Click picture to enlarge What you need: Butcher knife Spade Pruning shears Dividing is a great way to revitalize an overgrown Hosta or to propagate a prized plant. Dividing should be done after the plant has died back and before the ground starts freezing. Start by digging up the plant. Use a square headed spade […]

Click picture to enlarge What you need: Quart glass jar Dishwashing detergent Soil Knowing the make-up of your soil can be very helpful in determining its cultural requirements. Take several soil samples from the area in question and mix them all together in a bucket. Remove any rocks or other debris. Click picture to enlarge […]

Click picture to enlarge What you need: Respirator Long sleeved shirt and long pants Rubber gloves Safety goggles You should test your spray equipment each time you use it. Fill the tank half way with water and pump up the pressure. Spray a little water out to ensure the nozzle isn’t plugged. Release the pressure […]

Click picture to enlarge What you need: Sharp pruning shears Plastic bags Twine or raffia Labels Scions are lengths of year-old stems you collect from trees you wish to propagate or preserve. Many deciduous tree varieties, especially fruit trees, are propagated by grafting. Click picture to enlarge The ideal time to collect scion wood is […]

Click picture to enlarge What you need: Shovel Garden fork 2 wooden stakes Tree ties Mulch Use a shovel to mark the area you will be planting the tree in. The hole should be at least 2 times the diameter of the root system. Click picture to enlarge Scarify the sides of the hole with […]

Click picture to enlarge What you need: Container grown shrub Shovel Hose Mulch 3′ length of wood dowel Planting a container-grown shrub is easy. Start by digging a hole at least twice the width of the shrub container. Make the hole as deep as the container is tall. Click picture to enlarge Use a garden […]

Click picture to enlarge What you need: Pruning shears Shovel Twist ties 6-8″ pot Sand One of the easiest ways to propagate deciduous shrubs and trees is to root hardwood cuttings. Take cuttings in late fall or early winter, after the leaves have dropped and the plant is dormant. Look for shoots, about the thickness […]

Click picture to enlarge What you need: Assorted colorful houseplants Potting soil Gravel or crocks Time release fertilizer Large plastic or ceramic container Creating a decorative houseplant container garden is a wonderful way to add color to your home. Select vibrantly colored houseplants that have similar water and light needs. The pot should be large […]

Click picture to enlarge What you need: Lawn mower Rake Tarp Hose Shredded leaves make an excellent mulch and, left in a pile, they soon break down to form leafmold, a weed-free compost that plants love. You can buy a chipper/shredder to shred your leaves or you can use a rotary mower. Begin by raking […]

Click picture to enlarge Orchids have two vegetative growth types, monopodial and sympodial. Monopodial growth refers to shoots that grow in only one direction, usually vertical. Click picture to enlarge The more common growth pattern is sympodial, where the orchid stems grow along the surface and develop multiple growing points. Click picture to enlarge It […]

Click picture to enlarge The materials needed to build a cold frame are as follows: 1-4′ X 4′ piece of ” treated plywood 2-8′ lengths of 1″X3″ lumber 6-2″ hinges with removable pins 4-5″ flat angle irons 1 roll of 6 mil clear plastic 36 ” wood screws 24 ” screws Staple gun Drill Start […]

Click picture to enlarge What you need: Shovel Sand Concrete mix Wheelbarrow 2 x 4’s Spirit level Stakes or rebar Chicken wire, metal hardware cloth, or remesh Sealer/curing compound (optional) A concrete slab provides a long-lasting foundation for an outdoor generator, garden machinery, woodpile, etc. Laying a concrete slab is easy. Once you have decided […]