Savvy Gardening

LED grow lights: The best systems for indoor plants and seed-starting

For me, one of the biggest challenges to growing plants inside my home has always been finding a space that offers enough light. For years I focused on low-light indoor plants, like snake plants, golden pothos, and spider plants. But now, thanks to my LED grow lights, I have expanded my indoor plant collection to include light lovers, like succulents, cacti, and jade plants. But it’s not just about houseplants, I also use my LED grow lights to start seeds indoors, grow microgreens and culinary herbs, and for plant propagation. In this article I’ll share my favorite LED grow lights and stands to help you grow an indoor jungle.

How to grow spotted bee balm from seed

Written by Tara Nolan

I have various plant obsessions, but spotted bee balm is my latest. My local seed library introduced me to this fascinating plant. I picked up some seeds, winter sowed them (along with a few other native plants), and was delighted by the result when they bloomed in summer. The flowers, which are pollinator magnets, are really hard to describe. Layers of bracts and flowers look like they’ve been stacked on top of each other, and encircle a bright green stem with long, narrow leaves. The sturdy-looking bracts that resemble petals are a light mauve or pink hue, while the delicate flowers, that look a bit like talons, are pale yellow with maroon polka dots (I’ve read that these are nectar guides). They remind me a bit of snapdragons or the pattern of a toad lily.

Garlic spacing: How far apart to plant garlic for big bulbs

Written by Niki Jabbour

Garlic is one of the easiest crops to grow in a home garden and to encourage the biggest bulbs, it’s important to pay attention to garlic spacing. If the cloves are planted too close together the bulbs won’t size up. Too far apart and you’re not maximizing your garden space. Below you’ll discover recommendations for the best spacing for hardneck and softneck varieties in an in-ground garden, raised bed, or container. You’ll also learn more about the factors that impact how far apart to plant garlic.

Growing kiwi fruit: It’s easier than you think

Written by Jessica Walliser

Do you enjoy growing fruit? Perhaps you have a few blueberry bushes, a handful of strawberry plants, or some apple trees and you’re looking to expand your garden’s offerings? Consider growing kiwi fruit. It is a surprisingly easy fruit to grow in a home garden, as long as you have a sturdy trellis and a male and female plant. In this article, I’ll share all the information you’ll need to know to grow kiwi fruit and offer tips for success.

When to cut back peonies: Time your pruning to help next year’s blooms

Written by Tara Nolan

After the first spring bulbs appear, the flowers I look forward to with the most anticipation in the spring are peonies. I love when I finally spot those big flower buds getting ready to burst open and reveal all the layered petals they’ve been holding in. Knowing when to cut back peonies will ensure those beautiful blooms reappear next spring. And, luckily once the petals start to fall to the garden below, you’re left with nice, strong foliage that will provide a backdrop for other plants in the garden.

Grow your own holiday decor: 4 native berry-producing shrubs you need to plant

Written by Niki Jabbour

Grow your own holiday decor for a convenient supply of berried branches to clip for holiday containers, window boxes, centrepieces, wreaths, garlands, and swags. Not only are these plants perfect for providing lots of berried branches for decorations, they’re also beautiful landscape plants. Berry producing shrubs also provide food and shelter for birds and add interest to the cold season landscape. In this article you’ll discover four native shrubs with berries you need to plant in your garden.