Savvy Gardening

When to plant lavender from seeds or seedlings

Lavender is an essential cottage garden plant with intensely fragrant flowers that bloom from early to late summer, depending on the cultivar. It’s perfect for the front of a flower border, to edge a pathway, or as a low hedge. Knowing when to plant lavender is the first step to successfully establishing this popular herb. And while lavender is not difficult to grow, planting at the right time, in the right location, and in the right way gives your plants a strong start. In this article I’ll share advice on when to plant lavender from seeds or seedlings, and offer tips for helping the plants settle in.

Why are my bell peppers so small? 8 possible causes and solutions

Written by Niki Jabbour

“Why are my bell peppers so small?” asked a friend recently. I told him I was going to need more information before I could answer that question. Pepper plants are picky, and there are several factors that affect the size of fruit they’ll produce. I’ve been growing peppers for almost thirty years, and I have had to ask, Why are my bell peppers so small?, more than once. I didn’t give up, I’ve learned a lot, and my pepper plants are now thriving. In this article, I’m offering advice so you no longer have to wonder, Why are my bell peppers so small? We’ll look at ideal growing conditions for your pepper plants, eight common causes of small bell peppers, and you’ll get expert tips to grow your biggest bell peppers ever.

What to do if you find spots on zinnia leaves

Written by Tara Nolan

I love snipping zinnias as cut flowers in the summer. However, it can be frustrating when unsightly spots on zinnia leaves diminish their wow factor. From the most common white powdery spots to more serious cases of brown lesions and wilting, these and other zinnia problems are usually manageable if you catch them early. In this article, learn what to look for, what different symptoms likely mean, and what you can do to help your zinnia plants thrive. You’ll also find tips for preventing some of the conditions that cause the various types of spots on zinnia leaves that sometimes show up.

How to freeze zucchini: Preserve your harvest to enjoy later

Written by Tara Nolan

To me, there’s nothing worse than letting a crop go to waste in the garden. This can happen when a few different vegetables are ready to pick all at once—or when you’re on vacation. But in the case of zucchini plants, once they start producing fruit, sometimes it’s hard to keep up with the harvest! Learning how to freeze zucchini is a helpful way to preserve your harvest to enjoy later.

Choosing the best bee plants for a pollinator garden

Written by Jessica Walliser

It’s time to take pollinator gardening to the next level by meeting the best bee plants for providing both nectar and habitat for native bees. With numerous North American native bee species in dramatic decline due to habitat loss, forage scarcity, pesticide exposure, and other negative impacts, bees are in desperate need of a helping hand. Thankfully, many gardeners are now stepping up to the plate, creating pollinator gardens for these incredible insects and providing them with much-needed nectar forage. However, our native bees need more than just nectar to survive. Well-equipped pollinator gardens are also designed with bee nesting habitat in mind.
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Parsley growing tips: Harvest this flavorful herb and kitchen staple all year

Written by Tara Nolan

Parsley is probably the herb I use the most in my cooking. I add this tasty ingredient to soups and stews, I snip it into fresh lettuce or quinoa salads, I whip it into salad dressings, and I stir it into pasta dishes. I regularly have a few plants growing at a time. Not only do I plant parsley in my raised beds, I also sneak it into my ornamental containers for some fragrant, edible foliage. Here, I’ve gathered some parsley growing tips to help you encourage a bountiful harvest.