Tips
DID YOU KNOW
Lucky Bamboo isn't bamboo at all. It's a type of dracaena much like the common houseplant of the same name. Regardless of what it's called, the plant is undemanding and easy to grow. In fact, it grows in any type of light, adapts well to average household temps, and doesn't need fertilizer. Just give your "lucky bamboo" fresh water each week.
QUICK TIPS
Have you ever purchased plants in containers and, when ready to transplant found them rootbound? No problem. Loosen the soil as best you can and trim off any roots permanently kinked. Spread the roots out when planting and backfill. The plant will become better established and reward you with luscious growth.
Lucky Bamboo isn't bamboo at all. It's a type of dracaena much like the common houseplant of the same name. Regardless of what it's called, the plant is undemanding and easy to grow. In fact, it grows in any type of light, adapts well to average household temps, and doesn't need fertilizer. Just give your "lucky bamboo" fresh water each week.
QUICK TIPS
Have you ever purchased plants in containers and, when ready to transplant found them rootbound? No problem. Loosen the soil as best you can and trim off any roots permanently kinked. Spread the roots out when planting and backfill. The plant will become better established and reward you with luscious growth.
Tips
DID YOU KNOW
Broccoli is actually part of the mustard family. It is partially frost hardy and grows best in the Spring and Fall seasons. Broccoli needs full sun, good soil, and lots of water to grow well. Like cabbage, the leaves and flowers need constantly available moisture to form their heads. To harvest, cut off the central head at its base, leaving as many leaves as possible on the plant. New baby heads will then form and grow from the original plant. Broccoli provides a large number of heads from one plant if well cared for. It's rich in vitamins A, B, and C and is full of flavor when picked straight from the garden.
QUICK TIPS
Speaking of broccoli, listen to your mother and eat your vegetables. Cruciferous veggies such as broccoli and cauliflower are believed to reduce the risk of cancer. A diet high in fruits and vegetables is also thought to contribute to a decreased risk of Alzheimer's. As research continues, doctors (and mothers) all agree: a low-fat, high-vegetable diet is good advice.
Broccoli is actually part of the mustard family. It is partially frost hardy and grows best in the Spring and Fall seasons. Broccoli needs full sun, good soil, and lots of water to grow well. Like cabbage, the leaves and flowers need constantly available moisture to form their heads. To harvest, cut off the central head at its base, leaving as many leaves as possible on the plant. New baby heads will then form and grow from the original plant. Broccoli provides a large number of heads from one plant if well cared for. It's rich in vitamins A, B, and C and is full of flavor when picked straight from the garden.
QUICK TIPS
Speaking of broccoli, listen to your mother and eat your vegetables. Cruciferous veggies such as broccoli and cauliflower are believed to reduce the risk of cancer. A diet high in fruits and vegetables is also thought to contribute to a decreased risk of Alzheimer's. As research continues, doctors (and mothers) all agree: a low-fat, high-vegetable diet is good advice.
Tips
DID YOU KNOW
Certain plants can be poisonous and make you nauseous, cause rashes or make breathing difficult. They include: azalea, hydrangea, dieffenbachia, daffodil, and tulip bulbs to name a few. Be careful where you place these plants, and keep toxic plants out of reach of children and pets.
QUICK TIPS
Need to provide moisture and humidity for your indoor plants? Go to the bathroom. Steam from the bath will provide the ideal conditions for tropical plants such as ferns. And it'll give you something to look at when you're soaking in the tub.
Certain plants can be poisonous and make you nauseous, cause rashes or make breathing difficult. They include: azalea, hydrangea, dieffenbachia, daffodil, and tulip bulbs to name a few. Be careful where you place these plants, and keep toxic plants out of reach of children and pets.
QUICK TIPS
Need to provide moisture and humidity for your indoor plants? Go to the bathroom. Steam from the bath will provide the ideal conditions for tropical plants such as ferns. And it'll give you something to look at when you're soaking in the tub.
Tips
DID YOU KNOW
Lobelia's common name is cardinal flower. The story goes that in 1629 Queen Henrietta Maria of England broke out laughing when she saw the plant, saying that the color reminded her of a cardinal's scarlet stockings. I don't know about the stockings, but it's color is crimson and the plant flowers from mid-summer into autumn.
QUICK TIPS
Cacti are fun and easy to grow, but very difficult and painful to move. The next time you need to relocate a cactus plant, use kitchen tongs. The ends are wide so won't harm the plant and will give you a better grasp of the subject!
Lobelia's common name is cardinal flower. The story goes that in 1629 Queen Henrietta Maria of England broke out laughing when she saw the plant, saying that the color reminded her of a cardinal's scarlet stockings. I don't know about the stockings, but it's color is crimson and the plant flowers from mid-summer into autumn.
QUICK TIPS
Cacti are fun and easy to grow, but very difficult and painful to move. The next time you need to relocate a cactus plant, use kitchen tongs. The ends are wide so won't harm the plant and will give you a better grasp of the subject!
Tips
DID YOU KNOW
Coleus makes a colorful plant in the garden. And the beauty is in the leaves. Considered an annual in northern climates, coleus offers a wide range of foliage color in reds, purples, yellows, and greens. It is easy to grow and will thrive just as well in a container as in an open bed. To propagate, remove a healthy 4-6 inch piece from the plant, place in water, and roots will develop within a few days. When the cuttings are well rooted, plant and enjoy.
QUICK TIPS
Vines are not just for climbing vertically anymore. Some climbers can also be used as ground covers. Plants such as clematis not only provide a beautiful carpet of color, but can help block out weeds. Visit Spring Hill Nursery for jackmanii, warszawska nike, crimson star, and nelly moser varities.
Coleus makes a colorful plant in the garden. And the beauty is in the leaves. Considered an annual in northern climates, coleus offers a wide range of foliage color in reds, purples, yellows, and greens. It is easy to grow and will thrive just as well in a container as in an open bed. To propagate, remove a healthy 4-6 inch piece from the plant, place in water, and roots will develop within a few days. When the cuttings are well rooted, plant and enjoy.
QUICK TIPS
Vines are not just for climbing vertically anymore. Some climbers can also be used as ground covers. Plants such as clematis not only provide a beautiful carpet of color, but can help block out weeds. Visit Spring Hill Nursery for jackmanii, warszawska nike, crimson star, and nelly moser varities.
Tips
DID YOU KNOW
Green is an often overlooked color when people plan their garden. Most gardeners think of various colors such as yellows and pinks, but don't realize the number of plants that can provide a beautiful and effective garden through their green color. Examples include varigated leaves on many plants such as liriope, yellow and blue hues of plants such as hosta, and silver green varieties like lambs ear. Remember the green when creating or enhancing your gardens.
QUICK TIPS
When buying ornamental grasses, you can get two for the price of one. I usually purchase 3 gallon sizes. When I get the grass home, I take it out of the pot and lay it on its side. Using a sharp knife, I cut the root ball down the middle and separate the two pieces. Plant each section as you normally would and watch the beautiful grass grow.
Green is an often overlooked color when people plan their garden. Most gardeners think of various colors such as yellows and pinks, but don't realize the number of plants that can provide a beautiful and effective garden through their green color. Examples include varigated leaves on many plants such as liriope, yellow and blue hues of plants such as hosta, and silver green varieties like lambs ear. Remember the green when creating or enhancing your gardens.
QUICK TIPS
When buying ornamental grasses, you can get two for the price of one. I usually purchase 3 gallon sizes. When I get the grass home, I take it out of the pot and lay it on its side. Using a sharp knife, I cut the root ball down the middle and separate the two pieces. Plant each section as you normally would and watch the beautiful grass grow.
Tips
DID YOU KNOW
When planning your garden, think about its function first. Do you want cut flowers? Do you want to attract birds and butterflies? Do you desire fragrance, or will the area be used for children to learn gardening? Are you hoping for a private area away from the neighbors or a place to entertain day or evening? These things and more need to go into your plan to get the most out of your beautiful gardens.
QUICK TIPS
Use the following general spacing guidelines when planting:
When planning your garden, think about its function first. Do you want cut flowers? Do you want to attract birds and butterflies? Do you desire fragrance, or will the area be used for children to learn gardening? Are you hoping for a private area away from the neighbors or a place to entertain day or evening? These things and more need to go into your plan to get the most out of your beautiful gardens.
QUICK TIPS
Use the following general spacing guidelines when planting:
- small plants under 1 foot in height or at front of border space 8-12 inches apart
- medium size (1-2 1/2 feet tall) should be space 15-24 inches apart
- larger size (ornamental grasses, cannas, etc.) space 2-3 feet apart.
Tips
DID YOU KNOW
When you purchase a plant and its tag indicates "full sun", have you ever wondered what that means? Full sun equals 6 hours of strong sun daily. Partial sun, partial shade or light shade equal 3-5 hours of direct sun per day, while full shade or dappled shade equate to less than 2 hours of direct sun. Full sun is usually the south side of the house, partial sun is the east, and full shade is the north side.
QUICK TIPS
As you build your gardens or expand them, be sure to plan access paths. Doing so will avoid compacting soil during maintenance and will also invite people to view beautiful plantings up close. Paths can then be established using brick, stone, or mulch dependent upon how formal or informal the garden may be. If the garden is large, you may also want to include a seat or bench to encourage a visitor to linger and enjoy.
When you purchase a plant and its tag indicates "full sun", have you ever wondered what that means? Full sun equals 6 hours of strong sun daily. Partial sun, partial shade or light shade equal 3-5 hours of direct sun per day, while full shade or dappled shade equate to less than 2 hours of direct sun. Full sun is usually the south side of the house, partial sun is the east, and full shade is the north side.
QUICK TIPS
As you build your gardens or expand them, be sure to plan access paths. Doing so will avoid compacting soil during maintenance and will also invite people to view beautiful plantings up close. Paths can then be established using brick, stone, or mulch dependent upon how formal or informal the garden may be. If the garden is large, you may also want to include a seat or bench to encourage a visitor to linger and enjoy.
Thanks to Andrew Stenning who contributed the photograph for our masthead