Savvy Gardening

Drought-tolerant flowers: Low-maintenance perennials for the garden

Drought-tolerant flowers have always been wise options for the garden. They are low-maintenance, save money, and can thrive in periods with no rain. Most summers have occasional dry spells (and there are regions that typically have zero to low rainfall), but climate change is exacerbating these conditions. The time between rains is often stretched out, which can cause stress on the perennials, shrubs, and trees in your yard. Planting a garden resilient to drought is a good strategy as your plants will have a greater chance of surviving—even without being watered.

How often to water blueberry plants

Written by Jessica Walliser

How often to water blueberry plants is partly a matter of the plants’ ages, of your climate, and of your soil type. Figuring out this equation may mean the difference between a large blueberry year and a medium blueberry year. You probably want to get it right, because a large blueberry year is the whole point of growing these summer treats! In this article I’ll explain how the plants’ root systems work, the frequency and the quantity of watering needed, and how to tell if your blueberries are getting enough water.
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When to pick watermelon for peak flavor and quality

Written by Niki Jabbour

Choosing ripe watermelons from the local grocery store or farmer’s market is one thing, but what about knowing when to pick watermelon if you’ve taken the time to grow your very own? There are several distinct signs to take note of in order to harvest a perfectly ripe watermelon from your garden. Seeing these signs and acting accordingly can make all the difference between picking too soon, picking too late, or harvesting right on time—and enjoying the sweetest watermelon you’ve ever tasted as a result. Understanding exactly when to pick watermelon is especially important because the sweetness of a watermelon won’t improve once you’ve removed it from your watermelon patch.

What to plant after tomatoes: Succession planting and cover crop suggestions

Written by Tara Nolan

As summer harvests start to wind down and you’re swapping out warm-season plants for cool-season crops, you can decide what to plant after tomatoes. I always like to have some seeds at the ready to fill the spaces left behind by other plants. While tomatoes are the stars of many home gardens, there are other crops that can grow and produce food well after the excitement over those juicy fruits has faded. Even in climates that experience winter weather, you can continue enjoying various harvests into the colder months of the year.

When to harvest dill: A step-by-step guide

Written by Niki Jabbour

There are a few best practices around when to harvest dill that you can follow in order to come away with the highest quality dill leaves, dill flowers, and dill seeds. What’s more, you’ll also learn how to keep your plants producing for as long as possible. Several factors influence the ideal timing for when to harvest dill. Some of these include the age and size of your dill plants and which parts of the plant you intend to use. Even the weather and time of year you harvest can affect the quality and quantity of your dill harvest. In this article you’ll get all the information you need for timing when to harvest dill from your garden.

When to cut back catmint and how to do it right: 3 options

Written by Niki Jabbour

Catmint is a low care perennial plant with a long bloom time that is measured in months, not weeks. The pretty flowers attract pollinators, yet it’s rarely bothered by critters like deer and rabbits. And while it’s easy to grow, knowing when to cut back catmint is essential for promoting lush, healthy foliage as well as non-stop flowers. In this article you’ll learn the 3 options for trimming catmint plants.