I was walking by my deck one day to turn on the hose when I saw a little flash of color among the patio slabs below it. There, growing out of a crack, was a blooming wild columbine. I’d seen this wildflower growing in the woods on bike rides, but I have no idea how this particular plant showed up in my backyard—in a seemingly inhospitable sliver of dirt, no less! But it showed me the resilience of this native plant with the unique downward-facing flowers.
10 Perennials that bloom all summer
For gardeners seeking color from late spring right through to the first frost, perennials that bloom all summer are invaluable. While I would like to say there are dozens of perennials that bloom all season long, it wouldn’t be the truth. Because most perennials bloom for just a few weeks each year, there aren’t many of these long bloomers available for gardeners. Thankfully, however, there are enough choices for gardeners to create a beautiful long-blooming garden. In this article, I’ll introduce you to ten outstanding perennials that flower from spring through fall, with tips for using them in your own garden design.
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Seeds to start in February: 4 easy options for indoor seed sowing
While it’s still early to start most types of seed, February is the perfect time to sow seeds indoors for slow growing vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Planting now means stronger seedlings to plug into your garden beds or containers, and a head start to the growing season. In this article you’ll discover 4 seeds to start in February and get expert tips on starting them indoors.
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When to fertilize boxwoods
Knowing when to fertilize boxwoods and how to do it right can spell the difference between robust growth and spindly, ho-hum shrubs. Fortunately, with the right soil pH and mix of soil nutrients, the foliage of the common or American boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) can look glossy and vibrant nearly year-round. You can easily meet your boxwood’s fertilizer needs with periodic applications of either slow-release or water-soluble nutrients. Want to spur new leaf growth or encourage more root development? The decision you make about when to fertilize boxwoods partly depends on your goals for your plants.
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The best seed starting set up: 8 essentials for starting seeds indoors
Starting seeds indoors isn’t difficult and is the best way to take advantage of the wide variety of vegetables, flowers, and herbs available from seed companies. Plus, starting your own seeds produces a lot of plants for little money and lets you control the growing conditions. And that means the most robust seedlings for your garden. But what equipment do you need for indoor seed starting? Discover the best seed starting set up and 8 essential items I use to grow thousands of seedlings each spring.
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Growing eggplant from seed: Expert tips for success
Growing eggplant from seed isn’t difficult and is the best way to take advantage of the many excellent varieties available in seed catalogs. Plus, you get to control the growing conditions which means the healthiest possible plants to grow in your garden. In this article you’ll learn two options for growing eggplant from seed, get step-by-step instructions, and discover my favourite eggplant varieties to grow.
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