Savvy Gardening

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

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.

Build a small lettuce table for a patio or porch

Written by Tara Nolan

There’s something fun and challenging about trying to fit as many veggies and herbs into a small space. This small lettuce table is perfectly sized to be placed between two chairs on a patio or porch. There is still a place to put your morning coffee along the side, but the center is where the magic happens. You can grow lettuces and other salad greens, as well as some herbs in this garden that’s the width of a picture frame. This article provides step-by-step instructions, as well as the project plan to build this DIY project.

Low tunnel hoops for weather and pest protection

Written by Niki Jabbour

Low tunnel hoops are one of my favorite ways to extend the homegrown harvest in my vegetable garden as well as protect my crops from pests. These compact structures are just miniature greenhouses and are quick and easy to build. I make mine from easily sourced materials like PVC conduit or 9 gauge wire and top them with an assortment of lightweight covers. In this article you’ll learn how you can use low tunnel hoops to maximize production in your vegetable garden.

When to cut back salvias: Prune in the fall or wait until spring?

Written by Tara Nolan

To me salvias are dependable, hardy plants that have both nice foliage and flowers. I grow a few perennial varieties that all do well in my garden. Understanding how and when to cut back salvias is a cinch. Giving plants a light trim or, in some cases, a heavier pruning is important for their overall health. If you don’t prune them, some salvia types can become unruly over time. Fortunately, with a little know-how, a good pair of snips, and some patience, you’ll be rewarded with fresh new growth, loads of bright salvia blooms, and the bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds they invariably attract.

Boston fern care: Your guide to a lush and healthy plant

Written by Jessica Walliser

Boston ferns (Nephrolepis exaltata) have earned their reputation as one of the most popular houseplants thanks to their elegant, feathery fronds and easy care. These lush plants offer a classic charm that brightens both homes and gardens. Originating from tropical and subtropical regions, Boston ferns were a favorite in Victorian parlors and continue to be a popular addition to modern living rooms. In this article, I’ll walk you through Boston fern care, including light, watering, fertilizing, and more.
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Types of houseplant bugs: Who they are and what to do about them

Written by Jessica Walliser

While having the correct light levels and watering properly are two of the most important steps in growing healthy indoor plants, houseplant growers also have to constantly monitor their plants for signs of pests. There are many types of houseplant bugs, and arming yourself with a little information goes a long way toward preventing or eliminating an infestation. In this article, I’ll introduce you to some of the most common houseplant pests and hand you tips to prevent and control them.