Prairie Scapes Ltd. (designs for your landscape)

How to Build A Raised Planter Bed

2011-04-06T15:56:00.001-07:00

A easy to construct and solid bed for the garden. Great for produce or as a flower bed.

Post by Len Kobewka - Master Gardener with Prairie Scapes Ltd., an Alberta landscape design company.

Video 4 min. 8 sec. from Videojug.com

When to start seeds

2011-02-19T14:34:00.010-07:00

Some seeds and bulbs need to be started indoors in order to be ready for the summer season. Early February is when geranium seeds need to be planted if you want June blossoms. Mid to late February is the time to start annuals such as lobelia, fibrous begonina, browallia, dusty miller, pansy, carnation, purple millet, nemesia and petunia. Some perennials that fall in this time frame are bee balm, lupin, sea holly, veronica, shasta daisy, colombine, stone crop, primrose, bellflower, foxglove, astilbe, rock cress, and fleabane. Most other common flowering plants (along with herbs, tomatoes, and green peppers) are started between March 15 and April 15. Summer flowering bulbs such as tuberous begonias should be started mid February for June blossoms; and dahlia tubers should be started indoors about a month before they head outside. For tips on how to start your seeds indoors, please see post on 'Starting Seeds'. (Also take notice of post 'No Damp')

Curb Appeal

2011-01-26T21:48:00.002-07:00

The appearance of your home/ yard from the street says alot about who you are. By having an interesting entrance, you enhance curb appeal and increase the value of your property. The curve of a sidewalk; the placement of trees, shrubs and planting beds; the addition of an arbor; all add a unique look that compel people to take notice and admire. By blending colors that harmonize, you add a sense of unity but you will want to add some interest with an item that attracts attention. This could be a wagon wheel, a statue, an unusual boulder, or a colorful shrub. Whatever you chose, it should fit in with the theme or decore of the house. Any of these 'bones' of the landscape add qualities for winterscaping too.

No Damp

2010-03-05T08:51:00.003-07:00

Over the last couple of years many of the chemicals we used to use for landscape and gardening purposes have become banned. 'No Damp' is now on the list. Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has recently discontinued the used of the active ingredient 'oxine benzoate' which is found in this fungicide. ('No Damp' was used to prevent damping off of young seedlings, where young plants would get stem and/or root rot and die.)
A new product called "Truban' is now available to control damping off. I found it at our local gardening center. (Remember to follow the directions for use.)

Pruning Climbing Roses

2009-11-28T10:18:00.002-07:00

Pruning Climbing Roses

Prune yearly for healthier, more manageable growth and bigger, better flowers

by Andrew Schulman

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Pruning Wisteria

2009-11-27T15:41:00.000-07:00

Pruning Wisteria

Well-placed summer and winter cuts will keep this vigorous vine manageable

by Meghan Ray

Pruning Subshrubs

2009-11-27T10:15:00.005-07:00

Pruning Subshrubs

Don't cut plants like lavender to the ground, and don't touch them in fall or winter

by Debra Knapke

How to Prune Cane-Growing Shrubs

2009-11-27T10:15:00.003-07:00

How to Prune Cane-Growing Shrubs

Keep new plants looking young and make old plants look like new

by John C. Fech

The best plants for bonsai

2009-11-25T14:36:00.001-07:00

The best plants for bonsai

Q: What trees lend themselves to the art of bonsai?
Jane Saunders, Portland, ME

Pruning Hydrangeas

2009-11-25T14:36:00.000-07:00

Pruning Hydrangeas

Knowing if your shrub blooms on old or new wood will help you make timely cuts

by Janet Carson

3 Ways to Prune Rhododendrons

2009-11-25T10:33:00.002-07:00

3 Ways to Prune Rhododendrons

Here's how to maintain, shape, or rejuvenate rhododendrons

by Charles W.G. Smith

Video - A Survey of Pruning Tools

2009-11-25T10:32:00.001-07:00

A Survey of Pruning Tools

Find the right tool for the trimming your shrubs and trees
with Lee Reich

Length: 9:00 Produced By: Gary Junken

Whether you are pruning hedges, shrubs, or fruit trees, the right tool makes all the difference. In this clip from the Fine Gardening Pruning DVD-ROM, horticulturist Lee Reich, Ph.D., of New Paltz, New York, and author of The Pruning Book, examines the key features on an array of pruning implements. You'll learn what the tools do, and what to consider when shopping for a new hand pruner, lopper, saw, pole pruner, or hedge shears.

From Fine Gardening Pruning DVD-ROM

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Pruning hollies

2009-11-24T07:58:00.002-07:00

Pruning hollies

The kind you have and the look you want determines the cuts to make

by Danielle Sherry

Video -How to Prune Shrub Roses

2009-11-24T06:59:00.002-07:00

How to Prune Shrub Roses
with Peter Kukielski

Length: 5:06

Pruning roses stimulates growth and flowering, and removes dead, weak or sickly canes that can drain energy from the rose and encourage disease. In this video, Peter Kukielski, curator of the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden at the New York Botanical Garden, demonstrates the best way to prune shrub roses.

Related Videos:
How to Prune Floribunda Roses
How to Prune Hybrid Tea Roses
Feeding and Mulching Roses
Planting Garden Roses in Containers

Shot by: Kate Geruntho; Edited by: Cari Delahanty

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Video -How to Prune Hybrid Tea Roses

2009-11-20T17:12:00.001-07:00

How to Prune Hybrid Tea Roses
with Peter Kukielski

Length: 5:20

Pruning roses stimulates growth and flowering, and removes dead, weak or sickly canes that can drain energy from the rose and encourage disease. In this video, Peter Kukielski, curator of the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden at the New York Botanical Garden, demonstrates the best way to prune hybrid tea roses.

Related Videos:
How to Prune Shrub Roses
How to Prune Floribunda Roses
Feeding and Mulching Roses
Planting Garden Roses in Containers

Shot by: Kate Geruntho; Edited by: Cari Delahanty

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Video -How to Prune Floribunda Roses

2009-11-20T17:12:00.000-07:00

How to Prune Floribunda Roses
with Peter Kukielski

Length: 5:21

Pruning roses stimulates growth and flowering, and removes dead, weak or sickly canes that can drain energy from the rose and encourage disease. In this video, Peter Kukielski, curator of the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden at the New York Botanical Garden, demonstrates the best way to prune shrub roses.
Related Videos:
How to Prune Shrub Roses
How to Prune Hybrid Tea Roses
Feeding and Mulching Roses
Planting Garden Roses in Containers

Shot by: Kate Geruntho; Edited by: Cari Delahanty

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

How to Prune Conifers

2009-11-20T08:51:00.005-07:00

How to Prune Conifers

These plants are unforgiving, so make the right cuts for the right reasons

by Bert Cregg

Video - Storing Seeds

2009-11-20T08:51:00.003-07:00

Storing Seeds

Proper storage conditions are key to seed vigor

Length: 2:15

Collecting and storing seeds for the next growing season is a great way to make more plants for free. To make sure you get vigorous seeds with a high germination percentage, you need to store them under the proper conditions.

In this video, Barbara Pierson of White Flower Farm in Litchfield, Connecticut, covers the basics of seed storage.

Produced by: Gary Junken

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Video -Sowing Seeds

2009-11-18T09:51:00.004-07:00

Sowing Seeds

Get your seedlings off to a healthy start

Length: 4:43 Produced By: Gary Junken
Few gardening pursuits are as rewarding as growing and nurturing your own plants. But growing plants isn't always an easy task. In this video, Alyson Brown, propagation manager at White Flower Farm in Litchfield, Conn., demonstrates some techniques that are sure to help you get your seeds off to a healthy start.

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Video -Seed-Starting Pre-Treat

2009-11-18T09:51:00.002-07:00

Seed-Starting Pre-Treat

Most seeds germinate readily, but others may require a few extra steps to achieve good results
with Adrianna Vargo

Length: 6:19 Produced By: Gary Junken

Cultivated seeds, removed from nature, are removed from the natural processes they would be undergoing in the passage of the seasons and may require artificial stimuli to overcome dormancy. Scarification is the abrasive processes that some hard-coated seeds undergo in natural soils or the digestive tracts of birds and mammals; while stratification describes the warm moist conditions preceded by cold moist conditions seeds experience when left on the ground through the winter.

In this video, Adrianna Vargo, nursery manager of the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants at Monticello, in Charlottesville, Virginia, demonstrates a couple of techniques you can use to emulate these conditions before sowing the seeds.

For more on starting seeds read her article 10 Seed-Starting Tips in the January/February 2003 of Fine Gardening (#89).

From Fine Gardening 89

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Video -Rooting Tip Cuttings

2009-11-14T07:31:00.005-07:00

Rooting Tip Cuttings

Save money and grow more plants
with Alyson Brown

Length: 6:33
The benefits of knowing how to propagate plants from tip cuttings are endless. You can make more of your favorite plants for almost no money. You can take cuttings from many tender perenials in the fall and save them for the following spring. And taking cuttings is way easier than dividing, so you can be more generous with your friends.
Produced by: Gary Junken

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Video -How to Divide Ornamental Grasses

2009-11-14T07:31:00.003-07:00

How to Divide Ornamental Grasses
with Daryl Beyers

Length: 5:14

Ornamental grasses can be pretty intimidating to divide, given their size. Just remember that grasses respond best to division in spring and that you'll have the best luck if you use a sharp knife or, even better, a chain saw.
In this video, Fine Gardening assistant editor Daryl Beyers confirms what many fans of ornamental grasses already know: Dividing grasses is not a chore for the faint of heart.

Shot by: Danielle Sherry; Edited by: Cari Delahanty

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Video - How to Dig, Divide, and Store Dahlia Tubers

2009-11-13T09:56:00.002-07:00

How to Dig, Divide, and Store Dahlia Tubers

Length: 6:00 Produced By: Gary Junken

Dahlias have some of the most beautiful flowers of any garden plant available. They appear in every color of the rainbow but blue, and present over a dozen unique forms and variable sizes. Dahlias are also tender perennials that need protection from harsh winters and soil that is not well drained. In this video, Barbara Pierson, of White Flower Farm in Litchfield, Connecticut, demonstrates the best way to dig, divide, and store your dahlia tubers for winter to ensure that you will enjoy their fabulous blooms year after year.

Companion Content
How to Store Dahlias for the Winter

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Video -Dividing Plants with Woody Roots

2009-11-13T08:05:00.002-07:00

Dividing Plants with Woody Roots
with Janet Macunovich

Length: 3:01
Woody perennials often form roots when stems rest on the ground or are buried by gradually accumulating mulch. Make a new plant by simply cutting between the rooted stem and the mother plant.

Plants that have woody roots include candytufts (Iberis spp. and cvs., Z 5–9), euonymus (Euonymus spp. and cvs., Z 4–9), lavenders (Lavandula spp. and cvs., Z 5–10), sages (Salvia spp. and cvs., Z 5–10).

In this video, author and instructor Janet Macunovich demonstrates how to divide woody plants.

Related videos
Introduction to Dividing Perennials
Dividing Plants with Roots That Form Offsets
Dividing Plants with Surface Roots
Dividing Plants with Taproots
Dividing Plants with Underground Running Roots

Related Article
10 Tips on Dividing Perennials

Produced by: Gary Junken

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Video -Dividing Plants with Underground Running Roots

2009-11-12T08:26:00.004-07:00

Dividing Plants with Underground Running Roots
with Janet Macunovich

Length: 3:04
Underground running roots can develop suckers as they grow beyond the shade of the mother clump. These suckers can be cut away from the main plant, or you can dig up the main plant and cut away any piece with an eye or sucker already forming.

Plants with underground running roots: hardy geraniums (Geranium spp. and cvs., Z 4–9), Japanese anemones (Anemone × hybrida cvs., Z 4–8), ostrich fern (Matteuccia pennsylvanica, Z 3–8), plume poppies (Macleaya spp. and cvs., Z 4–9)

In this video, author and instructor Janet Macunovich demonstrates how to divide perennials with underground running roots.

Related videos
Introduction to Dividing Perennials
Dividing Plants with Roots That Form Offsets
Dividing Plants with Surface Roots
Dividing Plants with Taproots
Dividing Plants with Woody Roots

Related Article
10 Tips on Dividing Perennials

Produced by: Gary Junken

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Video -Dividing Plants with Taproots

2009-11-12T08:26:00.002-07:00

Dividing Plants with Taproots
with Janet Macunovich

Length: 2:22
Plants that have taproots can be divided by using a sharp knife to slice down the length of the root. Every piece that has at least one eye, some of the taproot, and a few side roots is a viable division.

Plants that have taproots include balloon flowers (Platycodon grandiflorus and cvs., Z 4–9), butterfly weeds (Asclepias tuberosa and cvs., Z 4–9), cushion spurges (Euphorbia polychroma and cvs., Z 4–9), Oriental poppies (Papaver orientale and cvs., Z 4–9)

In this video, author and instructor Janet Macunovich demonstrates how to divide perennials that have taproots.

Related videos
Introduction to Dividing Perennials
Dividing Plants with Roots That Form Offsets
Dividing Plants with Surface Roots
Dividing Plants with Underground Running Roots
Dividing Plants with Woody Roots

Related Article
10 Tips on Dividing Perennials
Produced by: Gary Junken

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Video -Dividing Plants with Surface Roots

2009-11-11T06:58:00.005-07:00

Dividing Plants with Surface Roots
with Janet Macunovich

Length: 1:52
Some perennials have roots that run on or just below the surface of the soil. They form new crowns and roots when they reach open spaces or make contact with the soil. If you cut between any of the stems as you would cut a piece of sod from a lawn, you will have a division with its own stems and roots.

Plants with surface roots include bee balms (Monarda spp. and cvs., Z 4–9), black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia spp. and cvs., Z 3–9), creeping sedums (Sedum spp. and cvs., Z 3–9), creeping speedwells (Veronica spp. and cvs., Z 3–8).

In this video, author and instructor Janet Macunovich demonstrates how to divide plants with surface roots.

Related videos
Introduction to Dividing Perennials
Dividing Plants with Roots That Form Offsets
Dividing Plants with Taproots
Dividing Plants with Underground Running Roots
Dividing Plants with Woody Roots

Related Article
10 Tips on Dividing Perennials

Produced by: Gary Junken

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Video -Dividing Plants with Roots That Form Offsets

2009-11-11T06:58:00.003-07:00

Dividing Plants with Roots That Form Offsets
with Janet Macunovich

Length: 7:09
To divide a plant whose roots form offsets (small plants growing at the base of a larger one), snap the connection between any of the sections to obtain a piece with ample roots and three or more growing points (or “eyes”). Some denser clumps may have to be cut apart.
Plants that form offsets include asters (Aster spp. and cvs., USDA Hardiness Zones 4–8), coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea and cvs., Z 3–9), hostas (Hosta spp. and cvs., Z 3–8), tickseeds (Coreopsis spp. and cvs., Z 4–9).

In this video, author and instructor Janet Macunovich demonstrates how to divide perennials with roots that form offsets.

Related videos
Introduction to Dividing Perennials
Dividing Plants with Surface Roots
Dividing Plants with Taproots Dividing Plants with Underground Running Roots
Dividing Plants with Woody Roots

Related Article
10 Tips on Dividing Perennials

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Video - Dividing a Plant Without Digging It Up

2009-11-10T10:55:00.005-07:00

Dividing a Plant Without Digging It Up
with Janet Macunovich

Length: 1:56
Dividing perennials improves the health of mature plants and allows you to increase the number of plants in your garden. Some can be divided right in the ground. In this video, author and instructor Janet Macunovich demonstrates how to divide a perennial without digging it up.
10 Tips on Dividing Perennials
Produced by: Gary Junken

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Video - Collecting Seeds

2009-11-10T10:55:00.003-07:00

Collecting Seeds

Save your favorites now to start fresh next spring
with Barbara Pierson

Length: 2:19
Seed prices can add up pretty quickly, even if you only have one small bed to fill. Collecting seeds in the fall guarantees that you'll have a full summer garden the next year for free. In this video, Barbara Pierson of White Flower Farm demonstrates how to collect seeds.
Produced by: Gary Junken

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Video - Collecting Fern Spores

2009-11-08T10:20:00.001-07:00

Collecting Fern Spores

Timing the harvest is the important first step in propagating ferns
with Nancy Swell

Produced By: Gary Junken

An individual fern can produce spores numbering in the millions, and they're easy to collect from the ones in your yard or even in the wild. The trick is to know when they're immature, too mature, or just right for picking.

Nancy Swell, a Richmond, Virginia gardener and contributor to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's handbook about ferns, warns that once a frond is picked the spores will not ripen further, so care should be taken in your selection. She will also demonstrate a simple way to separate the tiny dried spores from the chaff.

For more information on starting ferns from spores and a complete list of easy-to-grow ferns, see Nancy's article, "Fern Propagation, Simplified," in the January/February 2000 issue of Fine Gardening (#71).
From Fine Gardening 71

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

A movable windowsill

2009-11-08T10:20:00.000-07:00

A movable windowsill

Though my house has south-facing windows with plenty of light for starting new plants, the windowsills are too narrow to hold a flat of seedlings or the trays of cuttings I root each year. To make convenient shelves for the plants, I bought several inexpensive, height-adjustable ironing boards. They take up very little room, and can be wiped up easily if I spill when watering. I can raise them to windowsill height and set them right against the sill so my plants get all the sun they need.
Ursula Reinhold, Doylestown, PA
From Fine Gardening 17, pp. 10

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Propagating pachysandra

2009-11-07T06:23:00.003-07:00

Propagating pachysandra

When I decided several years ago to plant pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis) as a ground cover in two shady spots in my yard, I didn’t run out to the garden center to buy flats of cuttings. I knew from my grandmother that it would be easy to start my own cuttings for free.
With permission from my pachysandra-rich neighbor, I went next door with a laundry basket and snipped off the tips (down to the first leaf juncture) of about 200 to 300 shoots. I brought them home and stuck them, in bunches of 25, into wide-mouthed glass jars filled with water and placed the jars in a shady spot. In three to four weeks, the cuttings had sprouted enough roots to be planted out.

Because the areas that I wanted the pachysandra to cover were large, it took a number of years for me to complete the project. About three times during the growing season, from April to August, I visited my neighbor’s patch and came away with a full basket. Today, thanks to a little bit of effort on my part and my neighbor’s generosity, I have my own thriving pachysandra patches.
Martha McKeon, Sandy Hook, CT
From Fine Gardening 21, pp. 14

Keeping seed packets in view

2009-11-07T06:23:00.002-07:00

Keeping seed packets in view

I’m a visual person, so I need to see my seed packets when I’m planning my garden. Since I’ve got too many to spread out on a table, I string a clothesline across the inside of the garage and hang packets from the line with clothespins. Colored plastic clothespins allow me to color-code the packets by category (annuals and perennials, for example).
Cristina Duchaump, Royal Oak, MI
From Fine Gardening 36, pp. 8

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Collecting and Storing Seeds

2009-11-06T07:53:00.002-07:00

Collecting and Storing Seeds

by Sally Roth

A mini-greenhouse

2009-11-06T07:52:00.002-07:00

A mini-greenhouse

This simple plastic sweater box was flipped upside down and made into a useful seed starter. Photo/Illustration: Mike Wanke

I use plastic sweater boxes as mini-greenhouses to germinate my seeds. I turn the lids upside down and place the flats of seeds or pots on the lid. I water the soil and then place the bottom of the box on top of the lid. I don’t have to water the flats again. I keep the boxes closed until the seeds germinate. Another advantage of using sweater boxes is that they can be stacked to conserve space.
Suzanne Coe, East Canaan, CT
From Fine Gardening 53, pp. 10

Jump Start Your Seeds

2009-11-05T08:28:00.002-07:00

Jump Start Your Seeds

Use these tricks to speed germination then plant up some pots

by Sally Roth

Hormones hasten rooting

2009-11-05T07:16:00.001-07:00

Hormones hasten rooting

When rooting cuttings in water, add a young willow branch or two to the container. Willow wood contains a natural hormone that speeds the rooting process. I have rooted coleus, petunia, jasmine, salvia, and many other plants this way.
Suzanne Coe, East Canaan, CT
From Fine Gardening 58, pp. 10

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Propagating rhodies

2009-11-04T07:20:00.004-07:00

Propagating rhodies

Q: What’s the best time of year to take cuttings to propagate rhododendrons, and are all rooting hormones created equal?
David Lawrence, Asheville, NC

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Grow Your Own Conifers from Hardwood Cuttings

2009-11-04T07:20:00.003-07:00

Grow Your Own Conifers from Hardwood Cuttings

It takes a little patience, but the technique is straightforward and gives good results

by Charles W.G. Smith

Weave a Garden of Self-Sown Splendor

2009-11-03T09:40:00.002-07:00

Weave a Garden of Self-Sown Splendor

Letting nature have a strong hand yields a garden of untamed beauty

by Gary Keim

Breed Your Own Gladiolus Hybrids

2009-11-03T09:16:00.002-07:00

Breed Your Own Gladiolus Hybrids

Hybridizing is a snap to learn, yet can challenge even the experienced breeder

by Paul H. Franklin

Propagating white-flowered four o’clocks

2009-11-02T07:02:00.005-07:00

Propagating white-flowered four o’clocks

Q: I planted a packet of mixed-color four o’clocks (Mirabilis jalapa) and ended up with one that’s producing beautiful, pure-white flowers. How can I propagate this plant so I can grow it again next year?
Susan Riskind, San Leandro, CA

Dividing Perennials: Tools, Techniques, and Timing

2009-11-02T07:02:00.003-07:00

Dividing Perennials: Tools, Techniques, and Timing

Take your cues from root systems and weather conditions

by Todd Meier

Using indoor plant lights

2009-10-31T11:12:00.001-07:00

Using indoor plant lights

Q: I’m interested in gardening under plant lights. What do I need to get started?
Leslie Arnold, Spring Green, WI

Propagate Your Shrubs from Softwood Cuttings

2009-10-31T11:12:00.000-07:00

Propagate Your Shrubs from Softwood Cuttings

With the right tools and conditions, it's easy to propagate new plants from softwood shoots

by Susan Grillo

Willow as a rooting agent

2009-10-30T11:16:00.001-07:00

Willow as a rooting agent

Q: I often root coleus cuttings in water and have been told that adding a sprig of willow will make the roots develop more rapidly. How can that be?
Linda Blank, Omaha, NE

Starting Wildflowers from Seed

2009-10-30T11:16:00.000-07:00

Starting Wildflowers from Seed

Knowing when to keep them wet, dry, warm, or cold helps you to coax these woodland seeds to grow

by William Cullina

Ornamental allium from seed

2009-10-30T09:03:00.002-07:00

Ornamental allium from seed

Q: I have some beautiful seed heads of Allium cristophii drying in the garden. Can you tell me how to start these plants from seed, and how long it takes for seedlings to reach blooming size?
Karen Welty-Wolf, Durham, NC

Garden Vagabonds

2009-10-30T08:28:00.002-07:00

Garden Vagabonds

With these self-sowers, what you lose in control you gain in adventure

by Andrew Schulman

Is this a new plant?

2009-10-29T06:24:00.002-07:00

Is this a new plant?

Q: One of my nicotiana seedlings has produced flowers in a color I’ve never seen before. How do I go about finding out if this is a new variety?
Jerri Brubecker, Eugene, OR

Empty rolls reused

2009-10-29T05:29:00.003-07:00

Empty rolls reused

Photo/Illustration: Christine Erikson
I save our empty cardboard toilet-paper rolls throughout the year, cut them in half, and use them in the spring for seed-starting pots. Up to 66 halves fit snugly onto a metal baking sheet, which conducts heat efficiently on my seed-starting heat mats. The rolls are easy to fill with soil and to plant seeds in.

When the seedlings are ready to be transplanted, I slide them partially down through the tubes, soil and all. When planted in the ground, the upper parts of the tubes that stick up above the soil line provide warm little protective enclosures for the delicate seedlings, and the lower parts of the tubes serve as protection against destructive cutworms. The tubes decompose as the season progresses, when the seedlings no longer need their support and protection.
Kelly B. Wood, Portland, OR
From Fine Gardening 87, pp. 14

10 Seed-Starting Tips

2009-10-28T08:10:00.005-07:00

10 Seed-Starting Tips

How a practiced propagator gets seedlings off to a healthy start

by Adrianna Vargo

Save Money and Grow More Plants with Tip Cuttings

2009-10-28T08:10:00.003-07:00

Save Money and Grow More Plants with Tip Cuttings

by Steve Silk

Propagating yucca

2009-10-26T13:40:00.001-07:00

Propagating yucca

Q: Can I propagate yucca from stem cuttings?
G. K. Nash, Amarillo, TX

10 Tips on Dividing Perennial Plants

2009-10-26T13:40:00.000-07:00

10 Tips on Dividing Perennial Plants

Divide to make healthier plants--and more of them

by Janet Macunovich

When dividing perennials, timing and technique are important. Perennial plants are healthiest and most productive when they are young and have room to spread. How wonderful that we can rejuvenate even the oldest residents of a garden by occasionally dividing them. Read on to learn how to divide plants.

Making More Shrubs

2009-10-26T09:10:00.005-07:00

Making More Shrubs

Layering, an easy propagation technique, is a three-step process that lets the plant do most of the work

by Lee Reich

Reap the Rewards of Self-Sowers

2009-10-26T09:10:00.003-07:00

Reap the Rewards of Self-Sowers

These four techniques help you manage botanical freebies to your advantange

by Meghan Ray

20 Gardenworthy Self-Sowers

2009-10-25T09:17:00.005-07:00

20 Gardenworthy Self-Sowers

by Meghan Ray

Whether you are looking to create a cottage garden or to fill a few gaps in beds and borders, there are many self-sowers to choose from. Here are some of my favorites that I grow in the Northeast.

Lanky cleome seedlings

2009-10-25T09:17:00.003-07:00

Lanky cleome seedlings

Q: My cleome seedlings are leggy. Can they be buried with their cotyledons below soil level? Can this practice be used with most, if not all, flowering annuals or with just a select few?
Joseph Giordano, Flint, MI

10 Perennials Easily Grown from Seed

2009-10-24T09:18:00.002-07:00

10 Perennials Easily Grown from Seed

Because this bunch is simple to start, you'll save money and get more plants

by Panayoti Kelaidis

Grow more plants with root cuttings

2009-10-24T08:01:00.002-07:00

Grow more plants with root cuttings

Use this simple technique at the right time to multiply some of your favorites

by Hunter Stubbs

Video - Introduction to Dividing Perennials

2009-10-23T08:07:00.003-07:00

Introduction to Dividing Perennials

Mastering this technique is the best way to get more plants for free
with Janet Macunovich

Length: 3:57
Dividing perennials improves the health of mature plants, and also allows you to increase the number of plants in your garden. In this video, author and instructor Janet Macunovich provides an introduction to dividing perennials, as well as an overview of the five different types of roots a plant may have.

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Video - Planting Garlic

2009-10-23T08:07:00.001-07:00

Planting Garlic

Garlic plants require decent soil, adequate moisture, and planting and harvesting at the right time
with Farmer Joe Smith

Length: 2:44
We're pretty sure that once you taste homegrown garlic, you'll never again be satisfied with the mass-produced commercial varieties found in supermarkets. And garlic is ridiculously easy to grow. In this video, farmer Joe Smith, from Niantic, Connecticut, demonstrates how to plant garlic. Be sure to check out our in-depth articles on growing garlic: Garlic Begets Garlic and Grow Your Own Garlic.
Shot by: Danielle Sherry; Produced by: Cari Delahanty

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Video - Plant a Fall Asian Garden

2009-10-22T10:10:00.002-07:00

Plant a Fall Asian Garden
with Patti Moreno

Length: 6:12

Patti Moreno, the Garden Girl, experiments with a wide variety of vegetables, and one her favorites is her Asian kitchen garden. These fast-growing and cold hardy greens are a great solution to the fall and winter blues.
Produced by: Garden Girl TV

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Video - Planting Garden Roses in Containers

2009-10-22T09:44:00.002-07:00

Planting Garden Roses in Containers

Choose rose varieties that are naturally compact
with Andrew Schulman

Length: 2:52 Produced By: Gary Junken

Select a rose that will stay in scale with the container without much heavy pruning. In terms of size, 24 to 36-inch-wide containers are ideal. For durability, lean toward cast stone or molded resin containers. While the popular half-whiskey barrels are a good size, they tend to decompose in wet climates unless they are heavily treated with preservatives.

Andrew Schulman, a landscape designer and Fine Gardening author, shows how to plant roses in containers and adds a tip to aid in watering.

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Video - How to Plant Alliums

2009-10-21T08:21:00.004-07:00

How to Plant Alliums
with Steve Aitken

Length: 1:21
Here are a few things you need to remember when planting alliums:
- Plant them in the fall.
- Get the root side down, with the pointy end up.
- Get the planting depth right. If you plant your bulbs too deep, they may not have enough energy to make it to the soil's surface. If you plant them too shallow, the blooms may topple over when it reaches its full height.

In this video, Fine Gardening editor Steve Aitken demonstrates how to plant alliums.

Shot by: Gary Junken; Edited by: Cari Delahanty
From Fine Gardening 127

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Toothpick seed markers

2009-10-21T08:21:00.002-07:00

Toothpick seed markers

When sowing seeds directly into soil, I used to have trouble telling good seedlings from weeds. Now when I sow seeds, I mark each seed with a toothpick stuck into the soil immediately next to it. The toothpicks are inconspicuous from a standing height, but I can spot them easily when I stoop to pull weeds.
Susan A. Henderson, Winnetka, IL
From Fine Gardening 4, pp. 6

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Keeping seed packets in view

2009-10-20T09:08:00.001-07:00

A grass-seed shaker

2009-10-20T08:23:00.001-07:00

A grass-seed shaker

I often sow grass seeds, but not in enough quantity to warrant the purchase of a lawn spreader. And casting the seeds by hand often results in uneven coverage. No matter how hard I try to let the grains sift slowly through my fingers, they always seem to land in piles.
My solution is to convert a tin can into an oversize saltshaker. I punch holes in the bottom of the can with an ice pick or a hammer and nail. Then I fill the can with seeds and shake it over the area I’m seeding. If the holes aren’t big enough, I enlarge them slightly with a screwdriver and then try the shaker again. I repeat the process until I get the desired flow rate. With holes the appropriate size and using an oscillating wrist motion, I can get seeds to fall evenly from the can.
Jerome Knapp, Minooka, IL
From Fine Gardening 27, pp. 8

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Moving a tree peony

2009-10-19T11:02:00.001-07:00

Moving a tree peony

Q: I have a large, mature tree peony that I would like to move. Since the roots will be damaged, do I prune the top growth of this 4-foot shrub? When is the best time of year to do this?
Christopher Michalek, Lake Zurich, IL

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

A Flurry of Snowdrops

2009-10-19T06:33:00.002-07:00

A Flurry of Snowdrops

For blossoms at winter's end, plant a drift of bulbs this fall

by Kathleen S. Dickson

Transplanting an old rosebush

2009-10-18T07:12:00.003-07:00

Transplanting an old rosebush

Q: I have a climbing rosebush I grew from a cutting that I would like to give to a friend. It is probably an old rose. It blooms heavily in June and then sporadically throughout the rest of the summer. It seems to be very hardy and is not bothered by diseases. The canes are about 5 feet long. When is the best time to transplant it, and do I need to cut the canes way back?
Marge Giacalone, Port Washington, NY

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Sowing tips for vigorous poppies

2009-10-18T07:12:00.002-07:00

Sowing tips for vigorous poppies

Q: I would like to plant poppy seeds this year, but I’m confused about when to do it. Seed packets say to plant seeds in the garden in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked. Yet most books I’ve read tell you to avoid working the soil when it’s still wet in early spring. When is the best time to sow the seeds, and when is it safe to work the soil?
David Scott, Fairfield, CT

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Jump Start Your Seeds

2009-10-17T08:31:00.002-07:00

Jump Start Your Seeds

Use these tricks to speed germination then plant up some pots

by Sally Roth

Transplanting tips for espalier

2009-10-17T08:30:00.002-07:00

Transplanting tips for espalier

Q: I have five young apple trees that I intend to espalier—‘Jonagold’, ‘Liberty’, ‘Mutsu’, ‘Red Fuji’, and ‘Spigold’—planted in a temporary location. What is the best way to transplant these trees, and which types are best suited for espalier?
Catherine Fulbrigh, Issaquah, WA

Get Those Seedlings in the Ground

2009-10-16T05:35:00.005-07:00

Get Those Seedlings in the Ground

Whether you raise them yourself or buy them, help ease the way for tender young plants

by Linda Wesley

Weave a Garden of Self-Sown Splendor

2009-10-16T05:35:00.003-07:00

Weave a Garden of Self-Sown Splendor

Letting nature have a strong hand yields a garden of untamed beauty

by Gary Keim

Planted Pockets Give Life to Stone Walls

2009-10-15T07:15:00.005-07:00

Planted Pockets Give Life to Stone Walls

Fill cracks and crevices with drought-tolerant plants for a been-there-forever look

by Jeni Webber

Perennials with bulbs

2009-10-15T07:15:00.003-07:00

Perennials with bulbs

Q: I started a new sunny garden bed last fall and planted tulips and daffodils in it. Can you suggest some perennials that would grow well with the bulbs?
Lisa Cole, Seattle, WA

Easy plant labels

2009-10-14T07:20:00.004-07:00

Easy plant labels

Discarded slats from miniblinds—either the plastic or metal ones—make great plant labels. I cut them to the desired length, round the corners, and write the plants’ names on them with a permanent marker. For a smaller label, I punch a hole near the end of the marker and tie it to the plant with wire. I leave other labels longer and stick them directly into the ground.
Lorraine Methven, Gig Harbor, WA
From Fine Gardening 69, pp. 8

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Planting Bareroot Trees

2009-10-14T07:20:00.003-07:00

Planting Bareroot Trees

Take these steps to get mail-order trees off to a healthy start

by Lee Reich

Mass Plantings

2009-10-13T07:57:00.005-07:00

Mass Plantings

Create impact or harmony by grouping masses of just a few plants

by Ruth Adams

Gardening by the moon

2009-10-13T07:57:00.003-07:00

Gardening by the moon

Q: Could you please explain the notion of planting and gardening according to the cycles of the moon? Is there really anything to this?
Renata Jones, Palo Alto, CA

Digging and Storing Woody Plants

2009-10-12T09:12:00.005-07:00

Digging and Storing Woody Plants

The aim when transplanting is to keep root balls compact and protected

by Tim Hensley

How to Repot Container Plants

2009-10-12T09:12:00.003-07:00

How to Repot Container Plants

Trimming the roots and refreshing the soil give potbound plants a new lease on life

by James D. Kramer

Pay attention to where you plant a variegated hosta

2009-10-11T08:00:00.002-07:00

Pay attention to where you plant a variegated hosta

Q: The leaves of my variegated hostas seem to turn all green in the summer. Why is this, and are there any varieties that don’t?
Beverly Wretman, Huntersville, NC

Transplanting rose bushes

2009-10-11T07:59:00.002-07:00

Transplanting rose bushes

Q: I have three well-established old hybrid tea rose bushes that I need to transplant. How do I transplant them? And should I tackle this project in the fall or spring?
Sherri Browne Seyfert, Stony Brook, NY

To Stake or Not to Stake

2009-10-10T09:57:00.002-07:00

To Stake or Not to Stake

Most trees don't need staking. So how do you know when to stake and how to do it right?

by Lee Reich

No-stoop seed sowing

2009-10-09T13:32:00.000-07:00

No-stoop seed sowing

A long dowel and a pipe make sowing seed easier. Photo/Illustration: Christine Erikson
When I want to seed a large bed of corn or beans without being on my hands and knees all day, I use two homemade tools. The first is a long wooden dowel with a large rubber washer placed near one end; I adjust the placement of the washer so its distance from the end of the dowel is equal to the depth of the holes I need. I use it to poke uniform holes in the soil as I walk down the rows.

My other homemade tool is a long piece of metal pipe. As I walk along, I place the pipe in the hole I’ve made with the dowel and drop a seed in the top. A quick swipe with a rake and a sprinkler finishes the job.

Yvonne Savio, Monterey Park, CA
From Fine Gardening 83, pp. 14

Remaking a Bed

2009-10-09T08:52:00.002-07:00

Remaking a Bed

When your plant tastes change, dig in, dig up, and pray for rain

by Linda Wesley

Naturalizing Spring-Blooming Bulbs

2009-10-09T08:51:00.002-07:00

Naturalizing Spring-Blooming Bulbs

Here's how to make bulbs look as if Mother Nature planted them herself

by Charles W.G. Smith

Plant by Number

2009-10-08T09:08:00.005-07:00

Plant by Number

The key to a design’s success is understanding how many plants to use and how to arrange them

by Julie Siegel

Garden on the move

2009-10-08T09:08:00.003-07:00

Garden on the move

Q: I am getting ready to move to a new house and would like to take my garden with me. How can I make the process easier?

Alice Matthews, Vancouver, British Columbia, ca

Don't Plan, Just Plant

2009-10-07T11:00:00.005-07:00

OK - This is not the kind of article we would write -but if you have the comfort with your abilities and knowledge ... or are just 100% D.I.Y. and don't believe in the value of a professional ... here you go!

Don't Plan, Just Plant

This gardener offers a no-nonsense approach to designing a perennial border

by Amy Fahmy

Planting under a Tree

2009-10-07T11:00:00.003-07:00

Planting under a Tree

Follow these four steps to conquer this challenging site

by Doris Taylor

A hilly predicament

2009-10-05T09:27:00.005-07:00

A hilly predicament

Q: What’s the best way to plant a tree on a hillside?
Roger Burnett, Adams, MA

A strategy for planting

2009-10-05T09:27:00.003-07:00

A strategy for planting

Q: What does it mean when someone tells you to plant something “on center”?
Karen Finklestein, Aurora, CO

A: Contributing editor Barbara Ashmun responds: For gardeners, the term “on center” means arranging several plants to allow exactly the same distance from the center of one plant to the center of the next. This usually applies to a mass planting of one kind of perennial or ground cover to achieve a big sweep of greenery and flower color. Eventually the plants join, seamlessly flowing together, with no soil showing.

To accomplish this, first determine the ultimate spread of a plant. For example, the mature clump of a pink bishop’s hat (Epimedium X rubrum) spreads about a foot across, so placing the center of each plant one foot apart from each other when planting a row will create a unified effect.

Triangulating creates an even fuller picture. Imagine a second row of bishop’s hat, planted a foot behind the front row, with plants staggered so that triangles are formed between two adjacent front-row plants and one back-row plant, midway between them. The center of each plant is again placed one foot apart from its companions.

Any kind of plant can be placed on center and triangulated to achieve a uniform, organized look. For example, I planted three red ‘Flower Carpet’ roses 5 feet on center, knowing that they would spread at least that much, and triangulated them with two up front and one behind. Two years later, a mass of red roses blazes from early summer through frost.

You could do the same with a grove of trees. To weave them together, with canopies overlapping, space them so that each trunk is on center from its companions by a smaller distance than the mature spread of each canopy. If you want each tree to stand alone, let the distance from trunk to trunk be greater than the spread of each canopy.

When plants are young, it’s hard to picture how wide they’ll spread, so it’s especially valuable to do your homework ahead of time, especially with trees that may crowd each other and grow awkwardly. With more forgiving perennials, it’s a lot easier to remove extras in future years.
From Fine Gardening 108, pp. 22

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

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The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Planting Ground Covers

2009-10-04T13:02:00.005-07:00

Planting Ground Covers

Proper spacing and regular care are the best ways to create a lush, weed-free carpet

by Mary Hirshfeld

Lanky cleome seedlings

2009-10-04T13:02:00.003-07:00

Lanky cleome seedlings