Ah, summer. Overnight dew on lush green grass, high-climbing roses and sunflowers, afternoon picnics in the warm sun, evenings when light lingers late in the sky. Summer is the home gardener’s Eden. It’s also the time to think about winter. A large swath of the United States is generally mild enough, especially in a warming…
Tree Staking and Palm Trunks
Q: We planted some small trees last year and this spring. We tied stakes to them to hold them up. We tried untying some of last year’s trees and they seemed to be wiggly, so we tied them back up. How long should trees be staked after planting? A: You didn’t say how tight the…
How to Make a Small Garden Feel Like an Oasis
A small garden does not have to look or feel small. A few simple design tricks can make small-space gardens appear larger than life. And today’s plant selections are tailored to ever-shrinking gardens. From patio pots to courtyards to urban backyards, these gardening ideas for small spaces will help you make the most out of…
The Cheapskate Gardener
The only difference between gardeners and cheapskate gardeners is the amount of money they spend to achieve the same results. The truth is, like no other hobby, gardening is actually more productive when the cheapest—even free!—supplies are used. Control Weeds Newspaper. It’s cheap, and it works beautifully. Cover the area with 10 layers of newspaper,…
Using Straw to Prevent Weeds in the Garden
Q: I added straw to my vegetable garden as a mulch and now there are hundreds of weeds coming up. Does the shade and watering help the weeds seeds grow? I thought the straw was supposed to prevent weeds and keep the soil damp. A: I wonder if you added hay and not straw. Any…
Carrot Aioli: It’s Better Than Grass
Nearly 2 percent of the land in the lower 48 states is lawn. In most populated areas, the percentage is much higher. It’s fair to say that most of us have too much lawn and not enough garden—especially this time of year, when you keep getting ambushed by little plants at the farmers market. You…
Free Plants: The Secrets to Successful Propagation
The cost of nursery plants can quickly add up. This makes cutting roots, saving seeds, and dividing clumping plants an easy and effective way to save money and have a great harvest. Understanding Cuttings There are three main types of cuttings. Softwood is the most common method in the vegetable garden, taking non-woody cuttings from…
The Joys and Tribulations of the Budding Community Gardener
Nature can have a dramatic effect on our mood. Plants and animals can calm our frayed nerves by giving us a very real connection to other living beings. They bring happiness. They bring companionship. Planting seeds and watching the wonderous process of germination is something I will personally never tire of. Staring at trays of…
Hands On: Pinching and Hand-Pollinating for a Bumper Crop
Ever wonder why one garden is extremely lush, while the one next door in the same ecosystem is struggling along? And particularly when both get the same hours of sun and are appropriately watered and fertilized? As with anything else in life, it comes down to attention to detail. Pinching—which can be done with garden…
Buy a Tree in a Pot or Balled and Burlapped?
Q: We have been looking at some shade trees at a few nurseries and have a question. Is it better to buy a tree in a large pot or one that is already dug up and is what they call “balled and burlapped”? A: As a general rule, I would say it shouldn’t matter as…
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