Savvy Gardening

When to cut back mums: Tips for pinching and timing your pruning

The mums in my garden have been deliberately planted because of the colorful, cheery blooms they unveil in late summer and early fall. Even though they signify an end to summer, I love that they stick around through the up-and-down weather of autumn. All of my plants have come from planting the potted mums I bought for fall arrangements and then dug into the garden before winter. In this article, I’m going to talk about when to cut back mums during the growing season and whether you should prune them after the blooms fade in fall or wait until spring.

When to cut back ornamental grasses: A complete how-to guide

Written by Niki Jabbour

Ornamental grasses are essential garden plants for their naturalistic beauty, year-round interest, fine textures, drought tolerance, and resistance to insects and pests. When planted in the right site, they’re also low-care perennials that require little more than an annual haircut. The timing of when to cut back ornamental grasses is important to ensure they’re trimmed before the new growth begins, but not so early that you forfeit winter interest. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about when to cut back ornamental grasses.

Sheet mulching: A simple technique to create a new garden

Written by Tara Nolan

Fall is a great time of year to think ahead to a new plot, and sheet mulching can get you started on that vision. Though it can be done at any time of the year, autumn is ideal because the area will have a chance to break down over the winter. I’ve used this technique to create a garden in my backyard after digging up invasive plants, to establish pathways between raised beds, and to keep weeds out of a new area on my front lawn for galvanized raised beds. The process of sheet mulching enables you to put yard waste, like lawn clippings, fallen leaves, and wood chips, to good use. And by spring, you should have a diggable area, ready for plants.

Rhododendron leaves yellowing? Here’s what to do

Written by Jessica Walliser

If you have this popular shrub growing in your landscape, you may notice your rhododendron leaves yellowing or dropping from time to time. At certain times of the year, leaf yellowing may be normal, but other times, it’s a sign of bigger troubles. In this article, I’ll share six main reasons for rhododendron leaves turning yellow and fill you in on whether or not you need to take action.
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When to plant hyacinth bulbs

Written by Tara Nolan

There are a few scents that to me unequivocally evoke spring—besides the earthy fragrance of thawing soil. Hyacinth blooms fall into that category, and are among my favorite spring-blooming bulbs. They usually bloom between early spring and mid spring, and their blooms can last up to four weeks. Learning how and when to plant hyacinth bulbs will ensure you get to enjoy those luscious, fragrant flowers the following spring. Read on for timing and planting tips.

How to mulch with straw: A step-by-step guide

Written by Niki Jabbour

Are you wondering how to mulch with straw? Using an organic mulch in the garden is an easy way to reduce weeds and how often you need to water. Plus, straw is inexpensive, widely available, and enriches the soil as it breaks down. However it’s important to make sure you’re using the right amount of straw and applying it at the best time. Below I cover all the basics of how to mulch with straw and offer tips to ensure your success. Read on to learn how to put straw mulch to work in your garden.