here are a few things you should consider when preparing your garden for those cold winter months. Trim Hedges and Shrubs Preparing your garden for winter can begin with trimming your hedges and shrubs. The growth rate of plants slows down due to the cooler temperatures and reduced daylight. If you complete some prep during autumn, you won’t be faced with a lot of yard tasks during the winter. Pruning your hedges and shrubs in autumn makes them less vulnerable to freezing. And autumn is not bird nesting season, which is an important consideration when cutting back hedgerows. Working with heavy power tools can be dangerous, so you may want to … [Read more...] about Preparing Your Garden for Winter
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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
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
How to Install a French Drain
If you have drainage problems in your landscape, here are step-by-step instructions on how to install a French drain. Drainage problems in your yard or on your acreage property can be bothersome—and sometimes dangerous. If you have drainage problems in the landscape, then you’ll want to learn how to install a French drain. Does water puddle around your foundation after a rain? Or perhaps standing water covers your walkway or patio. Drainage problems can lead to more serious damage to house foundations or pavement. Fortunately, it is easy to redirect water. We’ll teach you how to install a French drain and protect your home and landscape from water damage. What is a French Drain? A French drain might sound fancy. But it’s a simple solution to move water from a problem area to a more desirable location. The drain itself is nothing more than a narrow trench lined with gravel and fitted with pipe to move water. One common application of a French drain is along the … [Read more...] about How to Install a French Drain
How to Repot a Peace Lily Houseplant
Here are simple steps to repot a peace lily houseplant. Do you need to repot a peace lily houseplant—or another type of houseplant—but aren’t sure where to start? This post will explain what to look for when your peace lily (Spathiphyllum) is ready for a larger pot. I will also show you exactly how to repot your peace lily houseplant step-by-step with photos. The following steps can also be used to repot other varieties of houseplants. These include pothos, monstera, snake plant, fiddle leaf fig, African violet, money tree, jade plant, and more. For more information about some great house plant varieties, read Best Flowering Houseplants. Does Your Peace Lily Need a Bigger Pot? You won’t know for sure if your peace lily is root bound unless you take it out of the pot and inspect it. But here’s what to look for that indicates your plant is ready for a bigger pot. You may notice at least one, if not more, of the following: It’s Time to Repot a Peace Lily Houseplant If … [Read more...] about How to Repot a Peace Lily Houseplant