Hosta is virtually carefree and comes back reliably year after year. Hardy in USDA zones 3-9, this tough plant performs well in most landscapes, even for beginning gardeners. Foliage occurs in shades of green, blue, white, gold, chartreuse and variegated patterns. Pointed leaves are heart-shaped or elongated, with smooth, pleated or wavy texture that creates […]
Butterfly gardens provide food and sanctuary for many vibrant species of Lepidoptera. This type of garden can be planted in even the busiest urban location. Offering even a small habitat can help support the butterfly population in your area. A container garden consisting of a few carefully selected bushes and flowering plants may be all […]
Peppers are a warm-season crop that comes in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. More good news: Most varieties resist garden pests! See our guide to planting, growing, harvesting peppers. About Bell Peppers Peppers have a long growing season (60 to 90 days), so most home gardeners buy starter pepper plants at the garden […]
When growing tomatoes and reading about them—on our website, store signs, and plant tags—you eventually encounter a lot of tomato growing terms. Determinate and indeterminate. Hybrid and heirloom. VFNT and SWV. What does all this mean? Determinate and Indeterminate When selecting tomato varieties, you must choose between plants with different types of growth habits called […]
Raised bed gardening is a simple technique that can improve the health and productivity of your garden. Raised beds have better soil structure and drainage, allowing the soil to warm up earlier in the season, and giving you a head start on spring. Stubborn perennial weeds can be less of a problem in raised beds […]
Seeds that are very large or fast growing are commonly sown directly outdoors where they are to grow. Your seed packets give this information for each type. Watch the Weather for the Best Time to Sow Seeds The key to direct sowing is to pick the right weather. Working back from your average last frost […]
Pansies are the colorful flowers with “faces.” A cool-weather favorite, pansies are great for both spring and fall gardens! Here’s how to plant pansies as well as keep them growing and blooming. About Pansies Pansies have heart-shaped, overlapping petals and one of the widest ranges of bright, pretty colors and patterns. Good for containers, borders, and as ground cover, they are […]
Some flower bulbs are meant to be planted once the soil is warmer. Here’s a fantastic chart with those spring-planted bulbs that flower all summer long and often into the fall for amazing color! Think dahlias, lilies, gladiolus, iris, begonia, and more! We list the name, hardiness zone, sun/shade, blooming season, and more! Common Name […]
