Among the most popular perennials for shade gardens, knowing when to cut back hostas is an important part of their care. Hosta leaves are stars of the low-light garden, with hundreds of cultivars that come in many different shades of green. The foliage of these low-maintenance plants looks glorious all summer long, but when fall strikes and the first frost arrives, they quickly turn yellow and die back. But when is the best time to prune back hosta leaves? Is it in the fall or the spring? In this article, I’ll discuss the 3 main pruning times for hostas and share some reasons for each.
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Gifts for garden lovers: Useful items for a gardener’s collection
When it comes to finding gifts for garden lovers, it can be tricky to know what to purchase. A seasoned green thumb likely has a pretty good collection of tools by now. A novice gardener is still probably in acquiring mode, deciding what works best for them. All gardeners are different and will have their go-tos. But sometimes it’s helpful to choose items you’ve fallen in love with—or one a fellow gardener has discovered is invaluable—that you know someone else would appreciate. In this article, I’m going to share some of our Savvy Gardening favorites, as well as some quick tips on why they make a thoughtful gift.
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Growing herbs in water: Tips for success and 10 delicious options
Growing herbs in water is an easy way to create an indoor herb garden on a windowsill or under a grow light. Herbs like basil, thyme, mint, and parsley add incredible flavor to food and most are easy to grow in water. Plus, it’s a mess-free and pest-free method to enjoy fresh herbs all year long. Keep reading to get tips on growing herbs in water and discover ten of the best kitchen herbs to grow this way.
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Hydrangea fall care: A guide to caring for hydrangeas late in the season
Proper hydrangea fall care is essential for maintaining the health of this popular shrub. If you want to see plenty of big, colorful blooms in the summer, then learning how to care for hydrangeas in the fall is a critical step. There are many different types of hydrangeas, and the care required for each different one varies slightly. However, there are some core fall hydrangea care practices you should follow regardless of which type you are growing. In this article, I’ll outline some of the most important late-season care tips for growing hydrangeas to ensure that next summer is bloom-filled and beautiful.
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Water soluble fertilizers: How to choose and use the right one for your plants
Applying the right water soluble fertilizers can work wonders on field crops, in home gardens, and even for houseplants. Just as the fruits, flowers, and vegetables you grow need adequate light and water to thrive, they need essential nutrients, too. Providing macronutrients and micronutrients that plants can quickly and easily access can help you net better results overall. Water soluble fertilizers can boost both crop growth and the quality of produce. In fact, which nutrients you provide—and how and when you provide them—can affect everything from the health and size of cut-flower blossoms to the thickness of your lawn and the taste of fruit and veggies.
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Is sage a perennial? Find out how to grow this fragrant, hardy herb
Sage is a highly fragrant herb that is a ubiquitous part of fall and winter flavors. If you’re growing an herb garden for the first time, you may be wondering, is sage a perennial? There are other Mediterranean herbs, like basil and rosemary, that are considered annuals in most growing zones. But sage is a hardy perennial, so don’t toss it in the compost at the end of the growing season! This is an herb that you can harvest almost year-round. In this article, I’m going to share some tips for planting sage, as well as advice on how to overwinter and prune your sage plant.
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