Gardening Tips

Savvy Senior Gardening

June 24, 2019 // 0 Comments

Gardening is a good way for seniors to keep fit while they grow nutritious food. It is great therapy as well for those age-related ailments. A garden can be designed, modified or built to accommodate the physical limitations of the gardener. This includes: using raised, elevated or “stand-up” beds to make [ ...click to read more ]

October To-Do List

October 3, 2016 // 0 Comments

Once houseplants are moved indoors, hold off fertilizing until after March 21st. Wipe the pots with damp paper towels, inspect for insects or webs, and bring the plants inside before the end of October. Pot up small parsley and basil plants and bring them inside. Place by a sunny window. They’ll grow very nicely [ ...click to read more ]

Gardening Tips

June 27, 2016 // 1 Comment

In the garden, don’t be concerned with having perfectly straight rows. To fill in empty areas in a row, consider planting bush beans, garlic, onions, or marigolds. Marigolds and garlic provide color and also deter pests and insects. Label all plants growing in containers or in the gardens. It’s easy to forget what [ ...click to read more ]

Rooting Cuttings (and other Joys of Spring)

April 19, 2016 // 2 Comments

How to Root Cuttings It’s easy to root cuttings of azaleas, rhododendrons, crape myrtle and other woody plants! Take cuttings that are about six inches long — this month is a good time. Strip the leaves off the bottom two inches of the stems and dip them in a rooting hormone. Plant the base of each cutting in [ ...click to read more ]

Your Indoor and Outdoor Garden — Suggestions for Winter

February 2, 2016 // 3 Comments

To test last years garden seeds for viability, wrap 10 – 20 seeds in a damp paper towel and place it in a plastic bag for 10 days. If less than half the seeds germinate, buy fresh seeds for this coming garden season. For your indoor plants, now would be a good time to divide and re-pot any root-bound house [ ...click to read more ]

Quick and Easy Guide to Starting a Garden Plot

May 24, 2015 // 1 Comment

Healthy soil is a complex ecosystem containing roots, rotting organic matter, minerals, earthworms, bacteria and a myriad of other living organisms. An ideal home for your future herbs and vegetables ! You will want to keep your soil this way, and not put in herbicides or other chemical weed killers when you start a [ ...click to read more ]

Your Best Garden Ever- Part 2

February 17, 2015 // 0 Comments

Planting season for spring crops begin 6 weeks before the last spring frost, but tomatoes and peppers and other warm season vegetables are planted later. Usually May 10th is considered “frost free” by then. Wait until the days are warm, and night time temperatures are above 50 degrees. Potatoes: [ ...click to read more ]

Garden Tips

June 11, 2014 // 1 Comment

If ants are a problem, try sprinkling a mixture of ground cinnamon and dried catnip around the porch and outdoor areas. A good place to buy ground cinnamon and dried catnip is the Dollar Tree. Look for the cinnamon in the spice aisle and the catnip in the pet section. Moles dislike thorns and sticky objects. [ ...click to read more ]

February in the Herb Garden

February 1, 2014 // 0 Comments

February has 28 days this year. Mild, even warm days can be followed by spells of bone-chilling temperatures and heavy snow. Protect tender herb shoots that may emerge this month. A one or two inch layer of finished compost or well-rotted leaf mold can be applied to the herb beds. A favorite soil conditioner of mine [ ...click to read more ]

September in the Herb Garden

September 1, 2013 // 0 Comments

Softwood cuttings can be started this month. Before you take the cuttings, closely examine the plants. Some may be too woody or brittle. Take cuttings only from stems that are slightly flexible. Make sure the shoots are firm and green at the base, but soft and pliable at the top. Remove the cuttings with a sharp knife [ ...click to read more ]