Savvy Gardening

What to plant after garlic: Succession planting options

When I plant my garlic in the fall, I’m strategic about where to plant it. I’m already thinking ahead to the following spring when all my other crops will be planted in my collection of raised beds. I consider the prime spots of my garden—where will the tomatoes go; which place is best for cucumbers and other vining plants, etc. And when my garlic is pulled in July, what will take its place? I never want to waste precious growing space in the garden. In this article, I’m going to make some suggestions for what to plant after garlic.

The best vegetables to grow in raised beds: 10 delicious choices

Written by Niki Jabbour

Raised beds are a popular way to grow vegetables in home gardens and for good reason. They warm up earlier in spring extending the growing season, drain well, and allow you to control the soil. These advantages make it easier to grow crops like tomatoes, peppers, carrots, and melons which benefit from the warm loose soil. I’ve been growing food in raised beds for over twenty years and in this article I’ll share ten of the best vegetables to grow in raised beds.

Overwintering hibiscus: Tips for success

Written by Tara Nolan

If you’ve enjoyed a long, colorful show of flowers from a tropical hibiscus throughout the growing season, and you can’t stand the idea of tossing it into the compost pile, it is possible to keep it cozy until it’s safe to put it back outdoors next year. In this article, I’m going to share some tips on overwintering hibiscus if you live in a colder climate.

When to cut back bee balm: 4 options for healthy plants

Written by Niki Jabbour

Bee balm is a popular perennial plant with beautiful summer blooms that attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. However knowing when to cut back bee balm can not only increase flowering, it also keeps the plants more compact and can reduce the occurrence of powdery mildew. In this article I’ll detail how and when to cut back the bee balm plants in your garden.

How to cover plants for frost protection

Written by Jessica Walliser

With more extreme weather events and fluctuations in temperature from season to season, knowing how to cover plants for frost has become increasingly important. What’s more, if you don’t know exactly when and how to cover plants for frost you can end up losing favorite specimens or missing out on that extra harvest. In this article, I’ll run down which plants need covering, and I’ll discuss some of the materials and methods best-suited for the task, including fabric, plastic, and mulches. That way, the next time you hear light frost or hard freezes are on the way, you and your plants will be ready.
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Overwintering geraniums: 5 methods to save your plants for next year

Written by Tara Nolan

As you watch your garden transition out of its summer showiness into the rich hues of autumn, it’s time to think about overwintering geraniums. You don’t have to lose your ornamental favorites to the first frost! It’s actually easy to save geraniums from a compost bin fate, so you can enjoy their annual flowers next year (and the year after and so on).