Category: Simplify Your Gardening Life

The term “native” plant generally refers to plants indigenous to a particular geographic region. Over time those plants have adapted to local environmental and social influences such as soil …

To prevent your plants from drooping their heads in summer, they need plenty of water. But how much or how often should they be watered? Is it better to …

Do you have a spot in your yard that gets a lot of sun? Full sun perennials are easy to care for and come in a huge variety of …

What Is Compost Composting is the process of converting food scraps and yard waste into material that boosts soil health. This means gardeners need less store-bought fertilizers to get …

Looking for some feel good, very fun, and easy gardening projects?  In the inclement months … while we are stuck indoors and it’s too cold and/or wet to work …

Recently I completed a tree identification course from the online offerings at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL. I've always wanted to learn more about trees! It frustrates me …

Don’t think you have enough space to start the garden of your dreams? Well, think again! There are many ways to garden in a limited area. You just need …

When September arrives, it may still feel like mid-summer in Zone 5 / 6. Forecasts might call for temps touching the high 80’s, but just because the calendar shows …

Now’s the time to enjoy a spring preview of flowering branches! So good for the soul … just prune non-essential branches of spring-flowering trees such as forsythia and pussy …

Your plants are better prepared for winter weather than you may think! As we pile on the layers to keep warm, winterize our vehicles for snow and ice covered …

The very best way to prevent rose pests & diseases is to plant varieties that are disease resistant. That's what we want: low maintenance, easy care roses! In recent …

Annual – A plant that grows, flowers, produces seed all in one season, and then does not survive the winter.  It must be planted each year.  Many plants we call annuals …

There are many things that can be done in your garden to help control the unwanted critters and insects that find the veggie plot (or your prized roses) their …

Ask most gardeners to define succulents, and they’ll likely respond with “cactus” … And while there’s some truth to that answer, the real story goes far beyond … Let’s …

What Plants Go Well Together In Containers? Without a doubt, container gardening is one of the most popular aspects of gardening. Not only is container gardening ideal for those …

Did you know used or fresh coffee grounds sometimes make an excellent plant fertilizer? It’s true, but there are some caveats. Read on … COFFEE GROUNDS & YOUR PLANTS …

ORGANIC WEED CONTROL FOR DOG FRIENDLY YARDS Weeds can easily overtake an outdoor space, turning any landscape from beautiful to horrific in a single growing season. Weed-infested flower beds …

Worm Composting is an important element of a dog friendly garden. It’s easy, eco-friendly and very rewarding! Given the right environment and a little routine attention, a handful of …

As a gardener, you don’t want invasive plants in your yard that drive you nuts and waste your precious time. Sure they may look great for a season or …