Wild VS. Cultivated Wildflowers There is a misconception about growing wildflowers particularly in the arid lands of the American west. Oftentimes, I encounter new gardeners who hope they can just sprinkle seeds around their garden. And voilà! A meadow of color will spring up effortlessly. I think the idea comes…
History of Lilacs French or common lilacs (Syringa vulgaris) bring a rustic elegance to the garden. These tough and long lived plants were originally native to southeastern Europe but have been widely cultivated throughout Europe since the 1500s. They were introduced to North America during the 1600s by colonial settlers.…
Transplants or seedlings started in containers are a great way to get an early start in the vegetable garden especially in short season climates. If you are ready to plant the transplants you purchased from a nursery or the ones you started on your own several weeks ago, watch my…
Now that spring is upon us, I can’t wait to get out in the vegetable garden and get things growing! If you are new to gardening and/or growing veggies from seed for the first time here are some basic tips for planting vegetable seeds. For starters, select the crops you…
How do you know when to plant your potatoes? Spuds can be planted in spring once the soil can be worked. However, they won’t start growing until soil temperatures reach 45°. A good soil thermometer works wonders in planning and timing potatoes and other vegetables in your garden! The soil…