Rule #1 - there are exceptions to every rule. Categories of herbaceous (not woody) plants can be confusing to newbies because it's the opposite of what makes sense. Annual - every year, right? Nope, annuals complete their life cycle in one season. Most annuals bloom all summer; most perennials flower for a few days or weeks each year. For a garden with lots of color, plant both. Remember that attractive foliage can contribute to a handsome garden. Annuals - [...]

Do you listen to podcasts? The gardening ones we love (A Way to Garden, Growing Greener, Into the Garden with Leslie, Plantrama (with our friend C.L.), Let's Argue About Plants) often have authors as guests. Recently we heard Jessica Wallister speak of her newest book Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden - A Natural Approach to Pest Control. Eye-opening indeed. We've been proselytizing about planting for pollinators and planting natives. How about planting to attract beneficial insects? Another gardening [...]

Last week we were feeling pretty secure with the temperatures above freezing in the long range forecast. Sigh. Very cold nights are predicted for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. We will be rolling all we can fit into the greenhouses. Though cold hardened violas, pansies and bulb plants can freeze solid and live on, the experience doesn't usually make them prettier and we we like our posies prime for you. At home any newly planted pansies, perennials or herbs that [...]

As spring unfolds we are reminded of how much our gardens mean to us. The simple pleasures we have of watching spring bulbs emerge, buds on trees beginning to swell and waiting for the first pansies of the season to arrive will never be taken for granted. As we watch the tragic events unfold in Ukraine, the sunflower has become a symbol of hope and strength for the people of Ukraine. Whether your garden consists of acres of [...]