As seed-starting season approaches, now’s a great time to start making a few decisions about what you’re going to grow in your garden. Whether you shop for your seeds from a traditional seed catalogue or you prefer to do your browsing online, it can be an overwhelming task deciding what to plant. Here are a few seed catalogue shopping tips to help you get started on this year’s seed order.
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5 Terrific theme gardens
Just in case you’re not familiar with theme gardens, let me introduce you to this fun way to grow.
Theme gardens are unique places where all the elements support a single purpose. In other words, it’s a garden where every plant fits into one particular theme. Accessories and ornamental items – such as containers, plant supports, statuary, and other accents – fit the theme as well.
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Heirloom tomato varieties for your garden
I’ve been a tomato lover my whole life. Some of my finest childhood memories involve a sunny day, my mom’s crystal salt shaker, and heirloom tomatoes. Our house on Fry Avenue may have been small, but we sure did have a big garden, filled with rows and rows of heirloom tomato varieties. My mom grew nearly every vegetable our family ate, and what we didn’t eat fresh, she made into her famous tomato soup and sauces for the winter. Needless to say, because of my mom’s garden, I’ve grown into a bit of a “tomato snob.” I know what I like in a tomato, and over the years, I’ve grown hundreds of different heirloom tomato varieties in hopes of discovering new favorites. After decades of trial and error, at long last, I think I’ve managed to create my very own list of the best heirloom tomatoes.
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Gifts for gardeners: Our favorites
It’s that time of year again where The Savvy Experts – Niki, Jessica and Tara – dish on what they’d like to see under the tree, or what gifts they’d recommend for the gardeners on your list. We’ve also included last year’s recommendations of gifts for gardeners below. You can never have too many great ideas!
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Make a holiday swag in five easy steps
Our latest Savvy Gardening newsletter was filled with creative ways to use the garden for holiday decorations. There’s no easier way to do just that than to make a holiday swag out of items you probably have right in your own backyard.
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Amaryllis planting tips for holiday blooms
I cannot walk into a nursery or florist in late fall without taking home a holiday plant or two. Amaryllis bulbs fall high on my list. I also usually include a poinsettia, paperwhites, and other favorites. I feel like holiday blooms are festive necessities like the retro decorations I’ve had since I was a kid. There are a few tips to consider when planting and shopping for amaryllis to ensure that the bulb you select flowers for you.
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