Savvy Gardening

Christmas wreath material: Gather boughs, bows, and other festive accessories

Collecting my Christmas wreath material is a yearly tradition. I’ll “shop” in my backyard for juniper and cedar branches. Some years I’ll include Frasier fir stems cut from the bottom of my Christmas tree or pine boughs I’ve purchased at my local garden center. I like to include more than one type of greenery to add a variety of textures. Then I accessorize, usually with some type of small ornaments or ribbon. I thought I’d gather up a few tips to share that will show how easy it is to DIY your own wreath.

Growing kale in winter: How to plant, grow, and protect winter kale

Written by Niki Jabbour

Kale is a cold season superstar, thriving in the spring, autumn, and yes, even winter garden. We harvest a handful of hardy kale varieties throughout the winter months for salads, chips, smoothies, and soups. Depending where you live, winter kale can be left in the open garden or grown in a season extender like a cold frame, mini hoop tunnel, or greenhouse. And the best part is that kale is an easy-to-grow green that forms beautiful, productive plants. Below you’ll find everything you need to know about growing kale in winter.

String of dolphins: A complete guide to growing this unique houseplant

Written by Jessica Walliser

If you’re looking for a striking houseplant to add to your collection, look no further than string of dolphins. You may already be familiar with its more common relatives, string of pearls and string of bananas, but string of dolphins has a unique look all its own. Sometimes also called dolphin necklace, I find it to be the most intriguing member of this unique group of succulent plants. In this article, I’ll discuss how to care for a string of dolphins plant year-round and what to do to ensure it is thriving and healthy.
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Winter aconite: Add this cheerful, early-spring flower to your garden

Written by Tara Nolan

As winter starts to wind down and there are early hints of spring in the air (and in the garden), my eyes are always glued to the ground on my walks for signs the first spring-flowering bulbs are starting to emerge. Winter aconite is one of those seasonal treasures that pops up first, sometimes even before the snow has had a chance to melt. The cheerful, yellow flowers are a most welcome site and burst of color after a long drab winter. They even arrive a wee bit earlier than snowdrops and crocuses!

Straw bale cold frame: An easy DIY for autumn and winter harvesting

Written by Niki Jabbour

A straw bale cold frame is a temporary structure used to protect hardy vegetables in autumn and winter. They require no building skills and are quick and easy to put together. Once the bales are in place, they’re topped with a clear material like an old window or a piece of polycarbonate. With the arrival of spring, the frames are taken apart and the straw can be used for straw bale gardens, mulching, or added to the compost bin. Keep reading to learn more about straw bale cold frames.

Cissus discolor: How to grow and care for the rex begonia vine

Written by Jessica Walliser

I’ll never forget the first time I saw a rex begonia vine. At the Naples Botanic Garden in Florida, I spied it tumbling down over the side of a very tall container and I was awestruck. I had never seen a Cissus discolor plant before and fell immediately in love. I’ve had this beautiful plant growing in my patio pots or on my windowsill ever since. In this article, I’ll share the many virtues of this climbing plant. I’ll also fill you in on how to take care of it, regardless of whether you grow it indoors or out. Plus, you’ll learn three ways you can propagate Cissus discolor to share it with friends.
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