Savvy Gardening

Don’t make these mistakes when ordering seeds

Winter is seed catalog season and it’s so much fun to flip through the pages dreaming of spring and all the wonderful plants I want to grow. However, it’s easy to get carried away and order too many seeds or the wrong types for your region. Don’t make these mistakes when ordering seeds. If you’ve had mixed or disappointing results with the seeds you’ve bought in the past, the advice in this article will help you avoid common seed buying mistakes and choose the best options for your garden.

Plant a ninebark: A fast-growing shrub with interesting foliage and flowers

Written by Tara Nolan

If you are looking to fill a space in the garden with an interesting-looking, fast-growing shrub, consider a Common ninebark. I was introduced to ninebarks via Tiny Wine, with its gorgeous maroon-colored foliage. While the leaves may be a strong selling point, the flower clusters, which look like half pom poms, are so pretty when you look at them up close. And when in bloom, they are absolutely buzzing with bees. Pollinators love ninebarks, which is another reason to add it to the landscape.

Growing jalapenos from seed: Expert tips for success

Written by Niki Jabbour

Growing jalapenos from seed isn’t difficult and ensures plenty of peppers for your kitchen. Jalapeno pepper plants thrive in garden beds or containers and starting your own seeds allows you to choose from the many varieties available from seed catalogs. In this article you’ll learn all about growing jalapenos from seed in cell packs, pots, soil blocks, and paper towels, plus get expert tips for success.

Rabbit foot fern care: A complete growing guide

Written by Jessica Walliser

While many ferns are grown solely for their feathery foliage, it’s the unique fuzzy, above-ground roots (rhizomes) of rabbit foot ferns that make these plants a particularly special (and adorable!) houseplant. Plus, compared to what’s required for other types of ferns, rabbit foot fern care is actually pretty straightforward. That means even if you haven’t had great luck with ferns in the past, you might want to give the rabbit’s foot fern a try. In this article, I’ll share everything I know about growing these cool ferns (mine is over 10 years old!).
READ MORE » about Rabbit foot fern care: A complete growing guide

How to keep your Christmas plants alive beyond the holidays

Written by Tara Nolan

In November and December, retail shops from garden centers to grocery stores bring in Christmas plants for holiday decorating. The thing is, as with many plants we grow indoors in cold climates, these festive houseplants are tropical. And not all of them are easy to keep alive in our warm and dry, or cold and drafty homes.

Leaving plants in the garden for the birds in winter

Written by Tara Nolan

Much has been written over the years about winter interest perennials. However they can play a much more important role in the landscape beyond aesthetics. Consider leaving plants in the garden for the birds. Your property, however big or small, can provide nourishment and shelter not only to birds, but also to small animals and beneficial insects. I have seen birds feasting on the seed heads and berries of some of the perennials in my yard.