Savvy Gardening

Growing carrots in containers: An easy way to grow carrots anywhere!

You don’t need a garden to grow carrots! This popular root vegetable is easy to grow in containers, window boxes, and planters. Growing carrots in containers is a fun way to grow food in the smallest of spaces as well as on decks, patios, and balconies. And with a little planning, you can succession plant pots of carrots for a non-stop harvest from early summer through late fall.

Blue hosta varieties for the perennial garden

Written by Tara Nolan

Hostas are shade garden foliage staples. And while at a glance, they may all look pretty similar, search around at different garden centers and nurseries and you’ll discover there are a lot of interesting varieties. You’ll find solid-colored leaves in vibrant lime tones or variegated gradients of greens, and different leaf shapes and textures from large and heart-shaped to long and crinkled. What I find to be especially captivating are blue hosta varieties. Blue isn’t as common of a plant color, in foliage or blooms, which is what makes them so unique.

Round zucchini: A growing guide from seed to harvest

Written by Niki Jabbour

Zucchini is one of the most popular vegetables grown in home gardens because it’s easy, productive, and delicious. There are many types and varieties to try with a wide range of fruit colors and shapes; from cylindrical to scallop to crookneck to round. They offer subtle differences in flavor and texture as well as kitchen use. In our garden, round zucchini varieties have become a favorite for their novel shape and bright colors. Read on to learn more about planting and growing round zucchini.

Benefits of raised garden beds: Grow a healthy vegetable garden anywhere

Written by Tara Nolan

The first two raised beds in my backyard were built to neaten up a lumpy, in-ground veggie patch. I’ve since discovered many benefits of raised garden beds, from accessibility and opportunities for a variety of materials and customization, to planting and harvesting advantages.

Foraging habitat for pollinators: What to plant in sun and shade

Written by Tara Nolan

With so much information available about the vital importance of pollinators to our food chain and a healthy ecosystem, as gardeners, we can use our outdoor spaces to support the beneficial insects that are local to us. That includes providing crucial foraging habitat for pollinators.

The best time to plant trees in a home garden: spring versus fall

Written by Niki Jabbour

There are so many benefits to planting trees in a home landscape. They add year-round beauty to your property (and boost its value!), provide habitat and food for wildlife, and clean the air. But a newly planted tree needs time to establish a root system and settle into its new site. Therefore when you plant a tree can have a big impact on its future health. Keep reading if you’re ready to learn the best time to plant trees.