Now that garden activity are in full swing, too, are aching muscles! The joy and enthusiasm of gardening are often dampened because the unused muscles rebel due mainly to incorrect gardening carriage and motion. What do we do for our muscles? Do we take advantage of last year’s painful experience? Do we prepare ourselves by … Read more
Nature has planned to use insects or the wind for breeding flowering plants. Food and drink in the form of pollen and nectar induce insects to do the work. Even though bees do not know what they are doing, the job is done. A new element now enters nature’s plan—intelligence on the part of the … Read more
The long warm days of June provide us with enough added hours to enjoy the garden and give it the attention it needs. Plants are growing actively now, so keep them watered and give them feeding with a balanced fertilizer, including an application of superphosphate or bonemeal. Lilacs Need Attention Remove faded flower heads from … Read more
Twenty-one years ago, I began experimenting with mulches for flowers, root crops, above-ground crops, and fruits. I do not recall why I started working with various mulching materials. Still, I recall discussing mulching, fertilizing, and soils with my next doer neighbor, a canny Scandinavian and topflight gardener. He once made a remark I have remembered … Read more
The enticing scents of herbal teas a-brewing are reminiscent of a past wherein life’s needs were simple, its course directed by humble wisdom. Somewhere along the way, we have lost the charm of the aroma of fragrant teas steaming in a porcelain pot and of delicate china cups arranged cozily by a geranium-filled window. Different … Read more
May is a pleasant month in the garden. One of the essential chores is not to allow plants to dry out. If the soil is dry, soak the ground deeply since plenty of water is necessary when plants are growing actively. Plan to Mulch Now To help conserve moisture during the hot, dry months of … Read more
In June, the vegetable garden really begins to pay dividends. Radishes, spinach, lettuce, green onions, peas, turnips, beet greens, and others will be in good supply, and—if you got an early start—even broccoli and cabbage before the end of the month. So the gardener is inclined to take it easy and rest on his oars. … Read more
May Bursts into Bloom After months of pondering and planning, followed by the April campaign of digging, cleaning, and pruning, which set winter-lazy muscles protesting, we find ourselves thrilling anew to the full glory of color, fresh fragrance, and abundant bloom that is Maytime in the garden. Learn By Seeing Now comes the unrivaled opportunity … Read more
Lima beans have a good texture and a delicious flavor. Of all the different vegetables grown in the garden, lima beans are almost the last to mature. At first, you might think this is a drawback, but it is not. They grow after the peas have finished, and while they cannot take their place, they, … Read more
Now that the outdoor garden requires a more significant part of your time don’t neglect your greenhouse. Greenhouse gardening can be more than a winter proposition, mainly since the initial investment is considerable. It would be a shame not to use the greenhouse the year around and get the total return of summer fun and … Read more