In my award-winning book, The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener I write extensively about the row cover hoops I use to stretch the harvest season in my vegetable garden. I use them to get a head start on spring planting, but also in autumn to protect from frost and cold weather. Simple row cover hoops can also be used during the growing season to shelter vegetable plants from pests like flea beetles, potatoes beetles, and squash bugs, or even larger pests like rabbits, deer, and birds.
Read More »Row cover hoops for frost and pest protection
Phalaenopsis orchid repotting step-by-step
Orchids used to be an expensive luxury plant grown primarily by collectors. But, thanks to the amazing technique of tissue culture, orchids are now common finds at grocery stores, flower shops, and gift boutiques. This rapid, inexpensive propagation technique is very, very good for folks like me who love orchids but have never been able to afford them before. Because of tissue culture, the most commonly available orchids these days are in the genus Phalaenopsis, otherwise known as moth orchids. The blooms of Phalaenopsis orchids last for months, but eventually the flower stalk dies and the plant outgrows its container. That’s when it’s time to repot. Phalaenopsis orchid repotting is not a complicated affair. However, there are some important steps to follow. Continue Reading
Read More »Choosing and planting cover crops for raised beds
Once I pulled my garlic from its raised bed this summer, I hadn’t made plans to plant anything else in it. A few weeks later, I found myself with a giant raised bed full of weeds. Rather than pull them and allow more to make a home, I thought I’d plant a cover crop instead. So I headed to my local seed supplier, William Dam, which has a retail shop, to ask about the best cover crops for raised beds.
Read More »The best trees for privacy in big and small yards
Regardless of whether your yard is large or small, privacy is something everyone is looking for. While the old saying “fences make good neighbors” is definitely true, I’d much rather gain some much-needed backyard solitude by using lush, green plants instead of a stiff, boring fence. Thankfully, there are may great privacy trees for yards both big and small. They shield your outdoor space from nosey neighbors, help buffer street noise, and create the sense of seclusion necessary to make your yard a peaceful haven. Today, I’d like to introduce you to some of the best trees for privacy. Continue Reading
Read More »10 Herbs to plant in fall – in gardens and containers
While spring is the traditional planting season for many garden plants, late summer and fall are also prime planting times for trees, shrubs, perennials, and herbs. Yes herbs! There are many herbs to plant in fall – annuals, biennials, and perennials. Here are ten culinary herbs to plant in your garden and containers this autumn.
Read More »Growing yellow perennial flowers—and a few yellow annuals, too!
Sunshine in the garden is how I like to describe yellow perennial flowers. Ok, that may sound a little cheesy, but they really are bright lights in a perennial bed. While all the other bloom colours blend into a rich tapestry in the garden, it’s the golden hues that really stand out.
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