Getting your trees, shrubs off to a good start The methods for planting large shrubs and trees vary, depending on whether you buy a plant in a container, in a burlap wrap, or in bare root form. On this page you’ll find the many planting and transplanting techniques for shrubs and trees and for special plants such...

Wherever you buy your plants, seeds, or bulbs, the problem is the same as always: How do you choose the healthiest, strongest plant for your garden? The first step is to find a nursery with conscientious employees who know their stock and can advise you. Ask friends and neighbors for their suggestions on where to go, and then try to do your shopping on off hours or off days when the pressure of business is light. Following...

Here's my gardening companion, Chance. Some years ago when my wife and I had cats, one of our more mischievous felines was a small male named Cooper. We used to call Cooper the “Vomit Comet.” Cooper liked playing with one of our English Ivy houseplants. Without warning the tranquil stillness of our home would suddenly be disrupted by a hideous cat-vomiting sound, followed by the blurry flash of what looked...

(Here’s a complete assortment of great weigela shrubs.) When I first moved to my current home some ten years ago, I needed to do a total makeover of the shrub and flower beds in front of my house. The first shrub I planted was a Wine and Roses Weigela. It was one of the best gardening decisions this new gardener has made. I planted the weigela next to the steps leading up to my front door. From the second season...

Seeds Just looking at a seed rack may prompt this kind of daydream: You can picture many flowers already in bloom and vegetables and herbs seem to sprout growth right there on the seed rack. This kind of daydreaming can be so pleasant that beginning gardeners are often unprepared to meet problems that may occur later on. Before you rush to the store for seeds, however, look over the warnings and suggestions that follow....

Great gardening starts with great plants! If you are interested in purchasing any of the plants that you see, thanks to our relationship with Nature Hills Nursery, Inc., you will get great products at a terrific price.  At the same time, you will be supporting our efforts here at New Gardener.com. Please keep in mind that you will never pay more by placing your order through...

March is a great month for trimming and tidying. Get it done now because a month from now you’ll be busy cleaning dirt from under your fingernails. March is one of the most important months of the year for fertilizing because it is the start of the growing season. Feed (16-16-16) fruit and ornamental trees, groundcovers, shrubs, perennials and annuals that have been in the ground at least six weeks. Feed your container...

People who love to garden also tend to enjoy watching butterflies flitting about. After all, butterflies are just as pretty to look at as the flowers that they visit. Gardeners can entice even more butterflies to visit their gardens by creating gardens specifically for butterflies. It’s quite easy to create a butterfly garden. You may even find that you already grow some flowers that attract butterflies. With just a...