Early Harvest TipsEnjoy your best early harvest with these handy tips on everything from thinning to trimming to picking. Read more…
Garden-Bed Design 101You don’t need a horticultural degree to design a simple garden bed. You do, however, need to be a well-prepared gardener. That means putting a little thought and planning into a sound garden design before picking up your shovel to dig. Master gardener Julianne Labreche explains. Read more…
Flowers for the Summer Shade GardenAlthough cool and restful in summer, shade gardens often lack the wow factor of flowers. However, by planting these showy bloomers, you can add color and interest to the shadier parts of your yard. Read more…
Watering Your Garden 101There’s nothing like a good rainfall to water your garden. But sometimes, especially during periods of extreme heat and drought, gardeners need to find other ways to hydrate plants without Mother Nature’s help. Too much and plants will rot and die; too little and they will wilt and perish. Master gardener Julianne Labreche explains how to be a water-wise gardener. Read more…
Sharpening LawnmowersAny tool with a cutting edge, whether old or new, must be sharp to perform satisfactorily. Fortunately, there are devices and kits available for sharpening these tools; however, the trick is to determine which one is needed. Read more...
The Early Spring GardenAs the snow melts, longer daylight hours and warmer weather bring early blooming plants to life. These signs of spring not only bring cheer to gardeners, they also provide pollinating insects with a critical food source. Read more…
Birdscaping 101Creating a bird-friendly garden is a landscaping trend that is sometimes called birdscaping. It offers endless hours of bird watching, calming bird songs and a way to help nature, too. Gardeners often benefit because birds eat so many insects, including ones that damage plants. Read more…
Ten Good Reasons for Using Drip Irrigationinstalling a drip irrigation system is the most efficient way of achieving the lush, green lawn or garden of your dreams. But we thought you might like to know some of the other advantages the drip system confers.
Hardening Off - Bootcamp for SeedlingsBefore moving seedlings from the pampered pot, where they received just the right amount of light, nutrients and water, to the garden plot, they need a little toughening up.
Spring BulbsMost gardeners look forward to seeing their spring bulbs flower, but what do you do when the flowering comes to an end? Here’s what you need to know about keeping bulbs viable for the next growing season. Read more…
Seed StartingHere’s everything you need to know about seed starting – from selecting what to grow to how much water and light is required to cultivate healthy, viable seedlings. Read more…
Spring Trumpets: DaffodilsEven an inexperienced gardener can recognize daffodils. Traditionally, they feature sturdy stems that project yellow trumpets backed by a fan of petals. Gardener Gina Dobrodzicka tells you all about this large, diversified plant family.
How to Plant Spring VegetablesGardener Niki Jabbour shows you how to get a jump on the growing season by direct seeding or transplanting certain vegetables now. Watch how to do it…
Spiny, Sun-Loving SucculentsGardener Gina Dobrodzicka explains how cacti’s peculiar features allow them to thrive in extreme conditions.
How to Live with Squirrels in the GardenThink of squirrels as pests? Tired of fighting a war against them? Here’s how master gardener Julianne Labreche learned to coexist with them and how you can, too. Read more…
How to Plant Fall BulbsShake off the gardeners’ blues that tend to surface at the end of the growing season. Now is the time to get a start on next year by planting your spring bulbs. Read more…
How to Store Your Vegetable Harvest: UpdateIn this follow-up to the article How to Store Your Vegetable Harvest, gardener Karen Bertelsen tells us how her produce has fared. Read more…
Groundcovers: The Glue of the GardenHorticulturist Frank Kershaw says that if he could have only one group of plants in his garden, it would be groundcovers. These plants come in a variety of forms and have many important uses in the garden. Read more…
How to Save Lettuce SeedsSometimes being a bit of a lazy gardener can work to your advantage. Gardener Karen Bertelsen explains. Read more…
Rewilding the GardenRewilding is a gardening (and environmental) approach that focusses on returning cultivated spaces to those where biodiversity thrives. Gardener Julianne Labreche explains how she did so in her urban garden. Read more…
How to Store Your Vegetable HarvestBy properly curing and storing your harvested vegetables, you can potentially enjoy them for months to come. Read more…
Cherries for Northern ClimatesRomance series cherry bushes are disease-resistant and hardy to zone 2. For any northern gardener, they’re worth getting to know. Read more…
How to Save Tomato SeedsThere are just a few steps involved in saving the seeds of an heirloom tomato. Here’s how to do it. Read more…
How to Enhance Your Garden With Recycled ObjectsMore and more gardeners are salvaging discarded objects to use as innovative garden accessories. Traditional ornaments such as statues, gazing balls and obelisks now vie for garden turf with recycled doors, Gothic-arch windows and even old bicycles. Read more…
The Popularity of Variegated PlantsWith new offerings gracing nursery shelves every year, variegated plants are certainly popular. This enthusiasm has even spawned a fraternity of collectors and connoisseurs whose gardens are devoted to such plants. Find out how variegated foliage can add a little flair to your garden. Read more…
How to Succession Plant for a Non-Stop Summer HarvestSecond plantings can keep your vegetable garden productive for longer. Gardener Niki Jabbour explains which vegetables can be direct seeded or transplanted during the summer months to extend your harvest. Read more…
How to Deal with Garden PestsMost gardeners are in their glory during the growing season. Harmful pests, however, can really put a damper on things. Gardener and author Niki Jabbour provides some tips on how to deal with the most common ones before they become a problem. Read more…
A Natural Cottage GardenIt may seem contradictory, but design is as important in a natural garden as it is in any other type of landscape. Although it takes some time and care to create a no-fuss garden, after it’s established it will be almost maintenance free. Despite its benefits, a common complaint about a natural garden is that it can often appear unkempt. Good design will remedy this. Read more…
Big Color, Small BudgetI confess: I am addicted to color. My passion is intense eye-grabbing combinations of plants that look good over a long period of time. If you want lots of color in your garden, but have a small budget, read on. Read more…
Horrors in the Garden: Hazardous PlantsGardener Julianne Labreche highlights a few unpleasant, potentially horrific plants. Beware: some can even be found in and around the home. Read more…
The Sweet Smell of Garden SuccessWhen selecting scented plants, it’s important to think beyond just bloom fragrance. Other plant parts can also provide lasting aroma, such as foliage (lavender), bark (sassafras), roots (wild ginger) and berries (bayberry shrub). Read more …
Leaf Indicators of Tree HealthThe leaves of a tree can indicate when it is stressed from lack of water or nutrients, if it is being attacked by pests or is diseased. Here is how to recognize the symptoms and treat them before it is too late. Read more …
Easy-Growing DayliliesThis species abounds with such generous ease, it is nearly impossible to own merely one plant. Clumped around a mailbox, at the edge of a wall, along a path or around a pond, daylilies flourish, adding their touch of brilliant color and soft waves of curved green spears. Read more…
How to Build a Raised Garden BedThis functional and attractive raised-garden box features a trellis that not only allows plants to climb, but also provides privacy. And you don’t need an extensive power-tool collection to build it. Read more…
Add Color to Your Garden with Berry-Producing PlantsEver since I can remember, I have loved all kinds of berries. In my garden, I carried over my affection to include those that are inedible for humans but are an important part of the diets of many feathered or furred creatures. Read more …
Features of Great Garden DesignMore homeowners are designing their own gardens these days. Whether the motivation is budgetary considerations or simply a do-it-yourself attitude, there's a certain satisfaction that comes from creating your own garden masterpiece. Read more …
How to Grow a Garden for BirdsNo matter where you live, in an urban or a rural setting, most people enjoy watching and feeding the birds. Consider lending birds a helping hand by creating a bird-friendly habitat. The key is biodiversity—the greater the variety of plants, such as trees, shrubs, native flowers and grasses, the greater the numbers of birds you will attract. Read more …
Side Yard DesignSide yards are often thought of as leftover space, but these transition areas are critical to the overall design, functionality and appreciation of the garden. Horticulturalist Frank Kershaw explains how to get yours in tip-top shape. Read more…
Sharing the Garden with ChildrenSharing the joys and rewards of gardening with children can provide even more pleasure and reward for the gardener. Read more...
Growing a Kitchen Herb GardenFor the gardener with a penchant for delicious fresh food who also has limited space, time and money, a kitchen herb garden is a way to have a little piece of paradise and eat it too. Julianne Lebreche, who has a passion for both gardening and cooking, explains how simple it is to do. Read more…
Weed ControlWeeds present a dilemma to gardeners, groundskeepers and farmers. They can play the simultaneous roles of friend and fiend. Read more...
Build a Monarch Butterfly Way StationButterfly gardens help offset habitat loss caused by development and urban sprawl. While these gardens don’t require a lot of space, they do involve specific research to find a safe location with suitable plants. Gardener Julianne Labreche provides tips on how to start one of your own. Read more…
Planting a TreeTo plant a tree is to believe in tomorrow. Proper preparation prior to planting, care taken while planting and continued nurturing after planting are all crucial to ensuring a freshly planted tree lives to fulfill that belief. Read more...
Garden Bugs: The Good and the BadBugs of all kinds will always frequent outdoor gardens. Many cause only minor damage that can be easily absorbed. Allowing for this minor damage and being able to properly identify the good and bad bugs will go a long way in keeping your plants and your garden healthy. Read more...
The Secret World of RadishesRadishes are cool-season vegetables that mature rapidly to produce multiple crops. Gardener Karen Bertelsen explains what you need to know to grow them. Read more…
Simple Window Box, Step by StepGardener and blogger Karen Bertelsen explains how to build a window box that’s easy to make and looks great. Read more…
Dividing PerennialsPerennials, which increase in size every year, can start to overtake your flower beds. Keep your garden looking tidy and improve flower production by dividing these oversized plants. Here’s how to do it. Read more…
An Easy to Build Garden BenchWoodworker George Hammond used offcuts and left-over deck boards to make a small garden bench that can be easily moved. Here’s how he did it. Read more…
Salad SquaresUsing the salad-square method for cultivating lettuce, you can enjoy fresh greens throughout the year. Learn more…
Homemade Hypertufa PlanterLooking to add an interesting accent to your home or garden? Learn how to make your own lightweight planter that’s ideal for alpine plants. Read more…
Creating a Community Butterfly GardenLoss of breeding habitat is a major threat to monarchs and other butterflies. And while a small butterfly garden can’t supplant important natural habitat, it can certainly do much to help these insects. Here’s how master gardener Julianne Labreche, along with friends and neighbors, built one in her community.
Pretty Pansies, Violas and VioletsTo combat last year’s winter blues, gardener Julianne Labreche grew pansies from seed. Here’s how she did it.
Fragrance Beyond FlowersIn the plant world, scent is not an attribute of flowers exclusively. Many fragrances beyond blooms are awaiting discovery in your garden.
Drying HerbsA how-to guide for preserving the flavor of garden herbs long after the harvest.Read more...
