Dividing Potted PlantsWhen your plant is getting tight in the pot (or when you purchase a plant like this one), you can easily get more plants by separating into more pots. This will allow room for your plants to grow, or is a great way to give some plants away as gifts.
Make Bougainvilleas Bloom Year RoundI love to share my tips on how to make your bougainvilleas bloom all year round, non-stop blooming. I've been planting bougainvilleas for almost 5 years now and I'm happy to say that I enjoyed watching them blooming every day.
Dollar Tree Candle Holders as Succulent PotsAs you all may know, I love plants, especially succulents. They're actually my go to gift to give to co-workers, family, friends, neighbors, teachers, etc.
Free Flower Pots at Lowe's Garden CenterSome garden centers like Home Depot or Lowe's have a rack for free pots. If they don't, you can ask if they have any free pots you can have. What's awesome is once in a while you may stumble across a nice ceramic, clay pot too!
Rubbing Alcohol for Mealy Bugs in a Succulent GardenKeeping a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol is convenient and can be used to get rid of mealy bugs on succulent plants! Rubbing alcohol is inexpensive and succulent safe while also getting the job done by getting rid of mealy bugs!
Make a Bicycle PlanterSome months of the year, the garden looks extra dull and brown, especially with our California droughts. My next door neighbour left a bicycle outside with a "Free to take" sign on it. It was absolutely trashed. I removed as much rust as I could, and with a little spray paint...
Using Bird Feeders for HouseplantsI picked up two inexpensive wooden bird feeders that were actually a little broken in a local department store for $1 each. I decided to use them inside my house to hold some hanging plants. I bring in a number of herbs for the winter and so window and plant space becomes an issue for me in the winter.
Using Tiny Garlic ClovesMy sister gets a ton of tiny garlic cloves from an abandoned garlic patch that she has and while I appreciate them they are a major pain to husk and peel.
Harvesting ElderberriesAfter snipping the 'umbrellas' from your elderberry bush, use a plastic fork (held backwards) to glean the black berries from the vines. Package and freeze. Wash just before using.
Use a Sheet To Protect Plants From FrostTo protect plants from frost, cover rows with fitted twin sheets. Plan early when planting with this in mind.
Planting GarlicOne of our favorite foods does best when it is planted in the fall. It likes a well drained soil. Prepare the soil by tilling and removing all weeds. Break apart the garlic bulb into cloves. Place a clove pointed side up about 2 inches in the ground. Plant about 4-6 inches apart depending on the variety.
Almost Care Free RosesA couple of times in other posts, I mentioned starting a rose bed on a hill at the upper end of my property. Sadly enough, this is it. Except for two, I rooted all these roses. I do feel good about that. Most everything else is a tale of woe.
Paint a Flower Pot Saucer that Doesn't Match PotFlower pots and saucers are sold separately. I knew I had a saucer at home so I didn't buy a new one. When I went home, the saucer didn't match the pot. You can revamp the saucer with a little bit of paint and it pairs nicely with the accents of the pot. I was able to save the $1-2 on a saucer, and use an existing one.
Protect Ripening Fruit with NewspaperIn our yard, we have been experiencing more wild animals lately (i.e.: birds, rats, rabbits, etc.) especially since our yard is near a canyon. These animals are eating our fruit! It is quite frustrating watering these fruit trees, watching the fruit grow, and then finding them eaten/ruined.
Using A Coffee Container As An Indoor or Outdoor PlanterBecause we drink a lot of coffee, we often have so many left over containers. I have given these sturdy and decorative containers a new life while helping with the land fill. I use them as planters for myself, friends, and family.
Purple Wandering JewYou don't have to have a green thumb to grow Wandering Jew. I purchased this plant from Walmart in April. I have thinned it several times. I made a hanging basket and gave it to a friend, added a few sprigs around my Lantana plant and also pitched it over the deck railing behind a bush just to get rid of it. That little bit took root and it is spreading.
Using Cherry TomatoesMy cherry tomatoes are getting ripe and I plan to make tomato juice and put it in the freezer. I am enjoying snacking on these sweet cherry tomatoes. The skins are tough so I have to remove that from my mouth after chewing on it.
Growing Celery From Kitchen ScrapsWhen you are finished with the bunch of celery, put it in a glass of water to root. Then put it in a pot with potting soil. When it gets bigger plant in the ground. Water it regularly and you will have celery.
DIY Green Onion GardenI love having a never-ending green onion garden, especially on the cheap. I recently got a huge bag of green onions at the shop for 50 cents. Some of them were starting to wilt at the tips. I used the dark green parts in some recipes, and soaked the roots in some water overnight. I then planted them.
Corn Kernel For Rooting CuttingsI've posted so many pictures of plants I've rooted, I don't think one will be necessary here. I haven't tried this tip as I have no trouble rooting cuttings. For those of you who try my methods and still aren't successful, you might want to give this tip a try.
Clean Lines For Small LawnI have a good sized piece of property. As I get older, it seems to get even larger when it comes time to mow it with a push mower. Doc says the exercise is good for me. But then, he ain't the one doing the pushing.
Shop Specifically For Plant BargainsA Tightwad Grows Flowers: Someone said I was so tight, I squeaked when I walked. So tight, I squeezed a nickel til the buffalo bellowed. Say what they will, when it comes to buying flowers, being miserly certainly has it's advantages.
Whey for Healthy PlantsI make my own yogurt and strain it for Greek-style. I use the whey in cooking, baking, and gardening. I water my flowers and vegetables with it. As you can see from the picture, my miniature rose bush likes it a lot!
Grow a Rose Cutting in a PotatoIf you have a rosebush that's doing well and want to grow more from it, or give some as a gift, it's a good idea to propagate a cutting from that bush inside of a potato. Potatoes have a good amount of moisture and nutrients for a new cutting to develop from.
Euonymus As Foundation PlantingI did a previous post on using Euonymus fortunei Emerald Gaiety as a foundation planting. My last picture in the post left you looking at some tiny Euonymus plants I had rooted. It also showed a dead Bermuda lawn. (I killed it).
Bird Suet SubstituteI feed wild birds all year, especially with the hard winter they've had, but it's hard to keep enough (not to mention costly) to keep buying replacement suet cakes. I do make them sometimes, but decided to try just spreading some peanut butter on some stale raisin bread I had, then placing it into one of the suet cake holders.
Save Soil if Planting SucculentsSucculents have shallow roots and do not require much soil. You can fill a giant pot with other items like cartons, planters, containers, etc. to save soil.
Free PlantersBuying planters and containers to display summer flowers in can be expensive. I'm always looking for items around the house that can be repurposed as planters. I've repurposed tin cans, old shoes, boxes and numerous other items as planters. This year, I decided to use a watering pitcher that had a crack in the bottom.
Phalaris, A Family of Beautiful GrassesPhalaris, sometimes called 'Ribbon Grass', 'Reed Grass' and 'Canary Grass', is a genus of grass which, except for Antarctica, can be found growing worldwide. We know from this, the grass will grow under a large variety of conditions.
Product Review: Falcon 4 Lawn Grass SeedI've been pushing Falcon 4 grass seed, lately. The picture shows you why. Even though this is a new lawn, not yet really established, and all my hand weeding has left it pock marked like an adolescent with acne vulgaris, it still looks pretty good.
Ladybugs for Your GardenThis past weekend, there was a learning event on lady bugs and a bag of 150 lady bugs complimentary with any purchase at Armstrong Garden Center - limit 1 per family.
File Flower Seeds to Help SproutingYou can file the flower seed a little bit to help germinate the seed if there is a thick coating like this, nasturtium. By filing down, it'll help the water absorb. I soaked the seeds 24 hours prior then planted in soil.
Toilet Paper Tubes for SeedlingsToilet paper tubes make excellent biodegradable plant pots for seedlings. All you need are the tubes and a pair of scissors. Make four cuts about an inch long at one end and fold them in. There should be a small hole for drainage. Fill with compost and sow seeds or plant a seedling.
Pre-season PlantingStart your seeds in plants already growing in the house instead of using many small cups for starting your plants ahead of the growing season. Just plant them right along with other plants you have growing in the house. When they get big enough to transplant, you can move them into other containers or directly into your garden.
Starting Seedlings In Kitty LitterIf you're looking for a non messy way to start seed, this is it.
Testing Bargain Camellias (And Other Plants)The above picture is of a new variety of camellia. If I am correct, it is one of a series called 'October Magic', this particular variety being named 'Orchid'.
Most camellias bloom late winter to early spring.This plant is said to bloom in fall, at a time when there is little else in bloom. I like that.
Grow Your Own GingerNow that everyone's battling colds and flus, I'm reminded that growing your own ginger is super easy and, of course, great for your budget. When you're at the store, choose a ginger root that looks like it has eyes growing from it (much like potato eyes), or take it home and wait for the eyes to grow themselves.
Grow Your Own Tomato PlantsLast spring was the first time we ever tried growing our own tomato plants. We had a big plastic tank that didn't work well for what we got it for. My husband removed the plastic and used the frame to make a greenhouse.
Plant Shop for the Best ValueWhile shopping for a fiddle leaf fig plant, we discovered some pots had only one trunk = 1 plant and some had two trunks = essentially that'll be two plants and they were the same price.
Turkey Baster for Watering HouseplantsI find that using an old turkey baster to water my houseplants keeps the leaves dry (which prevents mold and rot) and keeps me from overwatering smaller plants. I will even use a squirt from some of my fish tanks water occasionally for the fertilizing effect!
Overwintering Corkscrew Vine (Vigna Caracalla)Some friends have expressed an interest in growing Vigna Caracalla outside and overwintering them inside. I have a tip or two on that subject. These vines are perennials in their native Central American and tropical South American climes. In temperate regions, they require winter protection when grown as perennials.
Reusing Old Tires to Make Individual Garden PlotsA smart way to re-use an old spare tire is to use it in the garden. So, we made individual plots for lemons from a pile of old tires. It was filled with healthy soil and we placed bamboo sticks around it so the free range chickens won't be able to reach the plant and feed on its leaves or fruit.
Protect Bushes During WinterI bought a miniature rose bush this year and want to protect it from wind and snow. I put some burlap over it and put some rocks and bricks down to anchor it.
5 Tips for Winter HouseplantsHere are some tips for caring for houseplants during the winter.
1. Add coffee grounds into your potting soil to maintain moisture during the winter months.
2. Use your cooled veggie water to give your houseplants some natural fertilizer.
Read on for more.
3 Organic Ways to Control Insects In Your GardenControlling your garden pests is easy with natural pest control. Natural pest controls allow your plants to grow in natural harmony with nature. Even though the insect eats your plants they are a crucial part of the system. When finding insects in your garden, take time to watch what they are doing.
Weigela Florida As Privacy ScreenI had never grown weigela. I learned a lot in a short amount of time. First, I learned just how easily cuttings can be rooted. 4-6 inch tips taken from the plant, inserted into soil and covered with a clear plastic dome will readily root. It takes about 6 weeks for good root formation.
Suet for the BirdsIf I get a good sale price on peanut butter, then I can make my own for less or about the same price as store bought. I like to make it because I can add what I want and the birds seem to like it better homemade. I have bought cases of suet they did not care for, so I melted them down and added peanut butter and they loved it.
A Bug Named Katy (Cicada)When I was a child, I lived in a small village. All the houses were alike except some were three rooms, some four, and some five. Small and very small homes. Large and very large families. There were two or three homes without children, but for the most part, there were more children than you could shake a stick at. One lady bore seventeen children, and would you believe, there was only one girl in the whole lot.
Regrow Vegetables on Your WindowsillMake your vegetables go further by re-growing them. The trimmings of certain vegetables will grow again if you put them in a pot of compost, place them on your windowsill and keep them watered. The photo shows celery leaves grown from the base of a bunch of celery.
Don't Discard Sick Plants Too HastilyWhen you read about plants and the pests and diseases that can affect them, you will find some extremes in the figures. Some plants are affected by only one or two pests and/or only one or two diseases. With other plants, that number may double or triple or even quadruple.
Free Houseplant SoilTechnically, this would be a 'medium' rather than soil, but some people haven't caught on to that word, yet. And too, if you have access to enough, it would be great for the garden as well as your houseplants.
Moving Houseplants to Your New HomeI moved my mother from Wisconsin to Dallas in December years ago and she wanted to take her houseplants. We made a small section in the back seat and stacked the the pots on each other and then secured them by putting boxes around them to keep them in place. I also covered them with a sheet to keep them warm.
Rose Witches BroomOne disease which affects roses is called Rose rosette. The common name for this disease is 'Witches Broom'. It is caused by a virus which is spread by a very small, eriophyid mite. According to Clemson.edu, 'Plants infected with the Rose rosette virus cannot be cured. These infected plants should be removed.
Growing Pansies From SeedI have saved lots of pansy seed from store bought plants over the years. Force of habit, I guess. I never planted them, though. What a shame. That wasteful practice has come to an end, as of now.
Wisteria Serves Double DutyI've done 5 posts on a certain vine and still don't know what to call it. I think it could correctly be called Cochliasanthus caracalla. Having a young wisteria standard (tree form) in my back yard, I decided to keep the Vigna in a 5 gallon bucket and let it grow up and around the wisteria rather than on my clothesline.
Measuring a 5 Gallon Bucket of String BeansThis morning, I picked a 5 gallon bucket full of string beans. I was wondering how many packages I would get to freeze. After blanching, it measured to be 28 cups of cut string beans, which would be 7 quarts.
Corkscrew Vine Bloom TimeI've gotten some private messages asking for further information on the corkscrew vine (Vigna Caracalla). I'm making this post so all who are interested can share this information.
Using Tough Overgrown Green BeansIf you have left any green beans too long on the plant, they will be too tough to eat. However, they need not go to waste. You can remove the beans from the pods and boil and eat them on their own. You can save a few to grow next year.
Hairnets To Protect Small PlantsThis past spring, I had access to 3 two inch gardenia pieces. Just the very tips, mind you. I brought them home and rooted them. Now, I find there are other creatures that love the gardenia just as much as I do.
Watering Hanging BasketsAfter a couple of days in the sunshine, the leaves on my hanging basket of petunias look pitiful. To bring them back to life, I put water in a pan and put the basket in the pan to soak up the water overnight. The next day, the dirt in the basket is heavy with water and the leaves on the flowers look lively again. This is easy and there is no dripping when I hang the basket back up.
Know Your Beneficial InsectsMost of us know ladybugs are just one of a group of insects that are beneficial to the garden. But what about the ladybug in other than the adult stage? I discovered something very interesting.
Use Kitty Litter Bins as PotsMy family enjoyed having a large garden for many years. We grew potatoes, carrots, onions, green beans, sugar snap peas, zucchinis, eggplants, corn, jalapeños, green peppers, watermelon, and cucumbers in our yard. We had edible landscaping. At our new home we can not have a garden so we are trying container gardening.
Compact Seed Starter TrayI am in the process of planting several thousand pansy seed. This being my first time to grow pansies from seed, I really wasn't prepared. I have various trays and flats about, and just about anything else that will hold the seedlings until they're ready for transplanting.
Growing Green Onions from Leftover ScrapsDon't toss your green onion scraps away, you can easily grow more! Soak your scraps in water. Once you see your green onion growing a little, transfer into a mason jar allowing the green onions to grow straight up, make sure the roots are in downward position.
Securing a Garden FlagLast year, while walking, I found a decorative flag out in the middle of a field. I picked it up and located the owner. The next day, when I walked, I placed the flag back on the flag holder and secured it with one of my metal spring clamps. I noticed that she has changed the flag but is still using the same metal clamp.
Deadhead Roses for Better BloomsYou should discard, or deadhead, spent blooms on roses so the plant doesn't expend any more energy on them. When you deadhead, the plant will use its energy to make more blooms, and larger blooms.
Banana and Tea for Your PlantsI eat a banana everyday, and always throw the peel away, I also drink tea everyday and throw out the tea bags. I have now tried throwing the tea bags and banana peels in water, making a tea out of it, and it helps your plants stand up and cheer!
When To Plant Moonflower Vine (Ipomoea alba) SeedMembers have written in, complaining that their moonflower vines were taken by frost just before they were about to bloom. I told them the vine requires a long growing season. I advised them to start the seed indoors, beginning as early as late February. I have more information to share.
Soak Pea Seeds Before PlantingPeas and sweet pea seeds have a hard coating on them and may not grow properly. Soak your seeds the night before planting in lukewarm water. That way you will not lose any seedlings.
Toilet Paper Tube to Protect Seedling RootsBeans and peas do not like their roots disturbed, and may not do well when transplanting them. Use an empty toilette paper roll to plant. When you are ready to plant in the ground keep them in the cardboard. It will disintegrate on its own.
Protect Your Seedlings Against FrostIf you have some plants that need protecting from frost, use a clay pot over the top of your seedling. Plastic bottles will work as well. Be sure to remove them so your plant can get the sun the next day.
Parasitic Wasps Help Control HornwormsIn the spring, we planted one tomato plant in a large container beside our deck. Now it is enormous and has grown above the deck rail. I have babied this plant and in return, we have been enjoying delicious tomatoes, much better than the ones from the garden which have suffered from the hot, dry weather.
Flowers That Attract ButterfliesButterflies just love flowers. That's their drinking fountain full of the nectar they feed on. So be sure and plant flowers in your garden if you want them to come visit. Here are some of their favorites:
Photograph Your Garden In Early LightI haven't had camera as long as most of you. I've just been picking up bits of information as I need it. I wouldn't know an 'f' stop from a short stop with the New York Yankees. I've always heard though about the wonders of early morning light. It is a great time to take pictures.
Plastic Bottles to Protect PlantsProtect your seedlings from cold weather or hard rain by cutting a plastic bottle and putting it on top of your plant. You could also buy glass ones but they are very expensive and they can break. You can use recycled jugs for free and have the same benefit.
Winterizing a Geranium Part 2This is the second part of my winterizing a geranium. Twice during the winter soak it for two hours in water. Take your geranium out of the paper bag it has been in all winter. Put it in a pot with potting soil.
Easy Seed TapeI thought of this just today. It's a bit time consuming, but it does have its advantages. It's another one of those 'knit one, purl two' thingies, meaning you can pick it up when you have a few minutes and stop at any time.
Plant Your Tomato in a Recycled Washing Machine TubAwhile back I did the watering for my next door neighbors while they were out of town. I noticed that their tomato plants were growing in washing machine tubs. What a good idea!
Growing Pansies From SeedSome varieties of pansies do best in late spring and early summer, while others do best in fall and winter. I have been buying plants in early fall, as soon as they are available in garden centers. I have a nice display in fall, all but the coldest parts of winter, and then, spring and the early part of summer.
Clearance PlantsI am always on the market for more beautiful plants and flowers. At my local Lowe's home improvement store, they have racks of reduced plants and flowers for only $1, $3, $5!
Turkey Baster To Transfer Garden ChemicalsI have a half acre field joining my property. I hope over the years to turn it into a respectable flower garden. Now you know why I am so keen on rooting plants. I could never buy enough to fill this half acre.
Give Living GiftsI wouldn't doubt that many of you have forsythia. I have the Lynwood Gold hybrid. Now is a good time to root cuttings for giving to friends and relatives. They are so easy to root, they will root most anywhere, under most conditions, even in a glass of water.
Using Old Cooking Containers As PlantersOften we have old pots that no longer serve their purpose for cooking. This is due to many reasons such as rust, burned, Teflon damage, etc. Instead of throwing them away, just upcycle them into decorative planters.
Buying Plants for Longer BloomingPick out and buy plants that are not yet in bloom. They will flower longer. If you do buy a plant in bloom, pinch off the flowers and buds at planting time to encourage more profuse flowering.
Asian Lady BeetleI found these creepy little bugs in various states of growth on a rosebush near my front door. I first noticed them when I saw brown spots on a nearby plant. A quick Google search showed me that they are Asian lady beetle larvae. This invasive species has pushed out the native ladybugs throughout North America.
Testing Rose Cuttings For RootsMany times I've read instructions on rooting roses. It is generally accepted it takes about six weeks for the cuttings to form enough roots to be transferred to individual pots. This is true for cuttings rooted in the early summer months and does not apply to cuttings rooted over winter.
Maintenance Pruning For Wisteria StandardAs is everything else, the wisteria is a program. This program make a wisteria vine. (Technically, wisteria is a bine, not a vine, and of course this program expresses itself as a bine).
Faster Seed GerminationTo ensure your seeds will grow, you could expedite seed germination by placing your seeds on a piece of paper towel. Write the type of seeds on the paper towel and lightly dampen the seed area with some water. Place your seeds in a Ziploc bag. In a couple days, check up on your seeds.
Preventing Mud Under Outdoor FaucetI got tired of the constant mud puddle under our faucet. Between watering our yard and maintaining our ducks' pen, we have the water on a lot. So my husband created this awesome little gravel pad under the faucet. It is perfect for preventing the mud puddles. It is also a great place to rinse off boots.
Growing Mammoth Elephant EarsThis is my tip for to get large elephant ears. You can get the rhizomes (large seed). The mammoth rhizomes are approximately 3 to 5 inches round. They must be kept dry and at room temp. until ready to plant. The time to plant is late spring.height of 6 feet.
Using a Linoleum Knife to Edge GrassI learned to use a linoleum knife in the garden from my mother, who had learned it from her father. It is a handy tool for grass edging, weed removal, digging rocks out, and many other things. It makes quick work out of even the weediest garden. You definitely need to give it a try!
Extending the Life of Your Basil PlantsIn Tahiti I have a large organic garden with two different types of basil plants. One is the large leaf Italian basil and the other is the small leaf basil. Initially I left the plants to grow and produce flowers. Periodically I would cut the plants. However, the plants would start to die off after a few months.
Create A Micro Climate For Rooting CuttingsWe've all heard of creating a mini greenhouse effect for rooting cuttings. This micro climate is usually created by covering the cuttings with a clear plastic dome, such as cut away inverted soda bottle, or by covering them with plastic bags supported with sticks.
Get a Healthy Nursery Plant for the Best PriceTo choose the most healthy plant of a lot, look under the pot, the roots must be at least beginning to come out of the holes of the pot. Checking the root growth will also help you avoid one of the classic tricks to make you pay more for getting less.
Use Yard Clippings to Keep Weeds AwayIf you are growing pumpkins, gourds, or squash I'm sure you understand the struggle of having weeds growing up in the vines and not being able to remove them without damaging your plant. Use grass clippings as mulch to keep weeds down without pesticides.
Seedling Pots From Phone Book PagesI was working on my front lawn when I noticed a supplemental telephone directory had been left on my porch. I never use telephone books for their intended purpose, but I could use this one to keep a promise.
Paint Strainers to Protect GrapesTo protect your grapes from insects, bugs, and birds while still allowing them to get water and sunlight, use these paint strainers. They are sold at your home improvement store for $2.50 for a 2 pack. We just staple the closure shut and this paint strainer cloth is reusable.
Toddler Fun With FlowersI recently took my toddler to a plant nursery and one of the ladies working there said he could pick up any flowers that had fallen off the plants onto the ground. He absolutely loved hunting for flowers and as we were getting ready to leave, he decided to decorate his head with one. :)
Stacked Rocks in the GardenI love to collect rocks! A cool way to display them in your garden is to stack them. It's fun to try getting all of the various shapes and sizes to balance.
Sunken Gutters For Flower Border ContainersMany different plants can be grown in these border gutters, it's just a matter of knowing which plants have a small or shallow root system. In this case, purslane can make rather large plants while maintaining a small root system.
Expect The Unexpected When Gardening - Blooming WisteriaA lot of unusual things happen in the garden. I would wager most go unnoticed by most gardeners. I find these odd happenings interesting and I like to share them on ThriftyFun. Well, here's one that has left me flabbergasted. I even sent pictures to my ag agent and am awaiting his reply.
Harvesting CherriesOur Stella cherry tree is loaded this year. We purchased it as a seedling in 2003, on sale at a grocery store for about $5. Most years, we get some cherries but this is a bumper crop, even the birds can't keep up. The heat wave of last weekend has quickly ripened the fruit and they need to be picked NOW!
Corn Reproduction TriviaDid you know, for every potential kernel of corn, there is a corn silk? A grain of pollen from the tassel must fall on each silk and travel down the silk tube to the corn ovule (where fertilization occurs) in order for there to be a fully developed ear of corn.
Forks in the Garden to Scare off AnimalsWe have been having bunny and squirrel problems invading our little garden. To prevent animals from coming, we placed plastic forks all around. You can use other plastic utensils like knives and spoons, but forks work best!
Store Seeds in the FridgeMake sure your seeds are completely dried. I have my seeds stored in a sealed Ziploc bag. By keeping your seeds in the fridge, you will not have to keep purchasing new seeds for every season, and the seeds will germinate better when it is time to plant them.
Place Empty Bottles in Garden PotWhen filling a very large pot with flowers, first you may add closed plastic bottles from your recycling bin or even Styrofoam from leftover packages to the bottom before adding the soil. It not only reduces the amount of soil you need it's great to make it a lighter pot to have to move around!
Viburnum Tree in BloomThis beautiful tree was sort of an accident. I was looking for a dogwood and the nursery recommended this instead. My husband had his heart set on a dogwood so we planted it in our side yard between driveways. I'm sorry now that I didn't plant it where it would show better.
Buy Plants from Local GardenersMy favorite place to buy plants for my gardens is from the Tualatin Valley Garden Club. They have a booth at my farmer's market every Saturday. The club is made up of people in the local area that love to garden. They are always willing to share their expertise.
