For many gardeners, the garden actually begins in January when the first seed catalog arrives in the mailbox. While the cold wind howls outside, we retire to a cozy chair and leaf through the catalog, carefully notating which varieties of lettuce and tomatoes to try and wishing we had the space to plant each and every flower so artfully displayed on its pages. But have you ever wondered where your great-grandparents acquired...

To those of you who have read my whining in these pages about the endless rain, good news! This past week we have had an abundance of sunshine. There have been a few t-storms late in the day, but the bright, warm sun has seemed miraculous. I’m sure than anyone who lives near the northeast appreciates what I am saying. The end of the deluge meant that I could finally get out and play in the dirt a little. And that’s...

(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...

Container gardens give those people who don’t have yards or room for a “regular” garden a way to grow the gardens they crave. Now, they can have a garden on a deck, patio or in a window box or even inside their houses. All types of plants can be grown: vegetables, shrubs, roses, annuals, perennials. The list is endless. Containers filled with colorful foliage and flowers can really brighten the...

Organic gardening is becoming a lot more popular as people become more aware of the chemicals that are used in conventional food production. It can be a little trickier than chemical-based gardening, but it’s worth it in the end. If you’re new to growing plants this way, these tips could help you increase your chances of success. 1. Start with the basics. Don’t be tempted to spend an enormous amount...

There is no denying that eating fresh vegetables has many great health benefits. However, it can be inconvenient to run to the market every other day or store fresh vegetables in your refrigerator or pantry. A small garden would be a viable answer to this dilemma. Survey your yard and see if you have the space for a small garden. If so, it is fairly easy to start your first vegetable and soon you will have fresh, delicious...

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...