It is increasingly the Holy Grail of garden designs: making a landscape low maintenance. For many reasons, reducing the work load of our outdoor spaces has become a priority. We are busy with many activities We are aging Viewing flowers rather than weeding flowerbeds is preferable That is not the definitive list, by any means, but it does hit the highlights of why this style of … [Read more...] about What Makes a Low Maintenance Garden?
gardening tips
If You Need To Save On Water In The Garden
At the time I write this June is closing. We have plenty of moisture in the ground this year, but that is not always the case. Especially as the summer marches on, drought becomes a real possibility. A few water saving tips can make a difference in how your plants weather the heat and dry times ahead. 5 Tips To Weather A Drought 1 Add compost. To make your soil more moisture retentive and help … [Read more...] about If You Need To Save On Water In The Garden
Tip for Blooming Peonies
Planting Depth For Peonies . "Plant peonies for a lifetime of spring flowers, but remember not more than three inches below the surface" From Kim, Hypertufagardener If the growing points are too far below the soil surface, it hinders or even prevents the plant from blooming. A general rule is to place the plant about two inches below the surface. More about Peonies, here. … [Read more...] about Tip for Blooming Peonies
Word To The Wise
Do you wait around for the last minute to put your gardens to bed for the winter? That may not be the best thing to do this year. Winter seems to be fast approaching in many areas, and Ohio might get cold quickly. In 2013, the deep cold came with the Thanksgiving holiday, and in 2014 many gardeners are complaining that the temperatures are dropping earlier than usual. What sort of delays did I … [Read more...] about Word To The Wise
Posted, A Short Garden Tip Video
Mini-tutorial when you only have a minute On Care Of Ornamental Grass I wanted to add to the videos made for Ilona's Garden Youtube channel. I like short tips videos, so I made one while showing my son how to cut down the leftovers from last season. I have so many chores that I am delegating some of the ones that don't need any expertise. This is one of those easy tasks, just point and … [Read more...] about Posted, A Short Garden Tip Video
Making Garden Video
I have a long way to go admittedly, and I don't consider myself star material, but I am making videos on Youtube. I'd like you to subscribe to my lowly channel, give me improvement suggestions, like me.... and share my garden and experiences through the videos. I keep it real. You see the dandelions, the ground ivy, the undone tasks.... all kinds of mistakes, but you also see the beauty of a … [Read more...] about Making Garden Video
Hard Decisions
My garden, like myself, is no longer young and freshly planted. We have been here awhile, and the signs of maturity are equal parts dignified and disconcerting. Once this property was almost a blank space with few trees and mown grass, now it holds almost thirty years worth of plantings, some grown quite large. Large enough that it is time to consider whether to keep some of the less stellar … [Read more...] about Hard Decisions
How Did I Get Here Again? Advice For Older Gardeners
Life Is Good A fellow garden blogger has to cut back on the hard labor in the yard due to medical issues. I can identify. We all grow older, and our gardens grow older... we can move from a garden (or house) that is too much work, but you are sort of stuck with your body. This becomes the next challenge for many of us. Lots of garden ideas and their accompanying pictures are lots of work, and … [Read more...] about How Did I Get Here Again? Advice For Older Gardeners
Diatoms
I happened upon a most amazing picture. Who knew that diatoms were such a lovely lot? Organic gardeners know that diatomaceous earth is useful for insect control, but I was surprised at its uses. There are food grade and pool grade, the latter being poisonous, but the food grade is good for worming, and to get rid fo fleas. I didn't know that! Precautions of not being downwind of it, as it is … [Read more...] about Diatoms
August Gardening: Ten Suggestions
Yes, it is hot, and no one feels like doing much gardening in the dog days of summer, but here are ten suggestions for your gardening efforts. Remember that August is a good time to weed, and get things ready for fall season planting. September is an important time to plant perennials so they can get established during the late September and October times of moderate … [Read more...] about August Gardening: Ten Suggestions