Editors Note: Organic gardening soil has been debated for decades. The below article or opinion was penned by F.F. Rockwell over 60 years ago. What organic gardeners do is really worthwhile. However, what they say is often unbelievable. How do you define organic gardening? It’s not about natural pest control. It’s about improving the soil by … Read more
Peek into the gardens of landscape designers and expert gardeners, and you’re sure to see at least one of the hellebores. Why? Simple. These long-lived perennials have handsome evergreen leaves. Several varieties unfold lovely flowers during the bleak winter months, and their culture is easy. Give hellebores a permanent, partially shaded home in deeply dug … Read more
There is such a vast difference in the beauty and habits of various camellias that the home gardener who has “got the bug” should have some help before they start collecting them. The camellia is an evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves. It bears single, semidouble, or fully double flowers in white, pink, red, and … Read more
Tulips If you bought tulip bulbs early in the season and placed them on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator (not the freezing compartment), they are ready to plant now. Two to three weeks of chilling helps to give larger, longer-stemmed flowers. There is still time to buy tulip bulbs and refrigerate them properly before … Read more
Get Ready for Winter By November first, either we’ve had “it,” or we are waiting for “it.” “It,” of course, is the first hard freeze. One fact we do know – we never escape November without a freeze. If delayed, it is usually harder than if it comes early. Now is an excellent time to … Read more
Azaleas and Camellias Plants of these evergreens are well budded now, so make sure they get enough water during this normally dry month. It is also an excellent time to plant azaleas, mainly because the weather is cool for strenuous work. You can move azaleas anytime, provided they are kept watered until re-established. Camellias are … Read more
Lawns Keep mowing as long as the grass keeps growing. If you haven’t yet spread fertilizer, there is still time to do so. A well-fertilized lawn will stay green all winter. Run the leaf mulcher through the fallen leaves two or three times to ensure they are finely chopped and thinly spread; otherwise, rake them … Read more
All too often, rose catalogs use the word “hardy” to describe roses that are not capable of surviving the average northern winter without careful protection. That is why so many gardeners decide that they cannot grow them. They buy roses that die in the winter, and the conclusion is that in their area, roses are … Read more
Summary: The well-known bedding Geranium is immune to most insect pests. Its round, velvety, scented foliage is attractive with brilliant long-lasting flowers, is an excellent potted plant. There are many different geraniums grown under the name – Pelargoniums. Below we’ve assembled some answers to questions in growing and caring for the lovely geranium. Question: How is geranium … Read more
Botanically, Christmas Cactus is, indeed, a true cactus; but for its well-being, it really should have been given some other common name. The word “cactus” brings visions of extreme heat, sand, and dry air to many people. Consequently, these would-be gardeners give any and all cacti the growing conditions they assume (incorrectly, by the way) … Read more