I’ve had so many customers come in recently with tomatoes in their hands or pictures of tomatoes on their phones because they have a problem with the fruit. With so many customers having tomato-growing challenges, I’m reposting this updated blog from last summer. If you’re growing tomatoes, here is a list of what you may … Read more
One of the things I enjoy most in my wildlife-friendly yard is watching the fireflies. What kid hasn’t run around their backyard at dusk chasing fireflies? When I was a kid, I remember summer evenings at my grandparents’ house. My grandparents, my parents, sometimes my favorite aunt and uncle, all sat on the front porch … Read more
You may be asking yourself, “What are Stepables, and what does this have to do with June being Perennial Gardening Month?” The quick answer is that Stepables are a series of hardy perennials that tolerate foot traffic. To give you a little background information, the Stepables series was started over 25 years ago by a … Read more
Can You Eat Flowers? (Yes, and Here’s How!) One thing I get asked a lot is about edible flowers. I’m usually too busy growing, weeding, watering, and feeding mine to think about eating them—but I do have a few that I have been known to nibble from time to time. Some are used more as … Read more
I’ve had several customers inquire recently about what to do about birds in their newly planted veggie gardens. You ask and we answer! Here are a few tips: Tips to Keep Birds Out of Your Garden Birds Aren’t Stupid Scarecrows work pretty well for several days. Birds are smart enough to figure out that the … Read more
I’ve had a lot of customers looking for a chemical-free way to control weeds. It can be done. Here’s how! 7 Ways to Control Weeds Without Chemicals The best defense is a good offense Keep your lawn healthy by fertilizing, watering, and overseeding in the fall. Mowing high, taller grass can shade tiny weed seeds … Read more
When thinking of hydrangeas, most people think of only the one hydrangea with blue blooms. Did you know that there are actually six family types of hydrangeas? This is where the confusion begins. I am going to do my best in explaining the hydrangea family. MAIN TYPES OF HYDRANGEA Here are the six main types … Read more
IT’S A DIVERSE FAMILY THAT LEADS TO CONFUSION Whenever you stop into the garden center or call and talk to me or any other plant specialist and ask, “Do you have Hibiscus?” – you usually end up getting two or three questions back at you, trying to figure out what type you are inquiring about. … Read more
What would spaghetti sauce be without the warm, savory flavor of basil? I can’t even imagine such a thing! So here is how to grow your own. Ocinum basilicum—Basil. Ocinum means “fragrance.” Basilicum is from the Greek basilikon—Royal. So—Royal fragrance—appropriate, don’t you think? Like many of our fragrant herbs, basil is a member of the … Read more
When it comes to choosing the right organic fertilizer, two trusted options often come up: Bio-Tone and Plant-Tone. While both are made by Espoma and both promote healthy, vibrant growth, they serve slightly different purposes in your garden. Let’s break it down—plus, we’ll explore the role of mycorrhizae, one of the most powerful (yet often … Read more
