Readers have asked for advice on planting a deer-proof garden. In a word: plastic. However, when it comes to real, living plants, “deer-proof” is not a realizable goal. The best we can hope for is to come up with a…
Deer-proof Garden
Category: Gardening & Landscape
Growing Castor Bean
Castor Bean, Ricinus communis With oversized, tropical-looking leaves and bizarre seed pods, castor bean is an exotic addition to the ornamental garden. The only member of the genus, Ricinus communis is in the Spurge Family (Euphorbiaceae). The word ricinus is…
Planting a tree
Planting a tree is a long-term investment. Besides adding beauty to your landscape, a tree helps the environment by taking up carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas that is such a big driver in climate change. It can provide shade to…
Planting Trees and Shrubs (How-to)
Planting a tree is a long-term investment. Besides adding beauty to your landscape, a tree helps the environment by taking up carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas that is such a big driver in climate change. It can provide shade to…
Breathe New Life into Your Patio or Front Door with a Group of Container Gardens
Plants in containers have small footprints but make a big, beautiful impression. They’re a welcome sight at a front door, bring life to a back patio, and can even serve as a lush centerpiece on an outdoor table. Flora Grubb,…
Old Farm Equipment for Home and Garden Decor
Old farm equipment adds a rustic touch to decor for the backyard, garden, front porch — or even inside, in moderation. Everything from wagon wheels to a wooden wheelbarrow may be repurposed into decor around the garden; in some cases,…
How to Grow Vegetables and Flowers in a Container
No space? No problem! You can grow flowers, herbs, and even vegetables in containers. Pots, tubs, and half barrels overflowing with flowers add appeal to any garden, but container gardening can serve a practical purpose too. Container gardening is ideal for those…
Growing Herbs is Easy
Growing herbs are easy to grow; all you need is a windowsill. And, unlike in retail stores, you get to choose from hundreds of different varieties of plants which can be overwhelming. For example most people love Basil and the…
Survival of the Fittest
Survival of the fittest. You see that every day in the garden, and not only among plants and bugs. Every spring I barely survive my own enthusiasm. This is the time of year when I’m wishing the snow away and…
Plant Containers for added Appeal for the Front of your Home
Admit it: your house might not be the dumpiest on the street, but it could probably use a little pick-me-up. It doesn’t take much to spruce up your house and add a little extra curb appeal, especially through container gardening.…
Confronted by Eggplant
I recall once being confronted by cold eggplant on my plate at the end of the meal when very young. I didn’t like the looks of it and had postponed eating it until last. But my mother had a firm…
Landscape Lighting (Solar vs Low-voltage)
Solar Lighting System vs Low Voltage Landscape Lighting While considering adding a solar lighting system to your home, you have likely done research that has led you towards either solar lights or low voltage lighting. If you have read any…
Gardening in Containers
Well the garden centers are getting ready for spring with all of the lights, ornaments, and containers. As I get older many annuals are going into containers making it easier to take care of plus the added bonus that you…
Starting Vegetables and Flowers Indoors
Growing seeds indoors isn’t hard; it’s keeping them alive that can be challenging. You can save a lot of money by growing seeds depending on how large your planting beds are, but only if they live and turn into robust plants.…
Do What I Say, Not What I Do
It is winter, so I’m constantly reminded of good garden practices that I fail to follow through on. Maybe a public confession here, of what I know I should be doing. “What I should have done” is my garden motto.…