Summer is the season for gardening, and it’s also the time to read the best new gardening books. There’s something delightful about finding a comfortable spot outdoors and reading a great book. It’s one of the joys that makes summer special. This year we have a bountiful crop of great new gardening books for summer reading. So, pour a cold glass of lemonade, pull up a chair and get lost in the best new gardening books this summer. Mini Meadows: Grow a Little Patch of Colorful Flowers Anywhere around Your Yard What makes a book one of the best new gardening books for summer reading? In Mini Meadows by Mike Lizotte, it’s taking a familiar topic and putting a completely new spin on it. Mike Lizotte wants you to rethink what a meadow is. Most people hear the word meadow and picture a large, grassy expanse of land sprinkled with wildflowers. That’s one kind of meadow, to be sure. But according to Lizotte, a meadow can be any size of flower garden that is informal in … [Read more...] about Best New Gardening Books for Summer Reading
vegetables
Top 10 Vegetables for Container Gardening
Container gardens can be an oasis of beauty on a deck, balcony or patio. Even container vegetable gardens can be beautiful. But most gardeners who grow vegetables in containers don’t do it for the beauty. They’re in it for the tasty vine-ripened tomatoes, the spicy hot peppers, the crunchy radishes and the tender salad greens. If you’ve never tried container gardening before, you’re missing out on a great way to learn about gardening. And if you have grown vegetables in containers, you might be surprised at the new varieties of veggies that have recently been introduced with container gardening in mind. Whether you are a newbie to gardening or a Master Gardener, now is a great time to grow a container garden full of edible plants. My list of the Top 10 Container Garden Vegetables is below, along with descriptions, photos and a link to where you can buy the seeds. If you want to read more about container gardening, read Tips for Growing Successful Container Gardens. Start … [Read more...] about Top 10 Vegetables for Container Gardening
Tips for Seed Starting Success
Long before winter is over, I start thinking about seed starting. But I’ve never written down my tips for seed starting success—until now. Starting plants from seed is rewarding in any ways. You get a whole tray full of seedlings for the price of one pack of seeds. You can share them with other gardening friends. Most importantly, you can cultivate many more varieties than are available as seedlings at your local garden centers and home supply stores. Here are a few seed starting success tips to get you started. Also read our story about the Best New Vegetable Seed Varieties. Tips for Seed Starting Success #1 The first tip for seed starting success is really important. Start with fresh, quality seeds that have been properly stored in a dark, dry, and cool spot. Good seeds mean reliable germination rates. Check the date on the seed packet. Discard old seeds or any packs that look like they have been exposed to moisture. Local garden centers are a great source for fresh … [Read more...] about Tips for Seed Starting Success
Plant Seeds Now for a Tasty Fall Harvest
Everyone knows that spring is a great time to plant seeds in the garden. Spring is an exciting time for gardeners, and most gardens get off to an amazing start in the springtime. Unfortunately, many gardeners let their gardens peter out at the end of the season. But late summer and early fall is the perfect time to plant seeds for another wave of tasty veggies in September, October and beyond. If you don't have seeds leftover from your spring planting, don't worry. Many garden catalogs and websites have late-summer discounts on seeds-- and so do local garden centers. You can also check out the wide variety of vegetable seeds available on Amazon. Why You Should Grow a Fall Food Garden Most of us are focused on growing food in spring and summer, but fall can easily be the most productive time to plant seeds in the garden. Here are just a few fall food garden benefits: Warm late-summer temperatures mean fast germination and early growth Late summer harvests mean … [Read more...] about Plant Seeds Now for a Tasty Fall Harvest