In the spring and summer, as some of my herbs and flowers grow lush and full, I snip a little sprig here, a few blooms there, and I bring them inside. I don’t like anything going to waste, but there’s no way I can work oregano or mint into every meal while it’s in season. So I save them to dry for when I do need them. I’ll brew some for tea and toss pinches of this or that into a soup or stew. However, this past summer, I also had something else in mind when I was drying herbs and flowers from the garden: gifts.
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Drying herbs and flowers to make gifts from the garden
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The best gardening tools you didn’t know you needed
Every gardener has go-to tools they use to make gardening easier. Over the years I’ve tried a LOT of garden tools and gear. Some worked great, others did not. The ones I’m sharing are the tools that I’ve come to rely on to make both my garden and myself more productive. I call them the best gardening tools you didn’t know you needed.
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Dwarf evergreen trees: 15 exceptional choices for the yard and garden
If you’re looking for evergreen trees that stay naturally short-statured, have no maintenance requirements beyond watering, and stay green all winter long, you’ve come to the right place! While finding all of these traits in a single tree might seem too good to be true, it isn’t. In fact, there are lots of dwarf evergreen trees that offer all of these benefits and more to small-space gardeners. They’re also great choices for anyone who doesn’t want to spend their weekends pruning overgrown plants. Before I introduce you to 15 of my favorite small evergreen trees, let’s take a look at some of the perks these plants provide. Continue Reading
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Winter container garden ideas
I love decorating for the holidays—both indoors and outdoors. While I try to wait until December for the indoor fun, I figure I can start with my outdoor pot in November. This black iron urn is home to four seasons of arrangements. While Canadian Thanksgiving is at the beginning of October, if you live south of the border, you might want to wait until after American Thanksgiving before thinking about the holidays. But I figure you can at least begin with the green stuff and add any holiday-themed accessories after. Of course if you don’t celebrate Christmas, you can put together your winter container garden anytime.
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Growing great basil
Basil is among the most popular of the culinary herbs, prized for its complex clove-like flavor that is both sweet and peppery. I grow many types of basil, in both garden beds and containers, but for ease of cultivation and flavor, it’s hard to beat sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum). Growing basil is easy when you give it plenty of sun and well-drained soil. And, there’s no better way to elevate your summer salads and pastas than with handfuls of fresh, chopped basil.
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Air plant care: Tending, fertilizing, and watering Tillandsia
Air plants have stepped into the houseplant spotlight for both their ease of care and the many creative ways they can be displayed. Head to your favorite local nursery and you’re sure to find sea shells, glass globes, and wooden frames filled with air plants on display. These free-living plants are fairly unique in the plant world, but just because they don’t need to be planted in a pot of soil, doesn’t mean they don’t have care requirements. Though it isn’t difficult, air plant care is surprisingly specific. Continue Reading
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