Savvy Gardening

How far apart to plant hydrangeas in garden beds or for a hedge

Hydrangeas are popular, beautiful, and easy plants to grow for summer and autumn. They’re also long-flowering and not bothered by many pests or diseases. The large showy flowers persist for months and with such a range of plant and flower shapes and sizes, there is a hydrangea for every garden. But for the healthiest plants and best possible flower show they must be spaced properly. In this article you’ll learn how far apart to plant hydrangeas types and get tips on doing it right.

10 Late-blooming perennial flowers to attract butterflies in the fall

Written by Jessica Walliser

As the warm days of summer give way to the crisp air of autumn, you may find your garden lacking vibrant blooms, and with them, the butterflies that bring so much life and beauty to the landscape. My garden, on the other hand, is filled with late-blooming perennial flowers that offer a vital lifeline for butterflies, providing nectar at a time when resources are growing scarce. By planting these autumn beauties, you too can support butterfly populations and enjoy a burst of color long after most other flowers have faded. In this article, I’ll introduce you to 10 great late bloomers adored by butterflies in my garden.

Small pumpkins: How to plant, grow, and harvest small pumpkins

Written by Niki Jabbour

Small pumpkins are so much fun to grow! They’re easy and productive, often yielding a dozen or more pumpkins per plant. Kids love them but so do adults and the mini fruits can be used as autumn or Halloween decor, craft projects, or baked in pies and muffins. The pint-sized fruits offer a range of rind colors including classic orange, as well as white, bluish-green, or even bi-colors. In this article you’ll learn everything you need to know about planting, growing, and harvesting a bumper crop of small pumpkins, as well as discover the best varieties to grow.

Build a lettuce table from an old piece of furniture

Written by Tara Nolan

Several years ago, I saw a picture of a lettuce table in a magazine and knew it was something that I wanted to eventually make for myself. The idea appealed to both my green thumb and my crafty side. When I started writing my book, Raised Bed Revolution, I decided that this project had been lingering on my garden wish list for long enough. And a new book project provided the perfect opportunity to get my act in gear and finally build it.
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10 gardening tips to save money on groceries this fall

Written by Niki Jabbour

Put your garden to work now to save you money this fall. Not only can you expect a cost savings, but you’ll also enjoy fresh, healthy food packed with flavor. No outdoor space? No problem! There are also many vegetables and herbs that can be grown inside your home in fall, and even winter. In this article I’ll share 10 gardening tips to help you save money on groceries this fall.

Are caladiums perennials? Tips for saving caladiums

Written by Niki Jabbour

Caladiums are a tropical, leafy addition to ornamental gardens even in non-tropical areas, but are caladiums perennials? Known by the common names angel wings and elephant ears, we plant these pops of color as annuals because most of us in North America, the UK, and Europe see frosts and freezing temperatures; however, in caladium’s native frost-free Central America and South America, this plant is grown as a perennial. In this article, I’ll provide some of the reasoning behind the “are caladiums perennials” question, look at the best places to grow caladiums, explain how you can save and replant your caladiums year after year, and offer a few other caladium-growing tips.