Savvy Gardening

Low tunnel hoops for weather and pest protection

Low tunnel hoops are one of my favorite ways to extend the homegrown harvest in my vegetable garden as well as protect my crops from pests. These compact structures are just miniature greenhouses and are quick and easy to build. I make mine from easily sourced materials like PVC conduit or 9 gauge wire and top them with an assortment of lightweight covers. In this article you’ll learn how you can use low tunnel hoops to maximize production in your vegetable garden.

When to cut back salvias: Prune in the fall or wait until spring?

Written by Tara Nolan

To me salvias are dependable, hardy plants that have both nice foliage and flowers. I grow a few perennial varieties that all do well in my garden. Understanding how and when to cut back salvias is a cinch. Giving plants a light trim or, in some cases, a heavier pruning is important for their overall health. If you don’t prune them, some salvia types can become unruly over time. Fortunately, with a little know-how, a good pair of snips, and some patience, you’ll be rewarded with fresh new growth, loads of bright salvia blooms, and the bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds they invariably attract.

Boston fern care: Your guide to a lush and healthy plant

Written by Jessica Walliser

Boston ferns (Nephrolepis exaltata) have earned their reputation as one of the most popular houseplants thanks to their elegant, feathery fronds and easy care. These lush plants offer a classic charm that brightens both homes and gardens. Originating from tropical and subtropical regions, Boston ferns were a favorite in Victorian parlors and continue to be a popular addition to modern living rooms. In this article, I’ll walk you through Boston fern care, including light, watering, fertilizing, and more.
READ MORE » about Boston fern care: Your guide to a lush and healthy plant

Types of houseplant bugs: Who they are and what to do about them

Written by Jessica Walliser

While having the correct light levels and watering properly are two of the most important steps in growing healthy indoor plants, houseplant growers also have to constantly monitor their plants for signs of pests. There are many types of houseplant bugs, and arming yourself with a little information goes a long way toward preventing or eliminating an infestation. In this article, I’ll introduce you to some of the most common houseplant pests and hand you tips to prevent and control them.

How to collect and store dill seeds for planting or cooking

Written by Tara Nolan

I’ve planted dill seeds in a raised bed once and I haven’t had to plant them since. That’s because I let dill flowers go to seed. As those seeds start to dry, it’s inevitable that some will escape into the garden before I have a chance to harvest them. I don’t mind because I love dill and dill seedlings appear in all my raised beds at some point throughout the growing season. That means I always have fresh dill to harvest.

When to harvest spaghetti squash: Plus tips for curing & storing

Written by Niki Jabbour

Knowing when to harvest spaghetti squash means the difference between having flavorful, pasta-like squash noodles in your bowl and a watery squash disappointment. Spaghetti squash are long-season crops that take most of the growing season to fully mature in many parts of the US. They give you the chance to exercise your patience as you watch the seed you planted develop into lovely roping vines with small green fruits. Anticipation will continue building as those small green fruits become football-sized and take on a white and then yellow shade. This is how you know when to harvest spaghetti squash. In this article, read about different ways to determine your spaghetti squash’s maturity, as well as how to harvest, cure, and store this squash so you can eat your garden bounty through the fall and winter. (This is why it’s called winter squash, after all!)