Savvy Gardening

The unique stages of the prairie smoke flower: How to grow this native plant

A “Native Plant of the Month” club introduced me to the various unique stages of the prairie smoke flower. There are the vibrant red buds that first appear in spring, followed by small white-ish flowers. Then, when the blooms fade, they form these feathery, fuzzy seed heads that look like something out of a cartoon. I love the whimsy and texture they add to the garden—a favorite, for sure. In this article, I’m going to share some growing tips for prairie smoke flowers, so you can enjoy their blooms in your own garden.

Tomato pruning mistakes: 9 pruning mistakes to avoid in your garden

Written by Niki Jabbour

Tomato are a popular garden crop for their high productively and rich flavors, and learning to grow them well includes understanding how to prune the plants. Fear of tomato pruning mistakes holds many gardeners back from trimming their tomato plants. But this is a task worth learning as properly pruned tomato plants are healthier, bothered by fewer fungal diseases, and more productive. Keep reading to get our in-depth advice on common tomato pruning mistakes to avoid.

Perennial sunflowers: The best varieties for your garden

Written by Jessica Walliser

Most gardeners are familiar with sunflowers (Helianthus annuus). They are common annuals with bright blooms that live for a single growing season. But did you know that there are more than 60 other species of sunflower in the genus Helianthus, a good number of which are perennials? Yes, that’s right. Perennial sunflowers! These beautiful flowering plants return to the garden year after year. In this article, I’ll introduce you to several of my favorite types of perennial sunflowers.
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Pruning forsythia: When to trim branches without affecting next year’s flowers

Written by Tara Nolan

Forsythias are one of those welcome signs of spring, a reassurance that warmer, sunny days are on the way. The branches of these deciduous shrubs with their bright yellow flowers are like rays of sunshine in the garden. My house came with one planted in the middle of a stretch of backyard. Planted in a row, they also make a dazzling hedge at the edge of my property, with non-descript green leaves filling in the space after the flowers have died back. In this article, I’m going to share the best time of year for pruning forsythia branches, and why timing is so important.

How to grow rosemary in gardens and containers

Written by Niki Jabbour

If you’re wondering how to grow rosemary, you’ll be happy to learn it’s a low-care culinary herb that is productive, attractive, and resistant to drought, pests, and deer. It’s easy to grow in garden beds and containers, thriving in full sun and well-draining soil. The needle-like leaves of rosemary are packed with fragrant oils that add mouthwatering flavor to a wide variety of dishes. This classic kitchen herb is essential for anyone who loves to cook and if you want to learn how to grow rosemary, I’ve got plenty of in-depth advice and tips below.

Asparagus growing secrets: How to harvest big asparagus spears at home

Written by Jessica Walliser

Asparagus is one of the first harvestable vegetable crops each spring. It also happens to be one of only a handful of perennial vegetables, returning to the garden each year, with yields bigger and better than the season before. While asparagus plants are productive for many, many years, it can be somewhat of a challenge to get them established. For the best asparagus harvest possible, you’ll need to understand the stages of asparagus growth and follow a few simple guidelines for variety selection, planting, harvesting and maintenance. In this article, I’ll share some of my best asparagus growing secrets from my time as an organic market farmer.
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