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Cutting Bulb Foliage

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:38:22 +0000

You may know that cutting bulb foliage down before it fades shortens the life of your bulbs, causing them to produce fewer or no blooms the following year. But, did you know that the foliage of some bulbs fades much more quickly than that of other bulbs? If the thought of looking at strappy green leaves for six weeks in your flower garden is unappealing, plant allium bulbs in the landscape. The foliage of these plants starts to turn yellow as the flowers come into bloom, so you can cut the entire plant down when the flowers fade. Muscari bulbs are at the opposite end of the spectrum: After the foliage fades, it returns in the fall and endures for the winter.

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Proper Plant Spacing in the Flower Garden

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:22:21 +0000

Spring is a time when gardeners are subject to landscape envy. Suddenly, you notice the fire pit, mature shade trees, and vine draped pergola of your neighbors, and you want to have a piece of that. This fervor to accomplish a complete garden in one season can lead to a common garden mistake, planting shrubs and flowers too close together in the ground.

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Spoiled Rotten Plants

Wed, 08 May 2013 11:09:33 +0000

My kids and I enjoy watching Spoiled Rotten Pets, getting a chuckle out of the amazing lengths some pet owners go to in pampering their dogs, cats, and even rats. I wonder if the producers would ever consider a knock-off show about fabulous gardens and their keepers? Do you have any "spoiled rotten plants?" Here are a few habits that might qualify you for the show:

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Late Spring Gardening

Thu, 02 May 2013 19:03:20 +0000

My garden frog is confused. Yesterday, he basked in a carpet of flowers in 80 degree weather. Today, he scowls during an aberrant May snow shower. How will the flowers I planted this week endure? Row covers are one way to guard against late frosts; cold frames and buckets also work for smaller gardens. Not foolproof, but better than the fist-shaking and nervous chocolate nibbling I've been engaging in today.

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Celebrate May Day

Wed, 01 May 2013 15:56:42 +0000

How is your spring flower garden growing this May Day? Share the blooming bounty by leaving a surprise flower cone or flower basket on a friend's doorstep. I'm squeezing in as much garden time as possible today, as tomorrow's forecast includes all day showers and high temperatures in the 40's.

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Control Dandelions

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:34:29 +0000

Who hasn't occasionally admired the cheerful yellow flowers of dandelions, popping up in the landscape with other early blooms like tulips and hyacinths? I don't think I've ever seen a bigger one in my yard than this one in the photo, which my daughter watered eagerly along with all of the other garden flowers. Our abundant rains made removal with a small trowel easy, but digging individual specimens is no way to tackle a serious dandelion infestation. Check out David Beaulieu's comprehensive article on dandelion control, and clear more space for desirable spring flowers.

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Late Spring in the Garden

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 20:26:43 +0000

Three weeks ago, with a song in my heart, I rushed to the nursery to purchase pansies and seed starting supplies. Today, Mother Nature showed us she is as mercurial as a teenager is when she blasted our region with frigid winds and a spitting snowstorm. I accompanied my family to the hardware store to spend a gift certificate we received at Christmastime, and I was prepared to spend my share on something for the garden. However, the swirling snowflakes dampened my garden spirit. I know that the chance of frost isn't behind us here until the first of May, but how did we go from flip-flops to snow boots in the span of a week?

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Wordless Wednesday: Cambodian Flower Market

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:08:45 +0000

New on About Flowers: Use Newspaper in the Flower Garden

Early Weed Control

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:11:31 +0000

This weekend, taking advantage of the first seasonal day outdoors in quite a while, I noticed with alarm that there were many things growing in my garden without my permission. The grass seed I applied in the fall had germinated happily in loamy beds. Dandelions were finding a purchase between every stone. Self-seeding volunteer flowers were sprouting by the hundred, waiting for no one to thin them. I got busy quickly, abandoning my pruning shears for hands, hoe, and trowel. The moist soil made weed pulling easy, and the interlopers had nowhere to hide, as many of my perennials haven't emerged yet. Make a point of pulling weeds before they develop strong roots or set seed, and you're less likely to resort to chemical herbicides in your flower garden.

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Night Scented Stock

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 06:08:22 +0000

Scented stock is nothing new amongst the springtime offerings at the nursery, but the new stock varieties offer better beauty without sacrificing scent. While the demure flowers of heirloom stock are fine for filling large areas with fragrant flowers, seek out the new types like the 24-inch, double-flowered 'Legacy' series for your containers. Buy an inexpensive six-pack to fill in your hanging baskets, and discard the plants when hot temperatures cause flowering to cease.

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