gardening6.84 min read
Sarah Raven’s Two-Tier Bulb Strategy Maximizes Cut Flower Yields
13 days ago•Source: Financial Times
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98.585 min•5 months ago
The Mowing Mistake That Could Kill Your Lawn
With warmer weather, lawns need regular mowing, but experts warn that both over-mowing and under-mowing can damage grass. Removing too much blade at once stresses the plant, slowing growth and weakening roots, while mowing too short leads to browning, thinning, and vulnerability to weeds, disease, and drought. Similarly, letting the grass get too tall before cutting can shock it, create heavy clippings that block sunlight and air, and leave patches. The safer approach is balanced mowing—keeping a moderate blade height and mowing frequency to support energy production, healthy roots, and a dense, resilient lawn.
56.165 min•7 months ago
Pocket Mulberries: How to Grow Fruit in Pots in a Tiny Space
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Houseplant Clinic: Identifying Brown Lumps on Ferns
The brown lumps on the rabbit’s foot fern are likely scale insects, which can be treated with neem oil or insecticidal soap, and prevention involves quarantine, regular inspection, and maintaining good airflow.
Guide to Propagating Forsythia from Cuttings
The article provides a step-by-step guide on how to take semi-ripe forsythia cuttings in August, emphasizing the best time, tools, and techniques for successful propagation to grow more shrubs for free, highlighting that summer is an ideal period for this gardening activity.
Best Time to Prune Bee Balm for Healthy Growth
The article discusses the best times to cut back bee balm, highlighting benefits of pruning in spring for bushier growth and more blooms, or in fall to tidy the garden and prevent disease, especially powdery mildew. It emphasizes personal preference, disease management, and the importance of deadheading and proper pruning techniques to promote healthy, vibrant plants and support pollinators.
Top 7 flower bulbs to order in August
The article emphasizes the importance of ordering spring bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths in August to ensure availability of popular varieties, and provides tips on storing bulbs properly. It also highlights seven must-have bulbs for a vibrant spring garden, including 'Purple Sensation' hyacinths, 'Pheasant’s Eye' daffodils, 'Orange Emperor' tulips, and others, encouraging gardeners to be bold with colors and varieties while acting early to avoid disappointment.
Top 7 Plants to Propagate in August Before It's Too Late
August is an ideal time to take semi-ripe cuttings of popular shrubs and perennials like rosemary, lantana, potentilla, Ribes, lavender, forsythia, and sage, using proper techniques such as snipping below leaf nodes, stripping lower leaves, and using well-draining soil. Proper care and timing can help gardeners propagate new plants at home, saving money and expanding their garden.
Troubleshooting Blooming Issues in Wax Plants
To encourage blooming in a wax plant (Hoya carnosa), allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings, limit fertilization, provide bright indirect sunlight, and introduce mild stress through slight temperature drops or sun-stressing techniques, as these conditions promote flowering.
Top 7 Plants to Naturally Repel Garden Grubs
The article discusses seven plants—marigolds, lavender, geraniums, painted daisies, milkweed, garlic, and peppermint—that can help prevent or control grub infestations in gardens by repelling or attracting pests, promoting soil health, and maintaining ecological balance.
Top 12 Overrated Plants According to Gardening Pros
The article lists 12 popular plants like daffodils, peonies, and wisteria that gardening experts consider overrated due to issues like invasiveness, short blooming periods, or maintenance challenges, and suggests better alternatives for a healthier, more sustainable garden.
Top Companion Plants for Stunning Dahlia Displays
The article offers five top plant companions for dahlias, including purpletop vervain, ornamental grasses, holy basil, sweet alyssum, and nasturtiums, emphasizing their aesthetic and pest-control benefits to create a vibrant, thriving garden display.
Plants to Avoid Growing Near Dahlias for Better Summer Blooms
Dahlias are beautiful summer flowers that require careful companion planting; avoid planting them near water-loving plants, certain vegetables like kale and potatoes, large shrubs like hydrangeas, zinnias prone to powdery mildew, and sunflowers, as these can hinder their growth through competition, pests, or disease. Proper spacing and choosing compatible plants can help dahlias thrive and produce stunning blooms.