Click picture to enlarge What you need: Hyacinth bulb Hyacinth forcing vase Hyacinth bulbs require a dormancy period in order to flower when forced. Place them in a refrigerator for about six weeks before forcing. After the bulbs have been cooled sufficiently, place them into a hyacinth vase. These can be found at your local […]
Click picture to enlarge Bromeliads are a large and colorful group of tropical, epiphytic plants. Their foliage can be spectacular or dramatic. They grow best in bright diffuse light such as fluorescent or that in an east-facing window. Since most bromeliads are from the tropics, they enjoy warm temperatures: high 60’s at night and at […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Healthy mini-dwarf or dwarf fruit tree Large container Potting soil Compost Slow release fertilizer Wooden dowel Cedar stake Raffia or twine To enjoy growing fruit trees in limited garden space, why not grow them in containers? Most are available in dwarf and mini-dwarf form, either of which will […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Evergreen trimmings Wire wreath frame Florist’s wire Hand pruners Wire cutters Gather a large bag of evergreen trimmings about 6″ in length. The tip ends of branches work the best. Fir, pine and juniper last the longest, but cedar and redwood also work well. You can also use […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Cedar board (approx 1″ x 10″ x 8′) Saw Pencil Straight edge Wood glue Clamps Drill and 1/8″ bit 1 1/4″ exterior wood screws Damp rag With just a few simple tools and supplies, and 1/2 hour of free time, you can build this simple window box. Click […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Drip irrigation kit Knife Metal drip line stakes Drip irrigation kits can be found at most garden centers and hardware stores. These kits generally include everything you will need to set up a low maintenance watering system. Click picture to enlarge Lay out all of the parts you […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: 5/8″ masonry bit Ceramic pots and dishes 18 in. ceramic dish 10 in. ceramic dish 8 in. ceramic dish Two 6 in. ceramic dishes 7 in. ceramic pot 5 in. ceramic pot 3 in. ceramic pot Clear 5/8 in. tubing 60-80 gph statuary pump clear spray acrylic rotary […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Plastic mesh Sphagnum or green moss Bamboo pole Florist’s wire Pot Potting soil Ivy plugs Some vines can be displayed well on totem poles made from bamboo and moss. Start by laying out a piece of plastic mesh approximately 1′ by 2′. Cover the mesh with a 2″ […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Large, healthy amaryllis bulb Pot Crock or gravel Well draining potting soil Growing Amaryllis is an easy and rewarding gardening activity. Choose a bulb that is at least 2-1/2″ in diameter. The larger the bulb the more blooming spikes it will produce. Click picture to enlarge Select a […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Mower or string trimmer Hedge shears All purpose slow-release fertilizer Ajuga, Arabis, Aurinia, Dianthus, Iberis, Lamium, Lamiastrum, Phlox subulata, Pulmonaria, and Saponaria ocymoides all bloom in spring. Click picture to enlarge These perennials all look best if you shear their tops off soon after the petals fade. This […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Wooden labels White plastic labels Metal labels (Steel, Zinc, Copper) Permanent marker 8-oz. yogurt cups Scissors Do you remember what’s growing in your garden? Nursery plants generally come with labels, but if you start plants from seeds, get plants from friends, or want to replace a broken or […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: 1 gallon or larger clematis 5 gallon or larger container Trellis Potting soil Twist ties Assorted annuals Gravel or rocks Clematis are beautiful additions to any container garden. Take a large container and add about an inch or two of gravel to the bottom. This will aid in […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Plastic edging Spade or shovel Metal stakes Hammer or mallet Installing plastic edging between flowerbeds and your lawn is a cost effective and maintenance free way of keeping grass where it belongs. Click picture to enlarge Dig a trench about 4-5″ deep and 3-4″ wide along the entire […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Pruners Protective clothing and rubber gloves Brush killer Shovel Blackberry removal requires perseverance and elbow grease. The best time of year to remove blackberries is in fall. Then, the plants are reabsorbing nutrients from their leaves prior to dormancy and the cooler weather makes the heavy gloves, long […]
